February 24, 2004

John Ashcroft's Patriot Games. This is an interesting article on Ashcroft reprinted from this month's Vanity Fair (read it before they go after the guy with a 2 x 4.) [Via Boing Boing.]
posted by homunculus 20 years ago
  • Ah, the new FDR. For me, the scary thing isn't Ashcroft per se, it's that between him and the Blair government, you're seeing massive rollbacks in citizens' protections. And Phil Goff here in New Zealand doesn't seem to have seen a-one he doesn't like: a few moneths after the Blair government floated proposals to refuse the rights of jury trial, to remove double jeorpardy, and to remove the requirement for unanimous decisions, the New Zealand government promptly proposed the same measures.
  • Sadly, 99% of the american public will never see this, nor will they believe any of it if they do get the chance to see it. When Vanity Fair comes out the right wing assholes on the radio will attack it as falsehoods, lies and gibberish. The average american who worships at the limbaugh, o'reilly altar will find that much more believable. That way they won't have to read or think or do anything. Makes me sick.
  • There are times when it's difficult to find the words. I cannot fathom how people can allow themselves to be led by these power-hungry egomaniacs. It's as if I am living on some other severely altered planet. My in-laws, desert Californians, well-off, reasonably intelligent in a highly materialistic way, republican, absolutely refuse to read or discuss anything critical of this government. If they are faced with proof, they will reason it out. It's incredible to witness. Our conversations since Bush's "election" have been short and shallow. However, sometimes I think we deserve this. The silent majority deserves this. Wake up America!
  • They did Darshon, and they said that they didn't care, or that they were to busy, or any number of other excuses. The silent majority likes to play spectator. Politics is gladitorial combat, with fewer spiky things and less death. Looks like it's up to the people who do care, on both sides of the aisle, to finish the fight. To my worthy opponents I say, "Good luck, and may the best ideology win."
  • "The law is not about forgiveness," [Ashcroft] said. "It is oftentimes about vengeance, oftentimes about revenge." [His wife]...had recently been bumped by an airline but was rewarded with extra frequent-flier miles and a free ticket, leading a delighted Ashcroft to conclude, "God is working for her." A true believer can't compartmentalise their lives into 'work' and 'other': you're either in or you're out. If God is working to hand out airmiles, he's working in the Justice Department too.
  • The John Kerry campaign should hand out the Vanity Fair article to the press.
  • Really, the only people who would be suprised by this article aren't going to be voting anyway. Anybody who's paid attention for the last three years already knows Ashcroft is insane. Unfortunately, he isn't the stark raving kind. No, he manages to keep himself looking sane. It's only when you start listening to what the man says that you realize whoever is behind his smile has all the compassion and humanity of Jason Voorhees on speed.
  • It's only when you start listening to what the man says that you realize whoever is behind his smile has all the compassion and humanity of Jason Voorhees on speed. Priceless.
  • And Phil Goff here in New Zealand doesn't seem to have seen a-one he doesn't like rodgerd, got any links? I'd like to read more on what's going on in NZ.
  • The enemy is fear -- and the more done to increase fear among a populace, the easier it is for politicians to curtail liberties in the name of 'security'.
  • Here's one on double jeopardy from the lawyers, and one from Goff on the same issue.
  • The enemy is fear -- and the more done to increase fear among a populace, the easier it is for politicians to curtail liberties in the name of 'security'. Under the Banner of the 'War' on Terror
  • Thanks for the links, rodgerd.