IP: John Ashcroft: The Triumph of Right-Wing Ideology Over Our Constitution and Laws

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

As usual , opposing and well stated comments are welecomed.


------ Forwarded Message
From: "Robert J. Berger" <rberger () ultradevices com>
Date: Mon, 20 May 2002 16:27:26 -0700
To: Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>, Dewayne Hendricks
<dewayne () warpspeed com>
Subject: John Ashcroft: The Triumph of Right-Wing Ideology Over Our
Constitution  and Laws

A major review of John Ashcroft's first year by the People for the American
Way (Its not pretty)

http://pfaw.org/issues/constitutional_freedoms/reports/ash_first_year/

JOHN ASHCROFT'S FIRST YEAR AS ATTORNEY GENERAL:
The Triumph of Right-Wing Ideology Over Our Constitution and Laws

Introduction

In January 2001, a remarkably broad coalition of civil rights and
other public interest organizations opposed the confirmation of John
Ashcroft as U.S. Attorney General.  People For the American Way helped
lead that effort, and produced more than 80 pages of reports analyzing
John Ashcroft's long public record. Those reports documented a career
notable for its commitment to right-wing ideology, its lack of
demonstrated commitment to fairness and equal opportunity, and its
insensitivity to the rights of women and minorities.

One year later, Ashcroft has done much to ensure his legacy as a
right-wing ideologue who is willing to bend the Constitution and laws
to his worldview, disregard the constitutional principle of checks and
balances, and endanger Americans' basic rights and freedoms. This
People For the American Way Foundation report reviews his actions both
before and after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that have an impact on
a range of civil rights and civil liberties.

<snip>

The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks were a watershed for the nation in many
ways, and for John Ashcroft as well. Ashcroft's response to those
attacks has been marked by a troubling willingness to amend our laws
and Constitution by executive fiat and by a consistent disrespect for
the role of the Congress and the courts in reviewing executive branch
actions. He proposed legislation to grant extraordinary new powers to
federal agencies and attempted to stifle congressional consideration
of its impact.  He then initiated or supported executive branch
orders, without consulting Congress, that expanded executive branch
powers even beyond those granted in the sweeping anti-terrorism
legislation.

<snip>

Also damaging has been Ashcroft's intolerance of criticism and his
willingness to engage in the politics of intimidation. He attempted to
bully Congress into swift passage of the administration's proposals by
publicly insinuating that members of Congress were making America
susceptible to future attacks. After the anti-terrorism bill had
become law, he stated in congressional testimony that people who raise
concerns about the impact of his actions on civil liberties "aid
terrorists" and "give ammunition to America's enemies." That kind of
statement is meant to silence critics and is particularly disturbing
coming from the man charged with upholding Americans' constitutional
rights, including the right to dissent.

<snip>

-- 
Robert J. Berger
UltraDevices, Inc.
257 Castro Street, Suite 223 Mt. View CA. 94041
Email: rberger () ultradevices com http://www.ultradevices.com
Voice: 650-237-0334 Fax: 408-490-2868


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