Security Over Privacy? (ABC: Jennings interview with Ashcroft)

7:10 this just aired so I think LBN rules are covered. It's short transcript so take the time. Very interesting.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=post&forum=102

The following is an excerpt of the interview


JENNINGS: But doesn't the Bill of Rights, for a man like Padilla, apply really in two ways? First of all, it protects the individual. But doesn't it also give you a chance to make sure we have the right person? Without legal contests, or a legal challenge, or a legal opportunity, how do you do that?

ASHCROFT: There have been challenges in this respect during this situation, and the courts have upheld this president's authority, understanding that it's necessary in time of conflict and war for the president to be able to act in defense of the nation.

ABCNOTE: In fact, a federal judge has ordered the government to allow Padilla to see his lawyer. The government has appealed.
____
JENNINGS: One of the members of your staff said you're more concerned about the judgment of history than opportunists on either side of this great debate about the Patriot Act and civil liberties.

ASHCROFT: The truth of the matter is, I'm more concerned about the judgment of eternity. When I look in the mirror, I want to be able to think that, in the presence and in the sight of God, I will have done my utmost to serve this country with honesty and integrity. That's the most important thing.

:crazy:

So, Crisco Johnny's off the hook because it's up to God to determine if he's an out-of-control power freak?

Sorry, chum(p); you work for the American people, not God. But if you'd like to quit your position, I'll be more than happy to accept your resignation, you sanctimonious, hypocritical, fear-mongering, abuse-addicted stinkball!

The sick bastard is a loon among loons.

as Attorney General. He is interpreting God's judgement, I suppose he talks to God and God tells him to save America from that nasty bill of rights.

Funny how this administration manages to be a magnet to attract every fricking loonie Repuke out there.

and freedom in the United States as we have known it for over 200 years is in grave peril because of this one, miserable, insane man!

He didn't like the questions ... red-faced ... shifting eyes ... twitching jowls. I got a little freaked when he mentioned god. He's a fanatic. Unlike the loons in the WH, this guy really BELIEVES. That makes him dangerous.

Well hell W&Co. continually tell us the obvious, that this will be a long WAR! So I guess this is just how things are going to be. They want to perpetuate the war is an end to justify all of their means.

I don't think so.

....if Asscrotch continues his present course, the judgment of his eternity is going to be "slow roasted over an eternal barbecue" :grr:

Ashcroft would be better off cleaning toilets, then he could be assured God would love him.

is how in the world did he get thru congress on his appointment , why did'nt they throw his ass back to the place he came from ,

Is the transcript on the ABC website or what? I did not know about this interview and would like to read the whole thing, that is, if I can stomach it.

Also, I have a big problem and would like to ask a question and maybe even seek some advise about the California gubernatorial race, but I just registered and can't start a new thread yet. Which catagory would be the best to ask a question on an existing thread? I didn't see any on the Politics and Campaigns catagory. Thanks for your help.:)

:hi:

The link is provided below by grasswire(sorry):spank:

I think you only need 10 posts in order to start a thread so get to posting.

Where to put such a thread?

There is a "Politics and Campaigns" forum but I don't know how much activity the is there.

"General Discussion" (GD) is open to most anything but the problems there are that sometimes "flame wars" breakout and people scream and holler more than discuss also it moves REALLY fast and things get carried downstream.

You can always find a thread in "Late Breaking News" (LBN)about the Ca. race and pose it there.

Anyway good Luck and again Welcome to DU where you will find things wise and otherwise (visit the Lounge for the laughs, stay for the insanity).

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

I wonder if he's even read the Constitution. He NEVER should have been confirmed.

This is not the brightest lamp in the house. After all, he lost an election to a dead man.

At least that's what's they used to call the attitude.

Here's the transcript URL

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/wnt/US/PJ_Ashcroft_transcript030910.html

JENNINGS: A personal question. My sense of you is that no matter what you say publicly, that John Ashcroft from Missouri is uncomfortable with being regarded as one of the most divisive public figures in America today.

ASHCROFT: I take no pleasure in anything that I would do ever to divide America. Now, I don't think it divides America to be a part of a debate. But I think great leadership unites people and doesn't divide people. And that's why I'm very pleased to be a part of providing what I consider to be facts and information about a fight that I think should unite us, and that's the fight against terror.

JENNINGS: Based on, on the criteria which you just mentioned, you are not regarded, therefor, as a great leader at the moment. Is that painful to you?

ASHCROFT: Well, I think, I'm delighted that 74 percent of the people in this country say that we're doing just about right, or we're not doing enough, and so they're encouraging us in our operation. Now I don't think takes 100 percent unanimity, I don't think we'll ever find that in America, it's too free a culture, and we want it to be that kind of a free culture. But, we want to help people understand very clearly what the facts are. You know, democracies are a little bit like computers. You put in the wrong facts, you'll get out the wrong answers. Garbage in, garbage out. We need for the people to be aware of what the facts are, what the circumstances are, what the character of this law is, and then let people debate it, and we'll be a part of that debate, and a part of that national discussion, which is something I have the pleasure of doing now. And but we think these facts are very friendly to the future of America by helping us thwart terrorism. And they're friendly to freedom by securing the liberty that that we have in a respectful way.

snip

JENNINGS: Do you think these portraits of you, uh, abusing power, seeking power, relentlessly exercising individual power, are caricatures?

ASHCROFT: Me?

JENNINGS: Yes.

ASHCROFT: Me?

JENNINGS: Precisely.

ASHCROFT: People are free to say and do about me anything they choose to.

JENNINGS: Of course they are, but do you think? Analyze them for us.

ASHCROFT: I think they miss the mark here. I am very concerned about freedoms. I always have been. My heritage has been one that has been focused on the liberties of individuals. And I will continue to have those concerns. And the reason I'm as ardent as I am about prosecuting the war on terror is that terror is the number one threat to our freedoms. And I believe that securing liberty through an aggressive fight against terror, within the limits of the Constitution, that's the best way for us to have and sustain freedom.

he is taking backing Arsloch into a corner like that? I doubt that John is past some J. Edgar Hooveresque maneuvers. The worst, Peter could get shipped to Gitmo; the best, he would get deported back to Canada.

Look out Mr. Jennings you're not dealing with a sane, rational man.

We've all been complaining that the media hasn't been doing it's job well. Jennings did a GREAT JOB here. It would be nice to send him an e-mail saying thank you, rather than spreading fear like 'hope he watches his back' kind of nonsense. GEEEEEEEEEEEZ

Anyone know how to e-mail Peter Jennings?

I did that at home and my computer at home sucks. I have no idea how I posted a link to and empty reply box.

:crazy:

Could we please get religion out of politics now? Please? What about in the sight of your fellow citizens, Johnny?