Ashcroft Defends USA Patriot Act (from Alaska)

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters)

Attorney General John Ashcroft on Monday defended the USA Patriot Act, saying criticism of the sweeping federal anti-terrorist law was based on exaggerations and falsehoods.

Ashcroft told a news conference it was understandable that the public was concerned about possible invasion of privacy.

"But when the so-called invasion is one that's falsely reported and nonexistent, and they don't hear about the fact that it's falsely reported and nonexistent, it's not helpful," he said. ---

He was in Alaska to meet with the state's terrorism task force, one of 93 nationwide.

According to the New York Times, a report by internal investigators at the Justice Department has identified dozens of recent cases in which department employees have been accused of serious civil rights violations involving enforcement of the Patriot Act.

The Republican-controlled state legislature in Alaska has approved a resolution condemning the act as an infringement of civil liberties.

that got people wondering.

Some anti-terror task force meeting. Don't have any details.

I noticed the local Safeway was short on Crisco though... :)

I live your bolding - at ever point we can we need to show that the current junta is trying to limit freedom - not increase it - even it means agreeing with non-NeoCon-Republicans from Alaska!