Kerry On Ashcroft, Civil Liberties, and the NRA

[DrFunkenstein]

“George Bush and John Ashcroft are handcuffing law enforcement on the front lines of the war on terror by buckling to the NRA. It’s a powerful commentary about the era of Ashcroft that the Attorney General will abuse the civil liberties of law abiding citizens under the guise of the war on terror. But when it comes to actually fighting the war on terror, John Ashcroft sides with powerful special interests over law enforcement.”

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2003_1126.html

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[IndianaGreen]

1. Confusing thread. You should edit and add the title

This reads like the ranting of a madman until one reads the title:

Statement from John Kerry on Bush-Ashcroft Deal to Get Rid of Background Check Records

Please edit your thread. Thanks.

[leyton]

2. Yup

I've written letters to the editor in my local paper about this... the response letter from one Republican was that the second amendment is most important because it is the last resort of the people when a government becomes too oppressive (ie, they can revolt with weapons).

He seemed oblivious to the fact that overthrowing the U.S. government is exactly what terrorists want - that's not a right of theirs that needs to be protected...

Edit: is it just me, or in this picture does Kerry look like he walked right out of Doonesbury, with the nose and the eyes and all?

[Padraig18]

3. Good article, but please edit the subject line.

It's rather confusing. :)

[alfredo]

4. Bush and Ashcroft probably believe that those guns will only be used in

their service, never against their rule.

[DrFunkenstein]

5. bumped for clarity

[Octafish]

6. Ashcan loves gun nuts.

Democrats question lack of terror gun checks

December 6, 2001 Posted: 4:15 PM EST (2115 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Bush administration defended itself Thursday against criticism from some Democrats who questioned why the Justice Department has refused to let the FBI use a computer database to determine whether any of the hundreds of people detained after the September 11 attacks had purchased guns.

Several lawmakers said the refusal to conduct the gun checks -- reported in Thursday's New York Times -- flies in the face of the administration's promise to do everything it can to undermine suspected terrorists.

"I'm a little befuddled," said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York. "We're looking for new tools in every direction. I support most of those. But when it comes to the area of even illegal immigrants getting guns and finding out if they did, this administration becomes weak as a wet noodle."

Attorney General John Ashcroft, appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he does not believe the administration has the authority to conduct such checks, based on how the law was written by Congress.

CONTINUED...

http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/12/06/inv.gun.checks/

[JNelson6563]

7. Tell it John

loud and often!!!

This is what every Dem candidate needs to be doing, pointing at the horrors of what is going on right now. With 9 voices shouting out the truth more are sure to hear.

Julie

[Octafish]

8. Good point, J!

Nine working together are stronger than nine working apart.

There is one voice absent who would be the natural counterbalance, that of Al Gore.

Then again, the Press marginalized that guy what seems a long time ago.

Remember Aesop and the sticks! Through unity, strength!

[meow2u3]

9. Contrary to Repuke rhetoric

Bush and Ashcroft secretly (or not-so-secretly) are in league with the terrorists. If they weren't, they'd work harder to get firearms out of the hands of criminals and terrorists.

So who's calling whom soft on terror? fed2dneck to Bushies: before you accuse Dems of being soft on crime, terrorism, and national security, take a long, close look in the man in the mirror.

[sangh0]

10. Kerry's revving up his campaign

I expect many similar statements in the near future.

[Bandit]

11. Well let's hope so because he certainly has nowhere to go but up

All our candidates need to become the squeeky wheel.