November 10, 2004
Ashcroft Resigns
I'm tempted to exult about this, but I doubt he'll be replaced by anyone better. The funny thing, though, is this:
"The objective of securing the safety of Americans from crime and terror has been achieved. The rule of law has been strengthened and upheld in the courts. Yet, I believe that the Department of Justice would be well served by new leadership and fresh inspiration," Ashcroft wrote in the letter he scripted himself, aides say, to prevent any leaks.. . .
Ashcroft, 62, has signaled for months his desire to leave, aides say. His aides say that he feels like he accomplished everything he set out to do. They add that Ashcroft recognized that if he is going to leave, it's best to leave while on top, and the attorney general feels like he made positive changes to the Justice Department and the country.
Two things. It must be nice to live in such a delusional world that you can think "crime and terror" have been defeated. That leads to my second point... he achieved all he wanted to? Does that mean his big goal was not just to damage civil liberties, but to jail pot-smokers and shut down head shops? I know I feel safer thanks to Ashcroft. Here's hoping he doesn't let the door hit him on his way out.