Double blow for online music file-sharing`hubs Oct 13, 2009
"Peer-to-peer does not stand for "permission to pilfer," said John Ashcroft, US attorney general.Meanwhile, the Recording Industry Association of America expanded its own crackdown by filing another 744 copyright infringement lawsuits against individuals allegedly swapping music tracks on popular file-sharing networks Limewire, Grokster and eDonkey.The RIAA has now sued nearly 4,700 people since September to crack down on online music piracy, which the industry has said contributed to a... (Yahoo News -- Digital Music)
Congress set to act to keep abuse photos hidden Oct 10, 2009
Or how liberal I was until John Ashcroft revealed his plans to prevent more attacks. So I was glad to see the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rule that a former terror detainee could sue the former attorney general. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Judge urges new policy for terrorism victims Oct 1, 2009
In lawsuits stemming from law enforcement and intelligence efforts after the Sept. 11 attacks, three federal courts have left open the possibility that former Attorney General John Ashcroft and a lieutenant may be held personally liable. In two cases, judges appointed by Republican presidents have refused at an early stage to dismiss lawsuits that were filed against Ashcroft and former Justice Department official John Yoo. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Ex-Bush officials face lawsuits over actions Sep 30, 2009
In lawsuits stemming from law enforcement and intelligence efforts after the Sept. 11 attacks, three federal courts have left open the possibility that former Attorney General John Ashcroft and a lieutenant may be held personally liable. More News. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Callahan picked for U.S. attorney Sep 26, 2009
Callahan, a St. Louisan, would succeed Catherine Hanaway, who in April to join former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft in building a nationwide law firm. Callahan has served as a circuit judge in Jefferson City since 2002, and prior to that he served for 16 years as Cole County prosecutor. (St. Louis Business Journal, MO)
All the kings horses and men struggle to put Afghanistan together again Sep 23, 2009
I m no John Ashcroft who might just be spying on you at this very moment. Bwahahahahahahaha. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Who's Afraid of Sibel Edmonds? Sep 23, 2009
John Ashcroft s Justice Department confirmed Edmonds s veracity in a backhanded way by twice invoking the dubious State Secrets Privilege so she could not tell what she knows. The ACLU has called her the most gagged person in the history of the United States of America. (The American Conservative)
Ashcroft May Be Sued for Rights Violation Sep 19, 2009
In a stunning federal court decision with far-reaching ramifications, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco last week ruled that former Attorney General John Ashcroft can be sued personally for violating the civil liberties of a Muslim American in the immediate aftermath of the 911 attacks ... com reported that John Ashcroft had stopped flying on commercial airlines. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Former Top Ashcroft Aide Takes the Fifth Sep 18, 2009
WASHINGTON -- A top aide to former Attorney General John Ashcroft claimed his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination Thursday in a trial related to the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal. David Ayers, who was Ashcroft's chief of staff at the Justice Department during the Bush administration, refused to answer questions under oath about tickets he received from Abramoff's firm and any favors he may have granted for the firm's clients. (Newsmax)
What does 'person of interest' mean? Nothing Sep 18, 2009
Steven Hatfill, a former U.S. Army bio-weapons scientist, found his reputation destroyed after Attorney General John Ashcroft named him a "person of interest" in the 2001 anthrax attacks. In the investigation that followed, Hatfill was never charged. (CNN -- Law)
Thomas Perez, Illegal Activist and Obama's Civil Rights Officer Sep 16, 2009
The defense of Perez usually comes from those who disliked Attorneys General John Ashcroft and Alberto Gonzales Civil Rights division and are in favor of Holders policies and reforms. The Baltimore Sun said Perez's nomination would usher in a DoJ that "can return to its traditional mission of enforcing anti-discrimination laws and protecting the rights of minorities.". (Townhall.com)
Civil rights laws mean something again Sep 14, 2009
Bush administration Attorneys General John Ashcroft and Alberto Gonzales, however, seemed as hostile to civil service laws as they were to civil rights laws. An internal Justice Department investigation found that senior managers sought to staff the division exclusively with conservatives, whom Deputy Assistant Attorney General Bradley Scholzman called "real Americans" -- as opposed to the "libs" and "pinkos" he tried to eradicate from the Department. (Albany Times Union)
RUBEN NAVARRETTE JR.: A ruling for accountability Sep 13, 2009
A federal appeals court has ruled that former Attorney General John Ashcroft can be sued by people who claim they were wrongfully detained as material witnesses after 9/11, and called the government practice "repugnant to the Constitution." ... A federal appeals court has ruled that former Attorney General John Ashcroft can be sued by people who claim they were wrongfully detained as material witnesses after 9/11, and called the government practice "repugnant to the Constitution." ... Or how... (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Court rules against Ashcroft (2) Sep 9, 2009
The World Link : Court rules against Ashcroft. Court rules against Ashcroft. (Coos Bay-North Bend The World, OR)
Court Says 9/11 Witnesses Can Sue Ashcroft Sep 6, 2009
A federal appeals court has ruled that former Attorney General John Ashcroft may be held liable for people who were wrongfully detained as material witnesses after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. In a harshly worded ruling handed down Friday, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals called the government's use of material witnesses after Sept. 11 "repugnant to the Constitution and a painful reminder of some of the most ignominious chapters of our national history.". (KCRA 3, CA)
Viagra introduces its latest celebrity backer: the devil Sep 6, 2009
A federal appeals court has delivered a stinging rebuke to the Bush administration's detention policies after the September 11 terror attacks, ruling that former Attorney General John Ashcroft can be held liable for people who were wrongfully detained as material witnesses. Saturday, 5 September 2009. (Yahoo News -- Men's Health)
Obama speech to students sparks new controversy Sep 6, 2009
fatman2 wrote on Sep 5, 2009 5:23 PM:" Tim, that's fine and dandy about your education, but like I said, check in with me after you've been a parent for 20+ years and we'll see how you feel. Here's something to think about tonight when you're walking your dog; some parents believe its okay to have opposite sex sleepovers. Some parents believe it's okay to allow your children to drink if they stay home. sometimes as a parent you have to make hard decisions and sometimes you have to say no. To... (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
News flash: GOP condemns extremist views, coarse rhetoric Sep 6, 2009
11 detention policies, ruling that former Attorney General John Ashcroft can be held liable for people who were wrongfully detained as material witnesses after 9/11. Ouch. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Top Bush-era lawyer 'can be sued' Sep 5, 2009
John Ashcroft had asked the court to dismiss the case ... Abdullah al-Kidd accuses John Ashcroft, attorney general from 2001 to 2005, of violating his constitutional rights in 2003, when he was held for 16 days. (BBC News -- Americas)
Stanford Grad Gives $33M For Stem Cell Research Sep 5, 2009
A federal appeals court Friday ruled against former Attorney General John Ashcroft, saying the ex-Bush official could be held responsible for people wrongfully held as witnesses after the September 11th terrorist attacks. Sep 4, 2009. (Yahoo News -- Philanthropy and Volunteerism)
Bush official can be sued by 'terror' witness: court Sep 5, 2009
Former US president George W. Bush's top law enforcer John Ashcroft could be sued and be held personally responsible for the wrongful detention of a US "terror" witness, a federal court of appeals said. Placing responsibility on the shoulders of US officials in the Bush administration, and specifically Ashcroft, who was attorney general at the time, the judge at the ninth circuit court of appeals in Boise, Idaho ruled in favor of Abdullah al-Kidd, an American citizen who brought the complaint. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Ashcroft can be sued over jailing 'witnesses' Sep 5, 2009
Former Attorney General John Ashcroft can be sued for damages for ordering Muslims jailed as material witnesses in criminal cases, allegedly as a pretext to investigate their possible links to terrorism, a federal appeals court in San Francisco ruled Friday ... Ashcroft can be sued over jailing 'witnesses' Articles Former Attorney General John Ashcroft can be sued for damages for ordering Muslims jailed as material witnesses in criminal cases, allegedly as a pretext to investigate their possible... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
US 'settles 9/11 detainee's suit' Sep 5, 2009
Their lawsuit accuses former US Attorney General John Ashcroft and other federal officials of conspiring to violate the rights of Muslim immigrant detainees. A federal judge ruled last year that Mr Ashcroft must answer questions on the case under oath, but the government has appealed the ruling arguing that top officials need immunity to combat future threats to national security. (BBC News -- Americas)
Top Bush aid liable Sep 5, 2009
Former US Attorney General John Ashcroft ... Former US president George W. Bush's top law enforcer John Ashcroft could be sued and be held personally responsible for the wrongful detention of a US "terror" witness, a federal court of appeals said. (iAfrica.com)
Ashcroft liable for detentions, court finds Sep 5, 2009
Former Attorney General John Ashcroft may be sued and held liable for wrongly detaining witnesses after the Sept. 11 attacks, a federal appeals court ruled on Friday ... "He alleges that he was arrested and confined because former United States Attorney General John Ashcroft (Ashcroft), subordinates operating under policies promulgated by Ashcroft, and others within the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), unlawfully used the federal material witness statute ... to investigate or... (TheHill.com)
Profile: John Ashcroft Sep 5, 2009
John Ashcroft - a controversial figure. All those who have met John Ashcroft know him to be strongly conservative and deeply religious ... "John Ashcroft is an extremist; he has a record of insensitivity, if not outright hostility towards women and minorities," is the way civil rights activist Judith Schaefer has described him. (BBC News -- Americas)
Well there are a lot of candidates rumored interested, but only one has taken out nomination papers for the January 2010 special election. Sep 3, 2009
Sullivan, who now leads the Boston office for Ashcroft Sullivan LLC, a law firm headed by former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, did not return a call and e-mail for comment. Sullivan resigned as the U.S. attorney in Boston in January. (Allston Brighton TAB, MA)
Blown Out of Proportion? Sep 2, 2009
Now Ridge said after the release of that video that Attorney General John Ashcroft and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld recommended that the administration raised the terror alert level ... HANNITY: If John Ashcroft and Donald Rumsfeld were suggesting to you, when you said, is this about security or is this about politics, you also concluded it also seem possible to me and others around that table that something could be afoot other than the simple concern of this country's safety ... Every day... (Fox News)
Bhatnagar: Time for America to ban racial profiling Sep 1, 2009
Former President George W. Bush described the practice as wrong, former Attorney General John Ashcroft called it unconstitutional and current Attorney General Eric Holder said profiling was "simply not good law enforcement." Despite the bipartisan rhetoric, however, this unjustifiable and unconstitutional practice persists. Moreover, racial profiling is a clear violation of human rights and of the obligations of the United States to uphold the International Convention on the Elimination of All... (CNN -- US)
Eric Holder's Anti-CIA Witch Hunt Sep 1, 2009
A former Justice Department lawyer says of one of them, U.S. Attorney Chuck Rosenberg, "[He] is a complete professional. Had he perceived any political pressure whatsoever not to prosecute these cases, he would have gone public with it, much like Jim Comey did." (Deputy Attorney General James B. Comey made headlines in 2004 when he refused to buckle to perceived White House pressure while then attorney general John Ashcroft was incapacitated. Any suggestion that the task force was pressured is... (CBS News -- Opinion)
Kennedy's leadership will be missed Aug 28, 2009
Dan Quayle on a jobs law; with Attorney General John Ashcroft on a law to protect prisoners from rape; with Sen. Orrin Hatch on SCHIP for insurance for children; and with President Bush on No Child Left Behind -- still underfunded. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Bush's legacy continues to haunt Obama Aug 28, 2009
Already Republicans charge politics and several Democrats complain that the special prosecutor isn't chartered to explore the possible legal culpability of Bush, Cheney and attorneys general John Ashcroft and Alberto Gonzales. Hence still another sticky slog for a new presidency trying to pull its boots free of the messes made by its predecessor. (Albany Times Union)
Grays of Making Them Talk Aug 27, 2009
But the CIA's general counsel said he received oral approval from Attorney General John Ashcroft for deviating from the original description. Other methods mentioned in the report were never cleared with the Justice Department. (Townhall.com)
A Candid Conversation With Former AG Gonzales Aug 25, 2009
Texas Lawyer senior reporter John Council interviewed Gonzales on Aug. 6 about a wide range of topics: the so-called "torture memo," his controversial visit with then-U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft in the hospital, his involvement in the firings of nine U.S. Attorneys and his future in Lubbock. The interview has been edited for style and length. (Law.com)
Report: CIA Used Power Drills, Guns, Threats Against ChildrenDeclassified report says then-AG knew one suspect waterboarded 119 times. Aug 25, 2009
The report says the extensive use of was well known and fully approved by then-Attorney General John Ashcroft, who told Congress last year that his "understanding is that it has been done three times.". But the report reveals Ashcroft "was informed the waterboard had been used 119 times on a single individual.". (ABC News)
Gov. Hearnes remembered; special session possible Aug 25, 2009
The measure passed and since then, two more governors, John Ashcroft and Mel Carnahan, have been elected to a second consecutive term. Current United States Senator, Kit Bond, served two terms as governor, but they were not consecutive. (Jefferson City News Tribune, MO)
The Justice Dept.'s War On Heroes Aug 25, 2009
Former Bush administration Homeland Security Secretary and Republican Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, in a forthcoming book, claims that former Attorney General John Ashcroft and former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld pressured him to raise the national terror threat level preceding the 2004 elections. It's hard enough to swallow that Ridge, a Bronze Star recipient and Vietnam vet with a well-cultivated reputation for toughness, would clam up for five years about a concerted attempt to manipulate... (Investors Business Daily)
Orange alert: Politicizing national security Aug 23, 2009
The book, The Test of Our Times, charges that top advisers to President Bush, including former defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld and former attorney general John Ashcroft, pressed Ridge to issue a politically motivated alert just days before the 2004 election despite a lack of hard intelligence pointing to a new attack. Ridge and his Homeland Security team pushed back successfully, but the callous calculation to use a terror scare to boost support for the hard-line president prompted Ridge to... (Boston Globe)
No justice for MacPhail family Aug 21, 2009
Then defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld and attorney general John Ashcroft pushed him to elevate the color-coded threat level, but Ridge refused, according to a summary from his publisher, Thomas Dunne Books. Peter. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Ex-Homeland chief claims pressure to raise alert Aug 21, 2009
Ridge says he objected to raising the security level despite the urgings of then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and then-Attorney General John Ashcroft, according to a publicity release from Ridge's publisher. In the end, the alert level was not changed. (AZCentral -- News)
Ridge felt a push to politicize alert levels Aug 21, 2009
Ridge says he successfully objected to raising the security level despite the urgings of former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and then-Attorney General John Ashcroft, according to a release from Ridge s publisher. Ridge writes that there was a vigorous, some might say dramatic, discussion about raising the threat level. (Boston Globe)
Ridge: I was pushed to raise terror alert Aug 21, 2009
Ridge says he objected to raising the security level despite the urgings of former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and then-Attorney General John Ashcroft, according to a publicity release from Ridge's publisher. He said the episode convinced him to follow through with his plans to leave the administration; he resigned on Nov. 30, 2004. (MSNBC -- Terrorism)
US 'terror alert' raised to sway 04 polls: Ex-Bush aide Aug 21, 2009
Then defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld and attorney general John Ashcroft pushed him to elevate the color-coded threat level, but Ridge refused, according to a summary from his publisher, Thomas Dunne Books. "After that episode, I knew I had to follow through with my plans to leave the federal government for the private sector," Ridge is quoted as writing in "The Test of Our Times: America Under Siege ... And How We Can Be Safe Again.". (India Times, India)
The Wilsonian Delusion Aug 21, 2009
Wilson s attorney general when the war began, Thomas W. Gregory, would make John Ashcroft look like a civil libertarian. Gregory warned dissenters to expect no mercy from an outraged people and an avenging government : but was outdone by his successor, the notorious A. Mitchell Palmer. (The American Conservative)
Executive survives PR disaster Aug 19, 2009
Then-U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft had lashed out at his company. An e-mail from someone else told him to burn in hell a common opinion back then. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Business)
It Might Get Loud Aug 14, 2009
Why did John Ashcroft lose an election to a dead man ... PG - John Ashcroft loss because he was a turd ... John Ashcroft loss because he was a turd. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Living)
earlier interview Aug 11, 2009
On the 2004 confrontation with former Deputy Attorney General James Comey at the hospital bedside of former Attorney General John Ashcroft over Mr. Comey's refusal, as acting attorney general during Mr. Ashcroft's recuperation from surgery, to reauthorize a classified government intelligence program. "I am very comfortable with the testimony I gave to Congress. The concerns were about other intelligence activities. They weren't about the Terrorist Surveillance Program. I can't talk about what it... (Harper's Magazine)
Fmr. US attys general doubt interrogations probe Aug 1, 2009
John Ashcroft, who served under George W. Bush, said the president needs enough power to defend the country. "When it comes to national security I think you have to give the president the benefit of the doubt," he said. (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
Missouri's longest-serving judge to retire Aug 1, 2009
Gov. John Ashcroft appointed Parrish to the Springfield-based Southern District appeals court in January 1990, with voters retaining him for 12-year terms in 1992 and 2004. In his 19 years on the appeals court, a news release noted, Parrish authored more than 900 opinions and served six years as a presiding judge of one of the Southern District appeals court's two divisions. (Jefferson City News Tribune, MO)
Hermitage: Bankers May Have Helped with Fraud Jul 31, 2009
"Hermitage is the victim of a fraud that damaged it profoundly and that cost the Russian Treasury $230 million," Hermitage's lead outside lawyer, John Ashcroft, the former U.S. Attorney General, said in a written statement. "As evidenced by my personal involvement in this Application for Judicial Assistance, I take this situation with great seriousness." Ashcroft added that the information sought with the assistance of the American court is needed to help Hermitage pursue pending civil lawsuits... (BusinessWeek)
Blunt building GOP support in Mo. Senate race Jul 22, 2009
John Ashcroft and Jim Talent. Late last month, the National Republican Senatorial Committee also endorsed Blunt, a signal that a hotly contested Republican primary seemed unlikely. (Jefferson City News Tribune, MO)
U.S. Fidelis consumer complaints continue Jul 22, 2009
Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, now chairman of the Ashcroft Law Firm LLC, said in May that as an independent monitor for U.S. Fidelis. Former U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway, a partner in Ashcroft s firm, of U.S. Fidelis company policies, practices and procedures. (St. Louis Business Journal, MO)
Putting drug houses on alert Jul 22, 2009
Kirk O wrote on Jul 20, 2009 10:11 AM:" This article should have been more accurately titled Putting Freedom on Alert or Putting Trust on Alert. I would opt for something closer to the old car commercial, Making Judgments Job One.Being judgmental, overly critical and saturated in certitude seems to be the new national religion. I believe, therefore those people who do not are evil. Now, I have spoken, in past years, with Detective Anderson and have no reason to doubt his... (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)
UC law professor to appeal prisoner suit ruling Jul 15, 2009
Then-Attorney General John Ashcroft accused him of plotting with al Qaeda to detonate a radioactive "dirty bomb," allegations that were later dropped. Padilla said in his suit that he had been subjected to extremes of light and temperature, confined in painful positions and threatened with death. (San Francisco Chronicle)
IGs: Basis for domestic surveillance flawed Jul 12, 2009
The report says Yoo largely circumvented both his boss, Assistant Attorney General Jay Bybee, and Attorney General John Ashcroft ... The report was compiled by inspectors general of five agencies despite the apparent refusal by key figures -- including Yoo, former Attorney General John Ashcroft and former CIA Director George Tenet -- to be interviewed by investigators. (CNN -- US)
Program Beyond Wiretapping; Tenet, Others Won't Talk Jul 12, 2009
Five former Bush administration officials refused to be interviewed, including former CIA Director George Tenet and former Attorney General John Ashcroft. The others: former White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card; former top Cheney aide David Addington; and John Yoo, who served as a deputy assistant attorney general. (Newsmax)
Ex-CIA boss: Congress knew of surveillance Jul 12, 2009
Even John Ashcroft, who was attorney general at the time, got an accurate description of one surveillance activity only two years after he first certified it as legal. And his initial request to brief his chief of staff and deputy on the program were refused by the White House. (MSNBC -- Politics)
* Federal inspectors slam surveillance program under Bush Jul 12, 2009
His boss, attorney general John Ashcroft, was not aware until March 2004 of the exact nature of the intelligence operations beyond wiretapping that he had been approving for the previous two-and-a-half years, the report says. The report, compiled by five inspectors general, refered to unprecedented collection activities by US intelligence agencies under an executive order signed by Bush after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. (Taipei Times, Taiwan)
Click to read:Cheney Linked to Concealing CIA Project Jul 12, 2009
Even John Ashcroft, who was attorney general at the time, got an accurate description of one surveillance activity only two years after he first certified it as legal ... NOW we are being told that it was FAR BROADER and DEEPER than even John Ashcroft was being told, that it went FAR beyond electronic communications, and that (and I quote): "Most of the intelligence leads generated under what was known as the 'Presidents Surveillance Program' did not have any connection to terrorism, the report... (CBS News)
Tarver has right skills, lawyers say Jul 12, 2009
But he left the position in 2005 with respect from his peers and former Attorney General John Ashcroft, who applauded him for personally winning the state's first federal death penalty case. "Looking back, it would have been helpful to me to have had more federal prosecutorial experience," Mr. Thurmond said. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Surveillance went beyond warrantless wiretapping Jul 11, 2009
WASHINGTON (AP) Former Attorney General John Ashcroft and ex-CIA Director George Tenet are among the Bush administration officials who refused to be interviewed for a government report on the warrantless wiretapping program ... Former Attorney General John Ashcroft. (Yahoo News -- Politics)
Report: Bush surveillance program was massive Jul 11, 2009
His boss, Attorney General John Ashcroft, was not aware until March 2004 of the exact nature of the intelligence operations beyond wiretapping that he had been approving for the previous two and a half years, the report says. Most of the intelligence leads generated under what was known as the "President's Surveillance Program" did not have any connection to terrorism, the report said. (Albany Times Union)
Report questions value of wiretaps Jul 11, 2009
The inquiry included interviews with about 200 government and private-sector personnel, but a number of key players - including David Addington, a top aide to Cheney; George J. Tenet, the former director of Central Intelligence; John Ashcroft, the former attorney general; and John Yoo, a Justice Department lawyer who endorsed the wiretapping program - declined to be interviewed. Congressional Democrats who had been critics of the program said they found the report s conclusions disturbing. (Boston Globe)
Read the story Jul 9, 2009
the secretary of the doj (john ashcroft) was proposing to cut the budgets that were currently in place for anti-terrorism efforts in the us. another day. (CBS News -- Evening News)
Boston official blames ex-AG for charges Jul 3, 2009
Turner alleged that Sullivan targeted him and Wilkerson, two prominent black politicians, at the behest of former Attorney General John Ashcroft for whom he now works. "I personally believe that former Attorney General Ashcroft said to Sullivan that if he could take down Senator Wilkerson and myself, he would put up the money to open the firm of Ashcroft and Sullivan in Boston where they could try to secure business for Halliburton to serve as a base while Sullivan prepares for his run for... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
