Sounds like someone refused to go quietly into that good night:
In a stinging parting shot at administration critics, Attorney General John Ashcroft on Tuesday warned of serious threats to public safety and security if Congress fails to restore stiff sentencing guidelines and does not renew portions of the Patriot Act.
In his final hours in office, Ashcroft delivered the hard-hitting remarks notable as much for his characteristic stark language as for his uncompromising message.
He was especially blunt in his view of the 5-4 Supreme Court decision that dealt a blow to federal sentencing guidelines.
"Last month's Supreme Court ruling that federal judges are not bound by sentencing guidelines is a retreat from justice that may put the public's safety in jeopardy," Ashcroft declared. "Which of our daughters, wives and husbands -- are we willing to sacrifice to return to revolving door justice."
While I can't decide which phrase turns me on more - the reference to "daughters" or "revolving door justice" - I was always under the impression giving judges the discretion to administer punishment as they see fit based on all the factors in the case could be a good thing. Especially concerning drug offenses.
It's the last part of the article I really like, however:
Ashcroft's final speech was loudly applauded by the audience in the auditorium of the staunchly conservative Heritage Foundation in Washington.
Ashcroft was introduced by the organization's chief legal strategist, former Attorney General Ed Meese, as a man who "served with dignity, integrity and excellence."
Because if anyone knows about serving with dignity, integrity, and excellence, it's Ed Meese.
To quote a renowned and well respected character who's also extremely animated, "I hate Meeses to pieces!"
Meese also knows where all the good pr0n is stashed from that commission he chaired back in the 80s.
Justice is Law tempered by Mercy. If there is no flexibility for judges, then there is no justice, just law. You would think Ashcroft would be a little less "Old Testament" and a little more "New Testament", but hey, it's more important to put clothes on statues.
I wonder if the Nipple of Justice had any effect on Ed Meese.
Me thinks Ashcroft would prefer a more "Judge Dread" style of law enforcement.
Yes, the 'which of our daughters, wifes, and husbands will we sacrifice' is a pretty low blow, rhetorically speaking.
On the other hand, at least he recognizes that the sons are all off being sacrificed to something else already...
>Because if anyone knows about serving with dignity, integrity, and excellence, it's Ed Meese
Hahaha. I dont get it.