On Sun, Jan 28, 2001 at 12:18:52PM -0800, James A. Donald wrote:

-- At 12:27 PM 1/28/2001 -0500, Declan McCullagh wrote:

...

And, as EPIC's Marc Rotenberg points out, Ashcroft did not pledge to work with outside experts on a technical review of Carnivore.

This is somewhat unfair. Ashcroft's answers were as bland and uninformative as possible, because he is being borked. No matter what he said, it will be used against him, so the best bet is to say as little as possible.

Yes, and no. I agree that tactically, he is being smart. Almost too smart: His lapses of memory, if you read the full Q&A, are both frequent and useful. But what's good politics is not necessarily what's right, as is true in this case. If the nation's top l.e. officer is asked about what rights Americans should have under the law, I don't expect him to hedge or quibble or made nice-nice noises to please the Democrats. -Declan

Again, I seem to be unclear in my use of language, or I'm being misread. I expect someone who wants to be the top le official to act with dignity. I predict, however, they will not. -Declan On Sun, Jan 28, 2001 at 11:40:31PM -0800, Ray Dillinger wrote:

On Sun, 28 Jan 2001, Declan McCullagh wrote:

...

But what's good politics is not necessarily what's right, as is true in this case. If the nation's top l.e. officer is asked about what rights Americans should have under the law, I don't expect him to hedge or quibble or made nice-nice noises to please the Democrats.

This may be a litmus test for cynicism. I expect him to do exactly that; I just wish he would not.

Bear