Politics

Ashcroft's Dog And Pony Show
Drawing Fire Even In Utah

Attorney General John Ashcroft will sweep into town Monday as part of his U.S. tour to shore up the USA Patriot Act. But even in Republican-heavy Utah -- one of more than a dozen stops on what critics are calling the "Patriot Tour" -- the antiterrorism law Congress quickly passed after 9-11 has met protest. Abortion protesters complain the act may classify their activities as domestic terrorism. Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, sent Ashcroft a letter saying he should "desist from further speaking engagements" or explain why his speeches do not violate restrictions on political activities by government officials, The New York Times reported Friday. Posted by Editor at August 23, 2003 10:58 PM