Parting Shot

AG John Ashcroft is criticizing federal judges for "second-guessing" the Bush Administration's treatment of federal detainees at Guantanamo. Ummm, Mr. Ashcroft? Do you realize that they're doing their constitutionally mandated job? Remember how we decided we didn't want another monarchy, so we created a system of checks and balances so that government officials would be held accountable?

Ashcroft also went on the say, "Courts are not equipped to execute the law. They are not accountable to the people." One problem: that's the whole point. The Founders didn't want everything in this country decided by majority rule. They wanted some of those checks and balances to remain independent of the will of the majority, in order that one branch of government could rule in favor of the minority (or whomever else) without fear of retribution from the voting populace.

This coming from our Attorney General, the chief defender of the U.S. Constitution.

How are we not all dead or in concentration camps? (Allow me just this one moment of facetiousness.) But for the grace of God...

...and don't let the door hit you on your way out.