1115.org

It is, of course, funny beyond belief that recently disclosed events have led to John Ashcroft being viewed as a defender of civil liberties and of the Constitution. The funniest part being that to view him thus is fully warranted by the facts. Who would have thought it?

While I am pleased to give Ashcroft his due, I am deeply dismayed by this development—the public celebration of Ashcroft’s actions, the partial rehabilitation of his previously deserved reputation. (And let’s not get so carried away that we forget that his earlier reputation was indeed richly deserved.)

Anyone with an IQ greater than George Bush’s age (which does, of course, exclude George Bush himself) can see where this is going to lead, namely the further emboldening of George Bush. That’s as sure and certain, as practically guaranteed, as the proposition that more than a hundred American soldiers will die in Iraq again this month.

We have already heard ad infinitum from our president how he cares not a fig for his current unpopularity or that of his policies, because the judgment of history can be quite different from myopic contemporary assessments of his legacy.

His latest riff on the subject came during last week’s joint press conference with Tony Blair:

This may not interest you, but I’ll tell you anyway — I read three histories on George Washington last year. It’s interesting to me that they’re still analyzing the presidency of our first President. And my attitude is, if they’re still analyzing 1, 43 doesn’t need to worry about it. (Laughter.) I’m not going to be around to see the final history written on my administration.

Into that thin soup of self-delusion Bush will now pour another few quarts of water. Because, lo and behold, even contemporary assessments can change in the blink of a news cycle. All the more reason for him to ignore everyone except Laura and Barney. And those voices in his head.