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Ashcroft Planning Trip to Defend Patriot Act (washingtonpost.com): "Faced with growing public questioning of his department's anti-terrorism policies, Attorney General John D. Ashcroft plans to kick off a cross-country tour next week focused on defending the USA Patriot Act and other legislation as vital tools in the fight against terrorism."

Gee, for some reason people aren't universally fond of the USA Patriot Act. Over 140 cities and towns and the state legislatures of Alaska, Hawaii, and Vermont have passed resolutions opposing it. So now Big Bad John is going to spend more of our tax dollars coming out to tell us what a success it's been.