Ashcroft's Charge That His Critics Aid Terrorists Echoes of McCarthy Era

Interview by Between the Lines' Scott Harris.

Since Sept. 11, the Bush administration -- with Attorney General John Ashcroft as their "point man" -- has undertaken a program to conduct a war on terrorism here at home. With new powers authorized by Congress and presidential executive order the government now has the ability to secretly detain immigrants indefinitely without charge, wiretap phone and electronic communication, convene military tribunals and eavesdrop on conversations between some attorneys and their clients. The White House has also discussed a plan to lift restrictions on FBI surveillance of U.S. political and religious groups.

Before a Senate Judiciary Committee on Dec. 6, Attorney General Ashcroft dismissed civil libertarians who have been critical of the administration's anti-terrorism agenda. He told legislators that what the nation needs is "honest, reasoned debate, not fear-mongering." But Mr. Ashcroft angered many when, in so many words, he accused those who raised questions about his policies as aiding America's enemies.

Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Bruce Shapiro, a contributing editor with the Nation magazine, who takes a critical look at the domestic front of the war on terrorism and the consequences for civil liberties and the Bill of Rights(A RealAudioVersion of this interview may be found At www.btlonline.org).

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