Senators, take note: Ashcroft is dangerous threat

The West Wing showcases Martin Sheen's portrayal of the president of the United States acting wisely and tolerantly. Writer Aaron Sorkin sketches a president who works for all voters, weighing matters of state with wit and erudition. Our own president, however, has declared what Planned Parenthood calls "a cluster bomb attack" on family planning. George W. Bush appointed John Ashcroft as attorney general, "an ultra-right-wing conservative" who is out of step with the nation, according to Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.). The Senate is scheduled to vote today on Ashcroft's appointment. Initial reports show that Ashcroft has enough support to pass the confirmation vote. Backers state that Ashcroft is a "kind" and "fair" man, (according to various Republicans) who is being unfairly treated by groups opposing his confirmation. Yet Ashcroft's record stands alone among politicians, even among conservatives. In 1983, as Missouri's attorney general, Ashcroft filed an amicus brief to "prohibit nurses in the state from providing women with oral contraceptive drugs and devices, Pap smears and gonorrhea tests," according to Planned Parenthood. And in 1990, as Missouri's governor, Ashcroft sought to prevent those who had an abortion from having another, unless pregnancy posed a health threat. What critics say repeatedly of such measures is that it is often unclear to what degree any pregnancy will pose a health threat, and that such judgements are between a woman and her doctor. No judge has the qualifications to evaluate such medical decisions. Then Ashcroft vetoed a bill that would have provided nearly $1 million to help the Missouri's "understaffed, overworked foster care system," Planned Parenthood points out. As a U.S. senator in 1998, he joined Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) in sponsoring the controversial "Human Life Amendment," a Constitutional amendment defining life as beginning at fertilization. The amendment would have banned many of the most common forms of birth control, including certain widely used oral contraceptives. Criticized by the scientific community as inhumane and arbitrary, the amendment failed. Seeing that an amendment to the Constitution required an overwhelming mandate, Ashcroft and Helms attempted the same effect by sponsoring a version in bill form. Seeking to make abortion illegal even in cases of rape and incest, the bill also would have required that a woman who had a life-threatening complication related to pregnancy prove such a condition before a court. But how can a woman get a court order for an abortion if she is rushing to the emergency room? Contraception is proven to reduce abortion rates in the United States, according to the Alan Guttmacher Institute. However, Ashcroft opposed an amendment to cover contraception through the Federal Employee Health Benefit Plan. A most contradictory person, Ashcroft opposes measures that are epidemiologically shown to decrease the need for abortion. But science does not enter into Ashcroft's calculations. For those who defend Ashcroft's escapades as characteristic of a man who is still developing a sense of public policy, recall that last year, Ashcroft described his anti-abortion stance as "the most noble and worthy objective." Since the U.S. attorney general is charged with upholding clinic protection legislation to protect doctors, nurses and other clinic personnel, it is worth noting that Ashcroft voted against clinic protection in 1999. If the attorney general looks the other way as the nation degenerates into renewed clinic violence, then health care practitioners will have nowhere else to turn. The law to protect clinics needs a judicious enforcer, not a knee-jerk reactionary. Those convicted of clinic violence and harassment are liable for damages and costs. Ashcroft stood in opposition of the common sense measure to prevent those guilty of clinic violence or harassment from declaring bankruptcy to avoid paying damages and court fines. The attorney general appointee must have a proven record of opposition to such tactics, or clinic harassment and violence build in force. Wisdom is a precious commodity in a leader. Avoiding the needless suffering of women caused by government intervention in a medical decision require wisdom and courage. An appointee who is moderate, who is tolerant of different views and who has a strong record fighting for women and children will make an effective attorney general. By unwisely appointing John Ashcroft, George W. Bush shows us how far we are from our ideals of moderation and compassion. Too bad the Supreme Court couldn't vote for Martin Sheen.

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