January 30, 2002
7:46 AM Subscribe
John Ashcroft is a-skeered of kitty-cats. Laughs like Nelson
"Their boss, they explained, believes calico cats are signs of the devil."
Am I reading that correctly? The US Attorney General thinks cats -- only cats with a certain kind of fur, though -- are a sign of that big, scary, pointy-tailed guy of folklore? Is this better documented somewhere?
[And before you do it, I know someone out there is getting ready to post a link to the evil kitty pictures. Please be sure it isn't calico. You never know who might be reading this.]
posted by pracowity at 8:02 AM on January 30, 2002
Am I reading that correctly? The US Attorney General thinks cats -- only cats with a certain kind of fur, though -- are a sign of that big, scary, pointy-tailed guy of folklore? Is this better documented somewhere?
[And before you do it, I know someone out there is getting ready to post a link to the evil kitty pictures. Please be sure it isn't calico. You never know who might be reading this.]
posted by pracowity at 8:02 AM on January 30, 2002
The article does highlight one thing that annoys me a great deal about the current administration, though. For a group of people that are so keen on smaller government and turning things over to local governments, why do they feel so empowered to make such broad, national, regulations by overturning state referendums? Haven't the local population made a reasonable decision for themselves?
It shouldn't be "govern yourselves locally, as long as you agree with our agenda." Either you trust and empower local governments or you're hypocritical.
posted by warhol at 8:06 AM on January 30, 2002
It shouldn't be "govern yourselves locally, as long as you agree with our agenda." Either you trust and empower local governments or you're hypocritical.
posted by warhol at 8:06 AM on January 30, 2002
It's funny, there's lots of talk about the face of evil and subsequent headshots of Ashcroft. Can't be a mere coincidence.
posted by shagoth at 8:06 AM on January 30, 2002
posted by shagoth at 8:06 AM on January 30, 2002
My calico is not a sign of the devil. She is a little devil though.
If he seriously believes this, then it is just another sign of the morons we have as politicians.
But we knew that already.
posted by a3matrix at 8:09 AM on January 30, 2002
If he seriously believes this, then it is just another sign of the morons we have as politicians.
But we knew that already.
posted by a3matrix at 8:09 AM on January 30, 2002
Well, I can assure you with absolute certainty that our calico kitty, Zydeco, is possessed. The sounds this critter makes when placed on the vet's examining table are NOT from this world. The dog is even scared of her.
posted by groundhog at 8:10 AM on January 30, 2002
posted by groundhog at 8:10 AM on January 30, 2002
He's scared of pussies and he doesn't like the look of breasts. Hmmm...Trying to tell us something, John?
posted by ColdChef at 8:21 AM on January 30, 2002
posted by ColdChef at 8:21 AM on January 30, 2002
Let's see:
Morning prayer meetings with subordinates. Check.
Telling Congress that they're supporting terrorism if they don't grant him carte blanche. Check.
Covering a sculpture's breasts with gov't-purchased $8000 drapes because of his personal sexual prudery. Check.
And now, we read, he fears calico cats because they're of the devil.
Does anybody besides me think that there's a fascinating unauthorized biography of our AttyGen in the offiing?
posted by alumshubby at 8:26 AM on January 30, 2002
Morning prayer meetings with subordinates. Check.
Telling Congress that they're supporting terrorism if they don't grant him carte blanche. Check.
Covering a sculpture's breasts with gov't-purchased $8000 drapes because of his personal sexual prudery. Check.
And now, we read, he fears calico cats because they're of the devil.
Does anybody besides me think that there's a fascinating unauthorized biography of our AttyGen in the offiing?
posted by alumshubby at 8:26 AM on January 30, 2002
Ashcroft is a nonstop daily freakshow. I would love to know what his dreams and nightmares consist of.
posted by BentPenguin at 8:30 AM on January 30, 2002
posted by BentPenguin at 8:30 AM on January 30, 2002
pracowity, as far as I can tell, the story originates with Andrew Tobias, who cites primary sources "in a position to know." Maureen Dowd tell us of Ashcroft's denial in today's paper. (NYTimes link)
posted by luser at 8:30 AM on January 30, 2002
posted by luser at 8:30 AM on January 30, 2002
well, every Ashcroft clone knows the true home of Satan is Calicornia...
posted by billder at 8:34 AM on January 30, 2002
posted by billder at 8:34 AM on January 30, 2002
Good lord... first Missourians elect an effing man two weeks dead to the Senate, and now this...
[Fes hold head in his hands, grieving for the reputation of the Midwest as a bastion of reason, now totally destroyed, burnt, and the ashes salted...]
Please, my Mefi brothers and sisters, know that we are not all like him. He is a nut. Please don't fear us. He will be gone in two more years, I swear.
posted by UncleFes at 8:40 AM on January 30, 2002
[Fes hold head in his hands, grieving for the reputation of the Midwest as a bastion of reason, now totally destroyed, burnt, and the ashes salted...]
Please, my Mefi brothers and sisters, know that we are not all like him. He is a nut. Please don't fear us. He will be gone in two more years, I swear.
posted by UncleFes at 8:40 AM on January 30, 2002
A calico is a three-colored cat: orange, black and white.
posted by realjanetkagan at 8:41 AM on January 30, 2002
posted by realjanetkagan at 8:41 AM on January 30, 2002
Orange like the color of Satan's favorite day: Halloween
Black like the blackness of his followers' souls
White like the blinding light of the Lord's justice.
Yep. Sounds evil to me.
posted by ColdChef at 8:44 AM on January 30, 2002
Black like the blackness of his followers' souls
White like the blinding light of the Lord's justice.
Yep. Sounds evil to me.
posted by ColdChef at 8:44 AM on January 30, 2002
Stupid question: what is a calico cat?
A calico cat is a tortoishell cat that carries at least one dominant mutated gene that causes white spotting. The gene is variably expressed.
posted by iceberg273 at 8:51 AM on January 30, 2002
A calico cat is a tortoishell cat that carries at least one dominant mutated gene that causes white spotting. The gene is variably expressed.
posted by iceberg273 at 8:51 AM on January 30, 2002
hmm...and they're usually female...
posted by realjanetkagan at 8:51 AM on January 30, 2002
posted by realjanetkagan at 8:51 AM on January 30, 2002
The linked article is wrong on the basics of it's message though. The Justice department is enforcing federal law when it comes to assisted suicide and medical marijuana. I don't agree with the law in either case, but it's still the law.
The solution is getting congress to change the law, not ignore laws we don't agree with.
As an aside, if Ashcroft really thinks that Calico cats are signs of the devil he might need some professional help.
posted by revbrian at 8:52 AM on January 30, 2002
The solution is getting congress to change the law, not ignore laws we don't agree with.
As an aside, if Ashcroft really thinks that Calico cats are signs of the devil he might need some professional help.
posted by revbrian at 8:52 AM on January 30, 2002
OK then, if we assume for a moment that someone is planting stories in the media about Ashcroft, then note how easily the story cuaght on and you get an idea of his standing in the public's eye.
At least janet Reno knew how to lay low and wait for trouble to find her. Ashcroft on the other hand is his own worst enemy, a little like James Watt except he's scary, not goofy like Watt was (is?).
posted by BentPenguin at 9:01 AM on January 30, 2002
At least janet Reno knew how to lay low and wait for trouble to find her. Ashcroft on the other hand is his own worst enemy, a little like James Watt except he's scary, not goofy like Watt was (is?).
posted by BentPenguin at 9:01 AM on January 30, 2002
You scare me karl.
posted by Kafkaesque at 9:08 AM on January 30, 2002
posted by Kafkaesque at 9:08 AM on January 30, 2002
Hey, luser, here ya go...
::puts another check by name of Kafkaesque on list
--after spell checking John K Sensitive's handle first, of course::
posted by y2karl at 9:16 AM on January 30, 2002
::puts another check by name of Kafkaesque on list
--after spell checking John K Sensitive's handle first, of course::
posted by y2karl at 9:16 AM on January 30, 2002
hmm...and they're usually female...
I believe that the orange gene is on the X chromosome, and that for a male cat to express the gene in the appropriate patchwork fashion, it needs to be an XXY (an improbable event), which (almost always) results in sterility.
The numbers, if I remember my college genetic class correctly, are 2999 calico females for every calico male. Calico cats are genetic mosiacs, and as such are phenotypic evidence for Barr bodies, the inactivated X chromosomes in most female mammals (but not in those wacky marsupials).
We now return you to your regularly scheduled Ashcroft screed.
posted by iceberg273 at 9:22 AM on January 30, 2002
I believe that the orange gene is on the X chromosome, and that for a male cat to express the gene in the appropriate patchwork fashion, it needs to be an XXY (an improbable event), which (almost always) results in sterility.
The numbers, if I remember my college genetic class correctly, are 2999 calico females for every calico male. Calico cats are genetic mosiacs, and as such are phenotypic evidence for Barr bodies, the inactivated X chromosomes in most female mammals (but not in those wacky marsupials).
We now return you to your regularly scheduled Ashcroft screed.
posted by iceberg273 at 9:22 AM on January 30, 2002
That the U.S.'s top law enforcement official may be superstitious or prudish doesn't bother me nearly as much as his willingess to compromise law enforcement aims for political ends. To wit: preventing 9.11 FBI investigators from going through firearms identification check data for possible leads.
posted by sacre_bleu at 9:33 AM on January 30, 2002
posted by sacre_bleu at 9:33 AM on January 30, 2002
Revbrian: once again you're showing signs of partisanship while feigning innocent ignorance. The fact of the matter is that the current GOP government have repeatedly betrayed their most sacred principle: the will of the individual States weighs more than the will of the Federal Government. They did not follow this on the election affair, they did not follow this with medical marihuana, they did not follow it with Oregon's euthanasia law. In the meantime, and with the current hysterics on terrorism, they've failed to look into the anthrax issue - which is also terrorism and has been going on for longer. Why? You and me know why.
posted by magullo at 9:34 AM on January 30, 2002
posted by magullo at 9:34 AM on January 30, 2002
In the meantime, and with the current hysterics on terrorism, they've failed to look into the anthrax issue - which is also terrorism and has been going on for longer. Why? You and me know why.
Do share with the whole class, magullo.
posted by sacre_bleu at 9:41 AM on January 30, 2002
Do share with the whole class, magullo.
posted by sacre_bleu at 9:41 AM on January 30, 2002
the inactivated X chromosomes in most female mammals (but not in those wacky marsupials).
This is missing the word 'randomly', as in 'randomly inactivated X chromosomes'. In female marsupials, the X chromosome from the father is always the one to be inactivated, but there are Barr bodies just the same.
I just don't want you to be confused about this.
posted by iceberg273 at 9:43 AM on January 30, 2002
This is missing the word 'randomly', as in 'randomly inactivated X chromosomes'. In female marsupials, the X chromosome from the father is always the one to be inactivated, but there are Barr bodies just the same.
I just don't want you to be confused about this.
posted by iceberg273 at 9:43 AM on January 30, 2002
Sapphireblue wrote an interesting post about calico cats, fur coloring, genetics, and the X chromosome.
posted by jennak at 9:53 AM on January 30, 2002
posted by jennak at 9:53 AM on January 30, 2002
sacre_bleu: Anthrax is clearly linked to right-leaning religiously-backed "pro-death" terrorist individuals and groups who have been engaged in mail-based campaigns against certain doctors & clinic staff for years. But you knew this already.
posted by magullo at 9:56 AM on January 30, 2002
posted by magullo at 9:56 AM on January 30, 2002
[once again you're showing signs of partisanship ]
You say it like it's a bad thing! Everyone is partisan to some degree. If you mean partisan as in affiliated with one party or faction, I'm a registered republican which shouldn't come as a surprise. If you are suggesting I tow the party line 100%, then you are mistaken. For the record, I support drug legalization as well as allowing people to take their own lives.
[the current GOP government have repeatedly betrayed their most sacred principle: ]
Why do I imagine you only care about the GOP "principles" when they agree with you. I don't care too much for the whole federalism vs. states rights malarky. I do care about the rule of law, whether I agree with it or not.
[...the will of the individual States weighs more than the will of the Federal Government]
That is NOT the view of the republican party...
"We must acknowledge that the federal government’s role should be to set expectations in policies, then get out of the way and let the states implement and operate those policies as they best know how. Washington must respect that one size does not fit all states and must not overburden states with red tape attached to its policies. "
Source: Republican Platform adopted at GOP National Convention Aug 12, 2000 (emphasis mine, thank you google!)
[Anthrax is clearly linked to right-leaning religiously-backed "pro-death" terrorist individuals and groups who have been engaged in mail-based campaigns against certain doctors & clinic staff for years. ]
Clearly!? It hasn't been linked so much as assumed. There have been hoaxes as well. Are you suggesting that guilty people are going unpunished for anthrax scares because they're right wing wacko acvitists? I doubt it. As far as I'm concerned a terrorist should go to jail whether their agenda is treehugging or anti-abortion issues.
posted by revbrian at 10:45 AM on January 30, 2002
You say it like it's a bad thing! Everyone is partisan to some degree. If you mean partisan as in affiliated with one party or faction, I'm a registered republican which shouldn't come as a surprise. If you are suggesting I tow the party line 100%, then you are mistaken. For the record, I support drug legalization as well as allowing people to take their own lives.
[the current GOP government have repeatedly betrayed their most sacred principle: ]
Why do I imagine you only care about the GOP "principles" when they agree with you. I don't care too much for the whole federalism vs. states rights malarky. I do care about the rule of law, whether I agree with it or not.
[...the will of the individual States weighs more than the will of the Federal Government]
That is NOT the view of the republican party...
"We must acknowledge that the federal government’s role should be to set expectations in policies, then get out of the way and let the states implement and operate those policies as they best know how. Washington must respect that one size does not fit all states and must not overburden states with red tape attached to its policies. "
Source: Republican Platform adopted at GOP National Convention Aug 12, 2000 (emphasis mine, thank you google!)
[Anthrax is clearly linked to right-leaning religiously-backed "pro-death" terrorist individuals and groups who have been engaged in mail-based campaigns against certain doctors & clinic staff for years. ]
Clearly!? It hasn't been linked so much as assumed. There have been hoaxes as well. Are you suggesting that guilty people are going unpunished for anthrax scares because they're right wing wacko acvitists? I doubt it. As far as I'm concerned a terrorist should go to jail whether their agenda is treehugging or anti-abortion issues.
posted by revbrian at 10:45 AM on January 30, 2002
realjanetkagan: For the first time I know how to describe my cat. She's a calico! Oh, lordy! I feel like a new Dad!
posted by vbfg at 12:20 PM on January 30, 2002
posted by vbfg at 12:20 PM on January 30, 2002
Revbrian raises a good point. One definition of tyranny is when society has so many laws that selective enforcement leads to prosecution of ordinary citizens.
The first order reaction may be against the executive branch. But I agree with RevBrian, the legislative branch is more directly responsible for the mess.
posted by Real9 at 3:13 PM on January 30, 2002
The first order reaction may be against the executive branch. But I agree with RevBrian, the legislative branch is more directly responsible for the mess.
posted by Real9 at 3:13 PM on January 30, 2002
[One definition of tyranny is when society has so many laws that selective enforcement leads to prosecution of ordinary citizens. ]
I've no doubt anyone could be thrown in jail by the gov't if they so chose. We've got enough laws that I just assume we break some every day.
posted by revbrian at 4:10 PM on January 30, 2002
I've no doubt anyone could be thrown in jail by the gov't if they so chose. We've got enough laws that I just assume we break some every day.
posted by revbrian at 4:10 PM on January 30, 2002
Good lord... first Missourians elect an effing man two weeks dead to the Senate, and now this...
Are you really suggesting that Missourians made the wrong choice, choosing a dead man over Ashcroft? Personally, I think they chose wisely.
posted by daveadams at 5:38 PM on January 30, 2002
Are you really suggesting that Missourians made the wrong choice, choosing a dead man over Ashcroft? Personally, I think they chose wisely.
posted by daveadams at 5:38 PM on January 30, 2002
We've got enough laws that I just assume we break some every day.
Do you realize how incredibly fucking pitiful that is? Law are supposed to do one thing: Enforce Justice.
What kind of fucking justice is this? America doesn't care about Justice anymore, all it cares about is the paperwork and bullshit.
I should calm down and look on the bright side. We've got the two most consistantly laugh-out-loud funny people on the news nearly everyday. Unfortunatly, they're also making all the important decisions. That's why, when I get done laughing, I cry.
posted by fuq at 7:03 PM on January 30, 2002
Do you realize how incredibly fucking pitiful that is? Law are supposed to do one thing: Enforce Justice.
What kind of fucking justice is this? America doesn't care about Justice anymore, all it cares about is the paperwork and bullshit.
I should calm down and look on the bright side. We've got the two most consistantly laugh-out-loud funny people on the news nearly everyday. Unfortunatly, they're also making all the important decisions. That's why, when I get done laughing, I cry.
posted by fuq at 7:03 PM on January 30, 2002
yea, i've always respected missouri for not even letting the fact that ashcroft was the only living candidate deter them from not letting him into office. it's sad that, after losing to a dead person, bush would put him in such an important appointed position...
posted by rhyax at 7:36 PM on January 30, 2002
posted by rhyax at 7:36 PM on January 30, 2002
Gotta hand it to Ashcroft, though, that he so sincerely believes in God and Good that he is thoroughly determined to rid the world of "Evil", and is trying to do what he believes best in a terribly trying time in office.
What would most people on MeFi do in his position. Say, "Hell, our security is just fine, we don't need to beef it up", or "No point going through the thousands of record various organisations have to find possible terrorist leads, we'll just let them show themselves in a violent and bloody way first and save themselves the hassle".
So he's a praticing Christian? GOOD! I'd rather have someone who believes in that teaching than a Satanist or worse, someone with no belief in "good" at all. With his, and his administrations help, America has successfully tightened security, prevent several other terrorist attacks, and one a land-war in Afghanistan in a matter of months. Stop yer bitching and give the man a hand.
posted by Neale at 7:54 PM on January 30, 2002
What would most people on MeFi do in his position. Say, "Hell, our security is just fine, we don't need to beef it up", or "No point going through the thousands of record various organisations have to find possible terrorist leads, we'll just let them show themselves in a violent and bloody way first and save themselves the hassle".
So he's a praticing Christian? GOOD! I'd rather have someone who believes in that teaching than a Satanist or worse, someone with no belief in "good" at all. With his, and his administrations help, America has successfully tightened security, prevent several other terrorist attacks, and one a land-war in Afghanistan in a matter of months. Stop yer bitching and give the man a hand.
posted by Neale at 7:54 PM on January 30, 2002
I doubt very many would equate dissent with helping the enemy.
Who's equating dissent with helping the enemy? What I am saying (not trolling) is that whilst many people complain about Ashcroft, overall he's doing a good, honest job. No hidden agenda, no compromise.
I was not suggesting that MeFiers would actually do those things I suggested (please not I felt it unneccessary to include sarcasm tags - my mistake). What I was saying is that when presented with the very real situation of being Attorney General of a country under attack, they would probably make many of the same moves that Ashcroft and the current Government has done.
Ashcroft is not working in a vaccuum. He has advisors, all very intelligent people, who are trying to protect national security with the very best intentions at heart. It's easy to gripe and snipe at those actions, but if they are doing the job they set out to achieve, which by all accounts they are, then such sniping seems fairly petty.
posted by Neale at 9:19 PM on January 30, 2002
Who's equating dissent with helping the enemy? What I am saying (not trolling) is that whilst many people complain about Ashcroft, overall he's doing a good, honest job. No hidden agenda, no compromise.
I was not suggesting that MeFiers would actually do those things I suggested (please not I felt it unneccessary to include sarcasm tags - my mistake). What I was saying is that when presented with the very real situation of being Attorney General of a country under attack, they would probably make many of the same moves that Ashcroft and the current Government has done.
Ashcroft is not working in a vaccuum. He has advisors, all very intelligent people, who are trying to protect national security with the very best intentions at heart. It's easy to gripe and snipe at those actions, but if they are doing the job they set out to achieve, which by all accounts they are, then such sniping seems fairly petty.
posted by Neale at 9:19 PM on January 30, 2002
Doesn't the fact that the source of this story, Andrew Tobias, is the Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee ring some alarm bells regarding its veracity? Is Tobias really likely to be in the know about the private likes and dislikes of a Republican Attorney General? He's the definition of a Democratic partisan, for cryin' out loud.
It sounds like one of Ashcroft's aides was pulling Tobias' leg, and it came off in his hand.
posted by Slithy_Tove at 9:25 PM on January 30, 2002
It sounds like one of Ashcroft's aides was pulling Tobias' leg, and it came off in his hand.
posted by Slithy_Tove at 9:25 PM on January 30, 2002
I wouldn't be quick to praise someone who can make that statement with a straight face.
Are you saying people who do pit Americans against immigrants, citizens against non-citizens, and scare peace-loving people with the phantoms of lost liberty are not eroding national unity and diminishing resolve?
In Australia we have just that - a Government pitting Australians against immigrants, citizens against non-citizens, and it is definitely eroding national unity. Ashcroft is spot-on with that comment, and I, for one, praise him for it.
posted by Neale at 9:48 PM on January 30, 2002
Are you saying people who do pit Americans against immigrants, citizens against non-citizens, and scare peace-loving people with the phantoms of lost liberty are not eroding national unity and diminishing resolve?
In Australia we have just that - a Government pitting Australians against immigrants, citizens against non-citizens, and it is definitely eroding national unity. Ashcroft is spot-on with that comment, and I, for one, praise him for it.
posted by Neale at 9:48 PM on January 30, 2002
Often it is those who are trying to call attention to the plight of immigrants and non-citizens who are accused of polarizing the situation, while the accusers are the same people bashing, exploiting or legislating against these groups.
As for "phantoms of lost liberty" -- this is Ashcroft trying to portray such national treasures as the EFF and the ACLU and anyone else who so much as questions his policies in public as, well, terrorists. I mean, that's what he said, right?
I still can't believe he said that.
posted by sudama at 10:08 PM on January 30, 2002
As for "phantoms of lost liberty" -- this is Ashcroft trying to portray such national treasures as the EFF and the ACLU and anyone else who so much as questions his policies in public as, well, terrorists. I mean, that's what he said, right?
I still can't believe he said that.
posted by sudama at 10:08 PM on January 30, 2002
I mean, that's what he said, right?
When has Ashcroft singled out the EFF or ACLU as terrorist organisations?
posted by Neale at 10:18 PM on January 30, 2002
When has Ashcroft singled out the EFF or ACLU as terrorist organisations?
posted by Neale at 10:18 PM on January 30, 2002
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posted by jpoulos at 7:53 AM on January 30, 2002