John Ashcroft (Gun Control, Corporate Interests) 

FACT: Resident NRA whore, John Ashcroft stresses the fact that "We already have over 10,000 gun laws on the books, what we need is better enforcement of those laws!" So what does Ashcroft do to promote this refreshing commitment to law enforcement? Why he suggests that we CUT the time that they can hold background check information from 180 days to, … one day.

COMMENT: John Ashcroft is the most powerful and blatant supporter of the Gun Lobby in recent history.

John Ashcroft (Hypocrisy, Whore, Gun Lobby) 

FACT: Our privacy is being chipped away. Our "justice system" now includes military tribunals, secret evidence, and wiretapping of attorney-client conversations. And more of what we say by phone or Internet is being monitored. But the Attorney General drew the line when he felt that gun rights were being threatened. When the FBI asked to use gun purchase records to see if detainees had bought weapons, he denied the request. 

COMMENT: So to Ashcroft, any dissenting, innocuous opinion is treasonous, but if you're suspected of terrorism and you buy a gun, that's none of the government's business. 

Republicans (Gun Control) 

FACT: When Timothy Wagner entered the Alaska Mining and Diving store in Anchorage back on October 7, 1998, he was asked why he was dripping wet. He responded that he was trying to wash chemicals from his body before they killed him. And that somebody had implanted a computer chip in his head. What else? Employees called the police, who proceeded to show up and run a check on Mr. Wagner. The check revealed that Wagner had a permit to carry a concealed handgun. Indeed, he had a loaded .357 and backup ammo stashed in his briefcase. Wagner was convicted of not informing the police officers immediately that he was carrying a concealed weapon (a requirement under Alaska's concealed carry law) and in September of 1999, a judge ruled that Wagner's permit be revoked until his mental illness was "either cured or improved." However, in an NRA, brain-melting twist, a state appeals court overturned the decision because, under Alaska law, "mental illness alone cannot be considered in deciding fitness to carry a concealed weapon." 

COMMENT: So let's see. Regardless of the crime, you can acquire a "Not Guilty" Verdict by reason of insanity. Buuuuuut, the same state of mind does not restrict someone from gun ownership. Brilliant.