The other day, John Ashcroft continued a series of outrageous claims, this time asserting that "the Bush administration had made the nation more secure from terrorist attacks and violent criminals."

He made the mistake, however, of proclaiming this nonsense to the nation's largest association of law enforcement executives.

The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) said that cuts by the administration in federal aid to local police agencies have left the nation more vulnerable than ever to public safety threats. The 20,000-member group also said in a statement that new anti-terrorism duties for local cops - which have come as state and local budgets have declined and historically low crime rates have crept upward - have pushed police agencies to "the breaking point."

The statement reflected the ongoing tension between the administration and many local police chiefs, who believe the White House has saddled them with anti-terrorism tasks without such regard to the cost.