We've got to understand that the whole nature of the way American democracy guards its freedom has been changed
John AshcroftNothing that we have authorized conflicts with any law regarding privacy or any provision of the constitution.
John AshcroftPrior to September 11, we thought the world beyond our shores was one world of risk and the world in our continent was another world of risk
John AshcroftWe're going to protect and honor the Constitution, and I don't have the authority to set it aside.... If I had the authority to set it aside, this would be a dangerous government, and I wouldn't respect it.
John AshcroftThere is a concern that the Internet could be used to commit crimes and that advanced encryption could disguise such activity. However, we do not provide the government with phone jacks outside our homes for unlimited wiretaps. Why, then, should we grant government the Orwellian capability to listen at will and in real time to our communications across the Web?
John Ashcroft