Ashcroft Lets ‘Source of Freedom’ Ring

Is it such a bad thing that the religious beliefs Atty. Gen. John Ashcroft mentioned spill over into his work (“ ‘Creator’ Is Freedom’s Source, Ashcroft Says,” Feb. 20)? The very similar spillage in this nation’s founders helped give us our amazingly pluralistic society: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” This is the strong philosophy upon which our country was founded and has succeeded. Ashcroft gives a relevant history lesson, not a sermon, when he reminds us all.

Allison Hollabaugh

Fremont, Calif.

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So I guess, according to Ashcroft, I am not a civilized person, since I am not Christian, Jewish or Muslim. Ashcroft says that all freedoms are granted by the creator, but given the chance, he and those of his ilk would surely deny me my freedoms for not adhering to their narrow belief system. So I would like to remind Ashcroft that my freedoms were granted by the Constitution of the United States. You know, that document he swore to uphold and defend when he took office. Apparently the upholding and defending will go much better for Christians, Jews and Muslims than for the rest of us uncivilized masses.

Patrick Mallon

San Luis Obispo

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If God gave us freedom, as Ashcroft says, we need not fight to protect it, because God decides who has it. Could the entire defense budget be used to improve education?

Herb Stern

Palm Desert