Given my views on the mush that sloshes around inside the head of John Asscroft, I really should acknowledge the telling and disturbing criticisms leveled by AG Asscroft against the federal judiciary last week. Essentially, he labeled certain federal judges as a threat to national security for their audacity to challenge the administration on several terror-related issues.

I think Phil Carter says it best over at Intel Dump:

He's taking the Bush administration's rhetoric (you're with us or against us) to its most extreme form, saying that other branches are "against us" in the war on terrorism by virtue of their exercise of their Constitutionally mandated duties. ....

This speech gives us a view straight into the head of John Ashcroft -- and it reveals his true feelings when it comes to balancing liberty and security. ... This is the most explicit statement to date of the Bush administration's intentions, and this speech should find a place in every legal scholar's file as a clear expression of the administration's real values when it comes to balancing liberty with security.

... The AG makes it very clear: In this fight, you're either with us or against us. There's no room for dissent, and no room for the loyal opposition. Whether you're a federal judge, a civil rights lawyer, or an enemy combatant, you all have the same moral status in John Ashcroft's book. And if you're against us, be afraid — be very afraid."