Ashcroft discusses years as AG during Billings fundraisers

By The Associated Press - 03/03/2007

BILLINGS (AP) — For John Ashcroft, spending four years as the U.S. attorney general was the ‘‘greatest privilege of my life.’’

‘‘None of us could have imagined the kinds of things that would be in the offing within a few months after I was called,’’ he said Friday at one of two fundraisers here for an international aid ministry. ‘‘But I was grateful for the opportunity. It put me in a very strategic position in regard to the defense of this nation and the peace and tranquility, safety and security, liberty and freedom of America domestically.’’

Difficult decisions had to be made after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

‘‘But they were decisions driven by the public safety and security of our lives and liberties,’’ Ashcroft said. ‘‘And in that context, when you have an opportunity to make a decision that enhances liberty and security, you’re going to make it. In that respect, it’s not a hard decision to make.’’

Asked whether some people’s freedoms were sacrificed for others, he said the steps that were taken were done to enhance liberty and give Americans the ability to exercise it ‘‘in an environment and a context of security.’’

He said there is a myth that every time a law is passed, it diminishes liberty. Instead, laws enacted against rape or murder have made most people freer and more secure, he said, adding that it’s always appropriate to question whether a law succeeds in its intent.

President Bush tapped Ashcroft for the attorney general post in 2001. Before that, Ashcroft served as the governor of Missouri and as a U.S. senator.

He now teaches at the Regent University Law School and oversees the work of the consulting firm he started, The Ashcroft Group LLC.

The luncheon and dinner at which Ashcroft spoke Friday were fundraisers for Provision International, a faith-based ministry with headquarters in Billings.

The organization’s functions range from helping to get teenagers off the streets in Romania to supplying food and clothing to the Gypsies of Eastern Europe.

Provision International also hopes to use some of the money collected to build shelter for women who have been sold into prostitution.

Ashcroft, the son of a minister, praised the ministry’s work and its executive director, Dick Larson.

‘‘The beautiful part about Dick Larson’s approach is it addresses not only the physical challenges and the health challenges and the poverty, but it also lays out an opportunity for spiritual renewal,’’ Ashcroft said. ‘‘And without that, I believe desperation is hard to beat.’’