In a Reversal, Ashcroft Lifts Secrecy of Data

In a Reversal, Ashcroft Lifts Secrecy of Data: "ASHINGTON, Sept. 17 — Under pressure from lawmakers and civil rights groups over the Justice Department's antiterrorism initiatives, Attorney General John Ashcroft reversed course today and agreed to declassify data showing how often federal agents had demanded records from libraries and other institutions."

Well about dang time. It is going to be tough data to calibrate since it's illegal for the librarians themselves to publicly mention such searches.

"Mark Corallo, a department spokesman, said it was uncertain what form the public release of the documents would take. But, he said, "the numbers that everyone is so concerned about will be released." He said Mr. Ashcroft had "made light of all the criticism, but he wanted to make sure the public understands what we're actually doing."

"He felt it was in the public interest and the national security interest to have these numbers declassified," Mr. Corallo said."

Yea, right, he did this out of the good of his heart. Which is exactly why he's been touring the country trying to convince everyone that the entire Patriot Act, as written, is the bees knees.