HALF-TRUTHS ON ASHCROFT

John Ashcroft has the experience, integrity and the educational background
to be our next U.S. attorney general.

He is the first attorney general-designate in U. S. history who has served
as state attorney general, governor and U.S. senator.

He has and will continue to enforce the laws.

As Missouri attorney general, he led the National Association of Attorneys
General. As governor, he signed into law a measure requiring first
offenders to serve a minimum of 40 percent of their prison term, second
offenders must serve 60 percent and Class X offenders (three felonies) must
serve 80 percent of their prison term.

As governor of Missouri, Ashcroft enacted the first hate-crime legislation
in Missouri, creating penalties for ethnic intimidation and crimes
committed for motives based on race, color, religion or national origin.

As senator, Ashcroft authorized and passed legislation to bolster the fight
against the highly addictive drug meth with longer terms for criminals.

There are many people who are trying to discredit Sen. Ashcroft. I believe
these accusations and half-truths must be rejected and that Sen. Ashcroft
be confirmed as our next U.S. attorney general.

Ken Watts

South Fulton, Tenn.

(formerly of Rolling Meadows)