Surrounded by Fumes of Sulphur and Brimstone

From CNN:

In a stinging parting shot at administration critics, Attorney General John Ashcroft on Tuesday warned of serious threats to public safety and security if Congress fails to restore stiff sentencing guidelines and does not renew portions of the Patriot Act.

In his final hours in office, Ashcroft delivered the hard-hitting remarks notable as much for his characteristic stark language as for his uncompromising message.

He was especially blunt in his view of the 5-4 Supreme Court decision that dealt a blow to federal sentencing guidelines.

And then John Ashcroft spontaneously combusted in a fit of rapture, cursing Mel Carnahan's name as he went.