Ashcroft Calls Up Private Patient Abortion Records

Apparently trying to make his case against a challenge by some in the medical community against the law banning partial birth abortions, John Ashcroft ordered subpoenas served on a number of doctors and hospitals to release private patient files. Northwestern in Chicago avoided having to do so because a judge intervened.

While I'm sure formerly pregnant women who felt tormented enough about their situation to agree to a later term termination of pregnancy are certainly major candidates for becoming terrorists (cough), what the (bleep) does this man think he's doing? None of the patients are known to be party to the suit alleging the unconstitutionality of the partial birth abortion ban, but if Mr. Ashcroft wants to make his case, he'll drag anyone's private records into it.

No one's privacy except Mr. Bush's and his matters, apparently.