Austin artist and Poodle co-creator Ethan Persoff recently had a lively face to face with John Ashcroft when he infiltrated a thoughtful, measured event titled "Can OBAMA ... KEEP AMERICA Safe? An Evening With John Ashcroft". His tale is well worth the read, especially for this moment:
I decide to double my bet. I lean up. "Mr Ashcroft, I'm sorry and I know this is tacky. Thank you so much for the photo. But can I also have an autograph?" My arms outstretched with a paper and pen, John ejaculates, "I can do one better. Why don't I just sit down."
Who is this John Ashcroft, you ask? Well, besides being Bush's Attorney General he is also well known as the voice behind America's unofficial anthem "Let the Eagle Soar"* (listen to Bryce's luscious cover version). But before that, a young Missouri State Auditor teamed up with fellow state politician Max Bacon to form the gospel duo Ashcroft & Bacon.
Here are the songs from their vanity pressing "Truth, Volume One". More photos and liner notes available here.
Why Me, Lord | Reach Out to Jesus | Jesus Hold My Hand | The Broken Vessel | King Jesus | Unseen Hand | Didn't He Shine | I Find No Fault In Him | More About Jesus |We've Come This Far By Faith | Come Holy Spirit | Jesus Is Lord of All
* Oh yeah, and he's a hateful war monger who abhors civil liberties, champions an ever useless war on drugs, and approves of torture. Let's not forget that.
A few years ago, I worked at a Borders that hosted a book signing by John Ashcroft. A lot of people showed up to protest, but I wanted to go so that I could get a signed copy of "Truth, Volume One". Alas, my record didn't arrive in time. Or at all.
Posted by: Munro | March 27, 2009 at 09:01 AM
This is hysterical, I knew about that "Eagle Soars.." song on YouTube but was not aware of this gem. May god bless your heathen soul for posting this.
Posted by: Rob Lett | March 27, 2009 at 01:58 PM
Was there a "Truth, Volume Two"?
Posted by: Pedro | March 27, 2009 at 02:12 PM
Are you sure that isn't a picture of Leonard Cohen?
Posted by: Fatherflot | March 27, 2009 at 02:58 PM
or a wall-eyed ray romano?
Posted by: trav | March 27, 2009 at 04:47 PM
And a smidge of Jerry Lewis!
Posted by: Buck Calhoun | March 27, 2009 at 04:53 PM
Does anybody have a rip of the Singing Senators lp?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Singing_Senators
Posted by: Rob Lett | March 28, 2009 at 09:01 AM
Such horrors as these would be unimaginable in any other universe.
Posted by: Brad Nelson | March 28, 2009 at 01:57 PM
* Oh yeah, and he's a hateful war monger who abhors civil liberties, champions an ever useless war on drugs, and approves of torture. Let's not forget that.
Pretty much the base resume of every AG of either Party.At least Ashcroft didn't wiretap MLK (Bobby Kennedy) or burn up little children (Reno).Hell he was much better on civil liberties than his replacement Gonzalez.He didn't lie as much in all the time he served as Holder has already.Much better than Ed Meese too!
Posted by: siv | March 28, 2009 at 11:08 PM
Why would you even MENTION Ashcroft? This is the guy whose own local (home state) support was so feeble that he lost an election to a dead man. That shoud've been evidence of his ineptitude already. And who is this idiot named Bush? You mean that hack UK band from years ago? Or that quirky, talented, and lovely UK solo artist?
Posted by: Jim | April 03, 2009 at 06:20 PM