More from the Christian gala: Ashcroft also told his favorite joke as well, the setup of which I’m sure I’ll screw up. It’s a story about his visiting a first grade class and taking questions from the kids. One of them, Johnny, gets up and says, in a tough voice, “Mr. Ashcroft, I have three questions [and this is the part I’ll mess up]. First, why did you cover the statues at the Justice Department? Second, why are you holding people in Guantanamo Bay, and third, does the PATRIOT Act intrude on our civil liberties.” Before the AG could answer, the recess bell rang and the kids all ran out on the playground.

After recess, little Sally, picking up where it was left off, stood up and said: “I have five questions. First, why did you cover the statues at the Justice Department? Second, why are you holding people in Guantanamo Bay, and third, does the PATRIOT Act intrude on our civil liberties. Fourth, why was recess thirty minutes early today? And fifth, what did you do with Johnny?!?”