Sorry folks for not following up right away...

Logan, I heard the John Ashcroft-calico cat story from deejay "Doc on the Roq" over at KROQ, an alternative music station here in L.A. In retrospect I should have guessed that the story was being delivered tongue-in-cheek style, but at the time Doc's delivery sounded serious enough for me to post a question here

I believe the rumor originated as an ironic follow-up to Ashcroft's orders to have drapes cover the bare breast of the Lady Justice statue at the Justice Department (now this bit of information is verifiable; see http://drudgereport.com/flash2.htm). The implication here, I believe, is that Ashcroft is such a fire-and-brimstone prude that he can't stand the sight of a partially nude statue, nor can he be in the company of creatures that are "of the devil".

This is a story blown way out of proportion, and if my post has caused some people on this board to worry unnecessarily, I extend my apologies.