Pencil In That End-of-War Date

The Justice Department's ethics office, while it did not prohibit department employees from attending the lunch at Ashcroft's firm, "advised invitees to consider the appearance of attending such an event," Justice spokesman Brian Roehrkasse told U.S. News & World Report, which first reported the problem.

There are restrictions on former officials lobbying folks at their old agencies, but it was unclear how the pizza party called those restrictions into question.

Yesterday afternoon, Ashcroft e-mailed everyone saying, " I do not wish to place you in the uncomfortable or awkward position of explaining the circumstances under which you ate pizza with me." He said he never thought there would be some question about the lunch. "I do not believe for a second that your integrity could be compromised for a piece of pizza."

Two pieces?

Better Than Chicken

Mark your calendars! The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's fourth annual "Hook and Cook" Festival will be held tomorrow from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Library of Congress's Montpelier Room. "It's a great opportunity to learn more about fisheries and habitat conservation . . . and mingle with our staff and partners."

The lovely invitation has photos of the elusive ivory-billed woodpecker -- excellent in an orange sauce -- and the pallid sturgeon, best served deep-fried. As one Interior Department employee, likely not impressed with the administration's conservation efforts, quipped, "You know, endangered species can be very tasty if cooked correctly."

The Honesty Policy

In these days, when out-there groups give themselves innocuous names such as "Americans for Good Things," it's refreshing to see a little candor. For example, PoliticalMoneyLine reports that Vietnam Veterans Against John McCain, a Section 527 organization in Garnerville, N.Y., told the IRS that "we will collect donations for a Web site, radio and TV ads exposing John McCain only [negative advertising]. We are completely independent and not connected to any political organization. All of the money collected will be used for the express purpose of defeating John McCain."

Not much ambiguity there.