Deputy attorney general says civil liberties safe

ATLANTA - Deputy U.S. Attorney General Larry Thompson defended the Bush administration&#39;s anti-terrorism initiatives Wednesday, saying that Americans&#39; civil liberties are being protected. <br> <br> ``I&#39;m acutely aware of the importance of our civil liberties to the foundation of our country,&#39;&#39; Thompson said to law students at Georgia State University. <br> <br> He described the administration&#39;s policies as ``balanced and reasonable. <br> <br> ``The most basic right is the right to be safe and secure in our homes, on our streets, in our workplace,&#39;&#39; said Thompson, a former partner in the King and Spalding law firm and U.S. attorney in Atlanta. <br> <br> He acknowledged that some people disagree with the administration&#39;s policies, some of which have come under attack by civil libertarians and have been struck down by judges as unconstitutional. <br> <br> He said Attorney General John Ashcroft has been mischaracterized and wrongly stereotyped as being unconcerned with civil liberties. <br> <br> Thompson said the country is ``safer and stronger&#39;&#39; since Sept. 11. <br> <br> ``I don&#39;t think it&#39;s any coincidence at all that we haven&#39;t had another terrorist attack since 9/11,&#39;&#39; he said.