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Defending American Values from a President Run Amok
by Glenn Greenwald
Book Reviewed by:If we are to remain a constitutional republic, Greenwald writes, we cannot abide radical theories of executive power, which are transforming the very core of our national character, and moving us from democracy toward despotism. This is not hyperbole. This is the crisis all Americans—liberals and conservatives--now face.
In the spirit of the colonists who once mustered the strength to denounce a king, Greenwald invites us to consider: How would a patriot act today?
Glenn Greenwald was not a political man. Not liberal, not
conservative. Politicians were all the same and it didn’t matter
which party was in power. Extremists on both ends canceled each
other out, and the United States would essentially remain
forever centrist. Or so he thought.
Then came September 11, 2001. Greenwald’s disinterest in
politics was replaced by patriotism, and he supported the war in
Afghanistan. He also gave President Bush the benefit of the
doubt over his decision to invade Iraq. But, as he saw Americans
and others being disappeared, jailed and tortured, without
charges or legal representation, he began to worry. And when he
learned his president had seized the power to spy on American
citizens on American soil, without the oversight required by
law, he could stand no more. At the heart of these actions,
Greenwald saw unprecedented and extremist theories of
presidential power, theories that flout the Constitution and
make President Bush accountable to no one, and no law.
How Would a Patriot Act? is one man’s story of being
galvanized into action to defend America’s founding principles,
and a reasoned argument for what must be done. Greenwald’s
penetrating words should inspire a nation to defend the
Constitution from a president who secretly bestowed upon himself
the powers of a monarch. If we are to remain a constitutional
republic, Greenwald writes, we cannot abide radical theories of
executive power, which are transforming the very core of our
national character, and moving us from democracy toward
despotism. This is not hyperbole. This is the crisis all
Americans—liberals and conservatives--now face.
In the spirit of the colonists who once mustered the strength
to denounce a king, Greenwald invites us to consider: How would
a patriot act today?
Chapter 1: American Devolution: 9
One Nation, Indivisible–Listening In–Reining in the Presidents–Pattern of
Deceit–Unilateral Actions
Chapter 2: The Power of One: 38
The King and Yoo–Matter of Decree–The Case of the "Dirty Bomber"–Confessions by Waterboarding–Tortured Legislation
Chapter 3: "What Can't He Do?": 61
The Weight of the Law–In Defense of the President–"A Strong, Robust Executive
Authority"
Chapter 4: Patriotism Beyond Politics: 72
The Right Hooks–All-American Blogosphere–Revolutionary Wisdom–The Youngstown
Decision–"Oppressive and Lawless"
Chapter 5: Fear as a Weapon: 93
Be Very Afraid–Freedom Fighters–Life During Wartime–More Safe, Less Free
Chapter 6: Fate of the Union: 107
The Watergate Lesson–Nothing to Hide?–Muzzling the Media–America's Choice
Epilogue: 125
Acknowledgments:...
Left wing groups are embracing Greenwald as their own and right wing groups accuse him of selling out. However, it really does seem that Greenwald is genuinely non-partisan - he does not criticize Republicans nor, for that matter, praise the Democrats. His focus is simply on an administration that he sees as operating in clear contradiction of, not only America's laws, but also the core values that define America. Whatever your political persuasion, this book is worth a second glance..continued
Full Review
(617 words)
(Reviewed by BookBrowse Review Team).
Arianna Huffington, Editor, Huffington Post
No matter your political persuasion, this book is a must-read for all Americans who believe the Constitution must remain the law of this land — and a refreshing reminder that there is more than one way to be an American patriot. John W. Dean, former Nixon White House counsel and author of Conservatives Without Conscience
Greenwald has gathered solid information and marshaled a litany of abuses of power that make Richard Nixon's imperial presidency look timid. All thinking Americans must answer How Would A Patriot Act? this coming election, and those who ignore what Greenwald has to say act at our collective peril. Joseph Wilson, Former U.S. ambassador author of The Politics of Truth: Inside the Lies that Led to War and Betrayed My Wife's CIA Identity
All citizens, regardless of political party, should be concerned by the issues he raises. Well worth the time to read. Markos Moulitsas, Founder of Daily Kos and co-author of Crashing the Gate: Netroots, Grassroots and the Rise of People-Powered Politics
Often reducing complex legal issues into language anyone can understand, Glenn shows why he's one of the smartest and most important new voices to emerge in politics in years.Glenn
Greenwald is a Constitutional
law attorney, and author of the
political blog, "Unclaimed
Territory." He has written for
American Conservative magazine
and appeared on a variety of
television and radio programs,
including C-Span's "Washington
Journal," Air America's
"Majority Report" and Public
Radio International's "To the
Point." His reporting and
analysis have been credited in
The Los Angeles Times, The
Washington Post, Salon, Slate
and a variety of other print and
online publications.
...
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