Political harmony v. the rule of law

Salon by Glenn Greenwald | Jul. 19, 2008 (Opinion)
an easy choice for the political establishment

Former Congressman Harold Ford appeared at the Netroots Nation conference yesterday, argued that Bush officials shouldn't be held accountable for crimes they committed while in office, and then insisted that Democrats shouldn't be expected to defend civil liberties and Constitutional rights because "the Constitution doesn't poll very well." In arguing against prosecutions for Bush lawbreaking, Ford said that Bush officials already have been subjected to ... Full Story »

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Norman Farrell
4.4
 by Norman Farrell - Oct. 1, 2008

Unlike many Democrats and Republicans, Glenn Greenwald is unwilling to excuse criminal behavior of politicians and public servants. To Greenwald, the rule of law is the foundation of a civil society and the political class must be accountable for lawbreaking. Punishment has multiple purposes -- retribution, rehabilitation and deterrence. Without penalties, we license inappropriate behavior. The Salon writer says that if crimes against humanity are tolerated without sanction in one congress, or one administration, succeeding persons may also act on the dark side of the law without fear of consequence.

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