Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Luminous Animal

(27,310 posts)
16. No, He wrote a book in 2006 in which he criticized Bush from beginning to end.
Tue Jul 23, 2013, 05:14 PM
Jul 2013

The title of the book is "How Would A Patriot Act?: Defending American Values from a President Run Amok"

His preface to the book revealed his general apathy towards politics and his naive trust in the system.

Here is the link to the preface: http://www.bookbrowse.com/excerpts/index.cfm?fuseaction=printable&book_number=1812


Book summary:


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?

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

As one famous admiral said: Pretzel_Warrior Jul 2013 #1
Leave Hillary alone. Tierra_y_Libertad Jul 2013 #2
Best.Answer.Ever. bigwillq Jul 2013 #7
I think she's talking about jazzimov Jul 2013 #10
No, He wrote a book in 2006 in which he criticized Bush from beginning to end. Luminous Animal Jul 2013 #16
For the WIN! woo me with science Jul 2013 #12
Oh, behave! Dr. Strange Jul 2013 #13
Hahaha!!! Luminous Animal Jul 2013 #17
Anyone can have a change of heart. silverweb Jul 2013 #3
What? Quantess Jul 2013 #4
I agree! Cali_Democrat Jul 2013 #6
I think they're actually meeting downstairs in the Socialist Libertarian Ballroom struggle4progress Jul 2013 #5
All 3? No... Iraq War and immediate post 9/11 Bush, yes... Xyzse Jul 2013 #8
Agree. DireStrike Jul 2013 #9
You can never support the Citizens United Decision? The ACLU does. AnotherMcIntosh Jul 2013 #11
Well good for them Xyzse Jul 2013 #14
how bout if you continue bush's policies and want to start even more wars? nt msongs Jul 2013 #15
You can do all of those things and be a Republican and still be in the Obama Bluenorthwest Jul 2013 #18
Message auto-removed Name removed Jul 2013 #19
FYI: ProSense Jul 2013 #20
Not exactly. See #16. AnotherMcIntosh Jul 2013 #21
Yes indeed. Especially if you look at your own question: The Straight Story Jul 2013 #22
Not just no, but HELL no! Of course, MY definition of left... socialist_n_TN Jul 2013 #23
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Can you be part of the le...»Reply #16