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How Would a Patriot Act? Defending American Values from a President Run Amok
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?
128 pages, Paperback
First published May 12, 2006
About the author
Glenn Greenwald
16 books773 followersGlenn Greenwald is an American lawyer, columnist, blogger and author who worked as a constitutional and civil-rights litigator prior to becoming a contributor (columnist and blogger) to Salon.com, where he focuses on political and legal topics. He has also contributed to other newspapers and political news magazines, including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The American Conservative, The National Interest, and In These Times.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 15, 2014
One of the few non-fiction books that could do with more background. Makes a very limited, but effective argument about the lawlessness of the Bush years from a Constitutional perspective. Doesn't go into the motivations enough nor does it provide much of a pragmatic prescription for defending these Constitutional values, as the subtitle and marketing would have you believe. As a fan of his blog I found the writing at times a bit restrained. Still a worth while read for those in any doubt over the law breaking by President Bush, particularly as it relates to FISA and the NSA eavesdropping program.
January 27, 2008
The book covered the electronic ease dropping act from its inception to these days. Quick read- do not know if I would recommend it hehe
October 10, 2014
This is a VERY informative book about the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) law, why there was a need to create it, and how it's been ignored or circumvented in the aftermath of 9-11.
Prior to the law taking effect, the book chronicles the governmental abuses by presidents from both political parties when in power. Those very abuses are what led to law being enacted in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal. The book also details how, ostensibly with the intention of protecting the US after 9-11, the law was ignored by the Bush administration despite the fact that FISA was updated in the Patriot Act in order to meet the expressed concerns of the Bush administration.
Greenwald chronicles how Bush (as well as the telecoms) violated the law from 2001 through 2005, despite Bush's repeated public assurances that no Americans' communications were being monitored without a warrant.
Also of note in the book is how Congress rallied to give the telecoms immunity from law suits even as the law suits were in progress. Congress and the administration also shielded the gov't from accountability on the basis of 'national security' concerns.
The book also covers other end runs around Americans' constitutional rights such as indefinite detention without formal charges, or legal representation, or a trial.
It's well worth the time it takes to read.
Prior to the law taking effect, the book chronicles the governmental abuses by presidents from both political parties when in power. Those very abuses are what led to law being enacted in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal. The book also details how, ostensibly with the intention of protecting the US after 9-11, the law was ignored by the Bush administration despite the fact that FISA was updated in the Patriot Act in order to meet the expressed concerns of the Bush administration.
Greenwald chronicles how Bush (as well as the telecoms) violated the law from 2001 through 2005, despite Bush's repeated public assurances that no Americans' communications were being monitored without a warrant.
Also of note in the book is how Congress rallied to give the telecoms immunity from law suits even as the law suits were in progress. Congress and the administration also shielded the gov't from accountability on the basis of 'national security' concerns.
The book also covers other end runs around Americans' constitutional rights such as indefinite detention without formal charges, or legal representation, or a trial.
It's well worth the time it takes to read.
October 2, 2008
If you want to keep up to date with the all the legal machinations of the Bush Administration and the twisted logic of his one-eyed defenders, there is no better place than Glenn Greenwald's Unclaimed Territory. Glenn's insightful commentary rooted in his remarkably deep understanding of constitutional law and keen eye for hypocrisy makes for some of the best reading on the web.
His entries are not short, so you'll need to devote some amount of time to keep up, but it will be time well spent, because a few years from now when our rights and the democracy that we are so proud of and zealously try to "export" are appreciably eroded, you'll wonder how it happened. But only if you do not read Glenn religiously, like so many people who are worried that our country is headed in a radically wrong direction.
If you like what you read there and want to support him, pick up a copy of his recently published book, How Would A Patriot Act?. I ordered from Amazon. It just came. I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but I will very shortly and let you know what I think.
His entries are not short, so you'll need to devote some amount of time to keep up, but it will be time well spent, because a few years from now when our rights and the democracy that we are so proud of and zealously try to "export" are appreciably eroded, you'll wonder how it happened. But only if you do not read Glenn religiously, like so many people who are worried that our country is headed in a radically wrong direction.
If you like what you read there and want to support him, pick up a copy of his recently published book, How Would A Patriot Act?. I ordered from Amazon. It just came. I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but I will very shortly and let you know what I think.
March 3, 2019
This book, written by Glenn Greenwald, was written for one purpose, to bring to light, or attack, President Bush's actions regarding wiretapping & his stance on enemy combatants. It is certainly a book that takes the opposite side and states that President Bush is hurting the country, ignoring the constitution, the courts and the law.
While it may sound like a bash George book it presents opinions from liberals and conservatives. It notes supreme court rulings and opinions. The book is certainly one sided I think it is one that should be read and considered. I, happen to agree with the writer, however I think all sides of the issues need to be looked at.
It's a short book at 128 pages or so (& a mere 5x8 inches) and I easily read it in a night. If you read a bit slower you might stretch it to two.
Bottom line, George Bush supporters will hate it, George Bush bashers will love it. It's the folks in the middle that this book might offer some insight too. If politics, history, or constitutional law are your thing, you won't want to miss it.
While it may sound like a bash George book it presents opinions from liberals and conservatives. It notes supreme court rulings and opinions. The book is certainly one sided I think it is one that should be read and considered. I, happen to agree with the writer, however I think all sides of the issues need to be looked at.
It's a short book at 128 pages or so (& a mere 5x8 inches) and I easily read it in a night. If you read a bit slower you might stretch it to two.
Bottom line, George Bush supporters will hate it, George Bush bashers will love it. It's the folks in the middle that this book might offer some insight too. If politics, history, or constitutional law are your thing, you won't want to miss it.
May 4, 2007
I've been an avid reader of Glenn Greenwald's writing on Salon.com and his former blog "Unclaimed Territory" for some time. A former constitutional lawyer from New York, in this book Glenn has turned his keen eye toward the Bush Administration and it's unprecedented increase of executive power. Through analysis of the Yoo memorandum and other quasi-legal arguments that BushCo. has put forward to legitimize their increasingly authoritarian governing (which is a term that can only be loosely used there), Glenn offers an insight into the minds that have crafted this power grab as well as a repudiation of the concept of an over-powerful executive branch.
A short read, and well worth it. If you like this, be sure to check out his next book, A Tragic Legacy, due out June 26 from Crown.
A short read, and well worth it. If you like this, be sure to check out his next book, A Tragic Legacy, due out June 26 from Crown.
October 18, 2008
A fair and clearly reasoned synopsis of how this country has taken a serious wrong turn in the last 6 years. The primary focus is the wiretap violations of '03-'06 that W. personally pushed for and the subsequent fallout from the NY Times investigation. This is a quick read that will remind you that all the public anger and vitriol of the last 2 years directed at this administration is based in plain ugly [embarassing] truth. His blog is very good too: http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/
August 3, 2011
This book outlined the NSA eavesdropping scandal that took place during the Bush administration. I liked how it brought my attention to the freedoms that we as Americans lost during that administration and also how Mr. Greenwald referred to various documents written during the founding of our country (i.e. the Federalist Papers) to emphasis how these freedoms are core to our sense of national freedom.
The majority of the book refers to pre-2006 events, but it's still worth the read.
The majority of the book refers to pre-2006 events, but it's still worth the read.
April 26, 2008
A well-written, apolitical explanation of why constitutional law is important to all US citizens and the continuation of our country as we know it. And the whys and wherefores regarding the utter disregard and contempt that the current administration has for this law. Now I really get it.
December 25, 2008
Repetitive and redundant, but a great expose on the sham that is misnamed the Patriot Act. I would guess that most Americans don't know what's really in this act, nor would they care unless they are critical and open-minded thinkers.
October 20, 2016
Tremendous. Greenwald puts all his legal training to work presenting a damning case against presidential lawlessness during the Bush era. As relevant now as it was in 2006. In fact, things have probably gotten worse. Glenn Greenwald is the man.
July 10, 2008
Fascination story of the betrayal of the American people by the executive branch. Made me frustrated to read it. It is a little dry, but I would recommend it.
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September 23, 2010How Would a Patriot Act? Defending American Values from a President Run Amok by Glenn Greenwald (2006)
November 28, 2010
A must read for anyone wondering what freedoms and rights were lost during the Bush presidency.
January 22, 2016
Still an important book post-Bush Administration since most, if not all, of the same abuses are still ongoing.
July 22, 2020
Good factual explanation/introduction up until 2006 (possibly dated). (In terms of viewpoint/bias, Greenwald seems to take the goodness of the American Revolution / Constitution / &c. as a first principle [he also thinks US involvement in the Cold War was good...?].)
September 10, 2021
The optimism is a little dated. No one reigned in Bush and his people came back in future administrations. :(
February 10, 2008
Pretty much a must-read for anyone that is either:
1)uncertain whether crimes have been committed by the current administration, or anyone who
2)could use a primer and over-view of the scope and nature of the crimes.
The author does a great job of not screeching, but rather puts his focus on facts, quotes, time-lines and analysis.
Compelling stuff. I know several people who just cannot accept that Bush or anyone in "high office" could really have done criminal things ... this book is perfect for them.
1)uncertain whether crimes have been committed by the current administration, or anyone who
2)could use a primer and over-view of the scope and nature of the crimes.
The author does a great job of not screeching, but rather puts his focus on facts, quotes, time-lines and analysis.
Compelling stuff. I know several people who just cannot accept that Bush or anyone in "high office" could really have done criminal things ... this book is perfect for them.
October 20, 2009
This book details the ways the W. Bush administration outright violated US constitutional law and what it means to America and the world. I particularly liked Greenwald's explanation of the historical context of the American Constitution and the various ways past presidents have "interpreted" it for their own needs. A fairly easy and a very informative read about a complex and far-reaching topic.
March 27, 2011
Fact filled, straightforward, anyone reading this realizes how much we've lost of our freedoms. Not much editorializing, just the facts.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews