Judge Andrew Napolitano’s new book “Suicide Pact, The Radical Expansion of Presidential Powers and the Lethal Threat to American Liberty” analyzes legal and historical treatment of individual liberty under a Natural Law philosophy. Much of the book is devoted to wartime society’s balance of security concerns with respect to the rights of the individual.
Going back to the Revolutionary War era, Napolitano explains that soldiers accused of treason were given a chance to defend themselves in court before being punished, and gives examples to support his claims. As the book progresses, he gives his perspective on major legislation and changing views of society with excellent analysis of The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798, The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, The Espionage Act of 1917, The Sedition Act of 1918, World War II internment of Japanese, Cold War conflicts, and concludes with the Global War on Terror.
While I agree with many of his views, and much of what he has to say regarding the Patriot Act, I disagree that all of those accused of terrorism should be tried in civilian courts. However, there is no denying the lack of justice in the security state, where people like Edward Snowden have disclosed the complete lack of respect the government is showing to the rights of individual citizens.
Given the abuses that are possible when Presidents are given near dictatorial power, it is no surprise that shameful things are being done in the name of “protecting” Americans. For these reasons, Napolitano makes an excellent case for judicial proceedings that are as open to the public as possible, with appropriate checks and balances on the various branches of government.
This book will surprise you with its modern and historical examples, and leave you second guessing the current crop of those in the political class. Restoring the values enshrined in the Bill of Rights is of vital importance if our American way of life is to continue for future generations.
A solid five of five stars for this book.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
