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About this quote

What does it mean?
Clark argues that torture authorized by the President contradicts the Constitution and requires removal of office.
In plain terms
If we can't stop torture authorized by leaders, the Constitution has failed.
What can you take from it?
Legal authority does not justify violating human rights.

Where it applies

  • legal debate
  • political discourse

Putting it to work

  • holding leaders accountable

Questions to consider

  • When does authority exceed limits?
  • How do we remove corrupt leaders?

Another view

It assumes the Constitution is the only mechanism for change.

More from Ramsey Clark

  1. 'The world is the most dangerous place it's ever been now because of what our country has done, and is doing, and we have to take it back.'

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  2. 'There can't be any more Fallujahs. Fallujah is the 21st century equivalent of Guernica. We just went in and destroyed that city, drove the people out, killed …

    Permalink to quote #3
  3. 'He (Saddam) had this huge war going on, and you have to act firmly when you have an assassination attempt.' - BBC interview, 28 November 2005, about the tortu…

    Permalink to quote #4

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