'Abu Ghraib is unbelievable in the innocent times of 1961. That we would torture people that way and on the instructions of the President of the United States and his highest legal advisers, torture is okay, they said. Go for it, fellas. If we can't renounce that and remove it from office, then the Constitution doesn't work anymore.'
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
Putting it to work
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
'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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