Constitutional Law

Next President Should Stand Tall For Civil Liberties

Geoffrey R. Stone, professor of law at the University of Chicago and member of the American Constitution Society Board of Directors, writes in a column for today’s New York Times op-ed page that the next occupant of the White House should address the erosion of civil liberties in America. Stone argues that the nation’s standing as a protector of civil liberties has been “tarnished” by a series of events, including, the suspension of habeas corpus and torture of detainees. One way Stone says the next president could reverse course:

Presidents have a wide range of official advisers. There is a secretary of defense, a secretary of labor, a national security adviser, to name just a few. The next president should create a new executive branch position: a civil liberties adviser. Within the highest councils of every administration there should be a respected public official whose charge it is to defend our civil liberties against all comers.  

Full post as published by ACS Blog on June 30, 2008 (boomark / email).