BILL MOYERS JOURNAL | Jack Goldsmith | PBS

In these two excerpts from Bill Moyers Journal, Jack Goldsmith, former head the Office of Legal Counsel at the Justice Department, gives an insider's view of advising the President on the limits of executive power during the war on terror.

In the second excerpt, Goldsmith recounts what he calls "the most amazing scene I'd ever witnessed"—the night then White House counsel Alberto Gonzalez and former White House chief of staff Andrew Card Gonzalez, went to the hospital to try to persuade Attorney General John Ashcroft to give his permission on a secret surveillance plan, overriding acting Attorney General James Comey.

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[jedimasterbooboo]

Dude, don't EVEN bring up Noam Chomsky, and you spelled the name wrong. In my life- it goes, God, Jesus, then Noam. You have nothing on that guy. "Pinko", wow you're funny with those 50's tactics. And I'm not one for sticking up for Che, but I doubt he was any more murderous than what you sanction for government to do.

[ControlledDemolition]

the government tortures to terrify the public. that is why torturing governments torture.

ashcroft said he would not call it torture if his own son were waterboarded.

sick.

these are the people who did 911 and framed all the Arabs and Muslims for it.

Yoo said it would be ok to crush the testicles of children in front of their parents.

Sick.

Impeach and imprison them.

[cheeseisgood33]

Anarchy!

[vdizzle129]

Those of you who relentlessly complain about Bush and people like Goldsmith calling them spineless, war criminals, puppy eaters, whatever, need a better understanding of history and the context of Bush's presidency. 9/11 was an attack delivered by a far more dangerous enemy than any sovereign nation we could ever go up against. The context here justifies Bush for taking the perogative steps he did, but Bush's biggest mistake in this matter was not including and receiving support from Congress.

[vdizzle129]

You guys need to be a little more down to earth in your discussions. I read "The Terror Presidency." Unlike what it might seem, Goldsmith is a Republican but he is very critical of the Bush Administration. He is critical of them for implementing policies which he proved could not be legally justified or immune to controversy in the future, despite the pressure from Addington and others.

[Antgne]

GOP = Get Out Pedophiles!

[darcelink]

sorry, i forgot to clarify.

regarding Darganot's most recent comment: it was samuel johnson who said that patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.

[darcelink]

actually it was samuel johnson who first said it. but yr comment is right on.

[Darganot]

You ought to read Guevara for the same reason you ought to read Sun Tzu or Mao, to understand how war and revolution are waged. If you would quit your knee jerk reactionist bigotry you might just learn something. It's a shame that so-called "patriots" like yourself are too concerned with making yourself sound right than learning what's actually happening.

"Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel" - Emma Goldman

[patsagainstrats]

All I needed was to see the name of the murderous "Che Guevara" in your profile. I also find in intersting that you, Osama Bin Laden and Hugo Chavez are also big readers of Noam Chomskey. You're in fine company, pinko.