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The Brennan Center asked a bunch of luminaries what the next president's first act should be to strengthen our democracy. Dahlia Lithwick replied:
Close Guantanamo.It's not that warrantless surveillance and the state secrets doctrine, broad, inscrutable signing statements, and water boarding aren't problems , but I am assuming here that the President elect would have scrapped all this before putting his or her toothbrush down that morning. There may be some temptation to keep Gitmo open for a few weeks. Don't. Close it down. Move the remaining prisoners stateside and give them trials. Torch the camp. Issue a press release. And walk away. No one thing has been a more damaging daily—often hourly—reminder in the foreign media of this administration's contempt for American and international law.Other respondents include Bill Bradley (campaign finance reform), Hendrik Hertzberg (the national popular vote), Victor Navasky (subscribe to The Nation), and more.
