From Abu Ghraib to Terrorist Surveillance, “Boston Legal” Takes on President Bush

For those of you that are unfamiliar, “Boston Legal” is an Emmy-winning television program broadcast by ABC on Tuesdays. In its most recent episode, one of the key attorneys, Alan Shore – played by James Spader – raised various issues facing our nation in his closing arguments (video link to follow). His monologue included references to weapons of mass destruction, Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay, terrorist surveillance, you name it.

Spader began:

When the weapons of mass destruction thing turned out not to be true, I expected the American people to rise up. They didn’t.

Then, when the Abu Ghraib torture thing surfaced, and it was revealed that our government participated in rendition – a practice where we kidnap people, and turn them over to regimes that specialize in torture – I was sure then that the American people would be heard from. We stood mute.

Then came the news that we jailed thousands of terrorist suspects…locked them up without the right to a trial, or even the right to confront their accusers. Certainly, we would never stand for that. We did.

And, now it’s been discovered the executive branch has been conducting massive, illegal, domestic surveillance on its own citizens…you and me. And I at least consoled myself that finally, FINALLY, the American people would have had enough. Evidently, we haven’t.

In fact, if the people of this country have spoken, the message is: We’re okay with it all – torture, illegal search and seizures, illegal wiretappings, prison without a fair trial…or any trial, war on false pretenses. We as a citizenry are apparently not offended.

By the way, for the record, the client being defended was accused of tax evasion, which, of course, had a lot to do with terrorist surveillance, Abu Ghraib, and Guantanamo Bay…not!

Video Link courtesy of Crooks and Liars.