Terrorism and the Constitution: Sacrificing Civil Liberties in the Name of National Security

In a vivid and important critique of our government's response to terrorist threats, two leading constitutional scholars warn that many anti-terrorism efforts needlessly sacrifice civil liberties without effectively protecting national security. Cole and Dempsey contend that in its response to the attacks of September 11, the Bush administration has already repeated many of the worst mistakes of the past, and is unlikely to make Americans more secure. By comparing recent anti-terrorism legislati…