Conversations with History: Glenn Greenwald

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes writer Glenn Greenwald for a discussion of his new book, "With Liberty and Justice for Some." Greenwald traces his intellectual odyssey; analyzes the relationship between principle, power, and law; and describes the erosion of the rule of law in the United States. Highlighting the degree to which the legal system frees the powerful from accountability while harshly treating the powerless, Greenwald describes the origins of the current system, its repudiation of American ideals, and the mechanisms which sustain it. He then analyzes the media's abdication of its role as watchdog role. He concludes with a survey of the the record of the Obama administration in fulfilling its mandate, argues for an alternative politics, and offers advice for students as they prepare for the future. Series: "Conversations with History" [1/2012] [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 23138]

[@dilligaf24824]

I am so glad that we have many more years of Greenwald to come.

[@jackeagleeye3453]

Boy this comment did not age well

[@costernocht]

Glenn is someone people from all sides of the political debate can respect. He has integrity.

[@1828tolstoy]

I would hope so.But I don't think those on the right respect integrity.Trump is president.

[@20ThirdProductions]

I like to think of myself as having a pretty good grasp on what is going on the world. I have followed many of the issues he talks about, but by the end of this my mind was still blown. He lays everything out so clearly.

[@duaneholmes8935]

I agree one hundred percent!!! I like to think that I see things clearly also but I haven’t been impressed with anyone’s logic in quite awhile…

[@victorsempiana7590]

Attorney Greenwald you are a loving human being,, when I see your name on any u-tube conversation with anyone who interviews you I watch & listen , thank you for sharing your love & deep feelings for the human being,, may you continue to share your knowledge your love your care for the human being, you stand with the best of people who represent common man & woman,,

[@MrBlack74]

Greenwald is the only commentator I pay regular attention to. Guy;s fantastic in everything he does.

[@blissfulbaboon]

So refreshing it is to listen to this amazingly brilliant man

[@gjbloos]

This video should be embedded in every Civics class. Glenn Greenwald is Awesome!

[@DavidDavidsonRhettEColumnSWN]

I so respect and admire Attorney Greenwald, and profoundly enjoy his writings on the law, governments, and powers that be in this world frankly...

[@suzanegiust1494]

David Davidson what he is doing now in favor of corrupts and criminals in Brazil is disgraceful

[@ays5696]

@@suzanegiust1494 what is he doing re: Brazil?

[@cjjohnson9413]

What you talk’en about willis?

[@tom500k]

Liberating & exhilerating: Greenwald's support of the Occupy movement rather than individual politicians to end the long night of corporate-government supremacy! Thanks to Prof. Kreisler for having the guts to do this fantastic interview. Best & most useful hour I've spent on the Internet all year.

[@joepapp01]

Agreed. Greenwald is simply stunning. His eloquence both in speaking and writing is magical.

[@flimpkin5]

Great to hear this. For all the world's citizens who forget that there are still some superlative Americans out there, Mr. Greenwald reminds them that this is the case!

[@kbriggss]

Greenwald is my new favorite journalist!!

[@CAngel57ful]

Glenn Greenwald is my newest hero. Thanks for this important interview.

[@realityisfire]

Greenwald, as usual, was awesome. I really enjoyed a lot of the questions that were asked, also. Great all around.

[@MrFrostedtips]

Amira Hass, Robert Fisk, Glenn Greenwald...all people who have been interviewed and all people who should be read constantly

[@marthacmd]

glenn is very intelligent and can present a good argument on any political issue

[@anderslarsen4912]

Big fan of "the intercept". Keep up the great work. Any initiative that facilitates adversarial journalism should be applauded.

[@sarahsmith6055]

He has wonderful eloquence and articulation

[@Mustafa9474]

Glenn Greenwald is a hero

[@SrPonsonby]

Of course a beauty! Thanks Glenn Greenwald!

[@concordsage]

I'm a student studying philosophy and find inspiration in Glenn's way of presenting arguments. I really appreciate the questions asked here. The video was well worth watching.

[@CJWilly]

Greenwald, ****ing legend.

[@cjjohnson9413]

It’s so cool to go back in the time tunnel. Glenn’s take on Elizabeth Warren helped me understand AOC today….

[@aiforus]

I think he is one of the best mainstream author/political thinkers in the US offering hope and clarity and the basic sense. He lives with his partner in Brazil. Because of US immigration laws, he cannot live with his partner in the US. This, I think, makes his thinking that much more rich with Umph behind it.

[@fernandomesquita3497]

what a great Human example! and what a great finishing (55:05)

[@Jacob-hk6to]

Good interview. Kreisler’s voice sounds above the range I’m used to

[@jornalistarenatarosa4205]

Glenn, you are so important to the world! Thanks for your job in Brazil!

[@RonzigtheWizard]

He couldn't stop the criminals from arresting and jailing the honest leader in Brazil so he couldn't be elected and Brazil now has a far right wing puppet that is selling the country to American corporate gangsters

[@eddiemaxblack]

Glenn Greenwald is indeed amazing. He's a very good writer. And praises the likes of Noam Chomsky. Another writer/activist worth reading.

[@AlexanderMccarthey87]

When this was filmed, they had no idea what a conversation with history this would be.

[@FourCorners257]

Greenwald is this generation's Chomsky. Glad we have both of them at the same time!

[@mizmlyn]

Still prescient post-Snowden in 2018. We need more journalists like Glenn. 37:00

[@RonzigtheWizard]

We don't protect them so they wind up being tortured in jail or hiding in Russia or seeking refuge in an embassy that eventually betrays them.Where were we when they needed us? Where were we when the government arrested the Venezuelan Embassy protectors? We don't deserve any better than what we are given when we don't stand up in force to protect the ones we have.

[@1828tolstoy]

@@RonzigtheWizard Some of them have been killed.Michael Hastening to name one.

[@brianpetkovic4579]

IM GLAD HES ON MY SIDE

[@gregorycarr2365]

Goddamn Greenwald is one eloquent mo fo. I heard him once say that he has a speech impediment. Wha? I could spend four lifetimes trying to learn to speak like him and still fall far short.

[@IslamicRageBoy]

A good man

[@lindat6910]

He is so smart, brillant!

[@JoshuaShepherd]

I sometimes have to laugh at Kreisler's milktoast questions. To his credit he lets people speak, which Greenwald uses here to spectacular effect.

[@thomasb8044]

commendable. perhaps the u.s. should emulate iceland for favorable results to their problems. your fortunate to have gary greenwald going to bat for you. there should be more like him.pray for his safety though; he's dealing with real mobsters.

[@marilynverick2544]

Although the interviewer has a rather grating voice he does an excellent job of drawing out his guest and actually listens.

[@1828tolstoy]

My god you have to complain about something.

[@duaneholmes8935]

👍🏽👍🏽Public outrage has been bought and misdirected since the sixties from my point of view. When the “March On Washington” was discussed by those who were angry the plan was to MARCH partly because by the time disgusted individuals got there they would be twice as angry and create havoc but that was easily remedied by renting buses so that the people who were not even able to ride them where they lived would be pacified and coddled by the illusion of luxury. This was especially true for the leaders who were comforted financially. I don’t have the proof that you have but my gut is my proof. Diverting the collective energy with band aid solutions is also a truly effective way of making sure that the power stays in place. The same tactics are used today especially since the internet has allowed for constant diversionary tactics. You are inspiring!!! Thank you

[@eddiemaxblack]

@clockworkscott It did happen. About a month ago. I'm not sure if it was on C-Span. I actually listened to it. They both spoke. And then answered questions. So, it wasn't an actual conversation, as it were.

[@avithemostill]

This dude is the next Chomsky.

[@badeyestrain]

The poet Rilke stated (paraphrasing): "Defending another human being's right to privacy/solitude is the most noble act one person can bestow upon another"...I wonder if Rilke's defense attorney understood that he was to be paid solely in platitudes?

[@lucerfarul]

“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world's greatest civilizations has been 200 years.” ― Alexis de Tocqueville

[@suziegreer7975]

I'm dying Glenn

[@utuber2]

To anyone interested in learning more the notion of Oligarchy in the US, check out the writings of Jeffrey Winters.

[@Loltochapel]

Glenn is Tomorrow's Chomsky!

[@winstonsmith-ministryoftru1609]

Before the fame...

[@jmir1992]

Is he wearing Hollister?

[@TheEthanwashere]

@InternContradiction Actually I take that back. lol. I guess I agree

[@RonzigtheWizard]

If the rule of law can only be achieved outside the existing structure the people may be required to bring responsibility for their actions down on those who think they are above the law. The people want their democracy back and if they won't give it back eventually they will take it back.

[@yacovm888]

WAR on DRUGSWAR on DRUGS"Supply and Demand" when our taxes goes toward trying to secede the Supply, what undoubtedly goes up? The same mindset is vice a versa, take away the value and the demand goes down.

[@yacovm888]

"Supply and Demand" when our taxes goes toward trying to secede the Supply, what undoubtedly goes up? The same mindset is vice a versa, take away the value and the demand goes down.

[@TheEthanwashere]

@uncultivatedretard Plato was for philosopher kings not a republic -_-

[@danintheoutback1]

The political spectrum allowed, between the Democratic & Republican Parties are incredibly narrow & predominantly right wing. The political class in the USA, now only has a right wing ideology. There is no longer any left or center at all.

[@Spiral.Dynamics]

danintheoutback1 There is Bernie Sanders.

[@TheEthanwashere]

@InternContradiction Greenwald is awesome but he doesn't come close to Chomsky for me. He's way more moderate.

[@kinky_Z]

I was raised in a Nixon/Goldwater/Reagan/Ayn Rand household in the hometown of Nixon but I was born a liberal. I was the only kid in my Whittier school who would not put on a ubiquitous "Nixon" button 'cause even as a 5th grader - I WANTED KENNEDY! I also languished in the suburbs coughing up that LA smog blood before Nixon gave us the EPA. I had ZERO exposure to LEFT WING politics unless you include Bob Dylan. Maybe that was it? Maybe Dylan's lyrics in the early 60s plus reading Malthus and Ehrlich, ducking under our desks in case a nuke went off, and my high school history teacher giving us a lesson about how Russia uses specific brainwashing techniques to brainwash their citizens leading me of course to wonder if our government was doing the exact same to us?...Maybe it's a little genetic too? And then there was Vietnam.

[@tookie36]

Charlie and Uncle Jack? I know im immature. its okay

[@suziegreer7975]

Someone is altering my text

[@avithemostill]

???

[@satyratron]

holyshit that music is good! oh yeah glenn is great too.

[@MEpianist]

Greenwald should definitely run for president ... he's this country's Alexey Navalny

[@suziegreer7975]

I MEANT WHY HAVE WE COME TO A LOCK DOWN?

[@suziegreer7975]

WHY?

[@RipTheJackR]

"Truth to power" is such a childish and naive saying, id rather say "keep elaborating on the nature of reality to the powerless, Glenn".

[@silksleeves]

tell us the lie and the truth, or go home

[@TheEthanwashere]

@uncultivatedretard No that just makes you an anti-semite, you're generalizing about a group of people with a negative connotation.

[@suziegreer7975]

I have something I want you to investigate I don't need to be investigated you will need safety money for yourself I don't want any just give me a coded message iyi

[@bluenightfox]

It´s like a drop of fresh water in an ocean of rubbish interviews this one.

[@suziegreer7975]

I NEVER PUT I DONT NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED I PUT I DONT NEED TO BE RECOGNISED BECAUSE IM NOT A BIG HEAD AND I DONT SEE ANYWAY HOW ME GIVING YOU ANY INFORMATION AMOUNTS TO ANYTHING FOR MYSELF, MY TEXT KEEPS GETTING ALTERED

[@anderslarsen4912]

Unfortunately what Greenwald is talking about at the time of this interview, has become the norm, even here in supposedly "egalitarian" countries of Scandinavia. A small group of people are shielded from prosecution by the only instituition that has the power to do so, thereby not reaching decisions by the courts. It does not help that the same institutions are equipped with an army of minions that implement laws and regulations that further encroach on civil liberties on the rest of us. This propensity will surely lead to civil war eventually.

[@uncultivatedretard2381]

@TheEthanwashere no no no chomsky is against the right of return sorry , I've followed this guy for 2 years and that is the only dissention between him and Finkelstein. He can be against Israeli policies as much as you want but he is for the state of Israel and he said himself that the right of return is the end of the state of Israel sorry. He is for a two state solution on the border of 67 with lands swap.

[@sertorrhenclegane]

What's the point of power if you can't abuse it? What're you supposed to do with it? Use it to help people when they would just as soon cross the street to spit on you?

[@bobbyy.7762]

Sort of ironic that he talks about these things whenever I hear he speak he sounds like a lackey for the right.

[@gustavoperez1612]

the guest way of speaking is very unpleasant; too fast, too much verbiage.

[@uncultivatedretard2381]

@TheEthanwashere Who care what he claim he is , his children have been raised in the jewish religion just like him. I never go to the church and it doesn't change the fact that I've been raised as a catholic by parents who were not going to the church. Chomsky said himself that to him judaism is only a set of ritiual that's where he is wrong , judaism is also a set of value just like any other religions. Glad you were the first to insult me, my name is 4 people like u.