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A review by cherylcheng00
Doing Justice: A Prosecutor's Thoughts on Crime, Punishment, and the Rule of Law by Preet Bharara
4.0
When people talk about bias, it is generally negative bias. It's a concern -- a righteous concern -- that people might have bias against someone of a certain race, ethnicity, or gender that might cause them to unduly suspect a particular person of committing a crime. But the Menendez brothers case, like so many other cases, reminds us of the need for wariness of positive bias too: the belief that an outwardly upstanding citizen or externally successful and wealthy person could not engage in deceit, fraud, assault -- or parricide. Positive bias not only causes law enforcement to overlook suspects but, perhaps even more important, causes otherwise thoughtful people to become victims. 13
The hope is that no man is above the law; that power and privilege do not immunize you from accountability and punishment; that corruption can be fought. And that there are people brave enough to fight it. It shows the universal craving for honest government and the rule of law. Because as it turns out, the dream of honest government, where no one is above the law and the oath of the office matters, is the dream of civilized people everywhere. Bringing the powerful and corrupt to justice gives people faith in all cases, big and small. 213
A crisis persists in public discourse and political debate. It is coarse and vicious and tone-deaf. Truth is a victim of self-interest and extreme tribalism, as are decorum and respect. The very notion of civility -- and even the need for it -- are hotly debated. Meanwhile, political tribes insulate themselves more than ever. More than ever, people seek out only like-minded voices, only comfortable viewpoints, avoiding challenge, debate, and inconvenient facts. They stick to their side no matter what the evidence; openness to changing your mind is not only rare but seen as weak and disloyal somehow. Fewer people than ever adhere to Cromwell's admonition -- think ye may be wrong. Meanwhile, when debates are joined -- on cable television or the internet -- name-calling, innuendo, and character assassination are more favored tactics than logic and reason. 251
The hope is that no man is above the law; that power and privilege do not immunize you from accountability and punishment; that corruption can be fought. And that there are people brave enough to fight it. It shows the universal craving for honest government and the rule of law. Because as it turns out, the dream of honest government, where no one is above the law and the oath of the office matters, is the dream of civilized people everywhere. Bringing the powerful and corrupt to justice gives people faith in all cases, big and small. 213
A crisis persists in public discourse and political debate. It is coarse and vicious and tone-deaf. Truth is a victim of self-interest and extreme tribalism, as are decorum and respect. The very notion of civility -- and even the need for it -- are hotly debated. Meanwhile, political tribes insulate themselves more than ever. More than ever, people seek out only like-minded voices, only comfortable viewpoints, avoiding challenge, debate, and inconvenient facts. They stick to their side no matter what the evidence; openness to changing your mind is not only rare but seen as weak and disloyal somehow. Fewer people than ever adhere to Cromwell's admonition -- think ye may be wrong. Meanwhile, when debates are joined -- on cable television or the internet -- name-calling, innuendo, and character assassination are more favored tactics than logic and reason. 251