“That the power to prosecute is a fearsome thing, and, when employed as political tool, is the quick road to tyranny.”
Bill Otis, Politics & Prosecution, a Toxic Brew, 16 August 2014.
I am not a libertarian, but I am one of the defense counsel and independent liberals Mr. Otis will frequently berate, sometimes with rather over the top hyperbole. I read crimeandconsequences regularly because many posts raise important questions, but you have to take note of the style. But on this toxic issue we are of the same mind; both as to the Perry prosecution issue and also the abuse of power.
When politics drives criminal (read military) justice policy, there is a great danger that people will not apply reason, ethics, and the law – politics and justice do not generally go hand-in-hand.