The broad outlines, you know already: A group of legal radicals comes to power, armed with a view of an all-powerful Executive who can’t be challenged by the courts, by the legislature… or even by laws at all. Then 9/11 happens. And, all of a sudden, these radicals get to put their vision of the Presidency in place. Conservative, law-and-order Republicans try to stop the tide. But they’re brushed aside. Torture, warantless wiretapping, and renditions follow.
Even if all of this is familiar, it’s still worth watching PBS’ new Frontline documentary, airing tonight, "Cheney’s Law." There are a bunch of details that all but the most hardcore news junkies will find fresh. And the way those details are strung together… well, it’s devastating. And scary. And filled with unlikely heroes. Here’s a preview:
