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Men in Black: How the Supreme Court Is Destroying America
Conservative talk radio host, lawyer, and frequent National Review contributor Mark R. Levin comes out firing against the United States Supreme Court in Men in Black, accusing the institution of corrupting the ideals of America's founding fathers. The court, in Levin's estimation, pursues an ideology-based activist agenda that oversteps its authority within the government....more
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
August 1st 2006
by Regnery Publishing
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Michael
rated it
Recommends it for:
Political Science and Journalism students; anyone interested in govermnent or politics
When I earned my degree in Political Science, one of the most interesting courses I took was in Constitutional Law. I've also read widely about the framing of the Constitution and the early history of our nation. This NY Times Best Seller lived up to all the hype I heard about it. Mr Levin, aReagan-era appointee, radio-talk-show host and Constitutional Law expert succinctly describes how the Supreme Court has taken unto itself unprecedented power to legislate from the bench. Having just view...more
This book clearly chronicals the systematic over-reach by the judicial branch, detailing the general disregard of the Constitution by the the same branch charged with evaluating the Constitutionality of Federal law.
Of particular historical interest was the efforts of the Supreme Court to uphold slavery in disregard of the 10th amendment and "seperate-but-equal" segregation. Of current interest is the the modern efforts of liberals to use the court as a vehicle to advance...more
Of particular historical interest was the efforts of the Supreme Court to uphold slavery in disregard of the 10th amendment and "seperate-but-equal" segregation. Of current interest is the the modern efforts of liberals to use the court as a vehicle to advance...more
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This was a really interesting book. I was surprised and stunned at how degraded many of our justices are while we are brought up to think they are sitting just under heaven. In fact, they mostly seem to think that way themselves, as many of our justices legislate from the bench and change their minds to fit current politics, but no one calls them on it because, really, what can any of us do? Often they base opinions on past opinions without any seeming regard for the Constitution, and as time go...more
Men in Black: How the Supreme Court is Destroying America by Mark R. Levin (2005).
This was a very interesting book and one that I admit I might not have otherwise read sporting as it does an introduction by Rush Limbaugh (making it immediately suspect) but since it was a freebee on a library give away shelf I figured it was worth a look. Levin is an experienced lawyer, writer and, although more conservative than my normal taste, a well-regarded Court watcher. It would be easy to quibble
...more
This was a good book that brought up many necessary issues within the judicial branch of our governmental checks and balances. The only problem is that this guy is clearly your typical right wing-nut. I can't stand when right wing-nuts complain about left wing-nuts and don't see the hypocrisy. The judicial system certainly has taken at full speed down the path toward trying to corrupt our constitution and laws with it's crybaby, bleeding heart policies and that needed to be said, it continues to...more
The title says it all. The Supreme Court is destroying America and the traditions it holds dear, most notably the idea of democracy. Mark Levin, one of my favorite radio hosts, put out his attack on the activist Supreme Court in 2005. Although some of the specific issues and justices are not longer around (as with any book on politics from 2005), Levin points out crucial errors of the Supreme Court which as still pertinent. While providing an overview of court history, his qualms are focused on ...more
Before reading:
I thought this would be a book that would come from the other side of the tracks (the Red side), but I didn’t know how much so until I read the prologue by none other than Rush Limbaugh. That's good. I'm always in favor of reading books from all points of view.
There's no question that the Supreme Court has made some monumentally bad decisions. Nobody should argue that. What's important to discuss regarding the Supreme Court is its role in government, ...more
I thought this would be a book that would come from the other side of the tracks (the Red side), but I didn’t know how much so until I read the prologue by none other than Rush Limbaugh. That's good. I'm always in favor of reading books from all points of view.
There's no question that the Supreme Court has made some monumentally bad decisions. Nobody should argue that. What's important to discuss regarding the Supreme Court is its role in government, ...more
There are about a billion books out there about the conservative approach to constitutional law that are more scholarly and/or even-tempered, but this one is the most direct, succinct and comprehensible for the lay reader. Some of the issues presented (abortion, first amendment) might be familiar, since they are the ones that receive a lot of popular attention; but Levin's discussions about more esoteric matters (commerce clause, privacy, filibuster) that make this book valuable. The sad fact is...more
Illustrates how so many bad decisions and laws in the course of the Republic have been made not by elected legislators or executives but by activist judges, starting with Marbury. From the "penumbras and emanations" of the Constitution they have upheld slavery, segregation, legalized abortion, benefits for illegal aliens, seizure of private property without compensation, racial discrimination, virtual child pornography, and conferred due process rights on enemy terrorists, expelled God...more
Certainly well researched. Fairly written. Levin approaches the subject from a conservative perspective. He examines case after case how the supreme court has routinely legislated from the bench and at times usurped power not granted to them (not unlike the other branches of government!) Levin actively denounces the rampant judicial activism and calls on the courts to be the reliable guardians of the constitution that they are appointed to be.
Since this is my first exposure to Ma...more
Since this is my first exposure to Ma...more
Mark Levin again proves that he is one of the most brilliant minds in political commentary today. His knowledge of history, law, the Constitution and politics blend brilliantly in this detailed exposé of the inner workings of the Supreme Court, and the general judicial system. His well-documented research (including actual copies of insider memos) serves to explain why and reveal how things are being manipulated in our government today. The development of current pivotal events, such as the esta...more
Mark Levin's book falls into some of the usual pitfalls that almost all biased political argumentation today falls into--evidence is often stretched and recontextualized to fit certain predisposed conclusions. The book is clearly well researched, and Levin is no doubt quite knowledgeable about legal process and the language of the US Constitution, but his conclusions are often stretched to a degree that no longer fits the evidence. I would hesitate comparing his method to a smokescreen, for I am...more
Nancy
rated it
·
review of another edition
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review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Neocons
Shelves:
political-currentaffairs
I tried really hard to read this book, as I was interested in the subject. When I realized the book was written with an extreme political bias (the fact that Rush Limbaugh wrote the intro was a bit telling), I tried to read it from the stance of broadening my understanding of other's perspectives. I couldn't make it to the end. I skimmed much of the material. I got tired of seeing the word 'liberal' mentioned with such disdain. The books subtitle should have been How the Liberals Are Destroying ...more
The author is excellent and knows what he is talking about and he does a great job of showing your with actual and current history.
Excellent and scary reading. For those who have not considered how much influence the third branch of government has on our lifes, this will be an eye opener. I think the Supreme court impacts our day to day lives more that congress and the Predsident together, you just dont hear it from the Court but you end up living it. Its a shame in a way. This br...more
Excellent and scary reading. For those who have not considered how much influence the third branch of government has on our lifes, this will be an eye opener. I think the Supreme court impacts our day to day lives more that congress and the Predsident together, you just dont hear it from the Court but you end up living it. Its a shame in a way. This br...more
I cannot listen to Mark Levine on the radio because he sounds so rabid, so it was with trepidation that I opened this book. I quickly forgot my aversion to Mr. Levine as he presented a lucid, compelling portrait of the then sitting justices. The author displays an impressive understanding of past court decisions an how those decisions have impacted the country. Mr Levine is indeed a constitutional scholar. I recommend this book highly.
Amazing book and a must read for anybody that cherishes their rights as an American citizen. Specifically that the Courts are a "separate but equal" branch to the legislative and executive branches. Nowadays, people treat the Court like an oracle capable of telling them how they should think. They are 9 human beings like the rest of the citizenry. If you're tired of courts overturning the laws you vote for due to their "interpretation", then Mark Levin provides you the fo...more
I love Mark Levin. This book outlines the foibles and follies of the crowd of political appointees and egomaniacs that have, for the most part, filled the benches of the Supreme Court. The overall theme of this book is an attack on Judicial legislation masquerading as legal review. It makes Jefferson's case that Marbury vs. Madison was the first in a long series of cases that have served to expand the uncheckable power of the judiciary at the expense of the elected branches of government. In thi...more
Douglas
rated it
·
review of another edition
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review of another edition
Recommends it for:
No one
Shelves:
constitutional-law,
legal-nonfiction
This right-wing rant is the result of shallow reasoning, biased reporting, and disingenuous scholarship. Levin's prejudice and combativeness ruin his effort. He conveniently dismisses all of the Supreme Court's so-called liberal decisions with which he disagrees on ideological grounds as "judicial activism," while ignoring the modern judicial activism of conservatives. In fact, Levin actually fails to mention the greatest judicial activism in American history: When five conservativ...more
Krista
rated it
·
review of another edition
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review of another edition
Recommends it for:
political geeks, Constitutional enthusiasts
Shelves:
politics-issues
Oy. Very informative. And very exhausting. I renewed the thing twice to try to finish it, but was never able to get the quiet "concentration" time that Levin's writing style requires. I got about half-way through after a couple months and just scanned the rest before I returned it.
With a background in Constitutional Law (which is soon to be a historical anomaly, the way things are going...), Levin is very knowledgeable and can speak with authority on Constitutional issu...more
With a background in Constitutional Law (which is soon to be a historical anomaly, the way things are going...), Levin is very knowledgeable and can speak with authority on Constitutional issu...more
Without delving into the politics and nitty-gritty of the book, I would like to say that it is a most interesting book about the current powerplay that the Supreme Court is evoking in the checks-and-balance system of government. Every since Marbury v. Madison in 1803, the Court has gained increasing power throughout the years, evolving from an approach of strict reading of the Constitution to a much looser policy of interpreting the Constitution. In recent times, the Court has become known for i...more
This book is precient to today's polical environment where the boundaries of power of the US Supreme Court are becoming increasing blurred. Mark Levin writes with the insights of a constitutional lawyer, but more importantly, with a respect and understanding of the original intent of the US constitution.
It has been a few years since I read this book, but I remember it laying out a fairly clear cut case showing how activism in the courts has usurped the power of the people. It explored a number of landmark cases that those of us who haven't studied law should know about.
Wow. Gives new meaning to the term corrupt court. Some bits I was really gung-ho about, and some bits confused me, but I'm really glad I read this one. I just wish the author had made a few more suggestions about what voters can do to change things.
I have listened to this audio book at least 10 times. I just love how brilliantly Levin puts everything together and goes through the disastrous rulings by the Supreme Court. A "must read" to understand how the courts are ruining America.
Provides an overview of the usual conservative critique of the activist Supreme Court, so it would be a good introduction to people interested in that debate, but I didn't find any new insights or consider it particularly well written.
I liked this better than Liberty and Tyranny. Some of Mark's best segments on his show is when he expounds law and the workings of our judicial system. This book probably contains some of his best thoughts on the latter.
Excellent book on how, why, when and where the judiciary went off track! I also learned exactly why the Gore team was out in left field during the 2000 re-count, and it reminded me of how psycho the Florida Supreme Court was.
Charlie Wagner
added it
Excellent book. Was especially impressed with the chapters on the 2000 election and the stonewalling on confirmation of originalist judges. The history of judicial nominees was also informative and interesting.
Breaks down how the Supreme Court legislate from the bench. A little hard to read some parts due to all the facts. But I did learn some things. It was a big eye opener.
As an attorney, I was aware of some of the incredible facts in this book.
There were also some surprises, though. Recommended reading for all concerned citizens.
There were also some surprises, though. Recommended reading for all concerned citizens.
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“We should remember that the Declaration of Independence is not merely a historical document. It is an explicit recognition that our rights derive not from the King of England, not from the judiciary, not from government at all, but from God. The keystone of our system of popular sovereignty is the recognition, as the Declaration acknowledges, that 'all men are created equal' and 'endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.' Religion and God are no alien to our system of government, they're integral to it.”
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1 person liked it
“The intensive and concerted effort to exclude references to religion or God from public places is an attack on our founding principles. It's an attempt to bolster a growing reliance on the government--especially the judiciary--as the source of our rights. But if our rights are not unalienable, if they don't come from a source higher than ourselves, then they're malleable at the will of the state. This is a prescription for tyranny.”
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