Affair Quote by Edward Snowden
“While the US Constitution marks these programs as illegal, my government argues that secret court rulings, which the world is not permitted to see, somehow legitimize an illegal affair. These rulings simply corrupt the most basic notion of justice - that it must be seen to be done. The immoral cannot be made moral through the use of secret law.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Interview, 2013
Secret legal rulings undermine transparency, making unjust actions appear lawful, which erodes trust in justice.
In simple terms: Secret laws corrupt the perception of justice.
Key Takeaway
Demand openness and accountability in legal processes.
Themes
justice
transparency
government
law
ethics
Mood
concerned
defiant
thoughtful
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- legal reform
- journalism
- civil activism
- policy oversight
Key Concepts
Rule of law
secrecy
public trust
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards prevent secret laws from abusing power?
- How can citizens verify legal legitimacy?
A Different Perspective
Secrecy can be justified under national security claims.
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![“There was a real choice when [Barack Obama] became president. It was a very difficult choice - to say, "We're not going to hold senior officials to account with the same laws that every other citizen in the country is held to," or "This is a nation that believes in the rule of law."” quote by Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/104/edward-snowden-555_accounts_there-was-a-real-choice-when-barack-obam_27838.jpg)
