1. Reagan didn’t plagiarize Winthrop. Reagan often explicitly mentioned Winthrop by name when using the terms, as did JFK incidentally. Besides plagiarism not applying to phrases, other issues with your characterization remain. I trust you already know them.

2. It is ironic that the good vs. evil Republicans often recognize the shades of gray in the torture debate, whereas authors such as you do not. Most of them do not consider waterboarding torture, though it may be a violation of the 8th Amdt, and it should probably be mentioned here, but is not.

3. John Yoo was obviously not guilty of professional misconduct. He rendered a legal opinion and took part in no unethical action as per any federal or state bar rules. When the Justice Dept says they thought Yoo used bad judgment, what they really mean is that they disagree. Presidents have to be confronted with legal opinions on a range of issues and your implication that Yoo should have suffered some penalty for his own is pretty shocking.

Otherwise, great job with the FDR through GWB narrative. It’s fairly accurate and needs to be said.