Friday, April 17, 2009
John Yoo: Just Don't Keep Him Awake For More Than 11 Days
Crime / Education / People / Politics Robert Gammon — Fri, Apr 17, 2009 at 10:36 AM
Article Tools
As promised, the Obama administration released a set of torture memos, including one written by UC Berkeley law professor John Yoo. The Yoo memo is a disturbing account of a dark time in this nation's history, and gives a stark look at how Yoo specifically authorized torture, in violation of federal and international laws (the August 2002 memo was signed by Yoo's boss in the Bush Department of Justice Jay Bybee, who is now a federal appellate judge, but was written by Yoo). Among the lowlights: Not only did Yoo authorize waterboarding, even though it has long been considered torture and the US prosecuted its own soldiers in Vietnam for using it, but the Berkeley professor told the CIA that they could deprive al Qaeda suspect Abu Zubaydah of sleep for up to eleven days. And this wasn't just some lawyer giving a client bad advice. The CIA had refused to torture Zubaydah unless Yoo gave them the okay. But remember, Yoo's job at Berkeley is protected by academic freedom.
Showing 1-4 of 4
John Yoo is a disgrace to Berkeley, and man-kind in general. He should be shamed at every sighting, and should be prosecuted legally. What an embarrassment for U.C. Berkeley!
Mike.....I think you are not thinking through those times. It was 2002. We had no idea as to what or when or if something else was to happen to us. I think people (the government included) were frightened of what could happen to the general public if another terrorist attack were to happen.
As much as I believe in protecting the rights of people, I also believe that protecting the innocent is just as important. This is the real issue....dealing with the tension between the rights of the accused and the rights (and protections) of the innocent. It is a fine line to walk. Being simple minded about it and calling people a disgrace to man kind shows that you have difficulty digesting the issues of our times.
The American judicial system is proving that few black sheep will not be ale to tarnish its integrity. Bush and Cheney were ill advised because this is what they wanted to listen. It is a lesson for all of us in general and the top administration in particular that THE LAW OF THE LAND IS SUPREME. Administration will come and go but the strong judicial institution will remain and will protect Americans from NAZI-ISM.
I've read a significant part of the memo and can hardly believe that all that was written and authorized. The rights of the accused and the rights of the innocent should be exactly the same. Torture should not be allowed, regardless of the person is or what he or she has done.
Author Archives
Comments (4) RSS