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IT'S JUST THAT EVIL LIFE GOT YOU IN ITS SWAY.
The Yoo torture memos have finally been declassified. Emily Bazelon cites their "glib certainty" as what stunned her, but I'd argue this would be potentially acceptable if its arguments were more plausible and the implausibilities weren't in service to such reprehensible ends. It's one thing to, say, confidently assert a very narrow but plausible reading of a statute restricting executive power. Confidently asserting a broad range of arbitrary executive powers (including the power to torture), allegedly beyond the power of the legislature to regulate, despite the explicit textual grants of relevant powers to Congress, during a "war" whose battlefield could be the entire planet and whose duration could be infinite, is another matter entirely.
--Scott Lemieux
COMMENTS (2)
Professor Torquemada may be a better name for him.
Perhaps someone could endow a chair for him at Berkeley that properly honors his contribution to the legal profession?
We could call it the "John Yoo Chair of the Toca," in honor of the wonderful "tortuga del agua" interrogation method that was so popular in Spain's awesome legal system during the 1500's. The good professor must be so very proud he's of his work to bring back that most excellent tradition, and Berkeley should likewise be praised for their full-throated support of a man whose contributions should inspire a generation of legal scholars.
And the chair could lean way back, and have a jug of water accompanying it.
Posted by: anon | April 2, 2008 11:12 AM
Hey, watch out now! You're talking about a Professor of Law at Boalt Hall, University of California - a very distinguished and very serious person, upon whom many an aspiring young student of the law depends for moral guidance. Do not be so rash as to criticize your betters.
Posted by: cervantes | April 2, 2008 11:27 AM