"Yoo: I Said Torture Was Legal, But It Doesn't Mean They Should've Done It"

[Clio the Leo]

Yoo: I Said Torture Was Legal, But It Doesn't Mean They Should've Done It

Former Justice Department lawyer and "torture memo" author John Yoo used a speeding metaphor to explain that just because he gave George W. Bush the legal justification for the "unpopular" decision to waterboard Khalid Sheikh Muhammed didn't mean Bush had to go through with it.

"Just because a law says you can drive 65 miles per hour doesn't mean you have to drive 65 miles per hour," Yoo said. "There's still a lot of discretion and choice that the leaders of our government had to make."

"I know part of the job from being the lawyer is defending sometimes unpopular decisions that your clients make. I'm willing to do that part of the job. But I also think that there's no escaping responsibility if people who make the policy decision," Yoo said in an interview on CNN on Friday.

"And I'm prepared and confident in saying that I think my legal judgment then was right under the circumstances. But that doesn't mean that you had to -- that President Bush had to choose the policy that they did either," Yoo said.

Bush said in a recent interview promoting his book that he personally gave the CIA the go ahead to use harsh interrogation techniques against KSM. Alberto Gonzales told TPM last week that he was "aware" of the government's policy towards so-called enhanced interrogation techniques, but wouldn't say whether he heard President Bush's statement that he told the CIA "damn right" when asked whether to waterboard the man behind the Sept. 11 attacks.

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/yoo_i_said_torture_was_legal_but_it_doesnt_mean_they_shouldve_done_it_video.php

Perhaps we should get Yoo to write that it's "legal" for Congress to vote against extending Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy? ;)

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. I sense a Charles Manson defense here.

[Supersedeas]

2. Yet, it doesn't bother Prof Yoo or Judge Bybee at all that every Bush official justifies the

decision to torture by pointing to the lawyers who "opined" that it was legal to do so.

See: noone is really accountable because each can point to the other guy.

It's is so artful, the way that Right Wing accountability works.

[rug]

3. That's what the bartender said when he gave Bush the keys to his car.

[Supersedeas]

4. Another problem with the speeding analogy: the Legislature creates the law

Instead of honoring the actual words and spirit of the torture law, Prof Yoo and Judge Bybee decided to question the legitimacy of the law, calling it "quaint," and the whole justification behind their 'reading' of the law was to carve out an exception for the President.

Analogously, it would be like an attorney saying:

Well, 65 miles per hour does apply in most cases, but not for you. You are an exception to the typical 65mph rule. Besides the quaint notion and understanding of "miles" and "hour" need to be refined to accomodate the speed that you would really like to travel.

Yoo not only is offering a self-serving revision of history, but he also actually ignores the content of his own legal analysis to pull it off. And no one, not any Newtork anchor will call attention to this disgusting justification. Neither will the corporate controlled American Bar Association, not the Justice Department, and not any but a few politicians. Sure, we might have a comedian or isolated pundit here or there draw attention to Yoo's pathetic self-serving analysis, but there will be no serious national discussion of the issue on our national airways.

[WhiteTara]

6. Yoo is pathetic and wants people to stop telling him

he is. He wants everyone to know it wasn't his fault that he's a good lawyer. Just because he didn't argue in front of a judge means nothing to him...or this is just his lawyerly argument that it wasn't his fault and don't blame him. Oh, and btw stop those protesters who hang around me with signs calling me a war criminal!

I say let the Hague decide his guilt or innocence.

[jberryhill]

5. Gee, Einstein, why do you think they were asking you?

Sorry, Charlie, when my client asks me "Would it be legal if I..." my assumption is that they will do so if I opine positively.

One does not assume that one's client is asking questions for academic purposes.

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. This grossly misrepresents the relationship between lawyer & client.

[Supersedeas]

9. and grossly misrepresents the responsibilities of the OLC

[Proud Liberal Dem]

8. Is he getting worried about something?

Seems like he's flailing around a bit trying to defend his......um.....legal *advice*.

Also, seems pretty much in line with how the rest of the Bush (mis-)administration ran in terms of accepting responsibility.

[ljm2002]

10. What a joke he is...

...but not a funny one.

Recently I got a call from UC Berkeley trying to get me to donate as an alumnus. I had the great pleasure of informing the young man that I will not be giving UCB one red cent until and unless John Yoo is gone. Until that happens, no $$ from me.

[Supersedeas]

12. that's some legacy that Berkeley has--Yoo is attention grabbing if that's what they are looking for

[Vinnie From Indy]

11. Fuck that sawed-off little douchebag!

He has justly earned the millstone of shame that will hang around his skinny little neck for eternity.

If there is any justice left in the world, Yoo will someday answer for his crimes at The Hague.