Is the noose tightening around UC Berkeley law school professor John
Yoo or will the mainstream media protect the author of the infamous
“Torture Memos” from prosecution by making him appear legitimate? At
this point, it’s anybody’s guess. But one thing’s for sure: It was
another up and down week for the former Bush administration attorney
who authorized torture, helped galvanize anti-American sentiment, and
put our soldiers at unnecessary risk.
First came the news that the Philadelphia Inquirer had hired
Yoo as an op-ed columnist. Yoo grew up in the area, and in his first
column, he promptly attacked Barack Obama, criticizing the president
for saying that he would consider appointing a new Supreme Court
justice who empathizes with real people — instead of just viewing
the law in the abstract. Hmm, Yoo opposes empathy. Why are we not
surprised? Waterboarding — good. Caring about people — bad.
Got it.
In more sane developments, a broad coalition of human rights groups
and liberal attorneys has filed an official ethics complaint against
Yoo with the Pennsylvania bar association, where he holds his law
license. The coalition is seeking legal sanctions, up to and including
disbarment, against Yoo and eleven other Bush-era attorneys for their
roles in authorizing torture, including former Defense Department
Counsel William Haynes, who now works for Chevron in San Ramon. The
liberal activists allege that Yoo and the other Bush lawyers violated
their legal ethical duties when they brushed aside US and international
laws that make torture, including waterboarding, a war crime.
But will these complaints go anywhere when mainstream papers are
paying Yoo and giving him a forum to spout his extreme right-wing
views? Even the Oakland Tribune has gotten into the act. The
paper published Yoo’s first column as well, treating him as if he were
some legitimate political voice instead of the disgraced public figure
that he really is. In fact, the paper didn’t even acknowledge Yoo’s
leading role in enabling the CIA and military interrogators to torture
defenseless prisoners. It looks as if the paper plans to make the
professor a regular feature on its op-ed page, too.
Is the Worst Yet to Come?
Despite reports that the economy may be rebounding, the number of
homes falling into foreclosure nationwide took a huge jump in April.
How big? About 32 percent higher than April 2008, according to the
Associated Press. Not only is that a significant increase, but it’s
scary, considering that the foreclosure crisis was already well under
way last spring. In Alameda County, there was a 72 percent jump in the
number over last year. It’s the second straight month of very bad
foreclosure news. If this trend continues, then the slight rebound
we’ve seen recently may be just a temporary blip on the way to a long,
steep recession.
Is the East Bay Sniper Back?
If you still have wheels, try avoiding Interstate 680 in Fremont,
because a sniper (or snipers) is terrorizing a section of the freeway.
The Valley Times reports that up to 45 cars were hit. The
California Highway Patrol believes the shooter or shooters used a BB
gun or an air rifle. Let’s just hope the CHP does a better job
investigating the case than it did during the last freeway shootings
five years ago. In early 2004, a sniper or snipers shot up a stretch of
I-580 from San Leandro to Castro Valley, but the CHP badly mishandled
the case and arrested a man despite having virtually no evidence. No
charges were ever filed.
Oakland Police Fallout
Oakland police, meanwhile, experienced the first bit of fallout from
the killing of four cops earlier this year. According to the
Trib and the San Francisco Chronicle, the head of the
department’s SWAT team asked for reassignment after his officers told
him they no longer had confidence in his leadership. The team members
were angry that Captain Ed Tracey chose to remain at Highland Hospital
with the first two officers who were shot and not lead the search for
suspect Lovelle Mixon — who ended up killing two SWAT team
members during an ill-advised raid.
A New Oakland Schools Supe
As for Oakland public schools, the school board is moving ahead with
its plan to hire a new permanent superintendent. According to the
Trib, the board whittled down the list of finalists to three,
and plans to make a decision by May 22. However, the new supe won’t
have full authority over the district. That’s because State
Superintendent Jack O’Connell has refused to relinquish his power over
the district’s finances despite recommendations from state auditors
that he do so. Will the board’s decision to hire a new schools chief
force O’Connell to finally return local control to Oakland schools? Or
is the board creating false expectations by hiring someone who
basically will have no authority?
Three-Dot Roundup
In a city known for horrific crimes, Oakland reached a new low when
a 97-year-old woman was beaten to death in her home. Ivarene Lett is
believed to be the oldest person ever murdered in the city. … The
BART board finally approved a long-awaited plan to finance a $522
million elevated rail line from the Coliseum station to Oakland
Airport. … Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums said he is not seeking a pay
raise, despite a report to the contrary in the Chronicle. In
fact, Dellums’ staffers told the Trib that he plans to take a 5
percent pay cut in the form of a lump-sum payment. … Meanwhile, the
East Bay Express moved its offices to Jack London Square, at 620
3rd St., Oakland, 94607.
