The main editorial of both the Oakland Tribune and Contra Costa Times today defends the notorious UC Berkeley law professor John Yoo, and it’s stunning for its ignorance. The papers claim that the university should leave Yoo alone because to punish him would violate academic freedom. But whoever wrote the editorial clearly has not done their homework. When Yoo penned the infamous torture memos for the Bush Administration, he was doing far more than just expressing his opinion. In his official position with the Bush Justice Department, Yoo’s work effectively authorized the torture of prisoners, and he clearly knew it. Some of the prisoners were then tortured to death. On what planet does that constitute academic freedom? It’s absurd on its face.
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