The case against John Yoo

I just finished reading your replacement for Kathleen Parker’s commentary. I can’t believe that you would publish this opinion without indicating that this is indeed the John Yoo that was a Justice Department official under George W. Bush but also was the author of the opinion that opened the door for and provided legal guidance relating to torture for the Bush administration.

Yoo also authored the memo asserting that the president had sufficient power to allow the National Security Agency to monitor the communications of U.S. citizens on U.S. soil without a warrant because the Fourth Amendment does not apply. That he honestly believes the duty of an American citizen – at least in wartime – is to submit without challenge to the decisions of government, even if those decisions are by Yoo’s own lights wrong.

Seems to me that there must be many other stand-in correspondents without resorting to one that is being prosecuted for war crimes in Spain. In any event, make up your own mind on Elena Kagan for Supreme Court without relying on the likes of this cretin.

Charlie C. Ackerman

Spokane Valley