On Wednesday (Torture boy at Chapman) we referred to a Times article about the Bush Administration’s John Yoo (aka "Torture Boy") teaching at the relatively uncomplaining Chapman University in Orange, after having endured endless protests at Cal (Bush policymaker escapes Berkeley's wrath). Today, the Times printed two letters regarding that piece, including one by our own Red Emma:
P.S.: John Yoo is Chapman’s Fletcher Jones Distinguished Vising Professor of Law. According to the university,
See also Torture memo author finds friends and foes at Chapman U (Matt Coker, OC Weekly)
I am appalled that Chapman University has invited former White House lawyer John Yoo to teach its law students. With the painfully prevalent lack of ethics today, it is shocking that Chapman is clearly more concerned about publicity for its young law school than ensuring that its students are taught by professors of great achievement, guided by high ethical standards. The last thing we need are more John Yoos in America's legal system.
—Johanna Dordick, Los Angeles
There's something too easy in offering Berkeley as the singular (and stereotypical) community of resistance to Yoo. Orange County residents—UC Irvine staff and students—were similarly vehement, angry and (appropriately) rude to the Bush administration apologist for criminal behavior when he appeared on our campus. There's no need to harp on the now-clichéd environs of Berkeley to illustrate citizens expressing a consensus: Americans know that torture and violating international human rights law is wrong, wrong, wrong—and plenty are willing to shout about it, even in Orange County.
—Andrew Tonkovich, Silverado The writer is a lecturer at the UC Irvine Department of English.
P.S.: John Yoo is Chapman’s Fletcher Jones Distinguished Vising Professor of Law. According to the university,The Fletcher Jones Distinguished Visiting Professor of Law is selected annually from nominees and candidates who possess exceptionally outstanding credentials in legal education, and whose personal and professional lives reflect the highest ethical standards. [My emphasis.]
