Protest John Yoo in Chicago this Monday, Feb 8

[Jay Becker]

News from the Chicago Chapter   YOO RENEWS CLAIM THAT TORTURE IS UP TO THE PRESIDENT Just two days ago, Steven Rohde, constitutional lawyer and writer, questioned Berkeley law professor John Yoo on the limits of presidential power to torture and whether it was still "okay" for the commander in chief to order that the testicles of a person's child be crushed, as Yoo had argued in response to a question from Prof. Doug Cassel, human rights law professor now at Notre Dame. This was recorded here in Chicago in 2005.  Cassel: If the President deems that he's got to torture somebody, including by crushing the testicles of the person's child, there is no law that can stop him? Yoo: No treaty. Cassel: Also no law by Congress. That is what you wrote in the August 2002 memo. Yoo: I think it depends on why the President thinks he needs to do that. (Here is a longer excerpt of these remarks in context, five MB with six minutes of question and answer.) Read the full story here. The Obama administration is set to clear Yoo and his co-conspirators, as reported here. Is this the change YOU were hoping for? Every person in this country must decide: Are you for torture, or are you against it? And then you must act. War Criminal Alert! Protest! John Yoo in Chicago Monday Monday, Feb. 8, 2010 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in front of the Union League Club 65 W. Jackson Blvd. (betw Dearborn & Clark) John Yoo is touring the country to promote his new book, "Crisis and Command: A History of Executive Power from George Washington to George Bush." He has been met by protests around the country too. Yoo wrote his now infamous torture memos while he was at the Dept. of Justice's Office of Legal Council (OLC). Yoo gave "legal cover" and advice for the Bush regime's crimes. These crimes include TORTURE, which is a war crime and a crime against humanity. They also include illegal government surveillance and the use of U.S. troops against people on American soil. Many refer to the OLC legal memos as "get out of jail free cards" as they make prosecution less likely for anyone that follows them, even if they have committed crimes. The massive criminal actions committed by the Bush regime cannot be excused by platitudes from Obama. The criminal past must be repudiated and yes - punished, otherwise we are condoning the torture state that has been constructed and torture will continue to occur. John Yoo must be held accountable for his role in these crimes. "Torture...is not a polite debate. Torture is a crime against humanity. Torture isn't just a war crime. Torture is an abomination and a crystallization of everything John Yoo stands for…It is your responsibility here to not sit politely while John Yoo speaks." Protester, Jan. 27, Commonwealth Club San Francisco John Yoo speaks for the criminals who set up a torture state. Who speaks for their victims - who speaks for the detainees at Guantanamo - at Bagram? BRING SIGNS, WEAR ORANGE! SPEAK OUT! TORTURE IS A WAR CRIME! PROSECUTE! www.firejohnyoo.org     www.worldcantwait.org    www.warcriminalswatch.org SAVE THE DATE . . . MARCH 18TH * ANTI-WAR MARCH * UP MICHIGAN AVE., CHICAGO The City has granted a parade permit for the anti-war march on the evening of Thursday, March 18th, beginning at 5:30 PM at the Federal Plaza (Adams & Dearborn), going up Dearborn to Monroe, Monroe to Michigan, Michigan to Oak, and Oak and Dearborn over to Bughouse Square (Washington Sq Park, by the Newberry Library). A broad coalition of groups and organizations will be participating. Join the World Can't Wait contingent to protest wars and occupations. The war-profiteering forces we are fighting against are funded by the most powerful and well-funded corporations in the world. The anti-war movement is funded by us. Please consider helping fund the movement. Any amount would be a tremendous help. Chicago Chapter, The World Can't Wait World Can't Wait - National: http://www.worldcantwait.org 866.973.4463 Chicago Chapter: chi...@worldcantwait.org 773-227-2453 chicagoworldcantwait.org Meeting on Mondays at 6:30pm. Meeting venue is Nesh Cafe at 734 W. Fullerton, Chicago IL 60614 It's on the north side Fullerton, three blocks east of the Fullerton Red line stop. Stop thinking like an American, Start thinking about humanity! Read Revolution at www.revcom.us