Boalt Professor John Yoo is in the news again, speaking about (what else?) torture “coercive interrogation.” It’s nothing new, really, just more of Professor Yoo addressing the nexus of globalization, terrorism, and authority. He tries to justify his extreme stance; his basic argument is that “the power…that the president should have—the right to authorize interrogation and indefinite detention without trials — is in keeping with national tradition.”

Professor Yoo predicts more secrecy and more presidential power on the rise as globalization (and its threats) increases. He knows his views are challenging, but he sees the secret strong arm of government as a permanent fixture. He makes an art of justification by trying to excuse human rights violations as a part of a natural trend.

However, Professor Yoo says, “I don’t want to be the cause of any kind of violence.” But he’ll probably justify it, especially if it happens in Guantanamo.