Chapter 312. Quiz for Document 33-1

Correct. The answer is a. According to John Yoo, torture is defined under U.S. law as acts intended to inflict “severe pain or suffering, whether mental or physical.” In his opinion, only the most extreme acts were covered by this definition. Moreover, in cases involving individuals identified as “alien unlawful combatants” who were interrogated outside the United States, Yoo believed there were virtually no meaningful legal restrictions on the use of coercive methods to acquire information.

Incorrect. The answer is a. According to John Yoo, torture is defined under U.S. law as acts intended to inflict “severe pain or suffering, whether mental or physical.” In his opinion, only the most extreme acts were covered by this definition. Moreover, in cases involving individuals identified as “alien unlawful combatants” who were interrogated outside the United States, Yoo believed there were virtually no meaningful legal restrictions on the use of coercive methods to acquire information.

Correct. The answer is a. Yoo acknowledged that international decisions regarding the use of sensory deprivation had called the techniques “cruel, inhuman, or degrading,” but he did not think the international decisions were enough to characterize such techniques as torture.

Incorrect. The answer is a. Yoo acknowledged that international decisions regarding the use of sensory deprivation had called the techniques “cruel, inhuman, or degrading,” but he did not think the international decisions were enough to characterize such techniques as torture.

Correct. The answer is c. The memos asserted that the president’s role as commander in chief included “that of capturing, detaining, and interrogating members of the enemy.”

Incorrect. The answer is c. The memos asserted that the president’s role as commander in chief included “that of capturing, detaining, and interrogating members of the enemy.”

Correct. The answer is d. Yoo concluded that in light of the events of September 11, 2001, the president could say that he was acting on the nation’s right to self-defense in order to justify interrogation techniques such as waterboarding.

Incorrect. The answer is d. Yoo concluded that in light of the events of September 11, 2001, the president could say that he was acting on the nation’s right to self-defense in order to justify interrogation techniques such as waterboarding.