Law Profs Tell Mukasey He’s Not Wanted as Commencement Speaker

Twenty-two law professors at Boston College Law School are sending a letter to Attorney General Michael Mukasey asking him to withdraw as a commencement speaker.

The letter (PDF from Eagleionline) is the latest in a simmering controversy over the decision by law school dean John Garvey to invite Mukasey to address 2008 grads, reports Eagleionline, a student-run website. After some students raised objections to the address, Garvey announced he would not give the school’s Founder’s Medal to Mukasey or any future commencement speakers.

In the letter, the professors “respectfully request” that Mukasey reconsider his decision to deliver the commencement address because of his refusal to declare that waterboarding is torture.

“We realize that you face complex professional difficulties in your position as Attorney General,” the letter says. “We are very concerned, however, that your role in the current controversy regarding the legality of waterboarding has made you a symbol of administration policies that conflict with basic principles of international and domestic law, the ideals of Boston College Law School, and the Jesuit principles that underlie Boston College’s educational mission.”

The professors say they would welcome Mukasey's appearance in a different forum that discusses the Justice Department's role in harsh interrogation techniques.