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Rep. John Conyers grilled former Bushie John Yoo, who was a major player in instituting torture as US policy today's hearing called: "Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties."

Watch Yoo stammer and stonewall Conyers repeated efforts to get him to admit what he said previously. That the president could torture whenever he thought it was just and he could do it in the most heinous way possible.

Conyers: It was reported that you were asked if a president could order a suspects child be tortured in a gruesome fashion and you responded that "I think it depends on why the president thinks he needs to do that. Is that accurate?

Yoo: Mr. Chairman, I don't believe it's accurate because it took what I said out of context. (I see) The quote stopped right before I continued to explain the number of things which I appreciate the opportunity...

Conyers: So far what I read was accurate, but there was more?

Yoo: But it stops at mid sentence, I mean I finished the sentence during the debate but I didn't get a chance to...

Conyers: OK, thank you...Is there anything professor Yoo that the president can not order to be done to a suspect if he believed it necessary for national defense?

Yoo: Ahhh, Mr Chairman, I think it goes back to the quote you just read because..

Conyers: No, I'm just asking you the question, maybe it doesn't, but what do you think?

Yoo: I think it's the same question I was asked..

Conyers: Well, what's the answer?

Yoo: First, can I make clear I'm not talking about...

Conyers: You don't have to make anything clear. Just answer the question counsel.

Yoo: I just want to make sure I'm not saying...

Conyers: You don't have to worry about not saying, just answer the question.

Yoo: OK, my thinking right now?

Conyers: Yes, right now. This moment.

Yoo: This moment...My thinking right now, first, the question you're proposing...

Conyers: WHAT is the answer?

Yoo: Mr Chairman, I'm trying to make....

Conyers: No your'e wasting my time....Look counsel, we've all practiced law...

Chairman Conyers: "I didn't ask you if you ever gave him advice, I asked you do you think the President could order a suspect buried alive?"

Yoo: "Mr. Chairman, my view right now, is I don't think a president would - no American president would ever have to order that or feel it necessary to order that."

Chairman Conyers: "I think we understand the games that are being played..."
Was Yoo playing Abbott or Costello?