Obama releases secret Bush anti-terror memos

[Gratiot]

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration threw open the curtain on years of Bush-era secrets Monday, revealing anti-terror memos that claimed exceptional search-and-seizure powers and divulging that the CIA destroyed nearly 100 videotapes of interrogations and other treatment of terror suspects.

The Justice Department released nine legal opinions showing that, following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Bush administration determined that certain constitutional rights would not apply during the coming fight. Within two weeks, government lawyers were already discussing ways to wiretap U.S. conversations without warrants.

The Bush administration eventually abandoned many of the legal conclusions, but the documents themselves had been closely held. By releasing them, President Barack Obama continued a house-cleaning of the previous administration's most contentious policies.

"Too often over the past decade, the fight against terrorism has been viewed as a zero-sum battle with our civil liberties," Attorney General Eric Holder said in a speech a few hours before the documents were released. "Not only is that school of thought misguided, I fear that in actuality it does more harm than good."

The Obama administration also acknowledged in court documents Monday that the CIA destroyed 92 videos involving terror suspects, including interrogations — far more than had been known. Congressional Democrats and other critics have charged that some of the harsh interrogation techniques amounted to torture, a contention President George W. Bush and other Bush officials rejected.

Cont'd at Yahoo News - AP

[Tess Anderson]

And what is the point of this? To show how much Bush violated the civil rights of lunatics that want to kill us? I'm beginning to think it's true, the enemy is within.

[Carl]

They were reacting to untested and unknown issues and were seeking legal opinions rather then taking action out of hand.
It says that they rejected them so what exactly is supposed to be the issue here except maybe to deflect attention from the current administration.

[formerlurker]

Oh.My.God.

[thundley4]

So this is what 0Bama meant by "transparency in government". He meant about past administrations, not his own.  Me thinks this was just an attempt to distract the talk of his failed economic policy.  Get his minions focused on their BDS , again.

[Crazy Horse]

They were reacting to untested and unknown issues and were seeking legal opinions rather then taking action out of hand.
It says that they rejected them so what exactly is supposed to be the issue here except maybe to deflect attention from the current administration.

Well it does deflect things from this administration.............but furthermore it keeps the BDS strong.

[Lance]

Heh, Obama may come to regret this move since he has done little to divert from Bush policy re the GWOT. Gotta keep up the hate.

[Tess]

This is retaliation against Limbaugh and the conservative movement and an attempt to keep republicans in Washington in line.  "See what we can do or will do to you, since we are doing it to former president Bush." 

He saw the rally and how mobilized things could get...he wants to put a black mark on anything that would come from this side of the isle.  Doesn't matter what pretext or context, any way he can twist it to suit his fear and hatred toward those on the right, he will do it.

[TheSarge]

Gee...I don't remember W screwing over his predecessor in such a dramatic and public matter.

[Lance]

W had morals...

[Tess]

Gee...I don't remember W screwing over his predecessor in such a dramatic and public matter.

Then again W didn't care or worry about what Billary did.  He cared about what HIS job was.  He was never really a player in DC which is why they didn't like him.  W took his job seriously, it was about HIS oath to protect his country and uphold the constitution.  Something O couldn't comprehend if it had pop-ups and cartoon pictures.

[NHSparky]

I love how an AG who represents terrorists and tax evaders can so easily cast aside the rights of the American public which are set forth quite clearly in the Constitution, and extend them to a bunch of thugs who just as clearly have NO rights under our system of justice.

This guy makes me yearn for the days of Janet Reno.

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

Petty feed for the sheep.

[Hawkgirl]

What a fool.  Obama is the gift that keeps on giving.  I can't hardly wait till the next election.  The stockmarket is on a free fall and this bozo is occupying his time with Bush's fight on terrorism. 
I hope he keeps up the shenanigans...More and more people will turn on him.

[seabelle]

Bush kept us safe didn't he?  I don't recall any terrorist attacks on our soil since 9-11 under his watch ?

There have been no laws broken, Obama's just under pressure from his looney left supporters to put Bush-Cheney-Rove in jail, I bet this is part of appeasing them. 

[JohnnyReb]

Bush kept us safe didn't he?  I don't recall any terrorist attacks on our soil since 9-11 under his watch ?

There have been no laws broken, Obama's just under pressure from his looney left supporters to put Bush-Cheney-Rove in jail, I bet this is part of appeasing them. 

Yep, just throwing table scraps to the moonbats.

[docstew]

Yep, just throwing table scraps to the moonbats.

and they'll think they're getting filet mignon

[Bluesuiter-Retired]

What is interesting is "the messiah" is setting a precedent with this.

I hope the republican president in 2012 plays the same game.

Just imagine the secrets she will release to the media [fnc] about karter, klinton and "the messiah".

[TandT]

What is interesting is "the messiah" is setting a precedent with this.

I hope the republican president in 2012 plays the same game.

Just imagine the secrets she will release to the media [fnc] about karter, klinton and "the messiah".

but we both know that they will not stoop to that level of full contact politics ... when the GOP candidate takes the oath of office in January 2013, they will put the past administration in the rear view mirror and allow history to edit the tombstone ... they will not need to throw gas onto that conflagration ...

[vlad335]

This is retaliation against Limbaugh and the conservative movement and an attempt to keep republicans in Washington in line.  "See what we can do or will do to you, since we are doing it to former president Bush." 

He saw the rally and how mobilized things could get...he wants to put a black mark on anything that would come from this side of the isle.  Doesn't matter what pretext or context, any way he can twist it to suit his fear and hatred toward those on the right, he will do it.

Plus it makes a nice distraction. I predict the Distraction Machine Talking Points Generator 2.0 is going to kick into overdrive.

[PatriotGame]

What a fool.  Obama is the gift that keeps on giving.  I can't hardly wait till the next election.  The stockmarket is on a free fall and this bozo is occupying his time with Bush's fight on terrorism. 
I hope he keeps up the shenanigans...More and more people will turn on him.

Well maybe, if there are any of alive by that time.

[Hawkgirl]

but we both know that they will not stoop to that level of full contact politics

And look how well that worked for McLame....
Conservatives need to show some backbone and get into the trenches with the Democrats if we want to regain power.  In your face, no holds barred type debates.

[Tess]

Plus it makes a nice distraction. I predict the Distraction Machine Talking Points Generator 2.0 is going to kick into overdrive.

Absolutely...distraction is a typical tactic of theirs.

[miskie]

I think it should be clear to everyone by now that all Obama knows how to do is campaign.

Its MARCH. President Bush no longer matters, nor do his policies. By continuing to campaign against Bush, Obama is proving he still has no viable plan for the future -- What should be his future and legacy.

Regan - massive economic expansion, end of the USSR.
Bush I - first Gulf War
Clinton - Blowjobs, Interns, and 'the Co-Presidency'
Bush II - Protected The United States from further major terrorist attacks, against all odds.
Obama - Blamed Bush II for everything.

[BlueStateSaint]

This is retaliation against Limbaugh and the conservative movement and an attempt to keep republicans in Washington in line.  "See what we can do or will do to you, since we are doing it to former president Bush." 

He saw the rally and how mobilized things could get...he wants to put a black mark on anything that would come from this side of the isle.  Doesn't matter what pretext or context, any way he can twist it to suit his fear and hatred toward those on the right, he will do it.

That might be the spark . . . that sets the country ablaze.  They have now set the precedent, and I fully expect President Palin to not only do the same in four years, I expect her to up the ante by actually indicting the Obamessiah for something.  Don't know what, yet, or even if it would be Constitutional, but the precedent has been set.