Secret Bush Memos Released: FULL TEXT

Below are previously inaccessible memos written by Bush administration officials outlining their reasons for why the military had the right to warrantless wiretaps and warrantless search and seizures of people in the U.S. they deemed to be terrorist suspects. The Obama administration released the memos. Read them below.

Memorandum Regarding Status of Certain OLC Opinions Issued in the Aftermath of the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001 (01-15-2009)

memostatusolcopinions01152009 - Free Legal Forms

Memorandum Regarding Constitutionality of Amending Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to Change the "Purpose" Standard for Searches (09-25-2001)

memoforeignsurveillanceact09252001 - Free Legal Forms

Memorandum Regarding Authority for Use of Military Force to Combat Terrorist Activities within the United States (10-23-2001)

memomilitaryforcecombatus10232001 - Free Legal Forms

Memorandum Regarding Authority of the President to Suspend Certain Provisions of the ABM Treaty (11-15-2001)

memoabmtreaty11152001 - Free Legal Forms

Memorandum Regarding the President's Power as Commander in Chief to Transfer Captured Terrorists to the Control and Custody of Foreign Nations (03-13-2002)

memorandumpresidentpower03132002 - Free Legal Forms

Memorandum Regarding Swift Justice Authorization Act (04-08-2002)

memojusticeauthorizationact0482002 - Free Legal Forms

Memorandum Regarding Determination of Enemy Belligerency and Military Detention (06-08-2002)

memomilitarydetention06082002 - Free Legal Forms

Memorandum Regarding Applicability of 18 U.S.C. § 4001(a) to Military Detention of United States Citizens (06-27-2002)

memodetentionuscitizens06272002 - Free Legal Forms

Memorandum Regarding October 23, 2001 OLC Opinion Addressing the Domestic Use of Military Force to Combat Terrorist Activities (10-06-2008)

memoolcopiniondomesticusemilitaryforce10062008 - Free Legal Forms

Comments

[UNCLEJOE]

It is possible that Bush had planned to declare Marshall Law to stop the election, but was deterred to do so when he saw the humongous crowds that OBAMA was attracting at his campaign rallies.

[takingUSbk]

The language in the memos is sometimes a bit too lengthy, I wish Jon Stewart and Rachael Maddow to expose each one of these memos to us in plain English and with interviews of politicians.

[leftjab]

As long as the "most" of us choose to remain absolutely clueless,r­uthlessly, blindly and absolutely ignorant and as stupid as one can be and still breathe, we will get the government we deserve. Some try to remain engaged in the political process or at least try to stay informed of what the "monied,pr­ivaledged,­spoiled rotten to the core", vulgar and twisted to the absolute extreme ,Rush licking, pseudo christian,pious moralizing,theives that can NEVER satiate their thirst for money and power plan to do to keep what they have and figure out how to make a buck off of the rest of us.Failing that,I beleive they prefer the rest of us sit in prison for crimes a hell of a lot less insidious than those they perpretrate through laws and what they feel is their God given right. It has been that way as long as recorded history and will contonue forever since money talks and bullshit walks. That's the way I seez it anyhew.

[MyAudacity]

It would appear that 911 was an excuse to declare Martial Law, and to expand the powers of the Executive Branch of government. That was fine as long as it was held by the Status Quo, but now the GOP tremble at the thought of all of that expanded power in the hands of the Democratic President with the unusual name, Barack Obama, a man with an unusual background. Dick Cheney stated that President Obama would appreciate what "we" did. But, what we actually see is people who were not worried before, now suddenly aware, and concerned about the President's abuse of power. The current President of the United States, a Constitutional Law Teacher, is allowing these to be released for a specific reason and purpose. I am curious as to what that is.....is this notice to us that he agrees and intend to continue with this expanded power, or does he disagree with all or some of these decisions, and is informing the citizens of his future actions as President and Commander in Chief regarding the above issues.

This is transparency of past actions, now give us transparency of how these will affect future actions.

[zitlight73]

Maybe now people will start questioning the offical version of 911. How could terrorists working out of caves cirrcuvent our air defenses. The fires were so hot that they melted steel yet there videos of people standing in the holes made by the planes and a "terrorist's" passport was found and it looked like it just came of the press. Then there was Presidential Directive PDD-51 that would enable the president to idssolve congress and all other government from tribal and city all the way up for the vaguest of reasons like another Katrina or civil unrest following an economic meltdown. Wake up people.

[darcy]

Well said, zitlight73. I'm with you on that.

[njflygirl]

the truth will come out

[StevieRae]

The vitriolic and vicious tone reflected on numerous HP postings is scary. is it the sign of the times? Or is this an organized effort to discredit HP? What's next?

[provgrays]

StevieRae,

Don't you find Bush's efforts to subvert the Constitution at all scary?

[independent32955]

f'ing amazing...just how easy it was for truly evil men to take power in America and ruin our rule of law and protection of freedoms.

mr bush and his cronies have a lot to repent for...not that I expect them to, just saying there is a hell and these people are probably headed there in a hurry.

[InTheSouth]

I was thoroughly disgusted before I read those memos and knew I had reason to be afraid for my country but now I know how close we were to total tyranny. This is what the public gets for voting on silly social issues based on theoracy rather than with intellegence and values based on freedom and liberty for all. We can't afford to do that again, ever.

[Eris23Skidoo]

It is the result of a political coup. Bush didn't win 2000, he stole.

[Mercedes]

This info will be Just the Beginning of the Surprises Bushie has left for President Obama to try to fix!

[Dayahka]

Though these memos are of intrinsic interest, we cannot evaluate their effect or intention without a great deal of additional information concerning the context in which these memos were written. Regardless of whether or not one agrees with the memos, note that they are attempts to give reasoned legal bases to possible actions by the administration; the administration did not attempt to act unilaterally and illegally, by declaration. Also, we do not know who sought these opinions, nor why. Did Bush seek these opinions so he could perform some of these actions, or did he seek these opinions so as to oppose others in his administration who wanted to perform these actions? Did the opinions have any effect in supporting or opposing certain actions that the administration wanted to take? In addition, we don't know if these opinions were sought as a way to circumvent or to support the Geneva conventions. There is a great deal that we do not know about the Bush administration, and these memos support the proposal of a full and open investigation--a Truth Commission--of the previous administration.

[independent32955]

trying to rationalize tyranny is as bad as being party to it. tyranny is tyranny and bush was guilty...legal opinions only served to rationalize and justify illegality.

[RadicalRepublican]

WOW. I guess you just came to the United States and never saw W. speak about his rights as president if you cannot fathom the simple purpose of these memos.

[greysells2]

They only thing that protects us from tyranny is a few words [laws] and the goodwill of many ordinary people who are prepared to defend those laws. Speak up folks if you value liberty.

[carlene101]

Anyone is free to speak their minds to Mr. Yoo, he's at a public institution and can be emailed at:
[e-mail]­rkeley.edu

[Gericault]

He's now teaching at Chapman University in Orange, CA.. I have no e-mail info.

[OlderWoman]

And the Republicans think Obama is going to turn this country into a socialist country! How very dangerous Dubya and Company were to this country and its people.

[Badfickle]

Well when your baseline is a president who was in the process of turning this country fascist, everything looks socialist.

[dozaa]

Good one, Badfickle. I'm going to borrow that one!

[independent32955]

bush was trying to turn the US into a fascist state and got TOO DAMN close to succeeding

[GeoLee]

Well, we have learned that true capitalism helps only the few at the expense of the rest of us. A little "socialisim" or what I term governmental programs such as a health plan for all is someting I can go for. I fail to understand why anyone would want those in charge of the government to be people who inherently think government can't do anything right...seems to me those who believe that will succeed in creating a government that can't do anything right and George Bush's team proved that. The democratic party believes the government can be an important player and can do things right and I pray this time their beliefs and results will be in sync.

[seted]

True 'Free Market Capitalism' can be a bad thing. Case in point, if I hire you to do a job, and on completion of said job, I shoot you instead of paying you, welcome to capitalism! Come to think of it, Organized Crime is about as free market as you can get, supply and demand with no laws ( rules ) .

[stevebest]

how can these attorneys still be practicing law or teaching law. They should at least have some consequence for their "misguided guidence

[Eriq]

Thank you HuffPost, for giving us access to this important information!

[BexSF]

If any American did 1/1000th of 1% of the Criminal Activity performed by the Bush/Cheney Regime we would pray that all we got was Life w/o Parole.

Why are these criminals still walking about freely?

[Kaviraj]

Because they were aided and abetted by many foreign nationals, such as the Colgate F*gg*t from the UK, the Dutch PM, the German Chancellor and the Spanish and Polish Govt. officials, to name but a few. It would mean these people all would be subject to ICC proceedings, and it would mean the dismantling of much of what is called NATO. It would mean the arrest of Govt officials of the nations that aided and abetted in extraordinary rendition - i.e. Assad from Syria, King Hussein of Morocco and other assorted heads of state of aiding and abetting nations. Karl Rove, the architect of much of this type of thinking, cleverly involved so many foreigners that the prosecution of his own clansmen would become impossible. Does that satisfy your query? They will never be held accountable other than to their Maker, which will more than enough suffice, i can guarantee you.

[seted]

The Colgate cigarette??