meta-roj

reelection on reagan’s coattails… you can’t ask for better timing than this…

President Bush Holds Press Conference Following the G8 Summit [the white house]

THE PRESIDENT: I can’t remember if I’ve seen the memo or not, but I gave those instructions.

final report of the independent counsel for iran/contra matters, volume 1, chapter 27. Grand Jury Interrogatories, Answer to Question 24 from Ronald Reagan

I do not recall signing a Finding relating to Iranian arms transactions in November or December 1985. I am aware that an unsigned version of such a Finding exists . . . although I am told that a signed version has not been found. I have been advised that the CIA was told contemporaneously that on December 5, 1985, I signed a Finding relating to this initiative. While I do not deny having signed such a Finding, I have no current recollection of doing so.

bush doesn’t remember seeing the memos telling him how he could justify authorizing torture of prisoners in american custody, in apparent violation of united states law, and reagan couldn’t remember seeing the operational details of how his staff could get around congressional restrictions on arms sales to the contras.

i don’t remember why we tolerate this.