Slashdot Mirror
Read Einstein's FBI File
testcase writes: "... along with Mickey Mantel's, Elvis Presley's, William Faulkner's, Bertoldt Brecht's, the American Friends Service Committee's, etc. here. Of course the 'new FBI' doesn't collect this kind of info on citizens any more. Right? " I wonder what my file looks like.
First, type up a letter to both your Local FBI office, as well as FBI Headquarters.
Say in the letter you want to request any information being held on you on behalf of the Freedom of Information Privacy Acts. Word it professionally, so it's easily understood.
Within 4 weeks you should get a confirmation paper that they've received your request:
[X] This acknowledged your Freedom of Information-Privacy Acts (FOIPA) request submitted to the FBI.
After 6 to 8 weeks (maybe sooner) you'll get a packet (if applicable) with your info.
Unfortunately, the FOIPA doesn't apply to certain information, so anything they don't want you to see gets blacked out.
Some facts (From the FBI FILE FACT SHEET) BEFORE you send off for your file:
- The primary function of the FBI is law enforcement.
The FBI does not keep a file on every citizen of the United States.
- An FBI identification record or "rap sheet" is NOT the same as an FBI "file" - It is simply a listing of information taken from fingerprint cards submitted to the FBI in connection with arrests, federal employment, naturalization, or military service.
Oh, and another thing to remember: If FBI HQ doesn't have a file on you, check with the field offices near you, or where you've lived.
-- Give him Head? Be a Beacon?
-- Give him Head? Be a Beacon? :P)
(If you can't figure out how to E-Mail me, Don't.
I'll try to pose a question here. An... ethical (cue ominous music) question.
:-)
Is it ethical to investigate people apart from their connection in some crime? I "suspiciousness" enough cause to warrent a full-scale investigation, or does a government agency need more focus to perform such operations and remain in the ethical right?
The immediate reaction is often "no! just because somebody looks sort of suspicious is no reason to invade their privacy (and perhaps trample their rights)!"
OTOH, what is the harm in a little investigation, assuming no overt action is taken? Isn't it better to "know" that so-and-so is either a criminal or not? If the investigator believes that some (suspicious) person *might* pose a threat to Society At Large(tm), AND the investigation is to be carried out discreetly, such that if nothing is found to be wrong, nobody will ever know, should s/he investigate or not?
More importantly - why?
I'm really not sure. That's why I ask.
And yes, I know where rec.philosophy.ethics is.
I know that under the Freedom of Information Act we have the right to request any documents that They (TM) have on us, and They (TM) have to give them to us. I assume that you'd have to talk to the agency who was keeping the files, but I've never tried it out... Has anyone out there done this/know how it might be done?
"Space Exploration is not endless circles in low earth orbit." -Buzz Aldrin
Found this under Josephine Baker
The famous nightclub entertainer was thought to be involved in communist activities, however, no evidence was ever found that proved otherwise.
I've read it again, and again, and I still see something that baffles the constitution.
Murphy(c)
Or maybe it's just me....
You've got to read pages 22 and 23 of the first Einstein document. To get to page 22 you read 21 pages of wild, filed accusations, more or less to the effect that Einstein is sort of a super-Lenin who could conceivably destroy this Fair Republic should he ever step foot across the border, so no, NO, NO he must NEVER be permitted admission to these blessed United States. There's a letter from a mad professor at Princeton which claims that Relativity has a (left-wing) "metaphysical factor and if that is the case it can have no physical validity whatsoever." 21 pages thus far of 92 in document number one of twelve. Them's a lot of pages, folks.
OK! On Page 22 the Sheriff of Ventura County California send a letter to J. Edgar Hoover, asking for reassurance:
Several of (Einstein's) admirers in this County have approached me and asked me to establish if possible definitely whether or not there is any basis for these statements (that Einstein is a Communist). These particular people are very good Americans and do not care to allow their children to idolize him if he is of this character."
To which the Director replied:
Dear Sheriff:
I am in receipt of your letter dated April 24, 1934, with reference to Communistic activities to this country on the part of Dr. Einstein.
There is no Federal legislation in effect at the present time under which so-called radical or Communistic activities are subject to investigation on the part of this Division, and the files of this Division, therefore, contain no information relative to the activities of Dr. Einstein in the United States in connection with the Communist Party.
I regret that I am unable to furnish you with the information desired. Inasmuch as Communist activities are handled by local law enforcement agencies, it is possible that the New York City Police Department may have some information concerning the subject matter about which you inquire.
Sincerely yours,
J. Edgar Hoover
Director
Now wasn't that a lovely lie? God Bless America.
Yours WDK - WKiernan@concentric.net
UNITED STATES CONFIDENTIAL FILE:
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
PERSONAL FILE OF: ROBERT MALDA (A.K.A. CMDR TACO)
BORN: GRAND RAPIDS GENERAL HOSPITAL, APRIL 1, 1976
IMPLICATED IN: CONSPIRING TO OVERTHROW GOVERNMENT BY SUBVERTING SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT PARADIGM.
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES:
CONCLUSION: Probably conspires with Osama bin Laden and uncaptured Unabomber (not scapegoat Kaczinsky) to undermine and overthrow U.S. Government. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. Proceed with caution as to not throw target into hacking fit. Possible revelation to public of location of ECHELON HQ.
- passion