So what's my point in all my above posts? I'll answer that question: THERE ARE NO CHECKS AND BALANCES. That's what this thread is about. We are presently the most powerful country on earth and do have many real enemies. Obviously hi-tech surveillance is necessary to keep us safe, but what of its inevitable abuses? How effective are the so-called checks and balances in place to prevent these abuses? What happens when the government turns its highly sophisticated cameras, microphones, and satellites on the average American? The boys have these toys and both boys and girls will abuse them- it's human nature. Also, realize that Congressmen, judges, and other public figures are equally subject to this same surveillance. Think that they might be able to be compromised? There has to be a more effective way- and not just words or meaningless assurances- to protect Americans' privacy from unwanted and unwarranted government intrusions.

Most CHB RR posters tend to be liberal or at least moderate and have a common sense awareness- probably heightened by this neo-con Administration'a shredding of the Constitution- of the dangers that warrantless surveillance poses to our freedom and liberty. Blindly loyal Republicans implicitly trust this Administration and see such intrusions as necessary to "keep us safe," and dismiss any concerns as being sympathetic to the "terrorists." Okay, Republican Loyalists, fast forward 2 yrs: Do you think that a Pres. Hillary Clinton would have the same concern for your privacy rights? Do you think that she might abuse the Patriot Act? Do you remember the 400 FBI files that were found in her office? Imagine what Hillary or anyone else could do with the hi-tech surveillance devices available.

From my own personal experience, I can tell you that there are no effective checks and balances.

Joe

Have you ever noticed that the most effective checks and balances are those against the average American?

Joe

Joe Keegan,
The argument you pose to the Republicans, that they should be concerned about the potential that the abuse of the fascist power they love may one day come back to bite them, is specious.

The plan remains a "permanent Republican majority" and there is no reason to believe that Rove intends to sit idly by over the next year and a quarter.

The "Checks and Balances" problem which Nixon succumbed to has been subdued. Everythin in the Senate takes 60 votes. Everything in the Supreme Court takes 5 Votes.

The majority is intact, and the plans to keep it that way are working quite nicely.

Hillary? Not a problem.

Fermi,

You may be right. The next election will tell- if there's a next election. If there is, Hillary and Obama will win it. That's not political analysis. That's prophesy.

Joe

of course LITTLE BROTHER is also watching you!

Schlack,

Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean that they're not out to get you.

Joe

Al Gore was prophesied in 2000 as well. And then there were only four 100% guaranteed Republican votes on the Supreme Court.

I’ve given my Congressman, Jeff Miller (R) the opportunity to serve me. I requested his help obtaining a reply from the Jacksonville FBI office regarding my complaint. I enclosed copies of my FBI complaint and evidence in my EXPRESS MAIL envelope to the Honorable. I also faxed him a signed and dated CASEWORK AUTHORIZATION FORM. In my letter, I wrote that the Special Agent In Charge and Civil Rights Supervisor haven’t replied to my follow up letters inquiring about the status of my complaint. It’s been almost two months and if the FBI intended to reply they would have done so by now. So I’ve requested Rep Miller’s help in securing their reply.

Rep Miller found my VHS tape compelling. He wrote that this illegal surveillance was a federal matter, but suggested that I contact my State Rep Don Brown, who he believed would help. I wanted to resolve this discreetly and locally, too, but the FDLE’s and SAO’s arrogance and unaccountability made that impossible, so as Rep Miller suggested I phoned the Jacksonville FBI office. The FBI screener connected me with a FBI agent, who identified himself as Chris (he said that they don’t give their last names). I identified myself and gave my address. Chris didn’t question my veracity, but only if the devices were located on a public street or on private property. When convinced that they were on private property, Chris instructed me to write a brief letter to the Jacksonville FBI Civil Rights Supervisor.

All attempts to resolve this on-going violation of Constitutionally protected rights with Florida State authorities were met with stonewalling, lies, and cover-up. There’s not only an inherent conflict of interest with the FDLE and SAO investigating my charges, but also there are no effective checks and balances within this system. Both the FDLE and SAO maintain that there is no basis to my charges. I sent the FBI and Rep Miller a copy the West Florida Electric Cooperative Association’s Executive VP and CEO William S. Rimes’ reply to my request for an inspection of his lines for “bugs” in which he wrote:“We take your concerns seriously and have taken the following actions based on your letter and telephone conversation with my Executive Assistant: First, the appropriate employees have been briefed and assured me that WFEC is not involved. Second, we have forwarded this correspondence to the Sheriff of Holmes County for appropriate action. Lastly, this action has been coordinated with our Board president and attorney.” Both Rep Miller and Mr. Rimes’ found my charges credible, yet some FDLE and SAO clowns don’t. Hmmm, I wonder why?

A former FDLE Agent and others asked me: Why is this still going on? Good question. Why is this still going on? I asked Congressman Miller in my letter: Is this an example of the “freedom” that our troops are fighting to protect in Iraq?

As a little side documentation to this week's revelation of the extent of Bush Administration spying on Americans:

Ther was a program, proposed out of the Pentagon in 2002, called Total Information Awareness. It was meant to spy on all activities of all Americans: Phone calls, financial transaction, internet browsing... the works.

The prime backer of the project was Elliot Abrams, of weapons sales to Iran fame.

Even the Republicans balked at the program and deleted funding for it from appropriations and blocking any activity for it.

Once again, Bush considered laws passed by Congress to be just advisory and continued with the program anyway.

What will Republicans do about that now? Why block any action on the part of Democrats that would shed light on the extent of Bush Administration lawbreaking, of course.

And who will the spineless media and bloggers blame for this Republican sheltering of Bush? Why the Democrats, of course.

Philadelphia Steve,

Of course, you're only talking about the BAD Republicans. My Congressman, Jeff Miller (R), is a GOOD Republican. He's also a staunch conservative, champion of the US Constitution, and a great American! When he returns to Pensacola from DC and learns of the continued egregious violation of one of his constituents Constitutional rights, he'll be outraged and demand that the FBI do their job and investigate my charges!

Joe

US satellites have been used by civilian agencies, including law enforcement, to spy on Americans for at least the past two decades. Years ago Ms. McClendon invited me to address one of her evening DC salons regarding government spying. At the time, I distributed to the attending guests a 5-frame photo sequence of a Navy Huey hovering over my residence and speeding off when the pilot saw me photographing him. I later supplied this one particular sequence and my affidavit to a number of others being retaliated against for exposing various scandals. Typically the state was trying to either deny visitation rights or remove their children because these whistle-blowers were claiming “black helicopters” were following them (via satellite tracking) and therefore were nut cases and not fit to visit nevermind have children. My photos and affidavits helped them retain visitation rights or custody. Two US Presidents and one US VP also found this particular sequence that I supplied the whistle-blowers in their legal battles compelling, as technically such spying was a no-no at the time. In Florida former Rep Joe Scarborough and Rep Allan Boyd found other more recent photos of military aircraft (both fixed and fling wing) used to spy on and harass a US citizen compelling.

Does anyone believe that the respective agency IG’s will exercise effective oversight? If you do, then you may want to read my above posts. And realize that I’m dealing with just with local and state law enforcement. Try dealing with federal and military agencies and you'll see just how- to use Gov. Crist's term- "vulnerable" you really are. Incidentally, the “bugs” described in the above posts have a satellite uplink.

Joe

Patriot Act used to search for evidence in cockfighting case. This is one recent example. The government has been using the Patriot Act in regular criminal cases since Congress foolishly passed it. The recent extension of government spying authority is unbelievable, especially giving state and local law enforcement legal access (they've had it for some time) to intelligence and military satellites. Unlike the FBI, many state and local law enforcement agencies don't administer intelligence and psychological tests to their applicants. Congress has opened the door for widespread abuse. What you see the feds abusing today, you'll see local law enforcement abusing tomorrow. And, realize that there are no effective checks and balances.

Joe

Off topic, but does anyone really believe that Rove is going to spend more time with the family? Maybe he's going to manage some other campaign? In Jan 09, Hillary will be sworn in as the first female US President and Obama will be her VP.

Hey, I guess I was wrong! I received the Honorable's reply this past Friday, August 17, 2007. Jeff advised:
I am very sorry that I was unable to assist you. In offering help, however, I did want to be perfectly honest with you about how this situation limits my ability to assist in such matters. I am confident that if the agency finds merit in your allegations or have further questions, they will be in touch with you. Do understand that as a matter under the Privacy Act, the agencies may not be able to report back to you or even confirm any action taken.

Anyone surprised that this Member of Congress voted for the "Protect America Act?"

I read that 3 federal appeals court judges are hearing challenges to the NSA's surveillance programs and maybe don't think that the lawsuits should be dimissed. I don't understand all that legal stuff, but if I could without being SWAT raided or otherwise picked-up off the streets file a friendly to the court something or other and encourage the judges to tell the Bush Administration to goose-step out of my court.

Joe

US Rep Jeff Miller wrote that he couldn't help me with the FBI, so I filed two FOIA/PA Requests with the FBI: one with the Special Agent in Charge at the Jacksonville office (PRIORITY MAIL 0306 1070 0004 8123 0740) and the other with David M. Hardy, Chief, RIDS, in DC (EXPRESS MAIL EB 390615184). Both FOIA/PA Requests are the same except for the addressee. USPS Track & Confirm verified delivery of the later. However, I noticed that USPS Track & Confirm indicated two separate Acceptance times by Wassau, FL, Post Office: one in the morning and one in the afternoon. I've never seen this before and inquired about it. Amber S, who I dealt with before, emailed a reply that my mail was delivered in DC. I emailed back that my question was, why two different acceptance times? I suspect that someone opened both envelopes. I hope that the FBI receives the FOIA/PA Requests that I sent.

Amber S emailed the USPS's reply in record time. I emailed on 8/23/07 at 4:10 PM and Amber S responded at 4:15 PM. Amber S wrote: "Thank you for contacting us about why your Express Mail item had two acceptance scans. I apologize we do not have information as to why this item had two acceptance scans. If I can be of assistance to you in the future, please don't hesitate to contact me. Thank you for choosing the United States Postal Service(r)."

Amber S helped me before with a still undelivered PRIORITY MAIL delivery confirmation item (0307 0020 0004 6108 7729- you can track it at USPS's Track & Confirm ). I PRIORITY MAILED the Jacksonville FBI a copy of WFEC's Executive VP & CEO's letter and an additional email to supplement my earlier FBI complaint and request for an investigation. The FBI's only question was whether the bug was on a pole in the street or on private property. When the USPS failed to deliver my PRIORITY ITEM, I sent an EXPRESS MAIL envelope containing the same evidence, which the FBI did receive. At any rate, Amber S told me that the USPS returns it after 2 weeks if not picked up. I doubt that the FBI would fail to pick it up if they received a notice. The Graceville, FL, PO told me that they hold items 4 weeks before returning. They also told me tht they don't know what Jacksonville PO has it. After 2 months the Jacksonville PO still hasn't delivered or returned it. Amber S wrote in a 7/16/07 response to an earlier inquiry: "I apologize per the email we don't have any more information regarding this item." Amber S has actually been helpful compared to other USPS employees. I've had the USPS "lose" Certified Return Receipt Request letters to public officials and delay delivering PRIORITY MAIL for 2 weeks. The USPS informed me that there is no guarantee- other than EXPRESS MAIL- of delivery. Postal Inspectors have too much work to even reply to my inquiries. Finally, remember- and this is important- that the "S" in USPS is for "Service!"

Joe

An Aug 24, 2007 Governor’s Press Office release quotes Gov. Crist as saying, “The office ( Office of Open Government) is designed to help Floridians access information about state government and ensure that government’s actions are always transparent and accountable to taxpayers.” In addition, in his NOTES FROM THE CAPITOL, AUGUST 24, 2007, Gov. Crist wrote that “The role of Florida’s government is to serve the people of Florida, and open government gives the people the tools they need to hold us accountable for that service.” Inspired by these noble words I’ve availed myself of these tools and contacted the Attorney General’s Open Government Mediation Program for help obtaining my closed case file from State Attorney Meadow’s office. Assistant SA Lewis wrote that there were no basis to my charges. I want to find out if ASA Lewis pulled his determination out of thin air or some place else.

Joe

The FL Office of Attorney General found the issues in my request appropriate for the open government mediation program and invited William Adams Lewis, Esq, 14 Judicial Circuit to participate in this voluntary alternative for resolution of an ongoing dispute over access. I want to see my complete closed case file containing Mr. Lewis' "inquiries" regarding my charges as well as the SAO's review of the evidence that I submitted.

Joe

A Jacksonville FBI Agent's only question after talking to me was whether or not the bug was on a utility pole on the street or on private property. Although not an electronic surveillance expert, a sibling who is a PhD, PE, remarked after viewing the VHS videotape that the audio phenomenon was "caused by an advanced technology." I want to know why Assistant State Attorney Lewis maintains that there are no basis to my charges, especially considering the evidence that I supplied to the SAO.

Joe

Florida Attorney General McCollum (D) was the keynote speaker at the Holmes County Republican (R) Party's bi-annual Reagan Day Dinner this past Thursday, Sept.6. I didn't learn about this affair until Friday, Sept. 7, when I read about it in the local weekly, Sept 5 edition, that AG McCollum would be there as well as US Rep Jeff Miller (as useless as a miniskirt on a nun)and State Rep Don Brown (the miniskirt's fashion accessory- shoes or a handbag). If I had know about this dinner beforehand, I would have been there. At any rate, a few discreet cursory inquiries by AG McCollum should have substantiated my condensed, sanitized, and understated charges. which I've provided enough evidence to prove nevermind investigate. Hopefully- at the risk of appearing cynical- the Honorable follows the rule of law and wasn't there to tell the good 'ol boys "not to worry" and "it's taken care of." After all, Florida is not a Banana Republic ruled by some Dixie Mafia or is it? If these are my "freedoms" that our troops are fighting to protect in Iraq, then I say that the war is over and bring them home!

Joe

Based on the number of "views", it appears that many others are following this saga.
As a part time florida resident, I'm not surprised at the response. The State is somewhat dysfuntional, with the Department that handles Consumer Complaints, located within the Depatment of Agriculture. (A check of other states shows that most Consumer Complaint offices are in the office of the Attorney General.)
A while back, I sent in a complaint about Comcast. The Department of Agriculture responded, three months later, stating that my letter had been forwarded to Comcast in Philadelphia, PA...
Two later followups by me went unanswered.
Yeah... I know... not related to the Surveillance question, but I think, a measure of a bureaucracy devoid of responsibility.

itstarted,

Sorry to hear about your problems with comcast and the Dept of Agriculture. I'll bet that more than one-half the "views" are by government agencies and other interested parties. I sent direct evidence of illegal electronic surveillance to State Attorney Steve Meadows. State Attorney Meadows wouldn't even acknowledge the evidence provided or respond to my Public Record Requests. At least Assistant State Attorney Lewis did with I suspect a little prodding from then AG Charlie Crist and wrote that there was "no basis to my charges." ASA Lewis is a liar and covering-up. Yesterday I received a letter, dated 9-12-07, from Assistant Attorney General Joslyn Wilson regarding the status of my request for mediation to obtain my closed case file from the SAO. I want to see the basis for ASA Lewis' determination and the nature of his "inquiries." On 8-28-07 AAG Wilson contacted Mr. Lewis with a request that she be notified by 9-5-07 if mediation would be helpful in resolving this dispute. (Coincidentally, AG McCollum was the featured keynote speaker at the bi-annual Bonifay Republican Reagan Day Dinner on 9-6-07.) The mediation program is voluntary and requires participation of both parties. I'm willing. Mr. Lewis for obvious reasons isn't. AAG Wilson wrote that Mr. Lewis hasn't replied so she's closing her case file. Now that's efficiency! So much for government accountability and transparency.

Joe

Florida state government and its public officials can be efficient when they want to do something

On Aug 27 I received a reply to my general email inquiry about the Open Government Mediation Program from JoAnn Carin, the Director of Open Government, EOG. Director Carin wrote that the issues I described are appropriate for the OAG’s Open Government Mediation Program. Ms. Carin sent copies to Jessica Dodson, EOG, and Jordan Chapman, EOG.

On Aug 28, I emailed Assistant Attorney General Joslyn Wilson requesting Open Mediation regarding the SAO’s inadequate response to my Public Records Request for my closed file.

On Aug 28, AAG Wilson contacted Assistant State Attorney William Lewis requesting that he notify her by Sept 5 if the SAO wished to participate in this voluntary program.

On Aug 29, in the interest of government transparency and accountability, I emailed Attorney General Bill McCollum requesting the OAG’s Open Government Mediation Program.

On Aug 30, I mailed a certified letter to AG McCollum requesting Open Government Mediation regarding the SAO’s inadequate records response to my Public Records Request.

On Aug 31, the USPS verified receipt of my letter by the OAG.

On Aug 31, I received a copy of AAG Wilson’s letter to Assistant State Attorney Lewis, 14 Judicial District SAO.

By Sept 5 Assistant State Attorney Lewis, 14th Judicial District SAO, was supposed to notify Assistant Attorney General Wilson if he wished to participate in what Open Government Director JoAnn Carin described as appropriate for the OAG's Open Government Mediation Program. He didn't wish to participate. The State Attorneys don't report to the Attorney General, but the Attorney General provides leadership.

On Sept 6, Attorney General Bill McCollum was the keynote speaker at the Bonifay Republican’s “bi-annual” Reagan Day Dinner.

On Sept 7, I read in the local weekly paper’s Sept 5 edition that AG McCollum was to be the keynote speaker at the “bi-annual” Bonifay Republican Day Dinner. US Rep Jeff Miller and State Rep Don Brown were expected to attend.

On Sept 8, I emailed AG McCollum expressing my regrets that I did not get a chance to discuss an on-going issue with him while he was in Bonifay for the Reagan Day Dinner.
I also mailed a hard copy.

On Sept 8, WRJMFM deleted all the posts in their Forum due to a “spamming surge,” which consisted of 200 spams (Well, at least one surge is working). Although I only began posting to this Dothan, AL, messageboard recently and had less than 10 posts to it, the thread that I started was the most popular. My posts to this website also pissed The Local Powers That Be off, probably because of my references to the rural electric co-op- a sacred cow with a lot of political clout.

On Sept 10, I faxed a copy of my Sept 8 letter to AG McCollum.

On Sept 12, a Leslie Jacobs who said that she was with the OAG and calling about a fax that a Joe Keegan sent to AG McCollum left a message at 7:39 am on the answering machine. Leslie left a phone number to call. She wanted to know what the issue was that I wanted to discuss with McCollum. Apparently they didn't know.

I checked Florida’s website 411 employee directory, which listed a Leslie H. Jacobs with the Gov’s Office but at a different number than the one she left.

On Sept 14 around 7:30 am, I returned Ms. Jacobs' call. I got an answering machine that indicated the line belonged to Jacobs/McCollum. I left a message that the issue involved my request for open mediation with the SAO.

On Sept 14, I received a letter, dated Sept 12, from AAG Joslyn Wilson that she closed my mediation case file because Assistant State Attorney Lewis hadn’t replied to her. The program is voluntary, which seems to defeat its purpose. FL state government can be efficient when it wants.

On Sept 16, I picked up a free newspaper, ADVERTYZ-IT, dated Sept 12, which devoted most of the front page and one-half of another page to AG McCollum’s speech at the annual Reagan Day Dinner. US Rep Jeff Miller didn’t make it, but State Rep Don Brown and Alabama State Senator Harri Anne Smith (Slocomb, AL, which is outside Dothan) did attend.

Joe

I formally notified FL AG Bill McCollum that Florida's 14th Judicial District State Attorney's Office is covering up the official misconduct described above. By law, the AG is required to address this matter. In my letter, I wrote that if I had known beforehand that he was going to be the keynote speaker at the Reagan Day Dinner, I would have attended and presented him with evidence of my charges that the SAO refuses to acknowledge. And, since I missed this opportunity, I offered to either forward this evidence to him or present it personally. I also wrote that the reason that Chief Assistant State Attorney Lewis refuses to participate in the OAG's Open Government Mediation Program is that he lied that my charges are baseless in order to cover-up. A simple check of my closed "case file" and his so-called "inquires" would prove my charges. Although the State Attorneys don't report to him, AG McCollum provides the leadership and ethical and moral tone for public officials.

Joe

Assistant Attorney General Wilson apparently replied to my above letter to AG McCollum not only on his behalf but that of the OAG itself. I pasted in the text of my reply to Assistant Attorney General Wilson's Sept. 25, 2007 letter below.

Sept. 28, 2007

Joslyn Wilson
Assistant Attorney General
PL 01 The Capitol
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1050
Fax: 850-922-3969

Dear Assistant Attorney General Wilson,

Thank you for your letter, dated September 25, 2007. Unfortunately, there appears to be some misunderstanding, which I wish to correct. I wasn’t requesting that the Office of Attorney General Bill McCollum investigate my charges, but rather I was notifying him of these charges and requesting that he submit evidence that I provide to a judge or someone in authority who would do something. This is the evidence that I referred to in my Aug. 29, 2007 email and Aug. 30, 2007 certified letter to Attorney General McCollum and it speaks for itself. Furthermore, Chief Assistant State Attorney Lewis’ refusal to participate in the OAG’s Open Government Mediation Program raises some disturbing and troubling questions about the integrity of the SAO. The issue isn’t prosecutorial discretion, but rather government integrity, transparency, and accountability.

As stated earlier, if I had known that Attorney General McCollum was to be the featured keynote speaker at the Republican Reagan Day Dinner here in Bonifay on Sept. 6th, then I would have attended. In addition, the local weekly newspaper reported that FL State Rep. Don Brown was in attendance. The Honorable’s office is well aware of what’s going on. If he had so wished, Rep Don Brown might have confirmed my charges if asked by Attorney General McCollum. The opportunity was certainly there to do so.

Finally, correct me if I’m mistaken, but are you saying that a public official within the OAG who knows about criminal misconduct by Florida law enforcement officers doesn’t have to do anything about it? Thank you for your swift and timely replies to my concerns.

Sincerely,
Joe Keegan

In August, I filed two FOIPA requests with the FBI. I filed one with FBI HQ and one with the Jacksonville, FL, Field Office. The USPS verified delivery of both. FBI HQ acknowledged theirs and assigned Request No.: 1091663-000 to it. Today I received FBI HQ's response: "No records responsive to your FOIPA request were located by a search of the automated and manual indices. If you desire a search of the Field Office files, you must contact the appropriate Field Office." David M. Hardy, Section Chief, Record/Information Dissemination Section Records Management Division signed the response. Mr. Hardy's letter was dated Sept. 21, 2007, postmarked Sept. 28, 2007, and received today, Oct. 3, 2007.

Unfortunately, Jacksonville FBI still hasn't even acknowledged my FOIPA request never mind responded to it. For that matter, the Jacksonville FBI Field Office hasn't responded to my inquiries regarding my FOIPA request, either.

I guess my earlier complaint regarding illegal electronic surveillance by FL law enforcement that I filed with the Jacksonville FBI Field Office is so secret that I'm not even supposed to know about it.

Joe

GOP targeting Clinton on phone-call snooping. Privacy and government spying will be a campaign issue in 2008. Considering their own record, the Republicans calling Hillary a hypocrite is an extreme example of the pot calling the kettle black. It's as hypocritical as the Republicans claiming the exclusive monoply on "family values." Only one democratic congressman, who wasn't even my US Rep, helped with the DOD spying- and they do coordinate with civilian law enforcement, all the above political and public officials are Republican. So much for Republican concern for privacy, unless it's their own. Peasants have no rights.

Joe

The above linked worked when I tested it during the preview, but then stopped working after I posted. So in case it doesn't work, try this link or copy and paste it into your browser:
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/gop-targeting-clinton-on-phone-call-snooping-2007-10-16.html If the link is still broken, go to: http//thehill.com . The article is entitled "GOP Targeting Clinton On Phone Call Snooping" and is dated 10-16-07.

Joe

Both links fixed. The last "l" on "html" was missing in both links, Joe.

Speaking of phone call snooping...

SkyHawk,

Thanks. I guess that the coffee hadn't kicked in yet. Phone companies have "assisted" various federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies for years in more ways than just providing records. And, regarding providing records: Does letting someone "peek" or even copy records count as providing records?

Joe

The USPS verified delivery of my Freedom of Information Appeal (Label Number: EB 390615961 US) at 11:01 am this morning to the Director, Office of Information and Privacy, US DOJ. I had filed two FOIAs, one with the Jacksonville FBI office, which has the records that I'm requesting, and the other FOIA with FBI HQ, requesting all agency records related to me, including my complaint charging the FDLE and Holmes County Sheriff's Department with illegal electronic surveillane and harassment. FBI HQ replied to my FOIA within the statutory period indicating that they had no records. However, the Jacksonville FBI office still hadn't even acknowledged my FOIA, so I phoned the Special Agent in Charge to inquire about its status. His secretary referred me to the person who handled FOIAs. This individual said that he would look for it and forward it to the FBI HQ in DC, which in turn would then either call or email him authority to provide the records, which seems strange considering that FBI HQ requires you to file a separate FOIA with the local office possessing the records. On Oct. 5, 2007 the Jacksonville FBI FOIA manager left a message that he found my FOIA, forwarded it via Express Mail on Oct. 4, 2007 to FBI HQ, and that HQ would reply to me directly. Originally, he said that Jacksonville FBI would reply to my FOIA when they received authorization. When I still hadn't received a reply by Oct. 24, 2007 from FBI HQ (to my Jacksonville FBI FOIA), I filed an FOI Appeal treating the agency's failure to meet the FOIA's deadlines as a denial of my request. Any agency has 20 working days from receipt to make an initial determination of whether to comply with the FOIA and an additional ten working days is permitted in "unusual circumstances." It has been two months since the USPS verified delivery of my FOIA to the Jacksonville FBI office. FBI HQ has already replied to my separate FOIA that I sent to them for the same records.

When I initially mailed both FOIAs, one to Jacksonville FBI and the other to DC FBI HQ, USPS Track & Confirm indicated that both letters had been scanned twice: once upon receipt in the morning and then a second time in the afternoon. I've never seen this before, so I inquired as to how this could happen. The USPS didn't have any explanation. I suspect, although I can't prove it, that these letters were tampered with and that possibly accounted for the Jacksonville FBI office's delay in responding to my FOIA request within the statutory period.

According to US Rep Jeff Miller the FBI may not even let me know about my complaint because of "privacy" concerns. Huh, privacy concerns? Hey, I hope that I don't get into any trouble because of "privacy" violations. Maybe, I should turn myself in for violating my own privacy?

Joe

A short time ago I witnessed a curious incident. I had walked up front about 11:45 am (Central) to check on some irrigation, when I observed a WFEC truck with boom bucket back up to their utility pole in front of my neighbors. The driver and his assistant were the only ones in the truck. The driver got into the bucket, which was raised up to the transformer, and I saw him remove something from it. When the bucket was lowered to the ground, the driver and his helper then made a big production about something. They had a new transformer, which was thinner and longer than the one on the pole, and I watched them raise it with the bucket. I figured that they were “upgrading” transformers, but I was mistaken. They installed this new transformer on the same pole to service the mobile home across the street, which had been serviced by the existing transformer. However, they didn’t remove the existing one. I was surprised that the utility hadn’t installed an additional transformer when they first ran an electric line to the new mobile home a few months back. At any rate, there’s now two transformers serving both residences. Also, my neighbors’ dogs weren’t around as usual to bark at the utility workers and their truck. Well, it’s about time that WFEC supplied better service to their customers by installing another transformer. I’m surprised that they hadn’t done so earlier.

I still haven’t received a reply to my Jacksonville FBI complaint or FOIA. It’s easy to substantiate my charges, just check the FDLE’s and area Sheriff Departments’ serial numbered inventory for unaccounted bugs and tracking devices. However, “they” make it difficult to prove. For example, I took Bill (I have a loofah and I’m not afraid to use it) O’Reilly’s challenge regarding if you were subject to privacy abuse. Bill was bloviating (sp?) through his O’Tuckus when he said that he didn’t have one case of such abuse. At any rate, Bill took my call, said that “we’ve got one,” cut me off while I was trying to say that there were “no checks and balances,” and connected me to one of his producers, who took my phone number and email address. Realize that I had not sent any evidence of my charges to O’Reilly. When I didn’t hear from his producer after two weeks, I figured that they killed the story.

O’Reilly is not only smart, but very smart. Some of his “librul” critics are calling him “nuts.” He’s not “nuts,” but probably does have some reason to be paranoid. I don’t listen to him regularly, so one day I was amused to hear him admit that he had “ONLY ONE” such surveillance abuse victim, but that the victim was a “REAL LOSER” and in “LITIGATION.” If O’Reilly was referring to me, I’ll concede the “LOSER” point, but disagree with the in litigation one. They don’t let you litigate these things. Incidentally, the power was cut to the residence a short time ago- about 1:20 p.m.- and then shortly came back on. Hmmm, I wonder what that was about? My only question is- if Bill was referring to me: Why are all these "winners" so interested in surveilling a loser?

Joe

The USPS verified delivery of my 11-20-07 FOIPA Request (EB 390622106 US) on 11-21-07 addressed to the Special Agent in Charge FBI Jacksonville Field Office. Because of contradictory and inconsistent instructions, I filed two earlier FOIPA Requests: one with FBI HQ (Request No.: 1091663-000) and one with the Jacksonville FBI Field Office (Request No.: 1095794-000). In response to my FBI HQ FOIPA Request, David M. Hardy, FBI HQ Section Chief, wrote in his 9-21-07 letter: “To promptly respond to requests, we concentrate on identifying main files in the central records system at FBI Headquarters. No records responsive to your FOIPA requests were located by a search of the automated and manual indices. If you desire a search of the Field Office files, you must contact the appropriate Field Office.” Incidentally, the FBI tells you to contact the Field Office for a search of their files, which I did.

As stated above, I filed a FOIPA Request with the Jacksonville Field Office at the same time that I filed one with FBI HQ. Since I hadn’t received a reply to my Jacksonville FOIPA, I phoned the Jacksonville Special Agent In Charge regarding its status. The secretary transferred me to the person who handles these requests. He said that he had handled them up until some one else who handled them but left the FBI and he’s handling them again. He told me that he would look for my letter and get back to me. On 11-5-07, he got back to me and said that he forwarded my letter to FBI HQ and FBI HQ would reply and that he doesn’t have a clue as to what’s going on. When FBI HQ didn’t reply within an additional 20 working days (up and above the time my FOIPA already sat in Jacksonville, FL), I filed an appeal on 10-24-07 with the DOJ based on the fact that the FBI Jacksonville Field Office didn’t reply to my request within the statutory period.
On 11-19-07, I received a reply from David M. Hardy, Section Chief, FBI HQ to my Jacksonville FOIPA (remember earlier when Mr. Hardy instructed me to contact Jacksonville?) who wrote in 11-7-07 letter: To promptly respond to requests, we concentrate on identifying main files in the central records system at the Jacksonville Field Office. No records responsive to your FOIPA request were located by a search of the automated and manual indices.

Simple and obvious question: Why is Mr. Hardy responding to my FBI Jacksonville Field Office FOIPA Request?

If you’ve been paying attention and following this, Mr. Hardy’s statement sounds silly, but I may be unduly cynical or harsh in my criticism. So I filed my 11-20-07 FOIPA Request (USPS# EB 390622106 US), which requested the following:

1) Any and all records and my communications and correspondence, including letters, faxes, telephone calls, and emails, to the FBI Jacksonville Field Office, the FBI Jacksonville Special Agent In Charge, and the FBI Jacksonville Civil Rights Supervisor regarding my letter (EXPRESS MAIL #EB 401574474 US) charging the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Holmes County Sheriff’s Department with illegal electronic surveillance and harassment.
2) I am requesting a copy of any Jacksonville FBI documents, notes, memos, and records attached or associated with my correspondence.
3) I am requesting a copy of any and all records including logs, daily activity/time sheets, memos, intake forms, notes, saved emails and recorded phone conversations, quality control records, and processing records pertaining to any and all of my communications and correspondence to the FBI Jacksonville Field Office regarding my charges of illegal electronic surveillance and harassment by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Holmes County Sheriff’s Department.
4) I am requesting a complete and thorough search of all the FBI Jacksonville Field Office’s, FBI Jacksonville Special Agent In Charge’s, and FBI Jacksonville Civil Rights Supervisor’s files, including personal files and records and any other files that may not appear in the central records systems at the Jacksonville Field Office, for any record, note, memo or reference to my complaint charging the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Holmes County Sheriff’s Department with illegal electronic surveillance and harassment.
5) I am requesting a copy of any records, notes, and memos of any Jacksonville FBI Field Office telephone calls or other communications to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and/or Holmes County Sheriff’s Department, and/or any other agency by Agent Chris (no last name provided) with whom I spoke on June 1, 2007 and/or any other Agent or FBI personnel to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and/or Holmes County Sheriff’s Department, and/or any other agency regarding my charges of illegal electronic surveillance and harassment by the FDLE and Holmes County Sheriff’s Department from the time period June 1, 2007 to November 20, 2007.
6) Copy of any records, notes, and/or memos of receipt, intake, and processing of my complaint charging the FDLE and Holmes County Sheriff’s Department with illegal electronic surveillance and harassment.
7) Copy of any records, notes, and/or memos of receipt, intake, and associating of my supplemental evidence envelope (EXPRESS MAIL #EB 032491235 US) with my complaint charging the FDLE and Holmes County Sheriff’s Department with illegal electronic surveillance and harassment.
8) Copy of FBI Agent’s case file regarding my charges of illegal electronic surveillance by the FDLE, Holmes County Sheriff’s Department, and/or any other agency, and the Agent’s Report of Investigation. If my case was not assigned for review or investigation, I am requesting any records, notes, and memos as to why my complaint was not assigned for investigation or if review is still pending.
9) Copy of FBI and FBI Jacksonville Field Office policies and manuals regarding receipt, intake, review, and any time period in which complaint must be reviewed, acceptance, rejection, and assignment or closure of a complaint charging police misconduct, abuse, and violation of civil rights.

According to my congresscritter, the Honorable Jeff Miller (MOC) the FBI may not even get back to me because of "privacy." Whose privacy? Mine? I think that like the rest of this Administration which he has consistently supported he's full of beans.

My simple question to the Jacksonville FBI Special Agent In Charge: What's the status of my complaint charging the FDLE and Holmes County Sheriff's Department with illegal electronic surveillance? Is there a basis to my charges or isn't there?

Subject: Joseph Michael Keegan

I received the USPS delivery record this past Friday and it shows that my 11-20-07 FOIPA Request was delivered on 11/21/2007 at 11:37 AM in JACKSONVILLE, FL 32211 to D MOODY. The scanned image of the recipient information revealed that a Darlene Moody signed for it. Presumably the Jacksonville FBI Special Agent In Charge Michael Folmar received my letter and took appropriate actions. I suspect that both state and local law enforcement have been apprised. There’s either a record of my complaint or there isn’t. If there is a record, then the FBI is required by law to supply the requested information or else claim an exemption.

Hopefully FL law enforcement doesn’t attempt to provoke any parties that they may have cut deals with or otherwise influenced in order to direct these parties’ fears and concerns towards me. FL LEO’s had done so in the past with their “star” witnesses (now doing “life”) who supplied statements and possibly affidavits to serve as a pretext to investigate under the color of law.

Numerous FL Public Record requests, however, to the FDLE General Counsel, Holmes County Sheriff’s Department, OAG, and SAO, revealed no records of any investigation related directly or indirectly to me. It’s not a question of if I can prove these “off-the-books” investigations, but rather if I would be allowed to prove them. I didn’t whine about the “warning shots” fired at me in the past or the bullets whizzing past my head. No one likes a crybaby. However, enough is enough, and I don’t want a repeat, especially by anyone who believes that they’ll be protected by the Powers That Be. State and local law enforcement for the most part isn't in the FBI's league. The FBI knows this. From now on, whatever happens is Jacksonville FBI Field Office Special Agent In Charge Michael Folmar's responsibility/

Subject: Joseph Michael Keegan

Around 8:50 a.m. this morning, a large WFEC bucket truck pulled up to the utility pole out front that they had mounted a second thinner transformer on Oct. 30, 2007. The driver and his helper lingered, which is unusal because WFEC employee do move it. At 9:00 a.m. a second WFEC utility arrived and pulled up to the utility pole. It looked like a truck crane with the hook at the end of the boom. I was surprised to see it also had outriggers, which stabilize cranes. As the second truck lowered its outriggers, the first truck raised its bucket to the transformers and the technician began disconnecting the wires connecting the two transformers to each other. I thought that they intended to replace the smaller thinner transformer with a larger one, but that wasn't the case. The second truck raised it boom with bucket and hook, but there was no new transformer. Instead they hooked onto the thin secondary transformer that they had installed on Oct. 30, 2007, and lowered it to the ground. There was no replacement. The driver and helper from the first bucket truck finished up and left first. The second crane/bucket truck left shortly after the employees raised and secured the outriggers and transformers. Usually just one truck performs this operation, but I guess that they either had an extra truck or were on a tight schedule. Both trucks had left by 9:15 a.m. As I said, WFEC employees are efficient. Fortunately my neighbors dogs weren't around to get in the way. Finally, I can't help but wonder why they put that new additional one up in the first place only to take it down in December?

what are you doin' to bring this on yourself, joe? you piss off a moderator or somethin'?

Stootch,

Bad Karma, just kidding. Personality flaw: I'm not the type to just roll over and take whatever crap some anus with teeth, a cheap tie, and an overly developed sense of self esteem throws at me. Former Gov. Jeb Bush asked me the same question. I told him, "They burnt an AUSA." He didn't pursue it any further. It's a long story, but...when an AUSA appeared about ready to do the right thing in a matter that I was involved in long ago and far away, "they" got some local cops to arrest the AUSA's son on trumped up charges to keep the AUSA quiet. It worked. As I moved south of the Mason Dixon line the cops became increasingly involved not even knowing why other than they might benefit somehow and the whole thing took on a life of its own which had nothing to do with how it began. By time Florida law enforcement realized that they had been used, they had their own scandals to cover-up. As I said, it's a long story, but that's it in a nutshell.

Joe

The USPS verified delivery of my letter(Receipt Number: EB39 0615 975U S)to FBI Director Robert Mueller.According to USPS Track & Confirm:"Your item was delivered at 3:07 AM on December 14, 2007 in WASHINGTON, DC 20535 to FBI 20535 PU . The item was signed for by M SIMON." I also enclosed with my letter a copy of the same VHS video-tape that I sent to FL State Attorney Steve Meadows, who refused to admitt whether or not he viewed it. This uppity peasant (er,...um- I mean, American citizen with "rights")presummed to request an investigation and a copy of the report of the investigation (ROI). I also asked Director Mueller to explain the Honorable Jeff Miller's comments that because of "privacy" the FBI may not even get back to me.

Did we really need the Patriot Acts to make this kind of stuff legal? Do you really believe that they couldn't do this sort of surveillance to a suspected terrorists if they wanted? So what does this mean to the average American? Not much, unless you get on some agency's list for some reason, and it's taking less and less to get on someone's list.

Joe

Another public servant has disappointed me. FBI Director Mueller hasn't replied to my complaint, so I filed a FOIA/PA Request (USPS Delivery Confirmation #0307 0020 0004 6109 1009) requesting the following:

1) Any and all records of my communications and correspondence, including any VHS videotape, to FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III, regarding my letter, dated December 11, 2007, in which I charged violations of my civil rights and official police misconduct by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Holmes County Sheriff’s Department, and the West Florida Electric Cooperative Association. In my letter to FBI Director Mueller, I also requested an investigation and a report of the investigation;
2) I am requesting a copy of any FBI documents, notes, memos, and records attached or associated with my correspondence and/or case file, including logs, daily activity/time sheets, memos, intake forms, notes, quality control records, and processing records;
3) I am requesting a copy of any records, notes, and memos of any FBI DC Headquarters telephone calls or other communications to any other office or agency regarding my charges and request for an investigation; and,
4) Copy of FBI Agent’s case file regarding my charges of illegal electronic surveillance by the FDLE, Holmes County Sheriff’s Department, and/or any other agency, and the Agent’s Report of Investigation. If my case was not assigned for review or investigation, I am requesting any records, notes, and memos as to why my complaint was not assigned for investigation or if review is still pending.

The USPS verified delivery of the above FOIA as well as my Freedom of Information Appeal (USPS #0307 0020 0004 6109 1016)regarding my FOIA/PA to the FBI Jacksonville Special Agent In Charge. I treated the Jacksonville FBI Field Office's failure to make an initial determination whether to comply with my FOIA within the statory period as a denial of my request and appealed their decision.

I called the Jacksonville FBI Field Office on 12-28-07 regarding the status of my request and spoke to the Duty Agent that day. Since my last call when I spoke to "Chris," they've tightened up security and even stopped giving their first names, so I'll refer to this public servant as Duty Agent #2. DA#2 said that he'd get back to me and later that day he left a message that my FOIA's in the system, but he can't find it. At any rate, I never received a letter notifying me of whether or not they intend to comply with my request, so I appealed their failure to reply as a denial.

Joe

The DOJ replied to my Jacksonville FBI FOI Appeal that the FBI denied receiving my second Jacksonville FOIPA Request and that they referred it (I include a copy with my appeals) to the FBI. However, a FBI employee signed for it. And, the 12-28-07 Jacksonville FBI Duty Agent left a message on the TAD that he found my request in the system, but couldn’t locate a physical copy. Simply put: The FBI lied, and probably placed it in a ‘special’ file. I also treated the FBI’s failure to make an initial determination regarding my FOIPA Request to FBI DC HQ requesting a copy of my complaint and evidence that I sent to FBI Director Mueller as a denial and appealed. This time, however, I included a copy of the USPS delivery confirmation of my FOIPA Request with my appeal, which I sent via PRIORITY MAIL on Feb. 11, 2008 from A FL P.O. However, when I checked USPS Track & Confirm on Saturday, Feb. 16, it still hadn’t been delivered. So I mailed another one PRIORITY MAIL later that morning from Enterprise, AL. Coincidentally, the USPS delivered my first one the next day on Sunday, Feb. 17. This second one coincidentally also took 5 days to reach DC, arriving on Feb. 21. PRIORITY MAIL takes 2-3 days to reach DC, even from rural AL. I guess they changed the delivery schedule.

So what’s the BFD that they’re still crapping on Joe out in the woods? The BFD is that they can easily do this you, despite what you may believe.

Joe

I appealed the FBI's failure to respond to my 11-20-07 FOIA. I sent my FOI Appeal PRIORITY MAIL- DELIVERY CONFIRMATION NUMBER 0307 1790 0001 6068 3078- this past Saturday, 3-08-08, from Bonifay, FL. The clerk said that it will arrive in DC in 2 or 3 days. I've pasted in part of the text from my FOI Appeal below.

"On November 20, 2007 I sent the Jacksonville FBI Field Office a letter via EXPRESS MAIL (#EB 390622106 US) requesting access under the FOIA to all records concerning my communications and correspondence to the FBI Jacksonville Field Office charging the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Holmes County Sheriff’s Department with illegal electronic surveillance and harassment. The USPS verified delivery of my FOIA request letter on November 21, 2007. I have enclosed a copy of the USPS’s receipt signed by a “xx” verifying delivery. On the morning of December 28, 2007, I telephoned the Jacksonville FBI Field Office regarding the status of my request letter. I spoke to the Duty Agent, who refused to identify himself for security reasons. He said that he would check and get back to me. Later that afternoon this same Duty Agent left a message on the answering machine that he found my request in the system, but the guy who processes them put it somewhere and he can not find it. I mailed a letter dated January 5, 2008 formally appealing agency’s failure to meet the FOIA’s deadlines. I received a letter dated January 30, 2008 (enclosed) from xxxx, Supervisory Administrative Specialist, who advised me that the FBI has no record of receiving my request and referred it to the FBI. Ms. xxxx wrote that I could appeal any future adverse determination made by the FBI. To date, I have received no letter advising me of whether your agency intends to comply with my November 20, 2007 FOIA request. "

Joseph Michael Keegan

If curious, just enter 0307 1790 0001 6068 3078 in TRACK AND CONFIRM.

Joe

USPS TRACK AND CONFIRM verified delivery of my FBI FOI Appeal in DC this morning. It's funny how posting here on CHB RR messageboard shortly after I mail something seems to insure timely delivery.

Joe

There's a provision in the Patriot Act which allows you to file a complaint with the DOJ IG against DOJ employees if they violated your civil rights and civil liberties. I pasted in the text of from the first paragraph of my complaint below that I faxed to the IG this morning. I filed a similar complaint with the DOJ IG charging misconduct.


Dear Inspector General,

I am charging the Jacksonville FBI Special Agent In Charge, XXX XXXX, the Jacksonville FBI Civil Rights Supervisor, the Jacksonville FBI FOIA manager, and other unknown FBI employees in both the Jacksonville, FL, Field Office, and in FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C., with violating my civil rights and civil liberties. These DOJ employees violated my civil rights and civil liberties by not only delaying, impeding, covering up and concealing any investigation of my charges of illegal electronic surveillance by Florida Law Enforcement Officers and the West Florida Electric Co-operative Association, but also evidence related to my charges. My charges require an official investigation.

Joe

I received a letter, dated March 25, 2008, from David M. Hardy, FBI Section Chief, RIDS Record Management Division, yesterday, in response to a FOI/PA Request that I had filed. Coincidentally, I expected a reply to my Feb. 16, 2008 FOI Appeal regarding the FBI’s failure to respond to my Jan. 5, 2008 FOI/PA Request in which I requested a copy of all my correspondence, including a VHS tape, that I sent to FBI Director Mueller. Since Mr. Hardy neither referenced the date of this FOIA Request nor supplied a copy of it, I can only conclude that it’s my Jan. 5, 2008 FOIA requesting a copy of my complaint to Dir. Mueller charging FL LEO’s with illegal electronic surveillance and harassment. Hardy, however, did supply a Request No.: 1111513-000 to this otherwise unidentified request. In his letter, he wrote; "To promptly respond to requests, we concentrate on identifying main files in the central records system at FBI Headquarters as well as the FBI Jacksonville Field Office. No records responsive to your FOIPA request were located by a search of the automated, Electronic Surveillance, and manual indices." He then notified me that I could file an administrative appeal. Besides not identifying my request by date or supplying a copy, Mr. Hardy improperly incorporated my Jacksonville FOIPA Request into his reply even though I didn’t mention Jacksonville in my Jan. 5, 2008 letter requesting copies of what I sent to Director Mueller.

Mr. Hardy’s incorporation of my Jacksonville FOI/PA Request in my request for FBI DC HQ records is suspicious, especially since I didn’t mention Jacksonville in my Jan. 5, 2008 request. I filed two earlier FOIPA Requests: one with FBI HQ (Request No.: 1091663-000) and one with the Jacksonville FBI Field Office (Request No.: 1095794-000). In response to both these requests Section Chief Hardy wrote the same stock reply quoted above except this time he included the FBI Jacksonville Field Office reference even though I didn’t mention Jacksonville in my request. When I appealed his two earlier request responses, I was told in effect to bring the FBI to court to obtain these records although they didn’t cite any FOIA exemptions to reject my appeals. Consequently, I filed two additional requests, specifically identifying the requested records. The Jacksonville FBI Office lied that they didn’t received the request addressed to them, even though they signed for the USPS EXPRESS MAIL envelope and an Agent confirmed that it was in their system.

This is a repeat of my experiences with FL State Attorney Meadows where he refused at first to even acknowledge a public records request and then refused to answer a simple question whether or not he viewed a VHS tape that I submitted as evidence. The FBI is covering up for Florida law enforcement and by doing so violate the Patriot Act.

Joe

I left a message early this morning on the FBI FOIPA Public Information Officer's answering machine to either tell me the date of my FOIPA request that Section Chief Hardy assigned Request No. 1111513-000 or fax me the first page of my request. Interestingly enough I received another letter- this one dated March 19, 2008- in this afternoon's mail from Section Chief Hardy acknowledging receipt of my Nov. 20, 2007 FOIPA request to the Jacksonville Field Office. The request was assigned to FBIHQ for handling and assigned Request No. 1111513, so it's the one that Hardy's March 25, 2008 reply letter said there's no record of me or my complaint to the FBI Jacksonville Field Office.

The difference between Hardy's March 19 and March 25 letters is telling. The March 19, 2008 letter is in 12 point type and double-spaced between lines and apparently signed with Hardy's rubber-stamp. The March 25, 2008 letter is in 10 point type and single-spaced between lines. Beneath Hardy's rubber stamped signature there's the initials 'EM.' The similarities are also telling- both sent from the same zip code 22602 and both postmarked March 25, 2008.

I sent my original complaint and evidence as well as my FOIPA request requesting same to the FBI Jacksonville Field Office EXPRESS MAIL and although the FBI signed for both envelopes they don't have any record of my complaint and denied receiving my original FOIPA request. Anyone get the feeling that FIB is covering up for Florida law enforcement? Hmmmm, I wonder what agency those two twenty somethings dressed in camo that a sedan with Leon County- Tallahassee- plates has been dropping off late at night along these country roads belong to?

At any rate Request No. 1111513-000 seems to be- at least for the moment- my Nov. 20, 2007 FOIPA request to the Jacksonville FBI Field Office, which means that the FBI hasn't assigned a Request Number to my FOIPA requesting copies of my complaint and evidence that I sent to FBI Director Mueller.

Joe

I left another message early this morning on the FBI FOIPA Public Information Officer's answering machine inquiring as to the status of my Jan. 5, 2008 FOIPA Request(USPS EB390615975US)seeking copies of all records related to my complaint and evidence, including a VHS videotape, that I sent to FBI Director Mueller on Dec. 12, 2007 and the Request Number that RIDS Section Chief Hardy assigned it.

Joe

Yesterday morning I faxed a FOIA/PA Request to the DOJ's Office of Inspector General requesting the following:

1) Any and all records of my communications and correspondence to the United States Department of Justice Office of Inspector General charging DOJ employees with violating my civil rights and civil liberties and/or misconduct;
2) I am requesting a copy of any DOJ documents, notes, memos, and records attached or associated with my DOJ OIG complaints and/or case file, including logs, daily activity/time sheets, memos, intake forms, notes, quality control records, and processing records;
3) I am requesting a copy of any records, notes, and memos of any DOJ OIG telephone calls or other communications to any other office or agency regarding my charges and request for an investigation;
4) Copy of any DOJ OIG case file(s) regarding violations of my civil rights and civil liberties by DOJ employees and/or DOJ employee misconduct. If the DOJ OIG did not assign my complaints for investigation, I am requesting any records, notes, and memos as to why my complaint was not assigned for investigation or if review is still pending; and,
5) Copy of DOJ OIG manual and/or policy regarding review and assignment of complaints charging DOJ employees with violations of civil rights and civil liberties and/or misconduct.

In order to help the DOJ OIG search for these materials, I included some of the following information. Other names that I have used: Joe Keegan. I faxed my complaint letter, dated March 17, 2008, charging DOJ employees with violations of my civil rights and civil liberties on March 17, 2008 to the Civil Right and Civil Liberties Complaints Office of the Inspector General at fax number: 202-616-9898. I also emailed a complaint charging DOJ employees with misconduct on March 17, 2008 to the OIG Hotline at oig.hotline@usdoj.gov.

FBI special agents are employed by the DOJ.

Joe

I left message this morning on the FBI FOIPA Public Liaison (PLO) Officer answering machine inquiring as to the status of my Jan. 5, 2008 FOIPA Request and my Feb. 16, 2008 FOI Appeal. DC FBI HQ still hasn’t replied to this FOIPA Request or FOI Appeal. I called the FBI PLO after the FBI FOIPA Public Information Officer (PIO) failed to reply to earlier messages regarding this request. When I returned home early this afternoon, the FBI had left a message on the answering machine. She said that she’s looking at my request right now- no date given- and that the FBI sent a reply on March 25, 2008. She said that the FBI searched their Jacksonville FBI Field Office and they didn’t find anything. She identified my street address and said that if it’s incorrect to call her. She said that she’s not even a supervisor or the person that handles it, but she’s going to return my call anyway. She’s remailing the no records letter now. My request, however, was for FBI DC HQ records and not Jacksonville. Two separate requests which are easy enough to distinguish as apples and oranges.

In my Jan. 5, 2008 FOIAP, I requested a copy of my Dec. 11, 2007 letter to FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III, charging violations of my civil rights and official police misconduct by the FDLE, Holmes County Sheriff’s Department, and the West Florida Electric Cooperative Association. I included a VHS videotape, which proves my charges, and some other evidence. I also requested all the associated records, such as the case file, logs, activity/time sheets, processing records, etc. I filed two separate requests for records with the FBI. One was for the records associated with my complaint to the Jacksonville FBI Special Agent in Charge and the later was with FBI Director Mueller.

Although the USPS verified delivery of all my letters to the FBI Jacksonville Field Office and FBI employees signed for my letters, the FBI Jacksonville Field Office denied receiving anything. The Jacksonville FBI Field Office FOIA Manager told me that he doesn’t understand what’s going on, knows nothing, and that FBI HQ will handle it.

I filed two separate complaints charging 4th Amendment violations and two separate and distinct FOIPA Requests with the FBI. One with FBI DC HQ and one with the FBI Jacksonville Field Office. The USPS verified delivery of everything, including signatures. Both complaints and requests are different. For example, I didn’t include the VHS videotape in my complaint to the FBI Jacksonville Field Office. However, I did provide FBI Director Mueller with a copy, along with some other stuff.

Joe

What would Mulder and Scully do? I filed my first complaint with the FBI Jacksonville Field Office. When Jacksonville refused to reply to inquiries regarding the status of my complaint, I mailed a more detailed one to FBI Director Mueller and included a copy of a VHS tape. When FBI HQ didn’t respond, I filed 4 separate FBI FOIPA Requests. I filed the first 2 general requests at the same time seeking all records related to me: #1 with the Jacksonville FBI Field Office and #2 with DC FBI HQ. RIDS Section Chief Hardy timely replied to FBI HQ’s #2: "No records responsive to your FOIPA request were located by a search of the automated and manual indices. If you desire a search of the Field Office files, you must contact the appropriate Field Office." As noted, I already filed #1 with Jacksonville. When Jacksonville didn’t respond after an inordinate period, I phoned them and spoke to the FOIA manager. First time he said that that Jacksonville FBI would reply to my FOIA when they received FBI HQ’s authorization to release my records. Second time he changed his story and said that he doesn’t understand what’s going on, knows nothing, and that DC HQ would handle it. When FBI HQ didn’t respond after two months to #1, I filed an FOI Appeal. Shortly afterward Chief Hardy replied to #1 with the standard "no records" reply quoted above minus the referral to the local Field Office. So I then filed a more specific FOIPA request (#3) addressed to the Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge and later another specific request (#4) with FBI HQ regarding my charges and evidence that I sent to FBI Director Mueller. When neither office replied within the statutory period to #’s 3&4, I filed 2 separate additional FOI Appeals.

The DOJ Supervisory Administrative Specialist replied to my appeal regarding #3 was that the FBI denied receiving #3 and that they referred #3 to the FBI. The FBI lied: Jacksonville FBI personnel signed for #3 and a Duty Agent said that he found my request in the system. She also wrote that I could appeal any future adverse determination made by the FBI. When the FBI didn’t respond timely to #3, I again appealed the FBI’s failure to make an initial determination within the statutory period. I filed a similar appeal regarding FBI DC HQ’s failure to respond to #4. So I filed 4 FOIPA Requests and 4 FOI Appeals- all appeals treated agency’s failure to make an initial determination within statutory period as a denial.

I received another no records reply, dated March 25, 2008, from RIDS Chief Hardy. He referenced the FOIPA # that the FBI assigned my request, but not the date of my request, so I didn’t know if he was referring to my Jacksonville or DC requests. When the FBI FOIPA Public Information (PIO) failed to respond to my inquiries regarding what request- #’s 2, 3, or 4- Hardy’s March 25, 2008 no records letter addressed, I called the FBI Public Liason Officer (PLO) for an answer. The PLO never returned my call. Instead, an FBI employee who said that she’s not even a supervisor or the person that handles it but will answer my questions and remail Hardy’s March 25, 2008 letter. Eventually she indicated that Hardy’s no records letter referred to request #4.

Coincidentally, I received a letter, dated April 17, 2008, from Anne D. Work, Deputy Chief Administrative Appeals Staff, the same day that I received Hardy’s remailed March 25, 2007 letter. The text of Deputy Chief Work’s letter follows:
This responds to your letters dated February 11 and March 8, 2008, in which you attempted to appeal from the failure of the Headquarters Office and Jacksonville Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to respond to your requests for access to records pertaining to your correspondence with Director Robert S. Mueller III and "Jacksonville FBI documents."

The FBI responded to your requests by letters dated September 21, 2007, and November 7, 2007 (copies enclosed). Because the FBI responded to your requests, your appeals from the FBI's failure to respond are moot. Accordingly, I am closing your appeal files in this Office.

The Deputy Chief was perhaps too conscientious and premature in closing my case. Although the FBI lied in their no record responses to my ’07 FOIPA Requests, my Sept 21 and Nov 7 requests, which she based her decision, they don’t address my Jan. 5. 2008 FOIPA, requesting records pertaining to my Dec. 11, 2007 charges and evidence to FBI Director Mueller. I checked with DC FBI Logistics mail-room in civilian terms. The FBI logs and tracks mail via identifier numbers and carriers, which is only common sense and I suspect that they assign a DLN to the others. The mail-room easily tracked my EXPRESS MAIL letter to Dir. Mueller and the room/unit where it was eventually delivered. I filed two complaints with the DOJ OIG charging the FBI with lying to cover-up and abuse of the Patriot Act, which may have prompted a reply to my charges and evidence that I sent to Dir. Mueller. I received a letter, dated April 29, 2008, from a Carlton L. Peeples, Chief, Civil Rights Unit, CID and postmarked May 5, 2008. The letter included the material that I had sent Mueller as well as a VHS tape, which I haven’t viewed yet. The text of Chief Peeples' letter follows:

Dear Mr. Keegan:

This letter is in response to the correspondence that you addressed to the FBI.

The allegations that you have brought to our attention do not warrant any action by the FBI. You may wish to pursue these issues with the assistance of an attorney.

My charges most certainly warrant some agency’s action as a form of check and balances and oversight, which the FBI refuses to provide for a variety of reasons, primarily because they make the state clowns look like altar boys. If an unaccountable, arrogant, and abusive criminal government agency can do this to me, then they can do it to you. More importantly they can do it to anyone, including your Congressman.

Joe

What an absolute waste of band width.!

The good news here is that all threads are voluntary.

I received a letter, dated July 7, 2008,from US DOJ Office of Information and Privacy Associate Director Janice Galli McLeod regarding a previously dismissed appeal to my Nov. 20, 2007 FOIA/PA Request to the Jacksonville FBI Field Office. McLeod resurrected my dismissed appeals and remanded my FOIA/PA Requests for processing to FBI HQ and the FBI Jacksonville Field Office. I expected to hear from the DOJ after the Senate passed The FISA Amendments Act of 2008 (spy devices on utility poles have satellite uplinks), but not quite this soon. As detailed above, I filed two complaints with the FBI charging illegal surveillance. The first one was with the Jacksonville FBI Field Office and a second more detailed one, which included a videotape and other evidence, with FBI Director Mueller. When the FBI refused to reply to my complaints, I filed a number of FOIA’s in order to get an acknowledgment of my charges by the FBI. However, the FBI denied having any records related to me or my charges, even though I mailed my complaints EXPRESS MAIL and FBI personnel signed for them. The Jacksonville Field Office even denied receiving my FOIA/PA Request.

I appealed the FBI’s "no record" responses. Deputy Chief Work of the Administrative Appeals Staff dismissed my appeals as "moot" and closed my appeal files, because both FBI HQ and the Jacksonville Field Offices denied having any records (I filed a FOIA/PA Request for these closed files). She even dismissed an appeal that I hadn’t filed yet. I called FBI HQ Logistics (mailroom) and tracked down the unit and room where my letter and evidence to Director Mueller was delivered. Around this same time, I received a letter from Civil Rights CID Chief Peeples. He returned my complaint and evidence addressed to Director Mueller and wrote: "The allegations that you have brought to our attention do not warrant any action by the FBI." I filed two separate complaints, one under the Patriot Act, with the DOJ OIG charging FBI employees with misconduct. When the IG didn’t acknowledge my charges, I filed a FOIA/PA request with the DOJ OIG seeking records related to my filed charges against named FBI employees. I received a " no records" response to my FOIA. The IG denied receiving my complaints. Realize that the DOJ OIG’s function is to insure the integrity and honesty of FBI employees.

The scope of The FISA Amendments Act of 2008 won’t be limited to surveillance of Americans’ international telephone and email communications, or granting immunity to phone companies, and will be expanded to include the ever-evolving definition of "terrorist." Just as the Patriot Act legalized what the government had been doing all along, so does this new legislation with the added benefit of making immunity for the telecoms legal. And, there are no genuinely effective safeguards to protect Americans’ rights. The IG’s roles are perfunctory at best, and, in most cases, to cover-up abuse and scandal. For the sake of argument, even if the IG’s wanted to investigate abuse, they couldn’t because the FISA Amendments Act allows the FISC to review only general procedures and not individual warrants, so they wouldn’t have any specific evidence- or paper trail- to investigate. If you think that I’m having a frustrating time getting my charges investigated, then wait until you try to get your charges investigated- never mind proving- under this new legislation. The FISA Amendments Act of 2008 renders the Fourth Amendment "moot" for all practical purposes.

Joe

edited to conform to guidelines

Carmen L. Mallon, Chief of Staff, replied in a letter, dated 7-29-08, on behalf of the DOJ's Office of Information and Privacy (OIP) to my 4-22-08 FOIA/PA request, which sought copies of all my closed appeal files. If you remember from my previous posts, the FBI denied having any records related to me; consequently, the respective appeal officers ruled my appeals are "moot" and dismissed them. Mallon wrote that a search in OIP located 36 documents responsive to my request and determined that 14 are appropriate for release without excision. However, none of these "appropriate" documents contained my FOI/PA requests, which I attached to my original appeals. Mallon enclosed one document deemed appropriate for release, but with an excision made pursuant to Exemption 6 of the FOIA, 5 USC, Sec. 552(b)(6). Mallon also withheld 5 documents pursuant to Exemption 5, 5 USC, Sec. 552(b)(5), pertaining to inter-and intra-agency communications. Mallon referred the remaining 16 documents back to Hardy at the FBI for processing and direct response to me. I still haven't heard from the FBI regarding these documents.

In an earlier letter, dated 7-7-08 (responding to another appeal), Janice Galli McLeod. OIP Associate Director, wrote:
After carefully considering your appeal, and as a result of discussions between FBI personnel and a member of my staff, the FBI conducted a further search and located records responsive to your request. Accordingly, I am remanding your request for processing of the responsive records.
The FBI lied in their responses to my earlier FOI/PA requests and still haven't supplied these responsive records. McLeod wrote that I can sue them (per 5 USC, Sec. 552(a)(4)(B))if I'm unhappy with her action on my appeal.

In response to earlier FOI/PA requests to the DOJ'S OIG requesting files pertaining to two complaints (one under the Patriot Act) charging FBI employees with official misconduct, the DOJ replied that they don't have any copies of my complaints. Since the FBI denied receiving EXPRESS MAIL, which FBI personnel signed to receive, I faxed one of my complaints and filed the other via email. The DOJ OIG has excellent internal controls to keep track of their faxes and emails. Realize that the DOJ's Office of Inspector General is responsible for the ethics and integrity of DOJ employees.

Joe

I received a letter, dated 8-11-08, yesterday from Glenn G. Powell, Special Agent in Charge, DOJ OIG Special Operations, Investigation Division. The text of his letter follows:
Dear Mr. Keegan:
The purpose of this letter is to acknowledge receipt of your correspondence dated March 17, 2008. The matters that you raised are more appropriate for review by another office or Agency. Therefore, your complaint has been forwarded to:
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Inspection Division
935 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20535
Any further correspondence regarding this matter should be directed to that office. I hope this answers any questions you have relative to this matter.
Sincerely,
Glenn G. Powell
Special Agent in Charge

I had filed two complaints against DOJ (FBI) employees with the DOJ OIG. When the DOJ OIG didn't respond, I filed a FOI/PA request to obtain copies of my complaints. The DOJ OIP replied with a no-records response, i.e. they lied and said that there are no records. The DOJ also returned previous FOI Appeals to the FBI for processing of my original FOI/PA requests- the FBI lied and said that there were no records. The FBI had denied receiving my EXPRESS MAIL charging the FDLE and others with criminal misconduct. I still haven't received a reply to those Appeals returned to them by the DOJ from the FBI. This is the standard tactic that any law enforcement agency uses to cover-up misconduct by another agency; professional courtesy, if you will. They cover-up for each other. In the case of the Florida Governor's OIG, they returned my complaints to the FDLE, which refused to investigate itself. So much for checks and balances.

Special Agent in Charge Powell's letter is an example of things to come when the DOJ's new proposal to ease police spy rules reported in the Washington Post takes effect. Actually, if you've read any of my posts in this thread, you'll see that they have been in effect for quite some time. The DOJ's proposal would make it easier for cops to collect "intelligence" on Americans and share it with federal agencies. You should be concerned. Just as the White House's, DOJ's, and state and local spokesmen will assure you that these "new" spy measures won't be abused and that there are checks and balances, I can assure you that they will be abused and there are no checks and balances. Adios, 4th Amendment!

Joe

So, is the U.S. Constitution an adequate protection against tyranny?
____________

You catch on fast, numan. Next thing you know, you'll be quoting the Chief Executive who declared "It's just a G0AM piece of paper!"

What would you replace it with to keep us safe from tyranny?

This would be a multi-step process of course.

1) eliminate corporate personhood and return to the days when it was a felony for a corporation to contribute to political campaigns.

2) implement 100% public financing of elections

3) Admend the constitution to eliminate the power of the executive branch and substitute it with a "figurehead" type of leadership position that essentially has no power (similar to the royal family in England) but who serves as a US representative for world affairs

4) eliminate the electoral college

5) implement mandatory term limits

6) Admend the constitution to change to a parliamentary government with proportional representation and instant runoff voting.

7) Create and implement "citizen" review boards who have broad oversight powers including supoena power and the right to dismiss any elected official or employee of all governmental regulatory agencies.

8) Tranform from a global capitalist economy to one that adheres to the 100 mile rule for the use of resources and creates local sustainable permaculture communities who govern themselves outside of federal mandates as long as they are constitutional.

9) Overhaul and eliminate much of the framework of the prison industrial complex and release all political prisoners and then switch to community and national service hours as punishment for all non-violent crimes.

10) Overhaul the justice system to insure that everyone has the same level of legal representation regardless of ability to pay.

11) Make all of the necessities of life (health care, energy, water, food) publicly controlled and decentralized.


We could then keep much of the framework of the original constitution and bill of rights minus the above admendments.

It would certainly be worthwhile moving in the direction you propose, Roger.

But the rich and powerful vampires who rule America would without hesitation tear this country apart, if need be, in order to prevent the reforms you propose.
_____________

As far as I know, that is the only true statement that Bush has ever made.

And I am sure that he never intended it to be made public.
__________________

Roger,

If I understand you correctly, you don't have any desire to discard the US Constitution or Bill of Rights, but only make some changes to limit the power of the President, improve checks and balances, and limit financial influences? And you do support the democratic process, although possibly in a parliamentary system of government? Please correct me if I'm mistaken.

The "bad guy" here isn't the US Constitution and Bill of Rights, but the "bad guys" that have circumvented and subverted it. The rule of law is a prerequisite for any democratic system, and you need a moral and ethical people for that rule of law. You're obviously right that the concentration of power in one person is a bad thing. Congress hasn't been doing its job, so we see the rise of the unitary-executive. However, the US Constitution provides the necessary checks and balances, if exercised. Ultimately, the problem is human nature, and to date, the US Constitution and Bill of Rights has been the best check to it in an imperfect world. Personally, I'm not that enthused about a parliamentary system just based on what Blair has managed to pull off in the UK, not to mention the police state he established in the process.

Joe

numan,

So, what would you replace it with to protect us from tyranny?

Joe

ROger
IMO you missed one big one---somehow eliminate gerrymandering.

I was shocked to learn that re-election rate of a US Congressman is comparable to the old Soviet Polit Bureau! And this happens in large measure because the districts are gerrymandered in such a way that elections are non-competitive. Almost every district has a 60% or greater dominance of one party.

Here are some provisions of the Iowa Plan
link

New Guidelines Would Give FBI Broader Power. If an add appears first in this NY Times article, be patient. The article will load shortly afterwards.

The DOJ Office of Justice Programs published proposals for state and local police in the July 31 Federal Register that would allow the cops to launch their own criminal investigations based on the suspicion that a target in engaged in criminal activity, including terrorism, and solicited public comments. You're looking at the creation of an American Stasi. I commented electronically and received the Comment tracking number 806ece34. However, before anyone can track my comment, the DOJ has to post it.

The text of my Comment follows:

Dear Mr. Deaver:

Re: OJP Docket No. 1473

As an American citizen whose 4th Amendment right has been violated with impunity by state and local law enforcement (see http://www.governmentspying.blogspot.com), I strongly recommend that the DOJ does not enact the proposed changes to 28 C.F.R. Part 23 for the following reasons: 28 C.F.R. Part 23 already provides for information sharing between state and federal agencies. Furthermore, the DOJ does not have the resources or manpower to adequately train the police in the administration of these proposed changes or investigate the inevitable abuses that will result. The proposed changes, in effect, will give state and local authorities carte blanche to “investigate” any law-abiding citizen, including whistle blowers, protesters, and government policy critics, and expand the scope of any criminal investigation to include the lawyers and witnesses of anyone exposing official misconduct or exercising their First Amendment right. State and local police have an inherent conflict of interest in investigating themselves and these proposed changes eliminate any remaining checks and balances; thereby, providing the “legal” framework to cover-up official misconduct and abuse of authority.

As an American citizen whose life has been affected by such abusive law enforcement investigations based not on any reasonable suspicion of criminal activity, but rather self-serving innuendoes and conducted under the color of law, I am specifically concerned with the following proposed changes to Section 23.20(e) and (f) which expands the dissemination of information that may assist in preventing crime or violence or “any conduct dangerous to human life or property.” In effect, these proposed changes would destroy any privacy and civil liberties based on some vague definition of “dangerous.” By deleting the word “imminent,” Section 23.20(f)(2) allows the dissemination of criminal intelligence “to a government official or any other individual, when necessary to avoid danger to life or property” which could easily serve as a pretext to discredit an individual or their charges and intimidate or threaten witnesses under the color of law.

These proposed changes are too open to deliberate misinterpretation and abuse by those with the will to do so. 28 C.F.R. Part 23 already provides all the direction necessary for law enforcement to do their job within the constraints of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights while keeping all of us safe from the real terrorists and criminals.

Respectfully submitted,
Joe Keegan

I received an interesting letter, dated August 25, 2008, from Glynis Raval, DOJ Special Litigation Section, Civil Rights Division, following FBI Dir. Mueller testimony before the US Senate. She thanked me for my correspondence and cited the applicable USC sections for their authority. I sent a letter with evidence to FBI Director Mueller requesting an investigation. If I remember correctly, I believe that it was the FBI Civil Rights CID chief that eventually replied and told me (my words) to buzz off. I'll try to find out what correspondence Ms. Raval is referencing.

Joe

Ms. Raval didn't respond to my fax asking her the dates of my correspondence that she was referencing in her letter, which coincidentally arrived the day after FBI Dir. Mueller's testimony before the Senate. So yesterday I faxed a FOI/PA request letter to the DOJ Civil Rights Division seeking all correspondence both to and from the Special Litigation Section.

Joe

I received two letters yesterday from the DOJ/FBI. The first letter, dated Sept. 22, 2008, was from an Angela L. Byers, Unit Chief, Initial Processing Unit. Her letter apparently is in response to one of two complaints that I filed on March 17, 2008 with the DOJ OIG against FBI employees. As mentioned in above posts, I had to file FOI/PA requests to find out what happened to my complaints. The FOI/PA response was that there was no records of either complaint.

Whoever signed for Ms. Byers wrote that "We acknowledged receipt of your communications dated March 17, 2008, that you directed to the Office of the Inspector General, Department of Justice (DOJ/OIG), on September 25, 2007. First, I faxed and emailed both complaints on March 17, 2008, which is the day that they received it, and I believe that Ms. Byers mistakenly wrote the year as "2007" instead of 2008. If so, she also got the date wrong as her letter to me is dated September 22, 2008 and I supposedly referred it to her unit on September 25- three days after she wrote the letter. If her date is correct, however, my complaint was forwarded to her unit six months before I filed it. Apparently my complaint is caught up in some FBI time/space warp, which would also explain the whereabouts of my other separate complaint charging and incontrovertibly proving that FBI employees lied.

At any rate, she wrote that my complaint was against the FBI's Jacksonville Division,including former Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Folmar. She eventually concluded that I didn't provide any specific evidence to support my allegations and the royal "we" in her unit determined that this matter doesn't warrant further administrative action and the matter is closed. Realize that this is the division that insures the honesty and integrity of FBI employees. Does that surprise anyone?

The second letter, dated September 23, 2008, is from David M. Hardy, who handles the FBI's FOIA's, in reference to Request No: 1111513-001. Section Chief Hardy wrote that his letter was to advised me that my pending FBI request is being reviewed by an analyst. As noted in an above post, I received a letter, dated July 7, 2008, from US DOJ Office of Information and Privacy Associate Director Janice Galli McLeod regarding- Appeal No.08-1881;Request No. 1111513. Assoc. Dir. McLeod remanded my FOI/PA request (1111513)back to the FBI. At the time I wondered why, because the FBI already denied having any records and described earlier appeals as moot, even though they denied one of my request under a FOIA exemption.

Any of this make any sense to you? I can only conclude that the FBI is lying and covering up not only for their own employees failure to investigate my charges, but also for Florida law enforcement official misconduct and abuse, which amounts to psychological torture, as well. The old saying that "one hand washes the other and they both wash the face" is appropriate here. I have suspicions that the FDLE would return the favor if they stumbled upon some illegal FBI surveillance.

So what's my point? My point is that there are no checks and balances to these abuses no matter what FBI Director Mueller may have told the Senate last week. Finally, the condensed and sanitized version of my charges that you're reading here is nothing compared to what the general public will see and possibly you yourself experience in the near future.

Joe

I received a reply from Nelson D. Hermilla, Chief of US DOJ FOI/PA Branch Civil Rights Division yesterday to my 9-25-08 FOI/PA request referenced above in a 9/25/08 post. The DOJ numbered my FOI/PA.: 2008-0520(6-099). However, if memory serves, it's the first time that they assigned a date received- 9/25/-08- to one of my requests. As they say, there's a first time for everything. At any rate, the DOJ maintains that it has a large inventory of FOI/PA's and they'll get to me on FIFO basis. Incidentally, in the past, I've always have gotten along with the FBI and their agents. I want to end the psychological torture. That's not unreasonable, is it? After all, I'm an American and I have rights, right?

Joe

Do you, Joe, really? The U.S. Govt. has given you certain rights on paper and by law but your ordeal has shown these rights to be slightly ephemeral and hard to actually lay claim to if government doesn't see it your way. At least they haven't decided to just make you "disappear"

Greger,

I'm a lab rat. "They" ended any pretension that I had rights long ago, and with the House passing the "bail-out" they ended it for the rest of the peasants. Thanks to Doug, scoutgal, and the CHB RR message board, "they" haven't made me disappear, yet. They've tried. The cops try to set-up an incident to make you go away. The feds are considerably more sophisticated.

Joe

I received a letter, dated Oct. 31, 2008 and postmarked Nov. 5, 2008, on Monday, Nov. 10th, from a Tawana C. Greene signing for Nelson D. Hermilla, Chief FOI/PA Branch (DOJ)Civil Rights Division, regarding my 9-25-08 Privacy Act request seeking all documents pertaining to me. They wrote that they released all Civil Rights Division documents pertaining to me and enclosed sixty-two(62)pages. What they enclosed was my two earlier complaints with the DOJ's Civil Rights Division- I filed complaints with both the Civil and Criminal Divisions- and their replies. These are separate from the complaint and evidence that I addressed to FBI Director Mueller and the ones that I filed within the last year with the OIG against FBI employees (one complaint under provisions of the Patriot Act). The DOJ OIG denied receiving these complaints. Realize that the ones doing the denying are responsible for the ethics and integrity of the FBI.

The "they" referred to here is not an indefinite "they," but rather the DOJ/FBI. "They" have excellent internal controls and can track every letter received and every reply as well as case files, ROI's, and related documents. "They" previously denied that the FBI had any records pertaining to me, denied receiving Express Mail that FBI personnel signed to receive, dismissed FOIA appeals, including ones that I had not even filed yet, as "moot" (talk about a preemptive strike!) because "they" had no records on me; however, still managed to deny some requests pursuant to Exemption 5, 5 USC, Sec. 552(b)(5), supply replies to letters dated over one year before the date of the letter that "they" were replying to, and tell me that I can sue them per 5 USC, Sec. 552(a)(4)(B))if I'm unhappy with their actions.

I've documented the FBI's lies and cover-ups sufficiently to prove that their system of checks and balances don't work because "they" don't want them to work, despite what FBI Director Mueller testified to before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

So what's my point? If you think that "they" are giving me the run around, abusing their authority, and covering-up, just wait until the Dept. of Homeland Security opens its very big umbrella to cover these agencies as well as other federal and state agencies under their protective exemptions when you try to get some information. And, "they" will be investigating you.

Joe

Maddow: New rules kick Patriot Act foes 'right in the teeth'
President Bush will sign this DOJ policy change proposal and it will be in effect before Nov. 22. The missing word is "sharing." They'll be sharing their collected intelligence with each other. Any agency with a Criminal Investigation Division has been spying on its critics since there were agencies or at anyone an Administration or someone in authority pointed them. However, in the not too distant past, agency policy drew a line between them and the cops, although informal "friendly" relationships and exchanges were overlooked. Not any longer. This policy change will not only effect critics and protesters, but any average citizen for any reason. If you want a model as to what you can expect, just read the above posts. It's KGB style intelligence network, which is a useful tool, especially in a police state. "They" are out to get you.

Joe

Notice how the Fed isn't disclosing were the bailout millions, billions, and soon to be trillions are going? However, under this policy change, Big Brother and his myriad law enforcement siblings will know not only where your money is going but to whom, when, and why. Was the Patriot Act really intended to keep us safe from "terrorists" or just to ensure control in an economic crisis?

BTW, what do the two audio-video surveillance devices with satellite up-link on the utility power transformers or the tracking device hardwired into the mini-van have to do with finding Osama bin Laden or fighting "terrorism?" That's a rhetorical question. The answer is: nothing. It's just abuse of power. Why do "they" do it? Because they can! I'm nothing more than an inconvenient embarrassment. "They" have been doing this kind of stuff for some time. The Patriot Act(s) made it "legal." And, like the Patriot Act(s) it's about controlling the "peasants." "They" are out to get you.

USPS EXPRESS MAIL TRACKING # EH 222975937 US

December 11, 2008

Chairman Patrick J. Leahy
United States Senate
Committee on the Judiciary
224 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

“When just one of us loses just one of our rights, then the freedoms of all of us are diminished."- FBI Director Robert S. Mueller.

Re: FBI oversight

Dear Chairman Leahy,

Despite FBI Director Mueller’s assurances, there are no effective controls to prevent the inevitable abuses resulting from the recent changes to DOJ regulations that would allow state and local law enforcement agencies to collect intelligence on individuals and or-ganizations even if the information is unrelated to any criminal activity. Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies have an inherent conflict of interest in investigating themselves and each other. These changes are too open to deliberate misinterpretation and abuse by those with the will to do so. 28 C.F.R. Part 23 already provided all the direction necessary for law enforcement to do their job within the constraints of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights while keeping all of us safe from the real terrorists and criminals.

My situation is a case in point and serves as a model as to what to expect from these new regulations. After exhausting all administrative remedies with the State of Florida to resolve my charges of illegal electronic surveillance and harassment against the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Holmes County Sheriff’s Department, and the West Florida Electric Co-Op, I filed a complaint with the FBI Jacksonville Field Office. When Jacksonville refused to reply to inquiries regarding the status of my complaint, I mailed a more detailed one, dated December 11, 2007, to FBI Director Mueller and included a copy of a VHS tape (enclosed). Electronic surveillance experts said that the audio phenomenon that I managed to record, such as the amplification and unnatural resonance of the dog’s barking and sound of the aircraft, is indicative of electronic surveillance. Earlier three other electronic surveillance experts all verified illegally mounted electronic surveillance devices on the utility poles servicing the house and grounds, but refused to supply their reports. One expert even identified the manu-facturer of the devices as Audio Intelligence Devices, a supplier to law enforcement and government agencies. When the FBI refused to reply to my complaints, I filed a number of FOIA/PA requests in order to get an acknowledgment of my charges by the FBI. However, the FBI denied having any records related to me or my charges, even though I mailed my complaints EXPRESS MAIL and FBI personnel signed for them. The Jacksonville Field Office even denied receiving my FOIA/PA Request.

I appealed the FBI’s "no record" responses. Deputy Chief Work of the Administrative Appeals Staff dismissed my appeals as "moot" and closed my appeal files, because both FBI HQ and the Jacksonville Field Offices denied having any records. She even dismissed an appeal that I hadn’t filed yet. Consequently, I filed two separate complaints, one under the Patriot Act, with the DOJ OIG charging FBI employees with misconduct. When the IG didn’t acknowledge my complaints, I filed a FOIA/PA request with the DOJ OIG seeking records related to my filed charges against named FBI employees. I received a "no records" response to my FOIA. The IG denied receiving my complaints.

Around this time period, I called FBI HQ mailroom, which easily tracked my EXPRESS MAIL letter to FBI Director Mueller and the room/unit where it was eventually delivered. I suspect that my phone call to the FBI mailroom and/or two complaints filed with the DOJ OIG charging the FBI with lying to cover-up and abuse of the Patriot Act may have prompted Civil Rights CID Chief Peeples’ reply. He returned my complaint and evidence addressed to FBI Dir. Mueller and wrote: "The allegations that you have brought to our attention do not warrant any action by the FBI."

My charges most certainly warrant the FBI’s action as a form of check and balances and oversight to state and local law enforcement abuses, especially in light of these new regulations. I’ve enclosed a copy of my letter, dated December 11, 2007, and evidence, including a VHS videotape, to FBI Director Mueller. I am requesting that the Senate Judiciary Committee investigate my charges and that you or your staff present my complaint directly to FBI Director Mueller for his reply. I began this letter with the following quote from Director Mueller: “When just one of us loses just one of our rights, then the freedoms of all of us are diminished.” I would like to know if he means what he said or are they just words.

Sincerely,
Joe Keegan

Appeared as summoned at the Holmes County courthouse (FL 14th Judicial Circuit)Friday morning, Dec. 12, for jury duty. I was prospective juror #37. After Clerk of the Court Cody Taylor explained the procedures, he asked if anyone wanted to talk to the judge about being excused from duty. I figured that I better because I didn’t want to get hit with contempt of court charges for exposing official police misconduct and abuse to the judge while on the stand in his court. Taylor called a one half hour recess and called me over to him. He told me that the judge doesn't want to talk to me and said that I'm excused.

I am sure that there is no question about the matter.

They are just words.

-

That's a riot, Joe. A silver lining to your big, dark, cloud.

Steve,

It's an open secret or more like an open joke. I wanted to talk with him and provide him with evidence if he would accept it before I got on the stand because you never know what might happen here in Florida's 14th Judicial District. Recently defrocked State Attorney Meadows wouldn't even acknowledge the evidence that I sent him and his chief assistant refused to answer my direct question if he, Meadows, or Tunnel viewed my VHS tape that I sent to Meadows. The FBI won't get involved for a variety of reasons (but I'll bet they'll screen the calls to their "logistics center"- i.e. mailroom- more stringently now), so I asked the Senate Judiciary Committee for help.

Joe

numan,

You got it! It was more in the nature of a rhetorical question anyway.

Joe

What's the difference between what Pellicano received 15 yrs for and what the FDLE, Holmes County Sheriff's Dept, et al are doing? Or, for that matter, the government with their warrantless wiretapping? There isn't any difference except that the private citizen is accountable, but the state isn't. Official misconduct becomes accepted behavior and even considered the "norm," resulting in the breakdown of the rule of law and eventual dissolution of all our rights. As it is, the government doesn't believe that you have any rights, but only privileges. And they're taking them away, too.

Unaccountability makes this type of blatant abuse and arrogance inevitable. Checks and balances are just so many meaningless words like the oxymoron of government ethics or integrity. You don't have to look any further than our economic meltdown to see where there is leading. And, remember that these rights killing laws will be used to collect the bill for the economic transgressions or possibly even against a political opponent or critic or maybe even someone a cop just doesn't like.

Joe

Well said, but the economic meltdown has at least as much to do with private sector behavior as with government behavior.

There's a difference? The corps own the government and with the media's blessings do what they want for the most part. For example, Enron was touted and extolled as a model for American corporations until it went belly up. However, was that massive fraud perpetuated by one or two men alone? What about the private and government accountants, auditors, and lawyers not only within Enron but hired by them to audit the books? And where were the regulators? Coffee break? You see this lack of integrity, honesty, morals, and the rule of law up and down the line and across the board in both sectors. The economic meltdown is the inevitable result.

Got off the phone a short while ago with Steve (they don't give last names)at the Senate Judiciary Committee. Steve said that they received and forwarded my letter and evidence to Counsel by "issue area (subject)." I asked what "issue area" or what Subcommittee. He said that he didn't know. I asked for Counsel's phone number. He said that he can't release it. I asked for the name of the Chief Counsel. He said that he can't give it. So I asked to speak to Chairman Leahy. He said that the Senator's busy. So I asked him to schedule an appointment. He said that he can't do that and that I'd have to call his office. I asked Steve what he thought of cover-ups. Steve said that he's against them.

I sent the following email to Senator Leahy requesting a brief telephonic appointment:
Dear Sen. Leahy,

I just got off the phone with Steve at the Senate Judiciary Committee. He confirmed that they received my packet regarding the FBI and illegal electronic surveillance that I sent to you last month and they forwarded it to counsel by issue area. Unfortunately, he couldn't give me a phone number for counsel, the issue area, or the name of the chief counsel. I requested that he connect me to you so that I may find out the status of my charges and evidence. He said that you're busy and he can't do that. So I asked him if he could schedule an appointment with you and he said no and that I'd have to call your office to do so. Since I'm not in your area code, I'm requesting 5 minute phone conversation with you to discuss this matter. I've listed
my address and phone number below. Thank you for your consideration.

Regards,
Joe Keegan

I just emailed the above post to Senator Leahy. Gosh, I hope I don't get into any trouble.

Joe Keegan
Bonifay, Florida

My Dec. 11, 2007 letter to FBI Director Mueller

I just emailed a copy of my Dec. 11, 2007 letter to Sen. Leahy, just in case the Judiciary Committee doesn't share it with him. I'm not one of the Senator's constituents, so he doesn't have to reply (remember that the Judiciary Committee told me to contact him at his US Senate Office). Gosh, he might not even get to see it never mind reply,or, for that matter, read my letter that I addressed to him as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

I just got off the phone with Dan (they also don't give last names)at Senator Leahy's DC office. I asked Dan if I could speak to Senator Leahy. Dan said that Sen. Leahy was unavailable and asked if I wanted to leave a message. I said yes and told Dan that I sent the Senator a package regarding FBI Patriot Act abuse and illegal electronic surveillance, a VHS tape, and some emails, and asked if the Senator viewed the VHS tape.

House of Lords report on Surveillance: Citizens and the State If you're interested in privacy and freedom, then I'd suggest that you read the House of Lord's report, which is relevant to our own government's policies and practices. Ask yourself: Why does any government need all this data and do they really care about you that much?

There's a new Sheriff in town. The Holmes County Times Advertiser reported on the front page in its February 11, 2009 edition that "Dope distribution takes a hit in Holmes County." The HC Sheriff's Department and Florida Highway Patrol hauled away 200 pounds of marijuana from a two-story log home and are seeking its owner.The owner built compartments in his home in which to hold the 25-pound pot bales. The Holmes County Times Advertiser reported that Chief Deputy John Braxton, Jr., said, "He was a major distributor." Braxton also commented, "He's been doing this for about 10 years" and "He flew under the radar."

The raid resulted from an investigation that began after a traffic stop in mid January just after Tim Brown was sworn in as the new Sheriff, replacing former Sheriff Dennis Lee. The former Sheriff will take a position with the Bay County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Brown said that state and federal authorities have been notified.

In a new thread entitled, Interacting with the Government, itstarted posted a link to the White House's Office of Public Liaison. So, under the subject of "other" I sent the following plea for help to President Obama via the form at the website:

Joe

Around 11:50 am this morning, March 7, 2009, two white males average height in their late 30's to 40's and somewhat in shape for law enforcement(my guess)ran and got into a black pickup truck and drove off quickly. It wasn't normal. They didn't want to be seen or more likely photographed (TIP: If you didn't run, you wouldn't have been noticed. Also, another TIP: when you follow someone into a store, try to have a prop- like a shopping cart or basket, preferably with something in it). I'd guess that they were FDLE or from some agency at FDLE's request. Recently, a neighbor told me that "they want your meat." Hmm, I wonder if it had anything to do with that "UPS" package that I didn't touch and then disappeared after a few days as mysteriously as it was delivered to the wrong address and addressee? At any rate, the stalking and bizarre incidents (even by my standards)have intensified since that Judge refused to talk to me and now appear to be approaching a crescendo. I hope that they don't have another SWAT raid on the agenda. One stooge on a website "jokingly" wrote regarding such raids that next time they'll shoot first and ask questions later.

About a week or so ago, Coast to Coast AM had a program on ELECTRONIC INVASION. I thought that I could contribute to it, because it wouldn't be sanitized like these posts. At the risk of seeming presumptuous, I'd probably be entertaining. Unfortunately, the program is so popular I couldn't get in on any line- toll free or wild care- despite repeatedly trying. The stalking and bizarre incidents have gone off the scale since that show. I doubt that my request for help got to President Obama.

In the past, local, county, and state Florida law enforcement appeared to treat this matter as “sport” and appeared to regard themselves as “cute” or even “clever.” There’s a different mood reflected now for some reason. It’s as though they feel that it has gone on long enough and are planning to end it. In my opinion, the above criminal misconduct and abuse of authority by Florida law enforcement officers and is a form of psychological torture intentionally employed- and "officially" sanctioned- to compel obeisance and to cover-up their official misconduct and abuse of power. There’s nothing noble or honorable here on the part of Florida “law enforcement” and their co-conspirators, but rather only arrogance and abuse of power that unaccountability makes possible, aided and abetted by cowardly public officials. The rule of law is dead in Florida.

State Attorney Steve Meadows didn't win re-election. If I remember correctly, the only county that he won was Holmes County. Meadows was a former cop, but even the police didn't support him this time around. The general feeling was (and there was even a website to that sentiment): "Anyone but Steve Meadows." The new State Attorney is Glenn Hess, who was a judge. So being the eternal optimist and believing that the rule of law still exists and that Florida hasn't gone completely Banana Republic, I sent my charges and evidence to Florida's new 14th Judicial District State Attorney Glenn Hess and asked to meet with him to resolve this matter. The USPS confirmed delivery of my EXPRESS MAIL envelope, Receipt Number: EH55 8363 395US, at 10:25 AM yesterday. The first two paragraphs of my complaint follow:Joe

My March 6, 2009 letter to State Attorney Glenn Hess
Excellent opinion piece by two former FL Supreme Court Justices in the Tallahassee Democrat hard copy edition yesterday, March 13, 2009, pg. 3B, entitled: Clerks of court are not part of the checks and balances. If that isn't the truth! The legislature is considering a proposal to transfer the administrative responsibility for court records to the courts and away from the locally elected county clerks. The two former judges favor such a transfer arguing that Clerk of the Court doesn't serve as any form of check and balance, but rather only an administrative function. The argument against such a transfer is that the Clerks of the Court serve as a check and balance, which is nonsense.

Clerks of court are not part of the checks and balancesis available on-line.The problem is that there are no checks and balances. Most Americans don't care about any issue, such as checks and balances, unless it effects them personally. The financial meltdown is an example of the lack of any effect checks and balances and one that will effect everyone.

I phoned the State Attorney Office this morning. I called the general number, didn't block my phone number from caller ID, identified myself, and asked to speak to State Attorney Hess. A male answered the phone and transferred my call. I didn't get a person, but rather "Pam's" answering machine. I can only guess that Pam is State Attorney Hess' secretary. I left a recorded message for Pam to ask State Attorney Hess if he had the chance to review my letter and VHS tape that I sent to him, left my name, address, phone number, today's date, asked for an appointment, and requested that he get back to me so that we can resolve this matter.
Joe

I phoned the SAO office again last Friday, March 20th, and was transferred to "Pam" again, and left another message on her answering machine to please return my call. The US invaded Iraq based on less evidence than I gave FL State Attorney Glenn Hess, yet I can't even get the SAO to return my call. I wonder what FL State Attorney Glenn Hess is waiting for? My State Attorney doesn't appear to want to talk to me anymore than the 14th Judicial Circuit Judge that I discussed earlier. Why?

Joe

I would appreciate your help. Someone suggested that I check out the poll on the Panama City, FL, topix forum regarding State Attorney Hess' job performance. I did on Wed Mar 25 and noticed that a "Panamaed (Mobile,Al)"in post #4 Mar 24 wrote: "Hey Pam, when is he going to call Joe Keegan." Panamed obviously had been following my story. I don’t know him and didn’t tell him to post this message. A "Joe K" with no identifying city listed- wrote in post #6 Mar 24:"Joe Keegan!!!now that is funny..." I saw this poll and "Joe K's" #6 post for the first time on Wed Mar 25, a day after "Joe K's" first post. I avoid un-moderated boards like the plague, but I was suspicious about "Joe K's" screen name (especially the “JK” initials) as well as the fact there was no city listing under it. So I posted my first post in this thread entitled "Rate Hess Now," which was post #9 Mar 25. You'll notice that my city is listed as "Marianna, Fl" for some reason, although I live in Bonifay. A “Joe Kin” with no city listed first post was post #12 Mar 25 personally attacking me. I reported this post as abuse. The only two posters whose cities aren’t listed beneath their screen names are “Joe K” and “Joe Kin.” I suspect that they are one and the same and hacked into the topix forums.

I started a new thread entitled, “Who’s Watching Big Brother in the 14th Judicial District?” on this un-moderated topix board shortly after my first post on the “Rate Hess Now” thread. “Joe Kin (no identifying city listed)” in post #3 Mar 25 was the first one to reply to my two posts. “Joe Kin” followed me from the “Rate Hess Now” thread. Troll “Joe Kin” replaced “Joe K,” who faded from the forums.

Where I need your help is with post #46 posted Mar 28 by a “Joe Keegan” (no city listed) in the “Rate Hess Now” thread who wrote: “Why did we not put this on the Bonifay Topix?” And with post #35 posted Mar 28 by a “Joe Keegan” (no city listed) in the “Who’s Watching Big Brother in the 14th Judicial District?” who wrote: “This needs to be on Bonifay Topix.” I did not post either messages and someone is attempting to assume my identity (As of a short time ago, I didn’t see any “Joe Keegan” posting on the Bonifay Topix. If a “Joe Keegan” starts to post there, I can assure you that it’s not me). I suspect that it’s “Joe Kin (aka Joe K)” and he’s either an FDLE or Holmes County Sheriff Department troll who hacked into the topix forums to assume my identity. I seriously doubt that the SAO even knows about these posts. I reported both post #46 and #35 as “abuse” to topix for whatever that’s worth.

Where I need and would greatly appreciate your help is if you would go to post #46 and #35, see that a “Joe Keegan” with no identifying city posted the above referenced messages, and then just post here on CHB RR that you saw the posts and that there was no identifying city listed beneath the phony "Joe Keegan." Again, I didn’t post them.

I realize that my request is a hassle and people are reluctant to get involved in anything. I understand and appreciate that. However, I would appreciate at least one or two replies. What’s demonstrated here is another example of the surveillance/ stalking abuse that user friendly hi-tech makes available to “law enforcement.” They'll abuse it, and despite what FBI Director Mueller says there are no effective checks and balances. If you're politically active or even just write a letter to the editor that pisses off some cop, you may be subject to similar abuse yourself. I’d appreciate any help that I get. Thanks.

Joe

Reading back to the beginning of the thread I see that the fake Joe has put an awful lot of energy into making you look bad, Joe. I also noticed on your blog that you describe yourself as a former federal whistleblower. No chance this guy is actually someone you know seeking revenge?

Steve,

Thanks. The troll is some kind of kop, er..excuse me,.. Florida law enforcement "professional." They're circling their wagons. I'd like to say that it's some rogue kops, but it's not. They're all involved and it's officially sanctioned. The Patriot Act(s)made the police state "legal." Hess is just covering-up for them. I reluctantly posted to that un-moderated board, because I knew that when I first saw "Joe K's" first post it was just a matter of time before he would try to assume my identity. I wanted to establish my identity and presence there before he started playing "Joe Keegan." Since I posted to the "Rate Hess Now" thread, I figured that I might as well start my own regarding Hess and I did so with "Who's Watching Big Brother in the 14th Judicial District?" These clowns are also trying to do this with one other person. I even have had someone(s)pass themselves off as me. I suspect some of these doppelgangers were interviewed as "Joe Keegans" during informal and off the book police "inquiries."

I did save those threads to disc, replied to each one stating that I did not make the post,reported each one as "abuse" to topix, and I also contacted the Electronic Frontier Foundation requesting information as to what I can do to stop future occurrences.

At any rate, this little experience of mine should show the dangers of un-moderated boards and how CHB RR is unquestionably the best forum for any intelligent discussions. Those stooges' posts would have been deleted here before I ever got a chance to read them. Thanks again, especially for wadding through all that inane crap, which is no way to start a Sunday morning.

Joe

Joe, this may be a stupid question, but have you thought about not participating in that forum?

EmmaG,
I had no intention whatsoever in participating in it. Someone referred me to the Hess Poll so I visited it. When I saw "Joe K's" personal attack post, I believed- based on considerable experience- where "Joe K" was headed, so I decided that I'd establish my identity and presence on that board. Maybe, if I hadn't, things wouldn't have taken the direction that did. Maybe they would have taken even a worse direction. Not only do I not know Panamaed, who apparently believed that he was helping, but I also certainly didn't ask him to make that post on an un-moderated message board. I've seen these trolls in action before. Panamaed apparently is less experienced. He actually tries to reason and discuss issues with these stooges. They are not there for discussion, but only to distract, to discredit, and to disrupt. Most people don't like to argue and after awhile stop posting killing the thread.

The police harassment has escalated in the last few months. They also don't have any problem getting stooges or suborning witnesses. Their last "star witness" is now away for a very long period of time. I hardly knew the guy and the last time that he threatened me, I didn't even recognize him. The veiled and not so veiled threats have increased in the last few months as well. However, unless I the threat is on videotape or else delivered certified return receipt mail, I don't mention it. For example, I did tape record two Holmes County deputies- with their permission- once and one of them pulls his Barney Fife bullet out of his pocket and waves it at me. I took that as a threat and said so. On tape the deputy denied the threat or even having waved a bullet at me. How'd I prove that with a tape recorder? So although it pissed me off, I rarely mention it.

At any rate, right or wrong, I replied to "Joe K's" personal attack- and mainly because he didn't have an identifying city listed beneath his name in the left column- something was seriously wrong. Not a doubt that he's a kop and probably on the clock. Rightly or wrongly I guessed- and my guesses are usually correct- where it was going, and "Joe K" became "Joe Kin" and then "Joe Keegan." And you'll notice if you check that forum that non of the "JKs" have identifying cities beneath their screen names in the left column while all the other posters do have identifying cities. Conspiracy is in the eye of the targeted.

I replied to "Joe Keegan's" posts stating that his Bonifay topix forum suggestion wasn't mine. I didn't even know about these topix forums until referred to the Panama City one. "Joe K,""Joe Kin," and "Joe Keegan (minus the city identifier)are one and the same. I'll monitor that forum and won't participate unless the kop stooge tries to assume my identity again.
Joe

I understand, Joe. You know our local newspaper has online blogs and forums now. It is quite easy to assume a new or multiple identities. People get kicked off and then come back the next day with a new moniker, but you can always tell who they are by their writing style.

During the past year, there have been three incidents in this area that have created huge attention on these forums, and there has been much suspicion that they are being not only watched by law enforcement, but that law enforcement officers are actually some of the participants.

One of these was the murder of Cheryl Dunlap by a serial killer. The local LE was very, very unhappy about the huge number of posts about it and made that known. The second issue had to do with a young woman who the local police had used as a confidential informant and she was killed by thugs she was supposed to try to sell drugs to. The third and most recent was a local sheriff who ran into a woman's car and got off basically scot-free. All of these generated huge numbers of online conversation and no one doubts that if the police could shut them down, they would.

EmmaG,

Technically, they can't shut them down, yet. However, if martial law should ever be declared would be another story. Although the kops may not be able to shut down the local boards, they certainly can slow them down by unleashing a legion of trolls to personally attack anyone who disagrees with the local government/politicians/authorities. Most people don't like confrontation or even argument. So the personal and abusive attacks first discourage people from posting and eventually can shut down a board. I've seen it happen.

My suspicion regarding "Joe K/Joe Kin" proved correct. "Joe Kin's" only reply to my post #36: was in his post #37: "And "Joe Kin" is right! When they're that stupid and arrogant, they're protected and unaccountable. I suspect that "Joe Kin" is Bay County and 14th Judicial District connected. It's even worse with the FDLE, which is a political organization by it's legislative charter and, in effect, the governor's "goon squad." Do you remember, former FDLE Comm. Guy Tunnel? Do you believe that he was qualified to investigate white-collar crime?

Any residual effects from the recent thunderstorms in your area? It was like the days of Noah here! A lot of flooding.

Joe

Hi Joe,

Yes, we had some flooding, but it has been so very dry for so long that the waters didn't stand for very long. Yesterday was sunny and so the ditches are no longer full, although the ponds are out of their banks. I haven't been out of the house since Friday (I've been doing school work), so I don't know how the river is.

There are times when I'd like to see our blogs and boards shut down...they seem to attract the bigots and the ignoramuses who like to dominate.

EmmaG

EmmaG,

I totally agree, but there's no reason that the kops and stooges shouldn't be allowed to post as long as they behave themselves.

Joe

I just posted the following post #41 to the Panama City, FL, topix forum:

I just read through much of your issues with the other board. Seems to me, it is a few people who are not taking your accusations seriously. Topix is known for little or no monitoring so there is ample opportunity for posters to do just about anything they want to.

I think you are reading too much into someone posting with your ID on Topix. On Topix, a person can register an ID and then an anonymous person can use their name. It won't show up in blue lettering and is easy to determine it isn't the original poster.

Best of luck

Thanks. I’ll need it. I appreciate the support and comment. You’re right about little or no monitoring. Besides flagging the offensive posts, anyone else who is being targeted should go to http://www.topix.com/topix/contact/ and complete the form to report a user.

You're right that most viewers can easily recognize that an imposter is posting under my name. However, I’m concerned about the one who wouldn’t, especially here in Holmes County. You know how some people believe whatever they read in the newspapers? Some people would believe whatever someone told them that this Yankee posted on the internet. Holmes County is a poor rural area of the FL Panhandle. Many residents aren’t internet savvy. Law enforcement would know which ones to provoke. They’ve done it before, although the ones they squeeze are usually involved in drug dealing and looking at criminal charges. The good ol’ boy network is alive and well here. Some may even believe that they have a "get out jail card free." My posts are sanitized. For example, I’ve never complained that someone fired “warning shots” at me a number of times or the threats or stalking arranged by law enforcement. "Law enforcement" even arranged some incidents themselves expecting that I would overreact. They know whom to pressure and have the authority to do it under the color of law. I can’t check all the local boards, including the Bonifay topix one, to see what’s posted under my name. However, if I’m aware of it, I’ll report it as abuse and try to stop it. At any rate, thanks again, but realize there’s more involved than just a couple of random trolls laughing it up at my expense.

Joe

Source:

I still hadn't heard from the SAO regarding my March 6, 2009 letter to State Attorney Hess, so I faxed a Florida Public Records Request this morning to the 14th Judicial District SAO seeking all records, including those stored on computer, related to my 3-6-09 letter and charges. I followed up the fax with a phone call to the SAO. A female employee verified receipt.

Joe

Topix finally removed the offensive posts. Now if only the state and county would obey the law, too, and remove their illegal "bugs."

Joe

They have not removed all of them.

Hilltop Blues,
Thanks. I checked and noticed that the trolls posted two more personal attacks yesterday, following Topix's deletion of their earlier ones. I didn't ask Topix to remove all their posts, however, only the personal attacks. For example, one of the trolls described the thread as "weird" and some other post were innocuous enough not to be considered anonymous annoying personal attacks. At any rate, I have neither the time nor inclination to monitor their posts, so I requested that Topix just delete my thread entirely. It's easier all the way around. I also suggested that they read Clive Thompson's article in WIRED entitled "The Taming of the Trolls."
Joe

Phoned the SAO employee that handles FL Public Record Requests earlier this morning and left message on answering machine inquiring as to the status of my request. As of this post, I still haven't received a return call from the SAO regarding my Public Records Request.

Joe

Even though I don’t smoke marijuana, I ordered Barry Cooper’s video NEVER GET BUSTED AGAIN. Cooper was a former narcotics officer and considered one of the best in Texas. The video is very informative and fascinating. I purchased VOL. I: TRAFFIC STOPS, because of a recent parking lot incident. I felt it important to know more about police policies regarding Search and Seizure. Returning to my park car, I noticed a middle-aged white male, average height, and with a whiskey gut suddenly pop up from behind it. I park my car away from the others, so that it’s isolated and clearly visible. I didn’t see him walking towards my parked car or by it, but he just suddenly appeared behind it. He appeared nervous and moved fast over to the next lane of parked cars as I approached. I watched him scramble to a SUV, open the passenger side door, and get in. He fidgeted for a moment or two and when I was about 50 feet from the SUV, he jumped out from the passenger side, ran around to the driver’s side, got in, started up the car, and speed off.

It was funny, but also alarming. I wasn’t in the store long. He couldn’t fit under the vehicle and it’s not on the top 10 list of cars to steal. So what was he up to? Plant something? The lower panels appeared undisturbed. I checked and felt around under the car on the driver side, but couldn’t find anything or see any puddles. I suspect that I interrupted his plans.

Joe

I woke up sometime between 2:00 and 2:30 a.m. this morning, Thursday, April 16, 2009. I was wide awake and, instead, of trying to get back to sleep, I got up, went to the den, turned on the light and then the pc to "surf the internet." I hadn't even got on-line (dial-up)when I heard the car door shut outside. The car is in the driveway about 15 feet from the den. The den window was opened. I ran for the door, but stopped to search for the flashlight. When I got out, I headed south, because it's the easiest way to access the property and I figured that's the direction whoever shut the door would run. It may have been a mistake, however. I didn't find anyone. The house is located about 1/4 mile off a dirt road back in the woods. It's easiest to access it from the south via the driveway. I looked around for about 10 minutes and figured that whoever shut the car door was gone or else I couldn't find him.

When I returned to the car, I shined the flashlight in the interior and didn't notice anything. I then went in, got the key, came back, and started the car. It started. I only lock the car- sophisticated security security- when I'm out and about, and, rarely, if ever lock it at home. So, naturally, I decided to lock it after the fact and pressed the key immobilizer lock button, which locks the car. And, that's when I noticed the security indicator light blinking. Someone may have slipped another key into the ignition in order to start it. I doubt that the person was a cop, because whoever it was knew about cars and was familiar with the area. However, he now realizes that there's a transponder in the key that has to match or else the vehicle won't start. So what was the motive? To steal it or disable the security alarm? As I've said, the house is located 1/4 mile back in the woods and the gate's locked every night, but that's not a big deal. They cut the chain before and they could also jimmy the lock. I also intend to search the vehicle later this morning for illegal contraband.

An Open Letter to Florida State Attorney Glenn Hess

From Joe Keegan-April 16, 2009
________________________________________

Dear State Attorney Hess,

I sent you a letter, dated March 6, 2009, along with evidence charging the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Holmes County Sheriff’s Department, and the West Florida Electric Co-operative Association with illegal electronic surveillance, and conspiracy. I also charged former State Attorney Steve Meadows and his Chief Assistant State Attorney with covering up. The USPS confirmed delivery of my EXPRESS MAIL envelope, Receipt Number: EH55 8363 395US, at 10:25 AM Monday, March 9, 2009. On March 18, 2009, I phoned your office, and asked to speak to you; instead, I was transferred to "Pam's" answering machine. I left a recorded message for “Pam” to ask if you had the chance to review my March 6, 2009 letter and VHS tape that your office received. I left my name, address, phone number, date of call, and requested that your office get back to me to schedule an appointment in order to resolve this matter. On March 20, 2009, I phoned your office and left another message on “Pam’s” answering machine.

On April 3, 2009, I faxed you a public records request seeking all files related to my March 6, 2009 letter referenced above. I called your office and an employee acknowledged receiving the fax. On April 7, 2009, I phoned the State Attorney Office employee that handles the Public Records Requests and left a message inquiring as to the status of my request. I still haven't received a return call from your office regarding either my complaint or Public Records Request.

Aren’t you required to at least respond to my complaint or else charge me with filing a false report? Have you viewed the VHS tape that I sent to you? Also, aren’t you required by law to respond to my Public Records Request? It is the law. Or, are there two sets of laws in Florida: One for the authorities and one for the citizens? Please reply by April 24, 2009. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Joe Keegan
Bonifay (Holmes County), Florida
________________________________________

I emailed the above post to Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum.

Joe

I emailed An Open Letter to Florida State Attorney Glenn Hess post to Gov. Charlie Crist.

Joe

Supreme Court limits warrnatless vehicle searches

Holy cow! I can't remember the last time law enforcement lost a 4th Amendment case in the Supreme Court!!!!

Same here. Maybe they're finally doing their job. Should be interesting regarding the DOJ's position that they (and-by inference- our police state and fusion centers can spy on anyone that they want)can't be sued based on "Sovereign Immunity" claims.

Joe

I called into the Burnie Thompson talk radio show (101.1 FM Panama City, FL), this morning around 7:15 am. Burnie was lecturing about the evils of socialism and something about the 10th Amendment. I told his screener that I wanted to talk about a 4th Amendment issue, and she said that I'm up next and he'll work it in. When I got on, I told Burnie that you will see more intrusions by Big Brother into people's lives and gave my own illegal surveillance as an example. Burnie asked me, Who's watching you? I told him that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Holmes County Sheriff's Department with the help of the local rural electric co-operative. (Click) Hey, what happened? Was I disconnected? Did my cell kick out? I called back. The screener said that they went to a break, apologized for the poor ettiquette, and put me back up. I told Burnie that I sent State Attorney Hess a letter with evidence charging illegal surveillance. I got out the link to my letter to Hess. Burnie asked, "Are they following you now?" I laughed and said that the FBI covertly surveilled the TEA party protesters. He said that he was there and saw one FBI Agent with his finger in his ear. I asked Burnie, where was the other finger? Burnie laughed. Then (Click) again. I want to thank Burnie for the opportunity to address his audience. I just hope that they heard me.

Joe

I had the Florida Assistant Attorney General send me yet another email (Internet Mail Reply .. Sent 85256FC1006EBA0585257593003DD80E ..
Tracking Document - route)
). I'm not sure why, unless it's to combine my questions and charges, including illegal and official misconduct, into one response, thereby summarily dismissing my charges or, at least in their opinion, answering them. In effect, she told me to sue them regarding my Public Records Request and provided a link to the FL statues. She didn't address my charges, however. IMO-technically and according to my understanding , the AG is legally required to something. How do you get around that? Ignore the charges, which is what the FBI did in my case. What I suspect is the FL OAG is doing the DOJ sovereign immunity defense.

Joe

Hess didn't reply to my March 6, 2009 letter. Bad State Attorney. So the laws that one group enforces against the general population doesn't apply to the enforcers themselves? Is Florida following the DOJ's position that government can spy on anyone they want based on sovereign impunity...er, immunity?

Joe

Police prying into stars' data From the article: I doubt that this abuse is limited to Massachusetts law enforcement. And, I can assure you that you don't have to be a celebrity or "high profile citizen" to have some cop or bureaucrat do a search on you out of curiosity. And, they've got a lot more data bases and sources than just the Criminal Offender Record Information system. So who cares? You'd care if this personal information was being accessed to obtain "intelligence" on you because of political activism, personal grudge, unrequited love, or some political hack's orders.

DeNucci should be commended. I'm surprised that they released the results of his audit. He went on to say: Don't bet on it, however.

I have suspicions that the OAG appears to be "rejecting" some of my emails, but then again it may be a "glitch." At any rate, I've pasted in below my reply to FL Assistant Attorney General Wilson's response to my email complaint charging a number of public officials with criminal official misconduct.

I received a reply to my email to Assistant Attorney General Joslyn Wilson from the Attorney General's Office, and not the AAG herself. This is the email equivalent of a bureaucrat switching from the first person "I" to the plural royal "we." From the OAG's reply: Been there,done that,and got the t-shirt. I strongly suspect the OAG knows it, too, regarding requesting a "special prosecutor." But maybe the third time is the charm? The problem is that unless the State Attorney asks to be excused, you can forget about any Governor appointing one. State Attorney Hess and Florida's 14th Judicial Circuit wouldn't be ignoring my charges, and public records request, without an understanding. Citing sections and statutes are meaningless scribbles, unless they want them to mean something. Here's one, Title 18 U.S.C. Sec. 4, that may have meant something to that judge who didn't want to talk to me. I intended to present my charges and evidence to him along with my request to excused from jury duty. If he received my charges and evidence, he was required to do something or at least forward them to some official who would. How do you avoid that? Don't talk to the person. How does the FBI do it? They repeatedly deny in writing that they received them, even though they signed for the mail.

See my 5/14/07 post on page 10 on this thread. From my 5/14/07 post: Does anyone believe that State Attorney Hess will tell the Governor that he has a conflict of interest and request to be excused? Or, that Gov. Crist might recognize that the state attorney for Florida's 14th Judicial District refusal to reply to a Public Records Request (or a 14th Judicial Circuit judge who won't talk to a prospective juror) constitutes a conflict of interest and appoint a "special prosecutor" from another Judicial District?

I emailed and faxed a request for the appointment of a special prosecutor to Governor Charlie Crist as suggested by Assistant Attorney General Wilson. The first paragraph of my request follows:

My 7-15-09 letter to Gov. Crist requesting a special prosecutor.

Gov. Crist still hasn’t replied to my request for a ‘special prosecutor’ as suggested by Assistant Attorney General Joslyn Wilson. I’m disappointed, but not too surprised. I wrote the governor when he was the Attorney General regarding my charges. FDLE Executive Investigations Director Jamie McLaughlin resigned the day after the USPS verified delivery of my letter to the OAG. I contacted AG Crist again when former FL 14th Judicial District State Attorney Steve Meadows refused to acknowledge my complaint and evidence regarding illegal electronic surveillance, harassment, etc. Former Gov. Jeb Bush had advised me to bring my charges and evidenced to the state attorney. Meadow’s Chief Assistant State Attorney contacted me shortly after I contacted the OAG. When the direction of the Assistant State Attorney’s conversation became increasing silly, I asked him directly: “Did you view my VHS video-tape?” He refused to answer my question.

On this day, August 8, 1974 , President Nixon announced his decision to resign from the presidency. Things have changed a lot in this country in the last 35 years.

In order to insure that Gov. Crist was aware of my charges and request for a special prosecutor as suggested by the Assistant Attorney General, I filed a public records request with the Governor's Office for a copy of my request. Jessica P. Kassees,Executive Assistant, Office of Open Government, supplied copies of my request from the Executive Office of the Governor, but there were no other documents attached. The Governor's Office is aware of my charges, but apparently ignoring them.

I sent Susan Smith an email on Aug. 19, 2009. She's is in charge of preparing Executive Orders in the Governor's Executive Office, General Counsel (legal). Besides notifying her of criminal misconduct, the point of my letter was to ask: Do you know of any reason why Governor Crist should not assign a special prosecutor to investigate these criminal violations, as allowed under part II of chapter 27, Florida Statues, or doesn't have a duty to do so? I requested a reply by this Thursday, August 27, 2009. Maybe Ms. Smith will tell me why the Governor won't respond to my request? Hey, maybe he's doesn't have to, because he's the Governor and can do what he wants? And the self-appointed "people's governor" apparently doesn't deem it necessary to address this issue.

It seems that someone has delegated this issue. I experienced two incidents over the past two days which I haven’t experienced in years. I suspect that they may have something to do with my email to Ms. Smith. The last time similar incidents preceded a federal criminal investigator charging me with USC 1001. I turned around and charged the criminal investigator with similar and additional charges in both federal and state courts. However, it’s a one-way street. They get to “charge” you, but you don’t get to “charge” them. Besides who gets to do the charging, what was the difference between our charges? I could prove mine and he couldn’t prove his. The criminal investigated fabricated his entire investigation upon which he based his charges and then repeatedly perjured himself. His “charges” disappeared.

What concerns me is this morning’s incident. I drove into Bonifay to pick up some supplies. After my first stop, I made a second and then a final one. I pulled into the parking lot on my final stop and parked close to the store, but away from the other cars. In line at the checkout, I noticed a person with what appeared to be a beeper. The person was totally out of place, and was hanging near the office by the registers, so I figured a sales rep or tech. The person was also starring in my direction. When I glanced up in that direction again, I noticed that the person was still starring and that no one from the office had gone out to meet this person. As I paid the cashier, this person left the building without having met with anyone or buying anything. I left the store and headed over to the newspaper vending machines. I observed that this person had gotten in a small blue car parked next to mine, which indicates that this person arrived after me and chose to park next to my vehicle. What concerned me was that this person saw me at the vending machines and instead of turning right and onto the highway, turned left headed straight at me, and then turned and headed to the highway. If this was any question as to how I looked before, there isn’t now.

Ms. Susan Smith in the Executive Office of the Governor did not reply to my email.

Maybe a personal visit is in order.

Welcome Panamaed.
Olyve

Welcome to CHB Reader Rant, Panamed. Thanks for the suggestion, but it wouldn't accomplish anything except possibly get me arrested.

Joe

Crist keynotes Holmes County Reagan Day Dinner. Hey, why wasn't I invited? I'm a Republican (registered as one to vote for Paul in the primary)so what happened to my invitation? For that matter, why hasn't Governor Crist replied to my request for the appointment of a special prosecutor as suggested by Assistant Attorney General Joslyn Wilson?

Illegal electronic surveillance? Gosh, talk about a double standard. From the article:and in another Massachusetts case Expect to see more such arrests in the future.

Hey Joe, Bill Shepherd, Statewide Prosecutor from Palm Beach appointed by Crist to oversee a Statewide Grand Jury to investigate Government Corruption has to get past the Florida Supreme Court....do you think he will make it?

I think he has been checking my blog at http://panamaed.wordpress.com.

I have had several hits from some very interesting parties.

I don't know. I hope that he does. Honesty and integrity are a definite disadvantage in Florida politics.

A very interesting story and you don't have to be a lawyer to understand it. I hope they only hit your blog, if you get my drift.

Yeah Joe, you know you are hitting a nerve when you start getting death threats, they slam you with perverted comments and post your name and other personal info.

Panama City News Topix is a hacked site with strawmen sockpuppets being paid to detract from the truth.

I think people are afraid to stand up and I do understand why.

Moderators are necessary, otherwise most forums quickly devolve into name calling contests.

The problem is that agenda driven trolls, who are on one payroll or another or else want to get on one, have taken over. The trolls say what they’re told to say or else what they expect that they’re supposed to say. Moreover, they’re rarely original or even entertaining, but rather follow the same old script.

People have a reason to be afraid. The only people who believe in “the system” are the ones that haven’t experienced “the system.”

Government Surveillance of Citizens "They" don't have to physically place a GPS surveillance device on your vehicle to track you.

I sent a link to this thread to the Ann Rand Center for Individual Rights. I wonder if they, or Glenn Beck, would be interested?

What's up Joe?

Panamaed,
Computer was getting attacked most of the week for some reason. I kept getting security messages that this or that was blocked. When I checked the security history, I discovered that I had a lot more attacks than messages indicating one Trojan or another was blocked. Consequently, I was somewhat reluctant to go online this week, because no internet security program is 100%. Yesterday I couldn't even get online. This morning I could, but the keyboard didn't work, which concerned me. Last time it didn't work I had to replace it after a loud hi-pitched sound came over the speakers. This time I didn't have the speakers on so I didn't know what to expect. When the keyboard didn't work, I figured that I'd worry about it later and left to run some errands. I noticed a sign advertising hi-speed internet access at the south end of the road, so I figured they probably were doing some work, which accounted for my inability to go online yesterday. At any rate, when I returned a short while ago, I disconnected the keyboard and reconnected it and it was functional again. I've also been running a lot of virus scans.
Joe

I wish someone would scan our Government for viruses. I think they have been corrupted.....BIGTIME!!

Maybe a cold boot might help them out, too!

Have to boot them all out, but I don't believe that will happen.

Three times the charm? Someone vandalized the jumbo sized rural mail box for the third time (I think that it's the same person because he came prepared this time). The first time someone tried to pull it up and twist it off, but couldn't. It was funny thinking about our hero struggling and being frustrated by a mailbox. The second time he tried to twist and rip it off. Again he couldn't. He just succeeded in twisting the box. I straightened it out the best that I could, but the door wouldn’t close right. However, the mailbox was still functional and looked okay, so I didn’t replace it with a new one. This time someone- I believe the same perp because he came prepared- used either a large crowbar or pipe and gave it one good whack, which knocked it off the post. Funny thing is that I really didn't have it all that securely attached to the post in the first place- just a few nails attached to one cross member. Apparently being humiliated by a mailbox challenged his "manhood," and thus the rematch. At any rate, he knocked it off the post. He mangled it and the door too much to straighten out this time.

Returning from Dothan yesterday with a new mailbox, I noticed that someone had opened the lock on my gate and left it still dangling and open on the chain. Apparently they didn’t need a lock. Before I had left, I shut and locked the gate. I was gone only three hours. Maybe they're giving me a message? Once early in the a.m. when the West Florida Electric Co-Op wanted access to the property they just cut the chain with a bolt cutter and drove the ¼ mile back to reattach a line that a lightning bolt had knocked off the transformer. They thought that I was asleep. When I caught up with them reattaching the line to the service pole up front where they cut power, they asked me: Why didn’t you call to report an outage?” I told them that I intended to call in the morning when it was daylight.

There’s no point even mentioning that hearsay has it that the would be thief who tried to steal the Subaru parked in front of the house about 2 a.m. last April is law enforcement connected.

The Tuff Body Mailbox is virtually indestructible and vandal resistant! Constructed of 20 lbs. of heavy gauge steel, its powder coat black finish ensures long life and durability. The stainless steel piano hinged door and heavy steel flag are secured with steel fasteners.

* 20 lbs. of heavy gauge steel
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Weld this puppy to a length of pipe and set it securely in concrete. Then chain the Subaru to it.

'

Let's see.... "Big Brother" is watching you, but they didn't watch BP!

Does that tell you something about American society?

Thanks for the suggestions. The Tuff Body Mailbox may work in a residential area, but not here. Some "cowboy" just has to throw a chain around the pipe and pull it out with his 4 wheel drive pick-up. Recently some parties boosted a pickup from a local hardware store and crashed it into a gas station/convenience store/restaurant and stole an ATM early one morning. If someone can steal an ATM, a mailbox isn't much of a problem.

I replaced the mailbox this morning. The problem was that I had used 3.5 inch nails on the cross members, which would make it difficult to tear the mailbox from the post. This time I used nails sufficient to hold the mailbox in place, but which would allow any vandal to rip the box off the post- no threat to his "manhood"- and throw it to the ground, thereby proving whatever it is that he wants to prove. It's not necessary to do a "funky chicken" dance on it.

As you know, any professional car thief can steal any vehicle no matter how sophisticated the anti-theft system. When I spoke to a licensed expert regarding removing a blinking indicator, which the would be car robber triggered, the expert said that he had another example of this previously and would get back to me. Peoples' minds are like sponges. Whatever some law enforcement type subsequently may have pissed in his ear following my phone call, apparently had an effect. He was no longer willing to help.

Yes.

People are people. Human nature doesn't change much.

Ah, America! Well on its way to becoming Colombia!

I remember being in Ensenada, where the car thieves bring in a tow truck and just tow the cars away!

And if there's a legitimate license plate #, VIN, and registration, the government and/or police can find it if they so chose.

[b]Sheriff's deputies' disdain for Constitution captured by their own recorded comments[/b]

[b]Tracking your car? Cops need a warrant, says judge[/b] What happens when the authorities ignore the rule of law thingy or else just change the rules?

I posted an OPEN LETTER TO GOVERNOR CHARLIE CRIST[/b] on my blog. I briefly summarized just a few main incidents. I supplied enough evidence to warrant at least a preliminary investigation on any one.

The last paragraph in my letter to Gov. Crist follows:
Only unaccountability makes this arrogance and abuse by Florida "law enforcement" and other "public servants" possible. There are no effective checks and balances. But realistically, what should I as an American peasant expect when you have Senator Sanders asking Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke: "Will you tell the American people to whom you lent $2.2 trillion of their dollars?" And, Bernanke replied, "No." The rule of law is dead not only in Florida, but the US, as well.

Happy Constitution Day, y'all!

OPEN LETTER TO GOVERNOR CHARLIE CRIST

Dear Gov. Crist,

I first wrote to you when you were Attorney General. I advised you that I was subject to illegal electronic surveillance and harassment by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Holmes County Sheriff’s Department. I charged then FDLE Director of Executive Investigations Jamie McLaughlin, among others, with being either directly or indirectly involved with the illegal electronic surveillance, misuse of official position, threatening witnesses, obstruction of justice, and cover-up. Director McLaughlin suddenly and unexpectedly resigned the day after the USPS confirmed that your office received my letter. I explained to you how both these Florida law enforcement agencies have an inherent conflict of interest investigating my charges. I also requested an independent investigation. You never replied to my letter.

Gov. Bush, however, replied to the letter that I sent to him charging Florida law enforcement with illegal surveillance. Gov. Bush forwarded my letter to then FDLE Director of Executive Investigations Jamie McLaughlin. Director McLaughlin refused to investigate my charges. In my letter, I told Gov. Bush the same facts that I told you. Three electronic surveillance experts that I identified all verified electronic surveillance devices on the utility poles located on private property servicing my residence, but each one refused to supply any signed report either confirming or denying the existence of these devices. The standard practice is to provide the client with such a report immediately after the “sweep” or else within a few days. The first two were threatened. One told me that he’d lose his Florida Private Investigator license if he supplied his report. The third one had a conflict of interest that he didn’t disclose. He was close personal friends with an individual associated with the manufacturer of these surveillance devices. When I wrote William S. Rimes, then VP and CEO of the West Florida Electric Co-Operative, requesting that WFEC search their utility poles for unauthorized attachments, Mr. Rimes wrote back that he takes my charges seriously, questioned the appropriate employees, and forwarded my letter to the Sheriff of Holmes County for appropriate action.

The Sheriff’s first contact was late one evening when he hovered over the house for more than ½ hr in an FDLE helicopter purportedly searching for a neighbor who they attempted to pickup at his home that evening. Earlier in the day, an FDLE Agent disguised as a FedEx driver delivered a 3.5 lb. package of meth to his home during an apparent drug bust. My neighbor arrived home as the sting was in progress, grabbed the package that his wife signed for, and escaped with the evidence. The FDLE returned later that evening on the pretext of apprehending him at his home, but targeted my residence instead. The FDLE and Sheriff knew that my neighbor hadn’t returned home. No rational person would believe that someone who ran off with 3.5 lbs of drugs earlier that day would return home later that same evening. I was the actual target and not my neighbor. The entire event was contrived in an attempt to provoke a violent incident and then remove their bugs in the aftermath. When I didn’t react as my “profilers” anticipated, the Sheriff who was in the FDLE helicopter piloted by his first cousin ordered the agents to storm the grounds in hot pursuit of my imaginary fleeing neighbor. The FDLE never conducted an official investigation of the missing 3.5 lb. package of meth. All FDLE Agents that stormed my residence that evening subsequently received promotions. Apparently losing 3.5 lbs of meth, never conducting an official investigation of its disappearance, and allowing a suspect to escape with the evidence is the basis for FDLE promotion.

My neighbor’s wife later told me that the entire area was “bugged.” The three electronic surveillance experts all confirmed that the “bugs” were located on the utility poles and could surveil 20-40 acres. She also told me that the FDLE offered her a “deal” if she’d implicate the Sheriff in her operation, but that she refused to do so. She said that she’d prefer to “do the time” instead. I suspect that the FDLE and State Attorney offered her another “deal,” because the judge declared a mistrial in that case because the State Attorney and FDLE withheld evidence and testimony. Why would the State Attorney and FDLE withhold evidence in a criminal case? I suspect that the withheld evidence and testimony would prove my charges. Incidentally, the DEA refused to get involved in this case because of the FDLE’s mishandling of it. A retired DEA Agent told me that there are cover-ups.

In response to another letter, Governor Bush encouraged me to bring any evidence of my charges to my State Attorney and advised me that he forwarded a copy of my letter to then FDLE Commissioner Guy Tunnel, who never contacted me regarding the Governor’s referral. State Attorney Steve Meadows subsequently hired the former FDLE Commissioner as an investigator in his office following Mr. Tunnel’s resignation over another incident. I mailed compelling evidence, including a VHS videotape, to State Attorney Steve Meadows, but he never replied to it or my follow-up letters. After months passed, I filed a Florida Public Records Request with the State Attorney’s Office requesting all records and documents related to my charges. The SAO did not reply to my Public Records Request, either. You were still Attorney General at the time and I wrote to your office inquiring if I should file my Public Records Request with the Attorney General’s Office since the State Attorney’s Office refused to reply. Your office indicated that I correctly filed my request with the State Attorney’s Office. Shortly afterwards, Chief Assistant State Attorney William A. Lewis contacted me. Eventually he responded to my Public Records Request by supplying copies of some of the evidence that I sent to State Attorney Meadows and a tampered with copy of the VHS tape. He didn’t supply the investigative file or any related records indicating that he didn’t investigate my charges. He knew that they were true and was covering-up. In subsequent communications, Chief Assistant State Attorney Lewis wrote that I wasn’t credible, but told me to continue to communicate with him. Mr. Lewis was giving me “the go-round.” I eventually managed to talk to him. I asked Chief Assistant State Attorney Lewis directly whether or not he, Mr. Tunnel, and/or State Attorney Meadows viewed the VHS tape that I sent to the SAO. Chief Assistant State Attorney Lewis said that he doesn’t have to answer my questions. Chief Assistant State Attorney Lewis answered my question by not answering my question.

In another event, I appeared as summoned at the Holmes County courthouse for jury duty. I was prospective juror #37. After Clerk of the Court Cody Taylor explained the procedures, he asked if anyone wanted to talk to the judge about being excused from jury duty. I raised my hand. I intended to present evidence of my charges to the judge. Taylor called a one half hour recess and waved me over to him. He laughed and said that "the judge doesn’t want to talk to you" and excused me from jury duty.

Steve Meadows served one term. Former judge Glenn Hess replace him as the new State Attorney. I wrote State Attorney Hess and supplied him with the same evidence that I supplied his predecessor. When State Attorney Hess’ office failed to reply to my charges, I filed a Public Records Request seeking all records related to my charges. When Glenn Hess’ office refused to reply to my Public Records Request, I wrote your Office of Open Government, which you instituted as the newly elected governor to insure transparency and accountability. As with the former State Attorney before, the new State Attorney refused to supply records and didn’t agree to open mediation, which ended the process.

I wrote Attorney General Bill McCollum’s office regarding my charges and failure of both former Attorney Steve Meadows and State Attorney Glenn Hess to reply to either my charges or Public Records Request. Unlike your SAO, Assistant Attorney General Joslyn Wilson replied to my charges and suggested that I contact your office regarding the appointment of a special prosecutor outside my Judicial Circuit. I wrote to you per Assistant Attorney General Wilson’s suggestion and you still haven’t replied. I also wrote to you as Governor asking you the same question that a retired FDLE Agent asked me: Why is this still going on? You didn’t reply to that letter, either.

A neighbor privy to the illegal surveillance and other law enforcement machinations told me that “there are powerful forces” and “you can’t do anything.” So, does the rule of law still exist in Florida or not? Are the U.S. Constitution and Florida Constitution meaningless in the State of Florida? Are the public servants who enforce the rules and statutes of Florida exempt from the very same laws that they enforce against Florida citizens? How is what I’ve briefly summarized above not misprision of felony (USC, TITLE 18, Part 1, Chapter 1 & 4)? Not only have Florida law enforcement and public officials failed to report a known felony, but also actively concealed the felony. Please give me the courtesy of a reply. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Joe Keegan
Bonifay, FL 32425

I emailed the above post(s)to Governor Charlie Crist. I pasted in the text of the email that I received yesterday, Sept. 27, 2010, from the Governor's office regarding the above post(s):

I mailed a reply to Governor Charlie Crist's response. A copy of the text from my letter is pasted in below.

CERTIFIED MAIL RECEIPT NUMBER 7010 1670 0001 1551 5938

Sept. 29, 2010

Office of Governor Charlie Crist
State of Florida
The Capitol
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
Attn: Gov. Charlie Crist

Dear Governor Crist:

Mr. Fusillo from the Office of Citizen Services replied to the email link that I sent to you regarding my “OPEN LETTER TO GOVERNOR CHARLIE CRIST.” (see attached email, dated Sep 27, 2010) Mr. Fusillo said that you asked him to respond on your behalf. In effect, according to Mr. Fusillo, you said: “Sue me.” I find this unbelievable. I advised you of on-going and continuous criminal violations and cover-ups by Florida law enforcement agencies and the 14th Judicial District State Attorney’s Office. Florida law enforcement and the state attorney’s office continue to deny my charges. Did you read my letter? Did you find it credible? Do you know if there are illegal Florida law enforcement devices on the utility poles servicing my residence? Assistant Attorney General Joslyn Wilson even suggested that I contact you, which I did, requesting the appointment of a special prosecutor outside the 14th Judicial Circuit. The law certainly does not limit you in these matters. If you haven’t read my “OPEN LETTER TO GOVERNOR CHARLIE CRIST” yet, please do so, because if you don’t know about this abuse of authority, you should.

If, indeed, you did tell Mr. Fusillo that I should sue you and this is your position, another way to resolve this matter is mediation. I’ve read that no decision or actions can be imposed on any party unless they all agree. There’s no commitment involved in agreeing to mediation other than showing up and sitting down with a neutral third person who will try to help us work out a solution. I’m willing to try mediation if you are. Please give me the courtesy of a reply. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Joe Keegan

[b][size:20pt]Surveillance 2010[/size][/b]

'
So, so true! The USA is becoming more and more like the old East Germany!

I wouldn't mind it so much if only the same surveillance was applied to those who rule us!

Laws against the abuse of power are fine and dandy, but they aren't worth the paper they are printed on if they aren't enforced!

The Patriot Act just legalized what the government had been doing for years. A little known fact not widely reported in MSM is that the DHS hired [b]the former head of the KGB, General Yevgeni Primakov, [/b]as a high priced consultant. I wonder why they'd do that?

Too bad it's not true, Joe.

If you're referring to the DHS hiring General Yevgeni Primakov as a consultant, you're absolutely correct. It's disinformation. A check revealed that it's a fabrication. Thanks.

'
It should be obvious that report is untrue.

What could the KGB teach the DHS and the CIA that these agencies don't already know?

Miami-Dade police buy drones Coming to a community near you soon?

I wish I could say there is no cause for concern.

Currently, I imagine that these drones will be appropriately used. But in the long term, it seems inevitable that this technology will become pervasive. And being pervasively available, it will be abused.

But really, i see nothing to stop this slippery slope. Even now anyone (including government) is free for fly above us and look down. The only difference is that now technology has made this easy to do in an inexpensive and surreptitious manner.

I have just tried to read this thread. Half of it consists of empty replies. Strange.........

Two cents worth - Big Brother is:
Watching us (planes, cameras, et al)
Reading our Email (actually ALL internet communication)
Listening to our phone calls
Invading homes with no knock
Stealing assets on spec

Oh, and killing our children in wars that cannot be won (keeps the number unemployed down)

All of the above with the help of congress, and the blessings of the, obviously, no ax to grind supremes <G>

'
Sounds very much like Southern California.

There's nothing sinister about the empty posts. Because of the duration of this topic and bandwidth,the moderators probably archived them. If you want an overview, please check out my Petition to Gov. Crist that I posted on my blog. It will give you some idea of what's going on. I began this thread not only to tell my story, but also to serve as an educational tool. Our government and legal system isn't quite as honorable as portrayed in the comic books and on TV or in the movies. The problem is that there are no checks and balances or accountability- at least as it pertains to us peasants. In effect, there is no Rule of Law. Our justice system means just that- JUST-US (and the average American isn't included). The House republicans reading the US Constitution into the record is just shtick. They're no more committed to it and its principles than the democrats. You really don't have to look any further than Wall Streets coup d'etat to see that there's no rule of law, checks and balances, or accountability. The bankers pulled off the biggest bank robbery in history and took over DC without firing a shot.

We've been a covert Police State for the past few decades. The Patriot Act(s)just "legalized" what the government had been doing for years.

You may find my [b]letter to FBI Director Mueller[/b] interesting. The FBI refused to acknowledge receipt of it, although official FBI personnel signed for it. Consequently, I filed a number of FOIA requests with both IG's at the DOJ and FBI as well as other departments within the respective agencies. They all denied having any record of my letter. So I called up the FBI and tracked it down to the mail room that confirmed receiving it. The FBI received it, but just chose to ignore it. Is that called "discretion" or is it cover-up? CONgress was even more disappointing, including the "CONservative", "Constitutional waiving," Tea Party supporting republicans.

My thought on how it has all happened has to do with our 'leaders' have been working, very hard, in conjunction with most corporately funded news outlets, to scare the living s*** out of us. Its worked REALLY well and it also obvious that most of us are willing to allow the state to do just about anything to 'keep us safe'. What tends to make me wonder is that if one takes a look at the stats on crime, terrorism, etc. that those figures are actually going down, especially crime, that that one has been going down for years. Our chances, for instance, of being involved in a terrorist attack are actually VERY unlikely - possible but not probable. So, many have made a life choice to be scared to death, in the face of the simple fact that we really not be.

So, gov, and the newsies, know exactly how to keep us all happy, scared, safe, and, pretty much under control. This is, incidentally, what nations tend to do. It needn't be this way, in a perfect world, we do NOT live in a perfect world (obviously). If anybody is confused about this then they simply need to wake up and smell the roses. This nation is a CAPITALIST nation. Most of us knows what a capitalist and it has little to do with taking care of everybody so much as gaining capital. Those with the most capital RULE! This is simply the way it is. My confusion is the number of people, without a lot of capital, who support them that do. One can only wonder?

I remember when we went to Washington DC a week after 9/11. My kids were upset with us and asked if we were crazy. I pointed out that the deed was done and it was unlikely to re-occur real soon. Didn't make any difference, family, friends, etc. all pleaded with us not to go. We went. We were not allowed in the white house or the congress of cowards. We were, however, allowed into the house of the supremes. We went to the zoo and the Smithsonion and were not bothered by crowds. Got a suite for the right price, etc. We made exactly the right choice. Oh - my wife loved it - EVERYTHING was on sale! (Oh, I also had a serious talk with my kids. One remains scared to deal (he lives on the Right), the others understood the other two seem to understand that being scared is no real way to live)

Fear and money are two good motivators used to control people by the government. The question is: who is or rather what is the government? In theory, in the USA it's the people. In reality, it's the corporations. The USA is rapidly becoming a fascist nation as the state and government merge. Whose interests are being protected and promoted? The government appears to serve the corporations rather than the people it purports to serve. The corporations that make those campaign contributions (bribes)to our politicians also own the media. The media is going to "report" what their bosses want them to report just as your congressman is going to pass legislation that his real bosses, the corporations and not the American people, want him to pass. Government has become an instrument of the corporations.

The purpose of this thread is to document the difficulties that the average American encounters when dealing with government abuse. I'm not dealing with any macro issues, but rather a very specific one: illegal surveillance. I'm also dealing with very specific individuals, who have abused the authority that government gives them. I don't hold the humanistic view of mankind that man is inherently good. I also don't believe that he's inherently evil. I believe that he (especially those in government)should be watched and held accountable. Unfortunately, checks and balances, accountability, and the rule of law no longer exists in our country. There's a lot of lip service, such as the House republicans reading the US Constitution into the record, but it's just lip service.

[b]Domestic use of aerial drones by law enforcement likely to prompt privacy debate[/b]I'll guess that eventually there will be tracking devices along with cameras on the drones.
I wouldn't bet on it.

[b]Surveillance blimps for Ogden, Utah.[/b]

I observed a suspiciously parked vehicle around 11:00 a.m. across the street from where I live this this morning. I notified both the Governor's office and the Holmes County Sheriff's Department about it, and asked them to run a license plate check and included a description of both the occupants and vehicle.

[b]Orwell 2011: Towards a Pervasive "Surveillance State" in America[/b]

'
It's time to return the favor and snoop into the lives of the rich and powerful as much as they snoop into our lives.

I think we need a state-by-state constitution amendment drive to affirm it a protected civil right to record anything you can see or hear in a public space or on your own property where there is no expectation of privacy. When you apply some of these "video taping prosecution" theories to other situations, you run into some serious logical inconsistancies.

For example, if you have a security camera continuously recording on your property and it captures a police officer making an arrest, does that make you a criminal? According to some prosecutor's legal theories, it does! Does erasing the recording "cure" that? (Even though that would technically constitute destruction of evidence!) Since you did not willfully make that recording, would it be legal to keep it? Or would mere possession of such a recording be illegal?

All preposterous ideas, because they are based on the preposterous idea that it is illegal to make such a recording to begin with.

Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. An acquaintance tried it. The 14th Judicial District Assistant State Attorney that refused to answer my question whether or not he reviewed the evidence that I had sent to the SAO per the Governor's recommendation regarding my charges of illegal electronic surveillance by law enforcement was the one that criminally prosecuted him for tape-recording a cop. My acquaintance was acquitted.

You're right. Hear about the Maryland motorcyclist that the cops arrested because he recorded the stop with the camera mounted on his helmet? Numerous incidents of cops and agents arresting people for filming and photographing them in public.
Right again! As you know, they change the rules whenever they want.

They do what they want to do. For example, I had a SAO refuse to reply to a FL Public Records Request. Reluctantly they finally did supply a copy of a VHS tape that I sent as evidence- I suspect on the advice of the then AG, but tampered with the copy that they sent me. They didn't send any records of any investigation of my charges. The FBI refused to even acknowledge some FOIAs that I filed and returned one of my letters, including the copy of the same VHS tape that I sent to the SAO, charging the cops and others with illegal surveillance and harassment. However, the FBI didn't return the same tape that I sent to them as evidence. They sent me a copy of my copy, but otherwise didn't appear to tamper with the actual copy of my copy that they returned to me. However, the SAO did tamper with the copy that they sent to me. Now is the SAO guilty of tampering with evidence? I don't know, but I'll bet that they still have the original copy that I sent to them. In the unlikely event that someone in authority questioned them regarding the evidence that I sent to them, would they maybe might perhaps accidentally show them an altered copy of the copy that I sent to them as evidence?
They do what they want and change and/or ignore the rules as they please. Star Chambers are well and alive in this country. We're a Banana Republic minus the spiffy uniforms, shinny black boots, swagger sticks, and accents.

Last Monday I mailed a FL Public Records Request to the Holmes County Sheriff's Office seeking a record of their arrests reports for a specified period of time. It should have been simple for the HCSO to supply the requested reports. When the HCSO still hadn't acknowledged my request, I emailed a duplicate Public Records Request last Friday in the event that the original was lost in the mail. This past Monday morning, an older black & white police helicopter (County)flew over the property at just the legal altitude possibly looking for an escaped prisoner or criminal. Yesterday afternoon a Captain from the HCSO left a message on the answering machine to contact him regarding what I want. He said that they had just received my July 11, 2011 letter in the mail. I emailed the HSCO this morning replying to the Captain's request for information.

When I signed-on to gmail this morning, a message appeared to add phone number to my Google account for security reasons. There was an opt-out option. I added the phone number for security to my gmail and Blogger account.

Years ago when I first began posting to Blogger, I noticed some irregularities. Someone appeared to have put a re-direct on my blog directing any viewers to a bluish blank page. The ACLU forum was still up at the time, so I inquired if anyone was having trouble accessing my blog. A number of posters replied that they did, and some who were IT professionals explained the re-direct to me. Just as mysteriously as the re-direct appeared, it disappeared after a few posters indicated they couldn't access my blog and once again anyone interested in surveillance abuse could access my blog. I also received an email from the ACLU warning me about spamming, because I had posted my question concerning access to my blog to 4 or so different threads. So I emailed the ACLU Forum moderator and asked if posting in effect the same question to 4 threads is "spamming." He replied no. I guess the letter from someone saying that I was spamming was just a joke. I hope that I don't encounter any other jokes, including another SWAT raid. A retired FDLE Agent told me that all of those FDLE Agents that participated in that raid subsequently were promoted.

Just as I was about to leave this morning, the phone rang. It was approximately 8:20 am (Central). A female identifying herself from the HCSO (may be the one that acknowledges the emails to the HCSO?)asked me if I was Mr. Keegan. I just sent the email discussed above a short time ago. I said yes and immediately the HCSO Captain that left a message yesterday picked up. I identified myself and offered to send him a copy of my driver's license. He said that wasn't necessary. I asked him if the phone call was being recorded, and he said that it wasn't. I repeated what I requested in my email this morning and suggested that he check it. He repeated that they had just received last Monday's mailed public records request. I thanked him and he thanked me. It was a polite and respectfully conversation.

Around 5:30 a.m.Central this morning (Sunday Oct. 23, 2011), the alarm device sounded an intruder to the south of the house. It was still dark and the temperature was in the mid-thirties. I didn't investigate, because I figured that it was some animal visiting the compost pile. The alarm sounded again 10 minutes later. I figured breakfast was over. At 6:45 a.m. I was outside attending to some chores when I (and others) heard a male's voice with a distinctively southern accent say, "Set-up's okay." The voice came from about 50 yards to the north of the house in the woods. I immediately investigated, but couldn't find anyone. After a few minutes, I gave a holler. No reaction. I looked around for awhile longer, but couldn't find anyone. Bizarre.

Doing my civic duty, I reported to Holmes County Court House on Monday, October 24, 2011, promptly at 8:30 a.m. as summoned for jury duty in Florida's 14th Judicial Circuit. I was Juror Number 184. Last time when I reported for jury duty, I requested to speak to the judge privately to be excused from jury duty. The clerk of the court, Cody Taylor, after talking to the judge laughed, and said that the judge doesn't want to talk to you, and excused me from jury duty, so I didn't serve on the jury last time. Taylor has been the Clerk of the Court since 1977.

This past Monday morning, the Clerk of the Court asked the prospective jurors numerous times if anyone wanted to speak to the judge privately about not serving on jury duty. Since the judge didn't want to talk to me the last time that I was summoned for jury duty and requested to talk to him, I figured that he wouldn't want to talk to me this time, either. So I didn't talk to him. At any rate, shortly afterwards, the court said that they resolved the legal matter earlier that morning, that there won't be any trials this coming week, and excused everyone that hadn't already been excused from jury duty. So why ask prospective jurors if they want to be dismissed in the first place, since you're excusing everyone anyway?

To my surprise, I received a check (check date 10/24/11; check number 8826)from the court in the mail today, Tuesday, October 25, 2011, for $15 for jury duty services. To the best of my knowledge, I'm not entitled to it, because I'm unemployed. I told the clerk when I signed in and presented my summons for jury duty on Monday, Oct. 24, 2011, that I was unemployed, and she wrote that on the summons. After I read on the original mailed summons that she wrote I was unemployed, I signed it. Again, to the best of my knowledge, I'm not entitled to the $15.

I called Holmes County Clerk of the Court's office today, Tuesday, October 25, 2011,and asked to speak to accounting. I spoke to a young female who identified herself and her position, and I explained the situation, and told her that I was returning the check. She said wait, kept me on hold, and said that she spoke to the Deputy Clerk, who said that I was entitled to it. I don't know whether or not I'm "entitled" to it, but I'm not cashing the check, and will return it tomorrow. I don't want to get into any trouble.

At the risk of seeming like a "Nervous Nellie," I don't want to get arrested or be subject to another late night SWAT raid for $15. Some anonymous poster on a local board once jokingly said that they won't ask questions first before shooting on the next SWAT raid. Obviously, this anonymous poster was just joking, but he seemed to know about the first raid.

Not to detract from your personal experience, but this kind of fits in the thread title.

US Officials Tried to Pull Videos From YouTube

Thanks Phil. I was just trying to decide whether to post an article or video on this subject. I've condensed and "sanitized" my personal experiences. I can make this thread more interesting, but due to "health" reasons I don't. Mostly I've just posted various actions that I have taken to address my situation and the complete disregard or concern for the rule of law by public authorities and officials. If "they" can do this to me, then "they" can do it to anyone, including our elected representatives. I've networked with others whose own personal experience make mine look like a walk in the park.

At the risk of seeming presumptuous, I began this thread as a sort of "educational tool" regarding our government. It's not like it's portrayed in the movies, TV, or comic books. The only people who believe in the system or have any blind faith in it haven't experienced it. The rule of law went out the window some time ago. I'm just one example of the frustration that the average citizen faces when dealing with government. OWS is another. The Tea Party, too, is another example. One thing that OWS and the Tea Party have in common is the frustration with a government that neither cares about nor represents the average American. I just hope that OWS isn't co-opted by special interests like the Tea Party.

Years ago I posted my opinion on the ACLU forum that the Patriot Act was enacted by The Powers That Be (TPTB)to deal with just the economic situation that the US finds itself in today. The Patriot Act only "legalized" what the government had been doing for some time. The ACLU forum went down. What surprised me, however, is that these policies and practices have extended down to the state and local level in a vertical integration of "law enforcement," accompanied by a militarization of the police- not a good sign. Once upon a time long ago and far away there was a country called America with strong demarcations drawn between military, federal, and state authority. Those lines are being erased, which doesn't portend a bright future for freedom or even our economy. OWS is a reawakening of the American spirit. I'm just a little ahead of the curve as to what awaits the average American citizen.

Incidentally, I just went outside a short time ago. Someone left a snake with its head cut-off at the door. I hope that's not another message? Call the authorities? Whom do you think left it? Or, more likely. someone that they have something on and are using? I guess my previous post upset some people. Think about it: I just want to get some sophisticated electronic surveillance devices removed. 3 electronic surveillance experts all verified their presence, but refused to supply written signed reports of their findings either one way or the other.

The average American doesn't care about anything unless it affects them personally. When they get it up their keister, it becomes personal and the learning curve increases exponentially. Years ago one poster on the ACLU forum asked (when it's the police committing the illegal acts and harassment): "Who do you call?" I jokingly replied, "The Ghostbusters?" and then apologized when it dawned on me that I was being insensitive and inconsiderate to her frustration with the "system." But, she did ask the right question: "Who do you call?"

If "they" can do this to me, then "they" can do it to anyone, including our elected representatives. One personal experience that I had many many moons ago involved harassment by "black helicopters." Actually, they weren't "black," but rather a very dark grey color. In fact, they were Navy Hueys (it's a long story best reserved for another thread someday). At the time "They" used black helicopters to harass Americans who were regarded as a "threat" or too critical of the regime. The intention was to scare the "targets" into blabbering about being followed by "black helicopters." Obiously- according to MSM- anyone who alleged that black helicopters were following them were "kooks," thereby discrediting their charges. As I said, Navy Hueys were harassing me. I didn't say anything about the intimidation. However, I did photograph and videotape them. Networking I became involved some people who were in some real deep sh*t, who had been similarly harassed. I supplied them with photos and an affidavit that they used in various court hearings. Various child protective services were trying to take some of their kids away from them based largely on their charges that black helicopters were following them(again, they were involved in some serious scandals as whistle-blowers and others in danger to doing some hard time for trumped up charges). These public servants and their minions play very hard, especially when they don't have to worry about any accountability. The harassed whistle blowers and their lawyers presented my photos and affidavits at their respective hearings, and, as a result, managed to keep their children and stay out of jail (I never was deposed, but only supplied photos and an affidavit).

What's my point? I took my personal experience of being harassed and helped some others similarly harassed. I hope that this thread helps some others. Before too much longer, I suspect that we'll all need a lot of help.

A friend, who is an activist, emailed me this past Friday. The threats, intimidation, and harassment directed at him have increased. He asked me about my own situation. I shared my fairly recent experience with jury duty. I had appeared as summoned. The last time that I was summoned, I requested to speak to the judge in private. After the clerk of the court spoke to the judge regarding such requests, he came over to me half laughing and said that the judge didn't want to talk to me and dismissed me from jury duty. This recent incident was different, however. I appeared as summoned, and noticed that the court was dismissing just about everyone. The same clerk of the court announced that if anyone wanted to talk to the judge to raise their hand. I didn't, because I figured since the judge didn't want to talk to me last time, then he won't want to talk to me this time, either. The clerk of the court came over to where I was sitting a number of times and appeared to be trying to get me to talk to the judge. I wanted to, but I didn't trust this clerk and the 14th Judicial District in general, so I didn't raise my hand. I figured that if I talk, I'll do it on the stand. The judge finally comes out and sits on the bench. He announced that they had settled all the issues earlier and that there won't be any trials this week, and dismissed everyone that the court hadn't already dismissed from jury duty. So, my question was: Why did they summon people for jury duty in the first place and then have everyone request to be dismissed? Why summon people for jury duty or at least just send them home when they arrived for the process?

I suspect some defendant or party knowledgeable about my circumstances, which is an "open secret" in the 14th Judicial District, opened up either in court or to the judge about my illegal surveillance and harassment in order to mitigate their own charges. From the bench, the judge went on about how he has a "fair court and everyone gets a fair trial in his fair court." I suspect that other defendants privy to my illegal surveillance and harassment have successfully used this knowledge to get out of charges in the past, but that appears to be changing.

What's interesting is that the Holmes County Sheriff's department vehicles resumed following me all Saturday morning. They hadn't done this for a while. One person even followed me into and a store. (Hint: in the future, push a shopping cart, put a few items in for props, and don't be too obvious.)I emailed my friend, who lives in another state, that someone, besides himself, is reading his email, and shared it with local "law enforcement" here in Holmes County, FL.

I was up and about early this Sunday morning and didn't notice anything unusual, until later on about 10:00 a.m. when I noticed that the door to the greenhouse was open. The door shuts tight and holds up to even strong winds. The green house is located on the north side of the house about 20 feet from the utility pole that has the illegal serial numbered "law enforcement" surveillance device. Some one had left the door open within the last hour or so and it wasn't me or any family member. It wasn't open earlier this morning. I wonder if someone took a peek inside when I mentioned aloud to a family member that I was going to turn on the heater in the greenhouse tonight because the temp will drop below freezing, and he wanted to see what kind of heater?

Bump:
Thought I would link this to brighten up everyones day. I wonder if it will have sparkly high resolution of me taking a piss in my backyard?
High altitude surveylance drones

A. Yes. btw- they also have low altitude drones as well.

I read somewhere years ago that “they” were working on spy drones the size of a fly. And that these could be flown into a room for surveillance purposes. The proverbial and literal fly on the wall.
I wonder if those are now operable?

The Military/Industrial/Surveillance Complex- logistics aside- probably could design something to accomplish that end, but they'd have to make them "idiot-friendly" for the users- and that's a problem no amount of engineering would overcome.

The USPS confirmed delivery and receipt on March 30, 2010 of my EXPRESS MAIL letter to Gov. Scott requesting the appointment of a special prosecutor outside of Florida's 14th Judicial District. I've pasted in the first paragraph below.


[b]my letter requesting appointment of a special prosecutor[/b]

I emailed the following Florida Public Records Request to Holmes County Sheriff Tim Brown this afternoon.

In the "Getting Out the Vote" category: After lunch earlier, I strolled up front to get the mail. It was a little after 1:00 p.m. Central time. After retrieving the mail, I headed back and saw a black pickup drive by headed south with a large campaign sticker plastered on the black pickup passenger side door in support of the former sheriff who is now running again to replace the one that replaced him. I wish the candidate luck. First time, however, I saw that shinny black pickup on this rural dirt road. But, as they say, there's a first time for everything. It appears that the former sheriff is running against the incumbent.

Unfortunately, Gov. Scott didn't reply to my request for the Appointment of a Special Prosecutor, so I emailed him a copy of my request this morning. I included the following introductory paragraph:


I've had two White Houses and one Vice President personally reply to my letters reporting misconduct and abuse of authority in the past. They replied within two weeks. It's been more than that and Gov. Scott still hasn't expressed any concern whatsoever for the rights of one of his constituents.

Interesting communication that I received this morning from a FL law firm. I had contacted the firm on the suggestion of an organization. Left one message on the answering service that I would call back. When I called back, I spoke to someone that said they would forward my explanation of my situation. When I didn't receive any reply, I completed and submitted an inquiry form that they have on their website. I didn't receive any reply to that, either. So, this morning I submitted another inquiry via their website as to whether or not they're interested in my case. This time one of the partners did reply. He said that I already inquired numerous times (never received a reply), that I had an in person consultation with his partner, and they're not interested and don't know any lawyer that can handle it. He also said to stop contacting them and wished me luck.

However, I did contact him just a short time ago by replying to his email. I told him that if his partner had an in person consultation, it wasn't with me. If his partner met with someone, it was someone masquerading as me. I never met with anyone, discussed details of this matter on the phone, or even went to the city where they're located anytime during the past several months.

Police Cameras Ouside Your Door[/b][b]How about in your backyard?

Good to see you back, Joe, we've missed you.

There are surveillance cameras all over my neighborhood. Camouflaged and strapped to trees. Most are trained on wildlife feeders but a few are located to keep us informed of the comings and goings in the neighborhood.
Big Brother is being watched too.

New York has them on practically every street corner. Big Brother has been watching for a long time. That's not to mention the FBI and the NSA monitoring email, phone calls, text, twitter...
I always wondered if there was any real legal fight that could be won against this type of surveillance.

Los Angeles Times

I think the SC has been complicit with the government in their effort to maintain opacity from public scrutiny.

It figures!!

I remember reading about how the authorities concealed some video surveillance cameras on the light posts and elsewhere in Miami a number of years ago and the people rioted and destroyed the ones that they could find, which ended that experiment then. If Big Brother, or even his little brother in the local police force, wants to monitor any aspect of your life, they will. The so-called "war of drugs" was the initial excuse. Many years ago I wrote that the recently introduced "Patriot Act" just legalized what the government had been doing all along. In theory, there are legal remedies. In theory.

Is this the same court that made a corporation a person? How about some court ruling that banks and other financial institutions can use depositors' accounts as collateral? Hey, didn't the "Honorable" Jon Corzine at IMF dip into some segregated depositor's accounts and "liberate" their money for his own gamblinginvesting? He misplaced over a billion in private depositor accounts and can't find it.

The powers that be will always find a justification for spying on their own citizens. And if they can do it out in the open so much the better, it reduces the risk of legal challenge.
The sooner people realize that we are already living in a police state, the easier it will be to create a truly popular reaction against this.
Obviously, that's a lot easier said than done.

'
I think personal privacy is a lost cause in modern society. I think, rather, that one's efforts should be put to ensuring that the big wigs get spied upon just as much, or more, than the little people.
Let's see how our "respected leaders" like that!! ·

Personally, I am all for everybody being scanned, photographed, recorded, televised and put on the internet, all the time, 24 hours a day.

It might be a little disconcerting at first, but I think we would wind up with a healthier, happier, better society -- with a lot fewer hang-ups and much less insanity.

Too much information for the humanoid brain. Likely to cause a short circuit... Which, of course, could well be an interesting outcome.

'

Naah -- everybody would soon become bored with most of it and go on to things more interesting.

Just think how boring most porn is, now that it is so readily available.

Essentially the reason for the spying is command and control fueled by fear, loathing, distrust, and paranoia. TPTB send out their minions (mandarin class)much in the manner as the King's men performed kingly functions that were beneath their Sire. We're becoming 3 classes: the elite, mandarin class (officialdom),and serfs in a hi-tech new feudalism. You're right about doing it (spying)in the open. As you know, they just "legalize" it. We've been a police state for quite some time. Even some police officers don't realize the extent. The Patriot Act(s)just "legalized" what they've been doing for years. The NDAA was the last nail in the coffin.

The "big wigs" spy on each other, especially when one becomes a loose cannon. Remember Eliot Spitzer? He went after Wall Street. Some time later, "they" went after him. Picked him up and leaked an indiscretion- going to high priced hooker, which he paid for out his own pocket and didn't put her on the payroll like a lot of them do. They "investigated" him under provisions of the Patriot Act and then leaked some detail to ruin him politically, It worked. In most instances all it takes is a story that some politician is being investigated, hyped by a compliant media/hack, to ruin a political career.

As a result of those recording devices this fellow nearly had his life ruined after being falsely accused.




Man Falsely Accused

'
Check out Orwell's 1984 (or rather, 1948) : Inner Party, Outer Party, Proles.

That's the truth.

I'd guess (without seeing the video)that Vanderwoude looked enough like the guy for the cops (whom I'd guess were being pressured to arrest someone)to pick him up. I don't understand why the police wouldn't investigate his alibi, unless there was so much pressure on them that they didn't care. There are a lot of problems, despite this "seemingly" incontrovertible evidence, with these devices, as well as anonymous tips, especially in a "snitch" culture.

It's almost as though Orwell's 1984 served as a blue print.

Actually, Joe, that was precisely my point. This type of "evidence" could easily be used for nefarious purposes and be sold to the public as "incontrovertible". One could easily frame others and eliminate opposition or quash dissent based on bogus evidence from these devices.
In other words, I guess my concern goes beyond just the loss of privacy to more devious uses by the powers that be. It would not come as a surprise, at least not to me.

I realize that. I was just agreeing with you. And I agree with you there as well. I've known people who have "caught" the police doctoring tapes/videos.

I know you were
I was reiterating for the benefit of a colleague who sent a PM questioning how these devices could be used for "crooked" purposes.

[b]Court OKs warrantless use of hidden surveillance cameras[/b]
They've been doing it for years. The court decision just makes it "legal." The next step is to allow accompanying audio, because "open fields" can be searched. Your home will be next. They've used surveillance devices- which can "bug" 20+ acres- installed on utility poles sans any warrant for years in rural areas.

[b]MTA recording bus conversations to eavesdrop on trouble[/b] The MTA just had to flip on the audio switch on the cameras already mounted in the buses. Will the accompanying audio deter crime anymore than the existing cameras? If the UK is any example, probably not. Will the passengers feel any safer? Probably until the next violent incident. Will the cameras help the authorities identify suspects? Yes, assuming some citizen identifies the suspects in the footage released to the public. Will the audio/video cameras make the buses safer? Hopefully. How about the airports, bus stations, rail road stations, or even street corners? How about your back yard?

So that's what those guys in the van are doing in my backyard? Hope they like what they hear, because I don't.

For some reason, "they" seem to prefer white vans. If you happen to notice a logo or company name on the van's side, it probably will be for some "Pest Control" service- funny in a sick sort of way- and you're on their "agenda."

Yup, you got it - it says Rats 'r Us and it is white with D.C. plates. They are way out of their neighborhood!

[b]Ninth Circuit Gives the A-OK For Warrantless Home Video Surveillance[/b]

Why am I not surprised...

[b]Congressional Testimony: Joe Keegan to Bill Windsor of Lawless America[/b]

Tell 'em Joe!

I will.

Nicely done Joe! Who knows, you might bring back the 4th and 6th Amendments. If you do, I'm bringing the champers.

Thank you, Lillibet. Hopefully, Congress brings back the 4th and 6th Amendments. Right now they are not doing their job. Many Americans are concerned with judicial and government corruption and abuse. [b]Here's one story that might interest you.[/b]

Here's another.

Since I first posted a link to [b]Congressional Testimony: Joe Keegan to Bill Windsor of Lawless America[/b],this thread received over 1500 views. YouTube, however, reflects only 79 views. Is YouTube suppressing the number of views to videos posted by Lawless America or did I somehow link to YouTube in a manner that wouldn't correctly reflect the number of views to my testimony? Assuming that at least 25% of those who viewed this thread clicked on the link provided, then you would expect at least 375 views. Is it possible that YouTube is suppressing the number of views to Lawless America videos or did I incorrectly link to my video?

[b]"...wrong doing..."[/b]

Since I first posted a link to [b]Congressional Testimony: Joe Keegan to Bill Windsor of Lawless America[/b],this thread received over 4,000 views. YouTube, however, reflects only 113 views. I guess it's too much trouble for the viewers to click on the link. Obviously, if any staffer even looks at the videos, he/she will skip over the low count ones.

[b]Americans Are The Most Spied On People In World History[/b]

'
Americans Are The Most Spied On People In World History

emphases added

Get out of the way, Gestapo, NKVD, KGB, Stasi !!! You two-bit small-fry were laughably no-account!! You ain't seen nuthin' in the way of monolithic Totalitarianism until the mighty USA came to town !!!

They'd be jealous. It's all about command and control- and they've got it. It's silly to believe that the boys (and girls)have these toys and will not abuse them.

[b]Congressional Testimony: Joe Keegan to Bill Windsor of Lawless America[/b]

It's been almost a month since I first posted [b]Congressional Testimony: Joe Keegan to Bill Windsor of Lawless America[/b] and there's been only 187 YouTube views, although this thread has been viewed well over 8k times. Okay. I realize that this issue isn't important enough in peoples' personal lives to even bother to click on the link, but it will be. I wonder if anyone clicked on the link that I posted on my blog or any other links that people posted on their blogs? Guess not. No one cares about privacy or "rights," unless its their own.

The average American could care less about anything that doesn't directly affect them, and then the learning curve increases exponentially. I suspect that we're all in for an increased education before too much longer. btw- it's not a "police state." It's a military/police state, which is more effective.

Indeed, Joe

Thanks. I try to be human. I think that you are, too.

'

It is no longer sufficient to be merely human.
To survive, people need to become numan (New Man). · ·

I try!

This thread has received over 11,500 views since I first posted a link to [b]Congressional Testimony: Joe Keegan to Bill Windsor of Lawless America[/b] one month ago. However, YouTube reflects only 212 views. Glitch? I don't know, but it seems strange.

Police Riot Squads to attend Lawless America Meet Me in DC event[/b] I wonder if the [b]Washington Post, Washington Times, or any other main stream media will also attend the event?

[b]Congressional Testimony: Joe Keegan to Bill Windsor of Lawless America[/b]

I wonder who the REAL terrorists are?

A picture is worth a thousand words.

The Freedom of Unwarranted Surveillance Act-SB 92- passed the Florida State Senate Criminal Justice Committee and the next next Committee stop will be the Judiciary Committee. SB 92 is sponsored by Senator Joe Negron and would prohibit any law enforcement agency from using unmanned drones to gather evidence or other information with the exception of countering a high risk of a terrorist attack. SB 92 also prohibits the use of any evidence to be used in a court of law in violation of this law.

Last Friday I emailed links and/or the YouTube video itself to each member of the Judiciary Committee, as well as Senator Joe Negron. I received automatic confirmations of receipt of my emails from 4 of the Judiciary Committee members. I didn't receive any acknowledgement from the others. In my emails I encouraged the Senators to support SB 92 and to please take the 3 minutes to view the video. Drones aren't the only threat to privacy.

That's me in Tallahassee shortly before Bill Windsor filmed my testimony for Lawless America.

Bill's on my right.

Last Friday, January 25,2013, at 12:25 pm the Chipley paper posted Legislative Delegation to Hold Public Hearings in Holmes and Washington County[/b]. Yesterday, Tuesday, January 29, 2013, I appeared before the delegation, consisting of my state senator and representative,presented both with copies of SB 92 and HB 119, and a transcript of my [b]Lawless America video . I previously had emailed Congressional Testimony: Joe Keegan to Bill Windsor of Lawless America[/b] to both, as well as number of Florida State Senators.

I read the following from a prepared script to the group:

Nobodies will be Somebodies at M... agree to meet - February 5-6, 2013

This thread has received almost 20,000 views since I first posted a link to [b]Congressional Testimony: Joe Keegan to Bill Windsor of Lawless America.[/b] However, YouTube reflects only 342 views. I hope that low number doesn't marginalize me.

I emailed every Florida state Senator encouraging them to support Senator Joe Negron's SB 92- "Freedom of Unwanted Surveillance Act" in the 2013 Legislative Session, which prohibits any law enforcement agency from using unmanned drones to gather evidence or other information with the exception of countering a high risk of a terrorist attack. SB 92 also prohibits the use of any evidence to be used in a court of law in violation of this law. I told them that SB 92 is an important and necessary bill not only to insure the right of Florida citizens to be let alone, but also to prevent any “Law enforcement agency” from going on “fishing trips” for any code or regulatory violations as a means to generate revenue in difficult times. I also sent my Lawless America Congressional Testimony video as an example of how hi-tech surveillance can and will be abused by law enforcement if not subject to effective oversight.

BILL WINDSOR WAS AWARDED A SPECIAL PRESIDENTIAL AWARD.

Bill was presented with a letter and "Call to Service" award signed by President Obama.

The Holmes County Times-Advertiser, Feb. 6, 2013, misquoted me. On page A2, they wrote: "I would like to improve the support of the freedom on unwarranted surveillance act," Kegan said. "It is a bill to protect the individual privacy against unwarranted government intrusion through the use of unmanned aerial vehicles commonly called drones, and for other purposes."

Considering the meeting was filmed and recorded, I'm surprised that they misquoted. I was going to give the reporter a copy of what I read, but I felt that it would be unnecessary. I was wrong. I emailed the paper this morning requesting that they correct the misquote and print what I actually read to the Congressional Delegation meeting. My email follows:

I also emailed the editor my Lawless America video with this message:

Joe
I appreciate your concerns. But I wonder if it is really possible to put the toothpaste back in the tube, or for that matter, to keep the remaining tooth paste in the tube.

As far as I know, the nsa already is scanning our emails, despite apparent legal prohibitions.

Drones in all of their incarnations open up a "brave new world." Our government has them, other governments are having them. And the is not reason that corporations or private investigators or security services will not have them.

Someday, it seems inevitable that we will be attacked by drones... and perhaps the president will be assassinated. Pandora's box has been opened and no one has much clue about what will come out.

Following the State Congressional Delegation meeting on Jan. 29. 2012, Senator Don Gaetz offered offered to meet with any constituent privately to discuss their concerns. I emailed the Senator's office. His legislative assistant said that she spoke to the Senator and is arranging an appointment. The subject will be illegal law enforcement surveillance, accountability, and effective oversight.

Bill Windsor of Lawless America photographed two Secret Service agents that were hiding in the back row in the theater at the Capitol where he and others spoke. Bill went up there,photographed them, handed them his business card and invited them to join the rest of the audience. Hmmm, I wonder what they were doing there? After a few drinks stumbled into the room looking for hookers? No, can't be. From what I've read, they order in- and don't tip very well, either.

Why Police Lie Under Oath Would they lie to keep their job or pension?

This past Tuesday,I emailed the following message to the Sheriff:


Not. The Sheriff still hasn't replied to either my Florida Public Records Request or my follow-up email.

That's a great system they've got going there in NYC, Joe. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[b]Supreme Court throws out challenge to surveillance law[/b]

[b]What's That Thing Hanging Outside My Bathroom Window?[/b]

And the last thing I got before the picture turned to static was:

[b]DHS built domestic surveillance tech into Predator drones[/b]

As of this posting, 404 YouTube views.

Good job, Joe!

I think your cause may be hopeless but I applaud your efforts nonetheless.

You may be right.

Doesn't matter a whit whether I'm right or wrong.
It's your fight and you believe in it.
You know what they say...
"Never let the bastards grind you down."

I don't have much of a choice. It's more complicated than it appears. I am just ahead of the curve as to what awaits Americans. It's a brave new world not to the happiness and welfare of the average American.

[b]Bills Would Mandate Warrant for GPS Tracking[/b]

SB 92:Searches and Seizures

So it is OK to use a spotter airplane so long as it has a human in it, but not all right to use a drone?

Joe, have you read the text of this bill? It carves out enough exceptions to make it nothing but a show-the-Florida-Flag to the voters.

And the bit about using the bill to authorize people to file a lawsuit to prevent someone from using a drone? Piffle. Just piffle. You must file a lawsuit AFTER someone has done something. Not to prevent them.

Example:

You are growing "hemp" on your Panhandle property, and you want to prevent flyovers by drones. So you go into court and ask that the authorities be enjoined from flying over your marijuana crop. Let me know how well that works out for you. Not just you: Joe, but anyone.

Ted, are you still arguing that the NDAA doesn't apply to Americans?

Joe, are you next going to bring up yet again your perception that the Federal Reserve is not an agency of the Government? What does the NDAA have to do with a flawed Florida law about drones, anyway?about

piffle

Thank you for your insightful comment.

[b]Idaho restricts drone use by police agencies amid privacy concerns[/b]

[b]Legislation to Protect Floridians from Drone Surveillance Becomes Law[/b]

This morning I emailed my Lawless America Congressional Testimony video in response to an opinion piece entitled "Eyes On Privacy" to "letters" at the Panama City News Herald with the message:

They are commin' to a gitcha Joe. It’s been confirmed in the news- just today!

But I wonder-with all of your paranoia and web and letter writing presence-why haven’t they gotten you yet?

Ken, why don't you ask them?

I'd guess Ken did just ask them, merely by posting...

You got it!

Good one Joe! I’m on that plan.

Wait a minnit. Gotta go answer that knock on my door. I get back at ya shortly.

Ken, you ask "them" yet?

Sure did. The nice gentlemen at the door this morning told me a FEMA camp is in my future. I replied “I like camping”.

seems appropriate

Ken, why don't you ask them?

Many years ago the company I worked for was about to make some dramatic middle management changes and three post age 50 types fell victim to this sudden purge. Gone on Friday and youthful replacements in the office on Monday. Of course the replacements had lower salaries and a different title but the move was obvious. They sued. But after a few months their lawyers felt the case would be sketchy at best.

Since I worked with payroll and had access to some information that could be of great help such as job descriptions, Total personnel files (including confidential memo's) and personnel action forms I made copies and funneled the information to the victims who were eventually rewarded with a nice settlement. All they ever knew was what was sent and not who sent it (Moi). Totally anonymous on my part.

This was - IMO - a fairly cut and dry situation. It was obvious that valued employees were being jettisoned simple over age. I doubt any would disagree.

Now the current espionage on civilian population appear to be a grey area. One part of me buys into the whole national security but the part that does not is the one that says just how far will they go? Just how much do I trust government? I'm cynical enough to say "very little" and I would do as Snowden did.

There are a lot of decent people in the world. Doing a good deed anonymously is doing a good deed. I prefer discretion myself, but sometimes it isn't an option. I've always emphasized discretion and anonymity. However, sometimes the only choices are either to keep quiet or get another job. Snowden knew that he'd be tracked down as the source of the leak before too long and leaked the info anyway, which was one monumental sacrifice and act of courage! At any rate, his life is over. He knew what he was doing, because it troubled him enough to do it. God bless him! I just hope that it's not a waste of a life.

Complete surveillance of Americans isn't a power or control that should be allowed to government. It's not about keeping us "safe," but rather complete control. The way America is headed in our not too distant dystopian future is that a cop sitting in his/her squad car (or helicopter) will be able to pull up any citizen's records, traffic, criminal, medical, financial, educational, etc. from some massive data base. What pisses off the rest of the world is not only the US being privy to state secrets, but also industrial espionage.

[b]Want to See Your NSA or FBI File? Here's How...[/b] Put you on another list.

Joe:

What did he promise in that clip? He said no wiretapping, no tracking citizens because of their protesting a war, no more national security letters to spy on people who are not suspected of a crime, no more ignoring the law when it is inconvenient.

Show me what the current administration has done that is in contravention of those promises.

The term big Brother is watching has implications. The implications are from the book 1984. The implications are that big brother is not only watching he's doing something about it. He is disapproving of your behavior.

But in order for this analogy makes sense I think there has to be a connection between whatever watching is being done and some sort of social or political manipulation. And that is my primary disagreement.

Yes there are security cameras perhaps all over the place and they're watching/recording I suppose. And there are databases of what number has called what other number. B

But what are they actually doing to shape or judge my life?

Conceptually such systems could be the basis for some sort of big brother type of program... some program that intends to modify peoples believes behaviors and expressions.

But to me that it's not what I see being done What I see is that for instance with occupy Wall Street people went out on the street to make their point. Tea parties have rallies they do whatever they want to do to express their opinion. People are on the street expressing their opinions about all sorts of stuff... Both publicly and privately. There is no shortage at all of people expressing negative opinions about Obama... And they do not seem to disappear or suffer consequences.

I do not see big brother programs that are altering peoples freedom or restricting the way that people behave. And in fact if these so-called big brother programs were indeed as effective as apparently proposed, why don't they stop drug trafficking. Why don't they stop rape. Why don't they stop gun trafficking. Why are law enforcement agencies surprised by mass murderers that they have bugged and monitored for every instant of their lives?

There's all manner of things that theoretically could be easily controlled if we really did have some sort of all-knowing big brother society, keeping track of everything everyone does. But instead of knowing all this stuff ahead of time, Law enforcement seems only to find out after the fact, and even has a hard time figuring out who did what. How is this possible if they are intruding into every waking moment of each of our lives?

But that said I don't see people being inhibited in a particular way by this so-called big brother society we live in. I don't see that the so called security state is causing people to live their lives differently, I don't see that people feel a lack of freedom to express themselves. I do not see a reluctance to criticize the administration.

SO what the heck? If we live in this tremendously intrusive security state.... How come they seem so very inefficient in doing all the social structuring that is associated with the book 1984? How is it that people on this forum free to openly speak out against the administration?

It seems to me that in order to have a 1984 type scenario, there has to be more than databases, more than cameras.... there has to be verifiable evidence that people are being repressed in their thoughts, expressions and actions. And I just do not see that.

Should there be a law forbidding banks to install security cameras?

How about a federal law that makes it illegal for cities to install traffic camera's?

Where has the NSA installed cameras? How about the FBI, or the CIA?

What did Snowden reveal about government installed cameras?

[b]Civil liberties: surveillance and the state[/b]

This dynamic is apparent in many fields... bio-technology, economics, the internet itself.

We do not---and fundamentally cannot know the extended impact of such sorts of social, scientific, and technical re-structuring.

Humanity has and extensive record of incorporating such changes. It was a big change to move from hunter gatherer to farmers. Introducing mechanical power and industrialized production was a big deal. Moving to cars was big. Mechanized farming has wrought enormous changes.

No one has ever planned what our future will be like. Those who have tried such plans have consistently failed.

And, no one has been able to freeze society to avoid changes whose impact they feared.

Historically, changes have happened at a slower pace. This has given humans more time to adapt to those changes.

The current pace of change seems extraordinary, and the rate of change is accelerating.

It seems inevitable that catastrophes will arise. But I am skeptical that these catastrophes can be anticipated or prevented.

My own view is that concerns about personal privacy are overblown.

I think that our "privacy" far exceeds that of our forebears. FOr instance I have much more privacy than someone living in a native american village.... or similar sorts of "primitive" human groupings. If you have ever lived in a small town, you would understand that technology is not required to significantly erase privacy.

In my view, the "privacy" we have achieved in our modern world has turned people into isolated and anonymous actors. We have shifted away from cohesive social units. The resulting personal anonymity has removed social pressure to participate in collective efforts; it has removed that stigma associated with anti-social behavior.

In the "old days".... it would be very dangerous for a person to commit a crime. If anyone saw you, they would know who you are and where to find you. In that circumstance, security cameras would be unnecessary. But what we now are considering as "privacy" would not exist, with or without security cameras. When you live in a village, no one needs exotic electronic surveillance to know what you are up to.

IMO the debate about privacy is an extension of the political/social debate about the fundamental nature of the human being. The Randian/Libertarian perspective (as I understand it) is that our ideal nature is perfectly individual and self interested. Such an individual would be concerned to maintain maximum separation (privacy) from others.

I do not think that conception of humanity corresponds to our evolutionary nature. It does not correspond to our social evolution. It does not correspond to the natural way of life of any of our near relatives in the animal kingdom.

FOr this reason I find the aspiration to an idealized perfect privacy to be misdirected.

Ardy, I'm neither an intellectual nor philosopher. I'm more of a nuts 'n bolts type guy. All I want to do is get some illegal operating and installed surveillance devices removed- serial #'s and inventoried . Years ago I sued some federal agents. A federal criminal investigator "investigated" my charges and charged me with USC 1001. I charged him with that and more, but I learned the hard- and expensive way- that it doesn't work that way. I have no intention of retrying lost cases. At the time, I had suspicions that the government tampered with my first set and then second set of lawyers. I was forced to proceed pro se. I'm not into playing lawyer. However, I had no alternative. After I deposed the VP and General Counsel, among corp. others,they testified that never heard of this criminal investigator, who was subsequently promoted. The point is that not only did this CI fabricate the charges, he also fabricated his report charging with criminal violations. My goal is to get some illegal surveillance devices, which 3 experts verified but refused to supply their reports, removed. Does that seem unreasonable? Joe

Stop Watching Us

Earlier a Ranter asked, “-why haven’t they gotten you yet?” That’s a good question, but more apropos: “Why haven’t they arrested you yet?” They don’t want to hurt my feelings? I filed a number of reports against individual law enforcement officers, and public officials charging them with specific crimes. Incidentally, the cops arrest you for filing false reports. So why haven’t “they” arrested me yet? At any rate, earlier this week I had the privilege of meeting with President of the Florida Senate Don Gaetz and requested that the Florida Senate investigate my charges and allow me to testify before them regarding illegal electronic surveillance and unaccountability by Florida law enforcement. If allowed to testify, I’ll answer the question why the police haven’t arrested me yet for filing “false reports.”

[b]Keep on double clicking on any face in the crowd[/b] Here's looking at ya!

Another intrusive action by big brother. When are we going to learn? When are we going to stop these unconstitutional and immoral actions? The end is near, I'm telling you! Pretty soon criminals will not even be able to flee with impunity. The horror! The horror!


Source

NSA Admits: Okay, Okay, There Ha..., Including Spying On Love Interests The boys (and girls)have the "toys" and they will use and abuse them. Congress isn't doing it's job.

I just started a petition on the White House petitions site, We the
People. Will you sign it? http://wh.gov/l4ag0

I sent FL Gov. Rick Scott a letter last month requesting the appointment of a special prosecutor (outside the 14th Judicial District)to investigate charges of illegal surveillance by law enforcement and to investigate State Attorney Glenn Hess' failure to respond to a FL Public Record Request (a criminal offense). I also sent copies of my letter to each member of the FL Senate. Only one replied. Senator Joe Negron said that he forwarded my correspondence to my own senator, Don Gaetz. I had also sent a copy of my letter to Gaetz, but he didn't reply. After 3 weeks when the Governor still hadn't replied, I requested Sen. Gaetz's office to ask the governor on my behalf why he hadn't replied to my letter. They agreed. After a few weeks passed, I contacted Sen. Gaetz's office for an update. They supposedly hadn't asked the Gov. yet and stopped replying to my inquiries.

Both Gov. Scott and Sen. Gaetz are purportedly constitutional, rule of law, and transparency in government believing conservatives. I think not. It's just political shtick. So I petitioned the White House to ask FL Gov Scott why he didn't reply to my letter, because that's what it will take. You'd think a simple yes or no wouldn't be so hard to get.

A legislative aid to FL Senator Don Gaetz explained to me some weeks ago that the reason FL Gov. Scott didn't get back to me is because he receives a lot of mail. I wrote back that two former US Presidents found me quite credible and responded to my letters within less than two weeks. I'll guess that the White House receives at least as much mail as the governor's office.

What follows is an excerpt from my letter to Gov. Scott, which he still hasn't replied to:

A corollary: If you're not guilty of anything, then you wouldn't object to a little torture to prove it.

huh?

Ardy, let me help you understand this concept. It's somewhat sardonic. What it means is simply that you don't mind anyone invading your privacy anytime and anywhere because your life is an "open book" available to anyone for review, and the corollary is that if you're not guilty of anything, then you don't mind a little torture , er, "enhanced interrogation" to prove that you're not guilty. Do you now understand? If you do, then please answer my huh? that I asked at your republic vs. democracy thread. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery or else lack of understanding. Your choice. Thanks.

Joe:

That's a classic non sequitur.

sequitur?.... sequitur????
we don't need no steenking sequiturs

Joe
I said "huh" because in my experience you seldom read or consider anything that disagrees with your opinion. Therefore it is pointless to say much more than you would say "huh"

That said....
the video that you posted is a slick piece of drivel IMO

A guy on the street asks for someone's face book log in or bank account information. And then posits the dangers of letting government employees and contractors have access to that private information.

So.... consider the following. If you haVE A FACEBOOK ACCOUNT, someone somewhere will have records and access to that information. And if a nefarious hacker really wanted to get that information, chances are that he would be able to discover a way to do so. So I really do not see the added protection that you are advocating by protecting us from rogue government employees. The simple fact is that the only way to keep your Facebook information secure is to not have a Facebook account.... if that concerns you.

If you open a bank account, the person sitting behnd the desk has access to all of your inforrmation. And all of the Snowden imitators that work at the Bank IT department also have this access. And, to a large degree, banks sell all of this information to those who are willing to pay for it. If you do not like this arrangement... do not open a bank account.


If you simply live your life as a colonial american might.... you will have very nearly the same privacy that he would have had. You will have no bank accounts, no Facebook accounts, no google trails, no phone logs.

If all that stuff in a government database concerns you..... take personal responsibility for protecting the privacy that seems to so concern you. It is not a matter of impossibility for you to do this. It is a simple matter of inconvenience.

There are innumerable ways to protect your privacy. This ia all publicly available information. Criminals do this already, as do the terrorists. They bear the inconvenience because privacy is worth the price to them. What is it worth to you Joe?

By the way Joe, I suggest that you familiarize yourself with the Indian outsourcing business. Practically every large corporation has significantly outsourced large amounts of their IT work to these off shore organizations. They have people who are more sly and brilliant than snowden. These people will have access to all of the personal information that you hold so dear.

Beyond that, these Indian programmers also write much of the software that runs the computer systems. SOP it would be trivial for them to install some sort of backdoor access during the develpment provcess. So once agian you got people with access to your private data,

And only recently we have learned that the Syrian Army has hacked the web site of the NY times. The Chines army has hacked into most aspects of our coporations and national security apperatus. Russian mofia hackers are apparently quite talented to get what they want ... with few scruples.

I am not sure what "privacy" that you think you have, but IMO that idea is a delusional what ever happens with NSA databases.

But, you can take steps to protect yourself, I hear that the first and most important step is to start wearing a tin hat.... just in case the government has figured aout a way to tap directly into your brain.

And, as far as torture is concerned.... if the Mexican drug lords wanted to extract any information from you.... they could find you and use their own brand of "enhanced interrogation"

so once again I am not sure how much added protection you will get from protecting yourself from the possibility that the NSA might have torture on their agenda for you.

Let us consider the case of Osama bin laden

Why did it take so long to find him?
Probably because he took extraordinary efforts to protect his privacy

Why was he eventually found?
Because if you invest enough resources.
You can find almost anyone

I am not safe from torture of the FBI or Mexican drug lords because of any legal protection. I am safe by being so innocuous that no one really cares to find me.

And my guess is that joe Keegan will live out his life without being tortured by the us government for similar reasons. His main protection from the government is that he is inconsequential, rather than any sort of legal process that he may wish were in place to protect him. If a powerful person is determined to screw with you, the law is not much help even in the best case

wow

[b]Ex-FBI lawyer linked to surveillance abuses poised for federal judge post[/b]
2nd Circuit. Seems appropriate. Wonder how much longer before an Appellate Court nomination? Supreme Court?

Oopsie.

...as Naomi Wolf stated on Lew Rockwell:

Indeed. When did We The People™ become terrorists in our government's eyes?

Under the guise of a War on Terrorism, and with our tax dollars, politicians started wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, which led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians, and disfigured many; started quasi-wars in Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia and Libya, where unmanned aerial drones continue to terrorize local populaces; spied on its own citizens through illegal, warrantless eavesdropping of emails and phone calls; assassinated or indefinitely detained foreigners without due process, while claiming the right to do the same to American citizens; and militarized and federalized local police that are increasingly resorting to extremely violent tactics against non-violent citizens, such as Occupy Wall Street.

FL Gov. Rick Scott never replied to my letter. FL Sen. Don Gaetz’s office not only reneged on their promise to ask Gov. Scott why he still hadn’t replied, but also stopped replying to any further inquiries. I sent FL Attorney General Bondi’s office an email about 2 weeks ago asking who is the chief law enforcement officer in Florida. Someone’s got to be in charge and accountable, right? Her office still hasn’t replied. I know that the top cop is the FDLE Commissioner, but who’s his boss? When the people entrusted to enforce the law do whatever they want, including covering up, there is no rule of law. Who do the above public servants think that they are anyway? The NSA?

Another excerpt from my letter to Gov. Scott requesting the appointment of a special prosecutor.


Although 3.5 lbs. of meth goes "poof," the FDLE never officially investigated its "disappearance." A retired FDLE Agent asked me, "Why is this still going on?" Good question. One that I'd like Gov. Scott to answer.

[b]This is What Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia Thinks About Your Privacy Rights…[/b]
Governor Scott apparently believes that general right of privacy blah blahs do not extend to your personal residence in Florida.

[b]Dianne Feinstein Accidentally Confirms That NSA Tapped The Internet Backbone[/b]

[b]How the NDAA Directly Threatens Average Americans, and How You Can Take Action Now[/b]
"They" just wrote the law. Of course, they won't do that or shut off cell phones or the internet. Hey, the economy is recovering. Hey, what are "hostilities?" A nasty email?

[b]N.S.A. Gathers Data on Social Connections of U.S. Citizens [/b]

If you don't hear any sound, check the speaker icon on the YouTube video player. If you see an "X" it's on "Mute". Clicking the X, or dragging the Volume Slider with your mouse will un-mute the sound for YouTube videos.

Why did Snowden go to Greenwald and not the NYT, Washington Post, Senators McCann, Graham, Feinstein, Congressman Pelosi, ACLU, or NSA IG? That's a rhetorical question.

[b]The latest step in the evolution of America’s police state[/b]

1. What does this foreigner's supposed plight have to do with American citizens' expressing their views?

2. Do we know why he was denied access to a flight or are we making guesses?

Q&A

[b]Snowden: ‘US Spying Defines Our Humanty’[/b]

[b]Glenn Greenwald Leaving the Guardian[/b]

[b]Glenn Greenwald leaves the Guardian, takes Snowden's leaks with him[/b]

Dianne Feinstein's Bragging Abou...n It Being Declared Unconstitutional

[b]Mozilla's Lightbeam tool will expose who is looking over your shoulder on the web[/b]

[b]Meet the Private Companies Helping Cops Spy on Protesters[/b]