Dear Friends:
I hope this topic will be of interest to folks on outsports.com. If the postings are too long, I ask that the moderators cut where they feel necessary.
Here is a column about the FBI file on George Bush that I've submitted to
various newspapers, hoping to generate news coverage regarding questions about
his file, and how it has not been released.
After my column is the July 28 letter from the Department of Justice
responding to my FOIA request for the Bush FBI file, which is post on my blog about
this issue: releasebushsfbifile.blogspot.com.
In phone conversations this week with the FBI and DOJ, both agencies
confirmed receiving my appeal. The DOJ has not sent me a written reply to my appeal
because a lawyer has not yet been assigned to review the appeal. I intend to
keep calling Washington, to prod the federal agencies to release Bush's FBI file.
And at the end of this post is the May 5 AP wire story about newly released
pages from FBI files on Kerry and the Vietnam Veterans Against the War. Read it
for background.
Finally, I ask you to share this email with friends and colleagues in the
media. The press, particularly the liberal media, need to pose this question
until the White House answers it.
Where is Bush's FBI file?
Best,
Michael Petrelis
^^^
releasebushsfbifile.blogspot.com
Where is Bush's FBI file?
By Michael Petrelis
2215-R Market Street, #413
SF, CA 94114
Ph: 415-621-627
When it comes to the issue of FBI files on President George W. Bush and
Senator John Kerry, the so-called liberal media have shown unquestionable bias in
only scrutinizing Kerry's dossier and ignoring the possibility of a file on
Bush.
An Associated Press story on May 5 detailed how the wire service got the FBI
to hand over more than 9,000 pages on Kerry's role in Vietnam Veterans Against
the War, by demanding their release under provisions of the Freedom of
Information Act.
"The FBI considered John Kerry a 'glib, cool' spokesman for Vietnam war
protesters," the AP reported.
Kerry's response was succinct and laudable.
"I think it's great [the FBI pages were released]. I'm very proud of my
efforts to end the war. I welcome anybody's perusal of them. I'm proud that I stood
up to Richard Nixon. And you know, I personally have also requested those
documents. So I'm happy to have them out there. It's terrific," Kerry said.
Using the FOIA clause for expediting processing, I requested Bush's FBI file,
assuming there is one. I'd be shocked if there isn't.
I took this action because not only the AP but also every other news report
on Kerry and the veterans' dossiers didn't broach the matter of a Bush file.
The FBI denied fast-tracking my request, placing it in the regular processing
queue. If I'm lucky, this means the agency will likely release Bush's FBI
file at the end of 2005.
There are at least three angles through which the media should look at the
issue of FBI files and the two leading contenders for the White House.
First, if press organizations and their lawyers are going to request and
examine one candidate's FBI files, and I think they should, the same request must
be made for other contender's file, if only to treat the candidates fairly and
equally.
Second, given the context of the AP's filing FOIA requests for Bush's
National Guard records and Kerry's FBI dossier, the question must be raised as to why
the AP, along with other media, have made no apparent effort to use FOIA to
obtain the Bush FBI record.
Third, Bush and his administration could themselves make his FBI file
available to the press and public, generating extensive coverage. Should that occur,
Bush, like Kerry, should "welcome anybody's perusal of" his FBI files.
I've taken an interest in this issue because I'm a gay male voter and news
consumer with a blog in which I have researched political donations from
journalists and media executives to both the Democratic and Republican presidential
candidates and their PACs.
What I've discovered is that among media personalities who have donated, the
money has flowed overwhelmingly to Kerry and the Democratic National
Committee. The contributions from journalists to Kerry lend credence to the
oft-repeated charge the media are biased toward liberals.
But if this bias were genuine, then I would expect the "liberal" media to
jump through high hoops to acquire the FBI file on Bush; however, this has not
yet occurred.
Although the election is little more than a month away, there is still time
enough for the FBI to release Bush's file before America votes, if the
following provision of FOIA is invoked, allowing for expedited processing and release
of files:
"[There is a] matter of widespread and exceptional media interest in which
there exist possible questions about the government's integrity which effect
public confidence."
It wouldn't take much effort to create the exceptional interest necessary,
forcing release of the Bush FBI file, if reporters understood the democratic and
journalistic importance of obtaining the file.
So c'mon, liberal media. Live up to your reputation and ask this question of
the White House: Where's Bush's FBI file?
- - -
U.S. Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Washington, DC 20535-0001
Mr. Michael Petrelis
2215-R Market Street, #413
San Francisco, CA 94114
July 28, 2004
Dear Mr. Petrelis:
This is in response to your Freedom of Information Act request concerning
President George W. Bush, FOIA number 1001866, and Vice President Dick Cheney,
FOIA number 1001868. This response is being made on behalf of the Office of the
Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General and Associate Attorney General.
You have requested expedited processing of your requests pursuant to the
Department's standard permitting expedition for requests involving "[a] matter of
widespread and exceptional media interest in which there exist possible
questions about the government's integrity which affect public confidence," 28
C.F.R. Section 16.5 (d)(1)(iv).
Based on information you have provided, I have determined you have not
demonstrated any particular urgency to inform the public about the subject matter of
your requests beyond the public's right to know about government activity
generally. Accordingly, your request has been placed in our regular processing
queue.
You may administratively appeal the denial of your request for expedited
processing by writing to the Co-Director, Office of Information and Privacy,
United States Department of Justice, Flag Building, Suite 750, Washington, DC
20503-0001, within sixty days from the date of this letter.
Both letter and the envelope should be clearly marked "Freedom of Information
Act Appeal."
Your request has been assigned the numbers above. Please use these numbers in
all correspondence with us.
Sincerely yours,
David M. Hardy
Section Chief
Record/Information Dissemination Section
Records Management Division
[ March 15, 2005, 09:55 PM: Message edited by: MPetrelis ]
Full Version: FOIA Sunshine Week: Where is Bush's FBI file?
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselect.../2004-05-05-ker
ry-vietnam_x.htm
May 5, 2004
FBI file focused on Kerry's anti-war group
WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI considered John Kerry a "glib, cool" spokesman for
Vietnam war protesters when he was attached to an anti-war veterans group, but
the bureau focused on more radical elements of the organization during an
investigation spanning four years, documents show.
In more than 9,000 pages from the early 1970s, the FBI is seen tracking the
protests, manifestos and myriad activities of Vietnam Veterans Against the War,
and concluding that the group took a more extreme turn in the years after
Kerry, now the Democratic presidential candidate, quit it.
FBI files on the organization were released Wednesday in response to a
Freedom of Information Act request by The Associated Press and other news
organizations.
Kerry is accused in the file of little more than charisma.
An FBI summary of the anti-war protests he helped organize in April 1971 says
Kerry, a decorated war hero, "overshadowed" many of the organization's other
leaders and was "a more popular and eloquent figure" than the rest.
"Kerry was glib, cool, and displayed just what the moderate elements wanted
to reflect," the summary says.
Although the FBI was watching Kerry and the other protesters earlier in 1971,
it placed the group under active investigation in August of that year
following reports from many field offices that members were "engaging in illegal and
subversive activities," an FBI memo says. Kerry left the group before the end
of 1971 and was not implicated in violent activities or conspiracies
attributed to other members in the file.
That memo, which does not mention Kerry, says that in 1972, the group "moved
toward increased militant and revolutionary-type activities in addition to
continued cooperation with communist-dominated groups and foreign elements
hostile to the U.S."
By then, Kerry had moved on to an ill-fated run for a seat in Congress.
The FBI memo — the names of the sender and recipient are blacked out —
asserts that the investigation of the group was never directed or influenced by the
Nixon White House. This, despite known efforts by Nixon's aides to discredit
Kerry.
Campaigning Wednesday in Los Angeles, Kerry welcomed the release of the
records.
"I think it's great," he said. "I'm very proud of my efforts to end the war.
I welcome anybody's perusal of them. I'm proud that I stood up to Richard
Nixon. And you know, I personally have also requested those documents. So I'm
happy to have them out there. It's terrific."
Kerry is mentioned only sporadically in the file, most of which covers the
group's activities from 1972 to 1975.
In one document, the FBI field office in Pittsburgh notes that Kerry spoke at
the University of Pittsburgh on Nov. 3, 1971. "The essence of Kerry's speech
was to condemn those who did not get involved in social change," the FBI memo
says. "He urged those present to make a conscientious commitment to end the
war."
An April 12, 1971, FBI memo from Baltimore quotes a confidential source as
saying that Kerry had been telling members of the group that "Congress is
prepared to listen" to their anti-war agenda but cautioned that it was critical that
the coming demonstrations remain nonviolent. Kerry was on the group's
national steering committee at the time.
Another FBI memo describes in detail the medals Kerry won as a Navy
lieutenant in Vietnam and noted he was a Yale graduate who was named class orator in
1966.
In contrast, others members of the group were accused of conspiracy to riot
during the 1972 Republican National Convention, of passing classified
information to a Japanese communist leader, and various acts of violence. A Connecticut
member was arrested with an explosive device en route to a speech given by
Vice President Spiro Agnew.
ry-vietnam_x.htm
May 5, 2004
FBI file focused on Kerry's anti-war group
WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI considered John Kerry a "glib, cool" spokesman for
Vietnam war protesters when he was attached to an anti-war veterans group, but
the bureau focused on more radical elements of the organization during an
investigation spanning four years, documents show.
In more than 9,000 pages from the early 1970s, the FBI is seen tracking the
protests, manifestos and myriad activities of Vietnam Veterans Against the War,
and concluding that the group took a more extreme turn in the years after
Kerry, now the Democratic presidential candidate, quit it.
FBI files on the organization were released Wednesday in response to a
Freedom of Information Act request by The Associated Press and other news
organizations.
Kerry is accused in the file of little more than charisma.
An FBI summary of the anti-war protests he helped organize in April 1971 says
Kerry, a decorated war hero, "overshadowed" many of the organization's other
leaders and was "a more popular and eloquent figure" than the rest.
"Kerry was glib, cool, and displayed just what the moderate elements wanted
to reflect," the summary says.
Although the FBI was watching Kerry and the other protesters earlier in 1971,
it placed the group under active investigation in August of that year
following reports from many field offices that members were "engaging in illegal and
subversive activities," an FBI memo says. Kerry left the group before the end
of 1971 and was not implicated in violent activities or conspiracies
attributed to other members in the file.
That memo, which does not mention Kerry, says that in 1972, the group "moved
toward increased militant and revolutionary-type activities in addition to
continued cooperation with communist-dominated groups and foreign elements
hostile to the U.S."
By then, Kerry had moved on to an ill-fated run for a seat in Congress.
The FBI memo — the names of the sender and recipient are blacked out —
asserts that the investigation of the group was never directed or influenced by the
Nixon White House. This, despite known efforts by Nixon's aides to discredit
Kerry.
Campaigning Wednesday in Los Angeles, Kerry welcomed the release of the
records.
"I think it's great," he said. "I'm very proud of my efforts to end the war.
I welcome anybody's perusal of them. I'm proud that I stood up to Richard
Nixon. And you know, I personally have also requested those documents. So I'm
happy to have them out there. It's terrific."
Kerry is mentioned only sporadically in the file, most of which covers the
group's activities from 1972 to 1975.
In one document, the FBI field office in Pittsburgh notes that Kerry spoke at
the University of Pittsburgh on Nov. 3, 1971. "The essence of Kerry's speech
was to condemn those who did not get involved in social change," the FBI memo
says. "He urged those present to make a conscientious commitment to end the
war."
An April 12, 1971, FBI memo from Baltimore quotes a confidential source as
saying that Kerry had been telling members of the group that "Congress is
prepared to listen" to their anti-war agenda but cautioned that it was critical that
the coming demonstrations remain nonviolent. Kerry was on the group's
national steering committee at the time.
Another FBI memo describes in detail the medals Kerry won as a Navy
lieutenant in Vietnam and noted he was a Yale graduate who was named class orator in
1966.
In contrast, others members of the group were accused of conspiracy to riot
during the 1972 Republican National Convention, of passing classified
information to a Japanese communist leader, and various acts of violence. A Connecticut
member was arrested with an explosive device en route to a speech given by
Vice President Spiro Agnew.
I would sugest that you look into getting "Air America" involved. In case you are unaware of them...
Air America Radio
offering progressive programs mixing provocative conversation, challenging interviews, and biting political satire.
Category: Radio Networks > Air America Radio
www.airamericaradio.com
They have a blog, and several talk radio shows. You may be able to get some traction over there
Best of luck p2
Air America Radio
offering progressive programs mixing provocative conversation, challenging interviews, and biting political satire.
Category: Radio Networks > Air America Radio
www.airamericaradio.com
They have a blog, and several talk radio shows. You may be able to get some traction over there
Best of luck p2
Thanks for the suggestion, p2. I checked out their web site over the weekend and couldn't find any email addresses for the hosts and producers. If you have any emails for them, please share them with me.
And here is an update on my effort to obtain the Bush FBI file.
^^^
http://www.releasebushsfbifile.blogspot.com/
Dear Friends:
Over the weekend I received a reply from the Department of Justice regarding my appeal of the FBI denying me expedited processing for George W. Bush's FBI file. As you can see, DOJ is in no hurry to grant my Freedom of Information Act request for the president's FBI dossier.
It is my understanding, after speaking with both DOJ and the FBI last week, that once an appeal number has been assigned, it means a DOJ lawyer was appointed to handle (thwart?) my appeal.
Of course, my appeal would be moot, if reporters, pundits, media outlets and the voting public created an exceptional reason and interest in the Bush FBI file. I believe with little more than four weeks before the November election, there is ample time to force the FBI, or the White House, to release Bush's records.
In reading news accounts again from the spring about the thousands of pages of FBI files on Sen. John Kerry and his role in Vietnam Veterans Against the War, which are in the public sphere, I am reminded of how unfair and imbalanced the stories were. Not one story raised the topic of Bush's FBI file -- the focus was strictly on Kerry.
How is it Kerry supporters and the Democratic National Committee allowed the press to give Bush a free ride about his FBI dossier? I also wonder why the Associated Press has filed FOIA requests for Bush's National Guard files, and written extensively about them, but the wire service has apparently failed to request whatever the FBI may have on Bush.
In my opinion, Kerry voters and the DNC have an important responsibility to demand media outlets ask for Bush's FBI file.
Finally, my friend Clinton Fein, a San Francisco artist and political activist who operates the fantastic annoy.com web site, has created a great image depicting the unavailability of Bush's FBI file, which accompanies my column, Where is Bush's FBI file?
Cruise on over to http://www.annoy.com/home.html and check out Fein's artistry.
^^^
September 27, 2004
U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Information and Privacy
Flag Building
Washington, DC 20530
Telephone: 202-514-3642
Mr. Michael Petrelis
2215-R Market Street, #413
San Francisco, CA 94114
Re: Request No. 1001866 [My FOIA request for Pres. Bush's FBI file]
Dear Mr. Petrelis:
This is to advise you that your administrative appeal from the action of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on your request for information from the files of the Department of Justice was received by this Office on September 7, 2004.
The Office of Information and Privacy, which has the responsibility of adjudicating such appeals, has a substantial backlog of pending appeals received prior to yours. IN an attempt to afford each appellant equal and impartial treatment, we have adopted a general practice of assigning appeals in the appropriate order of receipt.
Your appeal has been assigned number 04-2795. Please mention this number in any future correspondence to this Office regarding this matter.
We will notify you of the decision on your appeal as soon as we can. The necessity of this delay is regretted and your continuing courtesy is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Priscilla Jones
Administrative Specialist
And here is an update on my effort to obtain the Bush FBI file.
^^^
http://www.releasebushsfbifile.blogspot.com/
Dear Friends:
Over the weekend I received a reply from the Department of Justice regarding my appeal of the FBI denying me expedited processing for George W. Bush's FBI file. As you can see, DOJ is in no hurry to grant my Freedom of Information Act request for the president's FBI dossier.
It is my understanding, after speaking with both DOJ and the FBI last week, that once an appeal number has been assigned, it means a DOJ lawyer was appointed to handle (thwart?) my appeal.
Of course, my appeal would be moot, if reporters, pundits, media outlets and the voting public created an exceptional reason and interest in the Bush FBI file. I believe with little more than four weeks before the November election, there is ample time to force the FBI, or the White House, to release Bush's records.
In reading news accounts again from the spring about the thousands of pages of FBI files on Sen. John Kerry and his role in Vietnam Veterans Against the War, which are in the public sphere, I am reminded of how unfair and imbalanced the stories were. Not one story raised the topic of Bush's FBI file -- the focus was strictly on Kerry.
How is it Kerry supporters and the Democratic National Committee allowed the press to give Bush a free ride about his FBI dossier? I also wonder why the Associated Press has filed FOIA requests for Bush's National Guard files, and written extensively about them, but the wire service has apparently failed to request whatever the FBI may have on Bush.
In my opinion, Kerry voters and the DNC have an important responsibility to demand media outlets ask for Bush's FBI file.
Finally, my friend Clinton Fein, a San Francisco artist and political activist who operates the fantastic annoy.com web site, has created a great image depicting the unavailability of Bush's FBI file, which accompanies my column, Where is Bush's FBI file?
Cruise on over to http://www.annoy.com/home.html and check out Fein's artistry.
^^^
September 27, 2004
U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Information and Privacy
Flag Building
Washington, DC 20530
Telephone: 202-514-3642
Mr. Michael Petrelis
2215-R Market Street, #413
San Francisco, CA 94114
Re: Request No. 1001866 [My FOIA request for Pres. Bush's FBI file]
Dear Mr. Petrelis:
This is to advise you that your administrative appeal from the action of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on your request for information from the files of the Department of Justice was received by this Office on September 7, 2004.
The Office of Information and Privacy, which has the responsibility of adjudicating such appeals, has a substantial backlog of pending appeals received prior to yours. IN an attempt to afford each appellant equal and impartial treatment, we have adopted a general practice of assigning appeals in the appropriate order of receipt.
Your appeal has been assigned number 04-2795. Please mention this number in any future correspondence to this Office regarding this matter.
We will notify you of the decision on your appeal as soon as we can. The necessity of this delay is regretted and your continuing courtesy is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Priscilla Jones
Administrative Specialist
Michael, could you please explain your desire to review George W. Bush's file, or at least have it made accessible under FOI? Are you going to use it for a news article or biographical study, or for some other compelling reason? Just wondering. I agree that it ought to be made available, but I also agree with p2 that you probably will have to find an organization that could make a better case for reviewing it or demonstrate a more compelling reason yourself.
Also, what benefit is there for John Kerry to have *anything* to do with this? His demands for W's files will likely drive off independent voters, as well as some of his current own supporters, who want him to focus on his vision for our future, not George W. Bush's past. It's probably best that he have NOTHING to do with this; he's supported public review of his FBI file, which is a positive act, IMHO, but really it's up to journalists and citizens with a compelling interest to explore issues in W's past, such as his failure to fulfill his Guard duty, or his SEC sanctions, or the drug use/abuse, and so on.
Also, what benefit is there for John Kerry to have *anything* to do with this? His demands for W's files will likely drive off independent voters, as well as some of his current own supporters, who want him to focus on his vision for our future, not George W. Bush's past. It's probably best that he have NOTHING to do with this; he's supported public review of his FBI file, which is a positive act, IMHO, but really it's up to journalists and citizens with a compelling interest to explore issues in W's past, such as his failure to fulfill his Guard duty, or his SEC sanctions, or the drug use/abuse, and so on.
Stonewalling by this Administration??!! What a surprise!! 
>Are you going to use it for a news article or biographical study, or for some other compelling reason? Just wondering.
When the FBI gets around to providing me with the file on Bush, I plan to pass the records along to the media and ask them to write stories about the file.
I am keeping an archive of all the outlets that ran long stories in the spring about Kerry's FBI files, and didn't bother to ask about Bush's file.
If only for balance and fairness, I believe reporters have a duty to apply the same scrutiny to Bush's file as they did to what the agency has on Kerry.
I can see no compelling reason why the Bush FBI should be withheld from the public and press.
When the FBI gets around to providing me with the file on Bush, I plan to pass the records along to the media and ask them to write stories about the file.
I am keeping an archive of all the outlets that ran long stories in the spring about Kerry's FBI files, and didn't bother to ask about Bush's file.
If only for balance and fairness, I believe reporters have a duty to apply the same scrutiny to Bush's file as they did to what the agency has on Kerry.
I can see no compelling reason why the Bush FBI should be withheld from the public and press.
Maybe his FBI file ran away with his National Guard file.
QUOTE
RazorbackTX:
Maybe his FBI file ran away with his National Guard file.
What FBI file and National Guard file? hehehe Maybe his FBI file ran away with his National Guard file.
Hi I went to the home page and copied this.. also you could call in and ask for the shows email
+ Contact Us
7-10PM:
The Majority Report
The New Al Franken CD
There are plenty of options to get in touch with us:
You can:
Call our corporate offices at 1-646-274-4900 or
Send us a regular piece of mail here:
Air America Radio
3 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Or use the form below to send an email
Email Address
Select Issue
Comments:
+ Contact Us
7-10PM:
The Majority Report
The New Al Franken CD
There are plenty of options to get in touch with us:
You can:
Call our corporate offices at 1-646-274-4900 or
Send us a regular piece of mail here:
Air America Radio
3 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Or use the form below to send an email
Email Address
Select Issue
Comments:
How old fashioned, to communicate with the press through the mail or on the phone. Thanks for reminding me, p2, about other ways, other than email, to get in touch with Air America.
First thing in the morning, I will be on the phone to them, collecting some email addresses and contacting producers.
After that, on my way to my morning medical appointment, I will mail several copies of the letters from the FBI, my replies, and select news clippings about Kerry's FBI file, to assorted on-air hosts.
If the issue of Bush's FBI file, and the need to release it before Nov. 2 isn't worthy of discussion on this syndicate, then I don't know what to make of the liberal media.
First thing in the morning, I will be on the phone to them, collecting some email addresses and contacting producers.
After that, on my way to my morning medical appointment, I will mail several copies of the letters from the FBI, my replies, and select news clippings about Kerry's FBI file, to assorted on-air hosts.
If the issue of Bush's FBI file, and the need to release it before Nov. 2 isn't worthy of discussion on this syndicate, then I don't know what to make of the liberal media.
QUOTE
RazorbackTX:
Maybe his FBI file ran away with his National Guard file.
Ask Senatrix Billary! She's the Patron Saint of files lost and suddenly found.Maybe his FBI file ran away with his National Guard file.
Since you're not getting much respect from "the liberal media," why not bring Fox News in on your act? They did a pretty good job picking up on CBS' docugate - and now CBS is picking up the pieces. I've also heard FNC is pretty good at "mixing provocative conversation, challenging interviews, and biting political satire," to produce a brew curiously refreshing from what most are used to swilling.
I thought Faux News was onto the Valerie Plame case, doing really hard investigating to get to the bottom of a FELONIOUS and TREASONOUS action. Just wondering, but have they demanded that the orotund commentator Bob Novak turn over his files and name his source? We are talking about classified national secrets here.
Now now,, how can you compare the missing files on a land deal, and firing of white house staff to the leaking of a undercover CIA agent, during a time of war?
Good luck with the quest!
Good luck with the quest!
http://releasebushsfbifile.blogspot.com/
March 16, 2005
Sunshine Week Coordinators
http://www.sunshineweek.org/
Various News Outlets
Dear Coordinator:
Thank you for organizing Sunshine Week, designed to call public and press attention to the Freedom of Information Act and ways in which citizens and reporters can use FOIA's to gain access to government documents.
I am a blogger who on July 6, 2004, filed a FOIA request with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the agency's files on President George Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. I created a blog just for the correspondence between the FBI and myself, and news accounts of my efforts to obtain the dossiers on Bush and Cheney.
FOIA allows for expedited processing of requests when there is widespread media interest or a matter of crucial national importance, such as a presidential election, so I asked the FBI to make a speedy release of the files requested, but, my expedited appeal was denied.
The full text of the FBI's denial for expediting is attached below.
The progressive online news service RawStory.com reported back on October 19, 2004, that the "FBI confirmed to RAW STORY today that it had received Petrelis’ request July 28. In their letter denying an expedited release, the bureau said that the request had been placed in their regular processing queue."
RawStory discovered an interesting fact about the number of reporters who've asked for these records.
"Debbie Beatty, who works in the Historical and Executive Review Unit at the FBI and spoke for the FOIA office, stated the request was in the queue. She said that to her knowledge, no other media organization has requested Bush’s file. 'Not that I’m aware of,' Beatty said. 'I supervise all incoming mail.'"
My request to you today is to have news editors, reporters familiar with FOIA and the FBI, and news bloggers ask the FBI this question:
When will the FBI meet the full provisions of FOIA and provide its files on Bush and Cheney available to the press and public?
During this inaugural Sunshine Week, please consider writing about the president's and the vice president's FBI files, how they've not yet been released, yet thousands of pages from Sen. John Kerry's records were long ago released under FOIA.
For the history on my FBI FOIA request, please visit http://releasebushsfbifile.blogspot.com/.
Sincerely,
Michael Petrelis
San Francisco, CA
Ph: 415-621-6267
March 16, 2005
Sunshine Week Coordinators
http://www.sunshineweek.org/
Various News Outlets
Dear Coordinator:
Thank you for organizing Sunshine Week, designed to call public and press attention to the Freedom of Information Act and ways in which citizens and reporters can use FOIA's to gain access to government documents.
I am a blogger who on July 6, 2004, filed a FOIA request with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the agency's files on President George Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. I created a blog just for the correspondence between the FBI and myself, and news accounts of my efforts to obtain the dossiers on Bush and Cheney.
FOIA allows for expedited processing of requests when there is widespread media interest or a matter of crucial national importance, such as a presidential election, so I asked the FBI to make a speedy release of the files requested, but, my expedited appeal was denied.
The full text of the FBI's denial for expediting is attached below.
The progressive online news service RawStory.com reported back on October 19, 2004, that the "FBI confirmed to RAW STORY today that it had received Petrelis’ request July 28. In their letter denying an expedited release, the bureau said that the request had been placed in their regular processing queue."
RawStory discovered an interesting fact about the number of reporters who've asked for these records.
"Debbie Beatty, who works in the Historical and Executive Review Unit at the FBI and spoke for the FOIA office, stated the request was in the queue. She said that to her knowledge, no other media organization has requested Bush’s file. 'Not that I’m aware of,' Beatty said. 'I supervise all incoming mail.'"
My request to you today is to have news editors, reporters familiar with FOIA and the FBI, and news bloggers ask the FBI this question:
When will the FBI meet the full provisions of FOIA and provide its files on Bush and Cheney available to the press and public?
During this inaugural Sunshine Week, please consider writing about the president's and the vice president's FBI files, how they've not yet been released, yet thousands of pages from Sen. John Kerry's records were long ago released under FOIA.
For the history on my FBI FOIA request, please visit http://releasebushsfbifile.blogspot.com/.
Sincerely,
Michael Petrelis
San Francisco, CA
Ph: 415-621-6267
John Byrne over at RawStory has written an excellent news account about the release of the thin Bush FBI file and here , http://rawstory.com/exclusives/byrne/fbi_r...rds_blogger_426 , is the direct link.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.