FOIA based on racism and propaganda

Hi, Just wanted to say that I filed an FOIA with the CIA for any documents/policies/propaganda/procedures that promote racially biased material in mainstream media about 25 days ago.

I just recieved a phone call from 202-311-2577 (Washington DC). I answered and they hung up after about 5 seconds.

Seems like an alternative to mailing me a letter that says "what you are requesting doesnt exist".

I will update the thread if I get some goods...but if I dont update then...you know

I have files several FOIA requests and always get a standard form letter back, turning me down. The information does not exist or we don't acknowledge the usage of certain things.

FOIA is a sham, a farce, a crock of horse crap that was put out to make people feel like the government answers to its people not the other way around.

originally posted by: shaneslaughta
I have files several FOIA requests and always get a standard form letter back, turning me down. The information does not exist or we don't acknowledge the usage of certain things.

FOIA is a sham, a farce, a crock of horse crap that was put out to make people feel like the government answers to its people not the other way around.

It works at low level Government. For example when I worked in DWP here in the U.K, when the FOIA came into being, we were asked to check all computer records and remove any incriminating comments that were held.

We initially had a couple of requests from people, but once word got out that the information being held, was not very interesting, requests soon dropped.

It is easy for them to say there is nothing held on file if it is not specific enough, it's a complete 'cop out' of course, but if you request information relating to a specific incident or subject, then it is difficult for them to refuse it.

There are still certain departments that ignore these requests though and it appears they are allowed to do so as they can always hide behind ''National Security' or 'Not in the public's interest'.

a reply to: darkwarrior

Nope! It wasn't the government OR the CIA. Just another phone scam.....

Here is what other users from this site *not ATS but the linked site* had to say about this number! It is a user based site that reports on unwanted phone calls.....

LINK

a reply to: darkwarrior

As Cobaltic1978 said, specificity is the key to what limited success you may have. If your request was as "broad brush" as your description of it here I seriously doubt you'll get anything back.

The way to do it would be to cite a specific incident(s) you're interested in, do your research and go heavy on the details, names, dates, news reports that are relevant, etc... and ask for all documentation, communiques, and reports surrounding that specific incident(s).

All that said, I also agree with shaneslaughta to a degree that the system is designed to be worthless on purpose.

originally posted by: shaneslaughta
I have files several FOIA requests and always get a standard form letter back, turning me down. The information does not exist or we don't acknowledge the usage of certain things.

FOIA is a sham, a farce, a crock of horse crap that was put out to make people feel like the government answers to its people not the other way around.

So you get the random calls from DC or no?

originally posted by: seeker1963
a reply to: darkwarrior

Nope! It wasn't the government OR the CIA. Just another phone scam.....

Here is what other users from this site *not ATS but the linked site* had to say about this number! It is a user based site that reports on unwanted phone calls.....

LINK

lol i couldnt find anything on the number. Thanks

a reply to: Springer

I gave specific entities that the communication would have occurred between, and specific dates with which it would have occurred. Should be plenty if they are willing to give it up.

originally posted by: darkwarrior

originally posted by: seeker1963
a reply to: darkwarrior

Nope! It wasn't the government OR the CIA. Just another phone scam.....

Here is what other users from this site *not ATS but the linked site* had to say about this number! It is a user based site that reports on unwanted phone calls.....

LINK

No problem! I refuse to answer my phone unless I know who is calling, so I found this user generated site!

I am paranoid!

lol i couldnt find anything on the number. Thanks

No problem!

I refuse to answer my phone unless I know who is calling!

I guess I am paranoid?

The rules are so strict. You have to know what you seek specifically as possible during the time it existed.
It's almost like the rules for the Vatican library which they claim isn't secret. You just need to know what vellum, scroll, book, art object you want to study, what date exactly it was created (and finished if dealing with something that may have numerous exegesis, might have to know those as well. Yet, they claim nothing is secreted away in the archives. Even public universities have interesting documents that the general public can examine under scrutiny. Rare works collections are mind blowing even at that mundane level. I have a cousin that works for one of these in a mundane place. I thought about museum studies but quit with the history and classics.

You might want to be more specific and focus on a certain date, targeted racial group, and funding. If you include the funding, you may get a few pages of a photocopied report blacked out except for an occasional "the" or "and".

Have you read the COINTELPRO papers? They may give you some ideas of specifics, what to request, and what group to seek it from.


Eta:

What Springer said...damn he types fast. Details.

a reply to: darkwarrior
No calls just an email and an official letter from Washington denying any information.

originally posted by: seeker1963

originally posted by: darkwarrior

originally posted by: seeker1963
a reply to: darkwarrior

Nope! It wasn't the government OR the CIA. Just another phone scam.....

Here is what other users from this site *not ATS but the linked site* had to say about this number! It is a user based site that reports on unwanted phone calls.....

LINK

No problem! I refuse to answer my phone unless I know who is calling, so I found this user generated site!

I am paranoid!

lol i couldnt find anything on the number. Thanks

No problem!

I refuse to answer my phone unless I know who is calling!

I guess I am paranoid?

I had a call from "Lucasfilm, ltd." I answered. Some guy finally started reading in a heavy accent I couldn't place, claiming the phone call served as notice for being sued. Not my number, not my house. And I told him you can't serve a subpoena over the phone in the US and I really liked Empire Strikes Back and hung up.

Sometimes, wrong numbers are wrong numbers.

originally posted by: seeker1963

I refuse to answer my phone unless I know who is calling!

I guess I am paranoid?

Not paranoid, smart. Just as they mine for data on the web, you can mine the same information with spoofed caller id's.

Like for instance, a window company has been calling my mom daily for weeks. She hasn't owned a home in 8 years.
Telling them to remove you from the list does not work, they still call daily.

originally posted by: the owlbear

originally posted by: seeker1963

originally posted by: darkwarrior

originally posted by: seeker1963
a reply to: darkwarrior

Nope! It wasn't the government OR the CIA. Just another phone scam.....

Here is what other users from this site *not ATS but the linked site* had to say about this number! It is a user based site that reports on unwanted phone calls.....

LINK

No problem! I refuse to answer my phone unless I know who is calling, so I found this user generated site!

I am paranoid!

lol i couldnt find anything on the number. Thanks

No problem!

I refuse to answer my phone unless I know who is calling!

I guess I am paranoid?

I had a call from "Lucasfilm, ltd." I answered. Some guy finally started reading in a heavy accent I couldn't place that the phone call served as notice for being sued. Not my number, not my house. And I told him you can't serve a subpoena over the phone in the US and I really liked Empire Strikes Back and hung up.

Sometimes, wrong numbers are wrong numbers.

That's why I have an answering machine!

Also, I would know *for myself* there would be no damn reason whatsoever for Lucasfilm,ltd for contacting me!

If it is important, they will leave a message. If they don't, I look up the number to see if perhaps it might be someone I might have lost contact with.

Yea, I know, I'm weird!

originally posted by: seeker1963

originally posted by: the owlbear

originally posted by: seeker1963

originally posted by: darkwarrior

originally posted by: seeker1963
a reply to: darkwarrior

Nope! It wasn't the government OR the CIA. Just another phone scam.....

Here is what other users from this site *not ATS but the linked site* had to say about this number! It is a user based site that reports on unwanted phone calls.....

LINK

No problem! I refuse to answer my phone unless I know who is calling, so I found this user generated site!

I am paranoid!

lol i couldnt find anything on the number. Thanks

No problem!

I refuse to answer my phone unless I know who is calling!

I guess I am paranoid?

I had a call from "Lucasfilm, ltd." I answered. Some guy finally started reading in a heavy accent I couldn't place that the phone call served as notice for being sued. Not my number, not my house. And I told him you can't serve a subpoena over the phone in the US and I really liked Empire Strikes Back and hung up.

Sometimes, wrong numbers are wrong numbers.

That's why I have an answering machine!

Also, I would know *for myself* there would be no damn reason whatsoever for Lucasfilm,ltd for contacting me!

If it is important, they will leave a message. If they don't, I look up the number to see if perhaps it might be someone I might have lost contact with.

Yea, I know, I'm weird!

It was strange because I had just finished watching Empire and the next morning that was who was calling. Normally, I never answer. It's my gf's place and her phone. No reason for me to answer.

a reply to: shaneslaughta

People selling construction type services....my general response usually is something like, "Oh, you want to sell my mom some _______? Send someone over so my sons an I can talk to them"

My youngest son will sometimes put on a show. He has read too many memes.

RE: FOIA, i agree with you and others: its a mockery of transparency. Its all we will ever be given.