Lori R. Price, Manager, Citizens For Legitimate Government.
Michael D. Rectenwald, Ph.D., Founder and Chair, Citizens For Legitimate Government.
2013-04-14 "AT&T-Yahoo blocking the CLG Newsletter again"
by Lori Price from "legitgov.org" [http://www.legitgov.org/ATT-Yahoo-blocking-CLG-Newsletter-again]:
AT&T/Yahoo is blocking the CLG Newsletter again. This may be connected to the fix of the EarthLink block. The following AT&T-controlled domains did NOT receive today's CLG Newsletter, because AT&T is blocking the mail server of CLG's webhoster, MayFirst: yahoo.com, att.net, ameritech.net, pacbell.net, swbell.net, bellsouth.net, flash.net, prodigy.net, wans.net, sbcglobal.net, nvbell.net, snet.net. This was the subject line: 'Billions of US tax dollars potentially funding Afghan terrorism -report.' [Addendum: Yahoo.com allowed delivery of the newsletter, but on an eight-hour delay.]
2013-01-25 "EarthLink unblocks CLG, says 'does not block political content'" by Lori Price from "legitgov.org" [http://www.legitgov.org/EarthLink-unblocks-CLG-says-does-not-block-political-content]:
Citizens for Legitimate Government has received a response from EarthLink's Executive Relations, regarding our request to remove the block of delivery of the CLG Newsletter that had been imposed in December 2012. See, for example, 'EarthLink blocking CLG Newsletter since 24 December 2012.'
EarthLink's Level A support has informed CLG that the problem has been addressed. "We want to reassure you, we do not block emails based upon political content. We have removed the block on [redacted] (assata.mayfirst.org) and we have also whitelisted this IP address to keep it from being blocked again."
2013-01-19 "Hotmail, MSN and Live will no longer deliver the CLG Newsletter" by Lori Price from "legitgov.org" [http://www.legitgov.org/Hotmail-MSN-and-Live-will-no-longer-deliver-CLG-Newsletter]:
Hotmail, MSN and Live will no longer allow the CLG Newsletter to pass, when sent through CLG's mail server. Hence, I have to bcc all senders after I send the original email, which it time-consuming. Also, this means the thousands of Hotmail, MSN, and Live subscribers receive their news on a delayed basis. CLG's webhoster, MayFirst, has made attempts to remedy the problem.
2013-01-15 "EarthLink blocking CLG Newsletter" by Lori Price from "legitgov.org"
[http://www.legitgov.org/EarthLink-blocking-CLG-Newsletter-15-January-2013]:
CLGers, if you are subscribed to the CLG Newsletter roster with an EarthLink.net domain, you likely have not received a recent CLG Newsletter, once again. CLG's webhoster, MayFirst, has posted the following details regarding the block:
2012-01-07 "DHS Trolling Web for Sandy Hook Rifle 'Oddities' - CLG Website Logs" by Lori Price from "legitgov.org" [http://www.legitgov.org/DHS-Trolling-Web-Sandy-Hook-Rifle-Oddities-CLG-Website-Logs]:
CLG website logs frequently reveal fascinating .gov and .mil visitors, such as the CIA, Pentagon, FBI, DIA, and NASA. On Monday, the DHS accessed CLG's news summary, 'Bushmaster rifle used in CT shootings was same weapon used in Washington, D.C. sniper killings in 2002,' posted 16 December 2012. Apparently, the agency is trolling the web with the following keywords/parameters: [http://www.bing.com/search?q=was+a+rifle+used+in+the+conneticut+shootings%3F&src=IE-SearchBox&FORM=IE8SRC].
Here we learn two facts. One, Homeland Security has trouble spelling 'Connecticut.' Two, the DHS also has questions on the Sandy Hook shootings -- as does Citizens for Legitimate Government. Website log entries and IP info are posted below.
216.81.81.82 - - [07/Jan/2013:12:04:42 -0500] "GET /Bushmaster-rifle-used-CT-shootings-was-same-weapon-used-Washington-DC-sniper-killings-2002 HTTP/1.1" 200 4954 "http://www.bing.com/search?q=was+a+rifle+used+in+the+conneticut+shootings%3F&src=IE-SearchBox&FORM=IE8SRC" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Windows NT 6.1; Trident/4.0; SLCC2; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.5.30729; .NET CLR 3.0.30729; .NET4.0C; .NET4.0E; InfoPath.3; MS-RTC LM 8)"
216.81.81.82 - - [07/Jan/2013:12:04:43 -0500] "GET /sites/default/files/css/css_fc224f99e9d532c6a7a2c17525bed469.css HTTP/1.1" 200 8108 "http://www.legitgov.org/Bushmaster-rifle-used-CT-shootings-was-same-weapon-used-Washington-DC-sniper-killings-2002" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Windows NT 6.1; Trident/4.0; SLCC2; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.5.30729; .NET CLR 3.0.30729; .NET4.0C; .NET4.0E; InfoPath.3; MS-RTC LM 8)"
216.81.81.82 - - [07/Jan/2013:12:04:43 -0500] "GET /sites/default/files/js/js_dfc5273a95dfd4a8fb6e5dc2126e218a.js HTTP/1.1" 200 21109 "http://www.legitgov.org/Bushmaster-rifle-used-CT-shootings-was-same-weapon-used-Washington-DC-sniper-killings-2002" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Windows NT 6.1; Trident/4.0; SLCC2; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.5.30729; .NET CLR 3.0.30729; .NET4.0C; .NET4.0E; InfoPath.3; MS-RTC LM 8)"
216.81.81.82 - - [07/Jan/2013:12:04:43 -0500] "GET /sites/all/themes/newswire/images/feed.png HTTP/1.1" 200 1128 "http://www.legitgov.org/Bushmaster-rifle-used-CT-shootings-was-same-weapon-used-Washington-DC-sniper-killings-2002" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Windows NT 6.1; Trident/4.0; SLCC2; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.5.30729; .NET CLR 3.0.30729; .NET4.0C; .NET4.0E; InfoPath.3; MS-RTC LM 8)"
216.81.81.82 - - [07/Jan/2013:12:04:43 -0500] "GET /graphics/subnewsltr.gif HTTP/1.1" 200 9963 "http://www.legitgov.org/Bushmaster-rifle-used-CT-shootings-was-same-weapon-used-Washington-DC-sniper-killings-2002" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Windows NT 6.1; Trident/4.0; SLCC2; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.5.30729; .NET CLR 3.0.30729; .NET4.0C; .NET4.0E; InfoPath.3; MS-RTC LM 8)"
216.81.81.82 - - [07/Jan/2013:12:04:43 -0500] "GET /graphics/logosmalr.jpg HTTP/1.1" 200 23573 "http://www.legitgov.org/Bushmaster-rifle-used-CT-shootings-was-same-weapon-used-Washington-DC-sniper-killings-2002" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Windows NT 6.1; Trident/4.0; SLCC2; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.5.30729; .NET CLR 3.0.30729; .NET4.0C; .NET4.0E; InfoPath.3; MS-RTC LM 8)"
216.81.81.82 - - [07/Jan/2013:12:04:44 -0500] "GET /graphics/CLGDonate.png HTTP/1.1" 200 966 "http://www.legitgov.org/Bushmaster-rifle-used-CT-shootings-was-same-weapon-used-Washington-DC-sniper-killings-2002" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Windows NT 6.1; Trident/4.0; SLCC2; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.5.30729; .NET CLR 3.0.30729; .NET4.0C; .NET4.0E; InfoPath.3; MS-RTC LM 8)"
216.81.81.82 - - [07/Jan/2013:12:04:44 -0500] "GET /graphics/clg_breaking.jpg HTTP/1.1" 200 6955 "http://www.legitgov.org/Bushmaster-rifle-used-CT-shootings-was-same-weapon-used-Washington-DC-sniper-killings-2002" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Windows NT 6.1; Trident/4.0; SLCC2; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.5.30729; .NET CLR 3.0.30729; .NET4.0C; .NET4.0E; InfoPath.3; MS-RTC LM 8)"
216.81.81.82 - - [07/Jan/2013:12:04:44 -0500] "GET /sites/all/themes/newswire/css/images/blue-nav-bar.png HTTP/1.1" 200 932 "http://www.legitgov.org/Bushmaster-rifle-used-CT-shootings-was-same-weapon-used-Washington-DC-sniper-killings-2002" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Windows NT 6.1; Trident/4.0; SLCC2; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.5.30729; .NET CLR 3.0.30729; .NET4.0C; .NET4.0E; InfoPath.3; MS-RTC LM 8)"
216.81.81.82 - - [07/Jan/2013:12:04:44 -0500] "GET /sites/all/modules/openid/login-bg.png HTTP/1.1" 200 586 "http://www.legitgov.org/Bushmaster-rifle-used-CT-shootings-was-same-weapon-used-Washington-DC-sniper-killings-2002" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Windows NT 6.1; Trident/4.0; SLCC2; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.5.30729; .NET CLR 3.0.30729; .NET4.0C; .NET4.0E; InfoPath.3; MS-RTC LM 8)"
216.81.81.82 - - [07/Jan/2013:12:04:45 -0500] "GET /sites/default/files/favicon_0.png HTTP/1.1" 200 4338 "-" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Windows NT 6.1; Trident/4.0; SLCC2; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.5.30729; .NET CLR 3.0.30729; .NET4.0C; .NET4.0E; InfoPath.3; MS-RTC LM 8)"
Country: United States
Region: Virginia
City: Oakton
Postal Code: 22124
ISP: "Department of Homeland Security" Organization: "Department of Homeland Security"
Host Name: cbcp2.dhs.gov
The number of this IP address is 216.81.81.82. This IP address is fixed within United States, and refers to Oakton, Virginia. IP Country code is US. IP address is assigned to "Department of Homeland Security". In organization "Department of Homeland Security". It's hostname is cbcp2.dhs.gov.
2013-01-04 "EarthLink blocking CLG Newsletter since 24 December 2012 --Hotmail, AT&T block update" by Lori Price from "legitgov.org"
[http://www.legitgov.org/EarthLink-blocking-CLG-Newsletter-24-December-2012]:
CLGers, if you are subscribed to the CLG Newsletter roster with an EarthLink.net domain, you have not received the CLG Newsletter since -- and possibly before -- 24 December 2012.
CLG's webhoster, MayFirst, has received notification from EarthLink that their block has been removed.
We'll see if that is the case.
Meanwhile, please feel free to contact lori at legitgov.org, if you want the blocked/missed editions forwarded.
On another front, MayFirst was taken steps to circumvent the blocks imposed by Hotmail.com, Live.com, and MSN.com.
Previously, switching the mail server's IP triggered a larger block by AT&T and its domains, including Yahoo.com.
2012-12-09 "NSA buddy Google wants me to change my name, declaring 'CLG News' is 'too long' for people to remember" by Lori Price from "legitgov.org" [http://www.legitgov.org/NSA-buddy-Google-wants-me-change-my-name-declaring-CLG-News-too-long-people-remember]:
On Sunday morning, I went to access a video on YouTube, regarding a DHS antiterror exercise, rehearsing to mow down civilians during a 'zombie apocalypse.' (Yes, that is actually where US tax dollars go.) Prior to hitting 'play,' a screen popped up. Google would not let me access the video unless I changed my Google name - because they asserted that 'CLG News' was too 'long' for people to remember! They want me to use my actual name instead of 'CLG News,' because, they said, 'Lori Price CLG' is shorter than 'CLG News.' Apparently, Google is mathematically-challenged. When I declined the Google 'offer,' I was forced to give a 'reason' for not wishing to change my name. Ok, here it is. NSAciopaths: I'm going to keep 'CLG News.' Go f*ck your surveillance selves, and the microchipped horse you rode in on.
2012-11-11 "And, today's obstacle is: Hotmail, MSN blocking CLG Newsletter" by Lori Price from "legitgov.org"
[http://www.legitgov.org/Hotmail-MSN-blocking-CLG-Newsletter]:
Apparently, Microsoft does not like the CLG. Hotmail.com, Live.com, and MSN.com subscribers did not receive recent editions of the CLG Newsletter. CLG's webhoster, MayFirst, has submitted paperwork to remove the block of CLG's IP. If you use Hotmail, Live, or MSN, please feel free to let me know if you receive your CLG Newsletter again.
2012-11-08 "AT&T blocking CLG Newsletter again after IP switch was made to avoid RR block" by Lori Price from "legitgov.org"
[http://www.legitgov.org/ATT-blocking-CLG-Newsletter-again-after-IP-switch-was-made-avoid-RR-block]:
AT&T is blocking the CLG Newsletter after an IP switch was made by CLG's webhoster to avoid the Time Warner Cable (rr.com, roadrunner.com, and adelphia.net) block. AT&T did not deliver the CLG Newsletter early this morning to its domains. If any techie wishes to help me with these ongoing obstacles, which keep me from updating the CLG website with actual news items, please write lori at legitgov dot org. Thank you.
2012-10-25 "AT&T Blocking CLG Newsletters, Again"by Lori Price from "legitgov.org"
[http://www.legitgov.org/ATT-Blocking-CLG-Newsletters-Again]:
AT&T Blocking CLG Newsletters, Again 25 Oct 2012 AT&T -- and its domains, including Yahoo.com -- is blocking the CLG Newsletters from reaching anyone who uses AT&T, once again. I thought this problem had been resolved a few days ago, but apparently, that is not the case.
2012-10-18 "AT&T Stops Holding CLG Newsletters Hostage, Releases 'Quarantined' Editions" by Lori Price from "legitgov.org" [http://www.legitgov.org/ATT-Stops-Holding-CLG-Newsletters-Hostage-Releases-Quarantined-Editions]:
AT&T -- including Yahoo.com, att.net, ameritech.net, bellsouth.net, flash.net, nvbell.net, pacbell.net, prodigy.net, sbcglobal.net, snet.net, swbell.net, and wans.net -- was incontrovertibly blocking the server used to disseminate the CLG Newsletter. And so, some back issues may (finally) be released.
Note: This issue has absorbed much of my time and energy over the last few days, which explains why I was unable to respond to email, and/or thank the folks who have donated to CLG. I apologize for that.
Note: If your CLG Newsletter suddenly 'stops' arriving in your inbox, please don't hesitate to let us know about the problem, by writing signup at legitgov.org.
2012-10-16 "Gary McKinnon saved from extradition to US on hacking charges; Drone"
email resend, from "CLG News (@legitgov.org)":
AT&T (and their domains) did not deliver today's newsletter, so here is a resend. I think it was the Brig. Gen. Jeffrey A. Sinclair story - I forgot to add asterisks in certain words in the summary. Anyway, here is today's newsletter with an update on the Gary McKinnon story. Sorry for the extra email, for those who did actually receive it. --LRP
Gary McKinnon saved from extradition to US on hacking charges 16 Oct 2012 Gary McKinnon, the computer hacker who has been facing extradition to the US for the past decade, has been given a dramatic reprieve by the Home Secretary. The Home Secretary told MPs that medical reports warning the computer hacker would kill himself if sent to the US were sufficient grounds to keep him in the UK. She also announced plans to change extradition rules to allow courts to block extradition attempts if it is in the interests of justice.
2012-09-18 "Facebook blocks Press TV advertisements" by Lori Price from "legitgov.org"
[http://www.legitgov.org/Facebook-blocks-Press-TV-advertisements]:
Facebook has blocked Press TV’s advertisements on the social networking website, saying that the Iranian news network is located in a region which is "not eligible to use this feature." Facebook’s risk management department informed Press TV in an email that the social networking website’s security systems had shut down the payments functionality on Press TV’s account. [Note: CLG cannot include direct links to Press TV's news items because filters then block the delivery of the CLG Newsletter when such links are included.]
Facebook blocks Press TV advertisements [http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2012/09/18/262308/facebook-blocks-press-tv-ads/]
2012-09-11 "Facebook issues 'mental health' warning to CLG editor over posts; 'You're receiving this message because a friend is concerned about something you posted on Facebook'" by Lori Price from "legitgov.org"
[http://www.legitgov.org/Facebook-issues-mental-health-warning-CLG-editor-over-posts-0]:
On Monday, I received a 'substance abuse' warning email from Facebook. The CLG Facebook page has over 4,200 'likes' and frequently includes '9/11 inside job' commentary. A trace of the email header indicates that the email was actually from Facebook. The email is posted below. [Hey, Zuckerberg: I don't need 'Psychology Today.' I need a real investigation into the pre-9/11 put options, why Building 7 fell after the BBC reported its collapse following the command given by 'Lucky' Larry Silverstein to 'pull' it.]
This is not my first tango with Facebook. In February, I was forced to change my profile name [http://www.legitgov.org/Facebook-Disables-CLG-Editors-Account-Name-Claiming-It-Illegitimate].
Facebook has decided that 'Lori Price Legitgov,' the personal Facebook account title of the Editor-in-Chief of Citizens for Legitimate Government, is (suddenly) not 'legitimate' and therefore disabled. Price's Facebook account was established in September 2007 as 'Lori Price Legitgov,' and she never received any notifications or warnings from Facebook regarding the account. The official page for Citizens for Legitimate Government was not affected.
Update: On September 11, Facebook would *not allow me access* until I checked a box on a pop-up to acknowledge their 'substance abuse warning,' purportedly issued due to the 'nature' of my posts. The message was identical to the email I received from Facebook below, with this additional wording: 'I have read the message above,' and a box which had to be checked in order to access my account.
[begin excerpt]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Facebook" <notification+ovzlcgzz@facebookmail.com>
To: <lori at legitgov dot org>
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2012 8:36 AM
Subject: Facebook Warning
Hello,
You're receiving this message because a friend is concerned about something you posted on Facebook. Facebook is working with the the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to provide resources and support for those who may be struggling with substance abuse.
You can contact the SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or 1-800-487-4889 (TDD), where help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The Helpline provides free and confidential information and treatment referrals, in English and Spanish.
SAMHSA also offers a Treatment Facility Locator (http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/), which provides a comprehensive listing of drug and alcohol treatment programs across the United States.
To learn more about SAMHSA, please visit http://www.samhsa.gov/.
You can also find support through resources like Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and Psychology Today's online listing of counselors and therapists.
Note that we provide these resources whenever this type of content is reported to us.
Thanks,
The Facebook Team [Yes, The Facebook Team: NSA, CIA, DHS, FBI, DOD, DARPA, and Facebook.]
[end excerpt]
Here is a portion of the email header:
[begin excerpt]
Return-Path: <notification+ovzlcgzz@facebookmail.com>
X-Original-To: lori at legitgov.org [redacted info]
Received: from mx-out.facebook.com (outmail003.snc7.facebook.com [69.171.232.137])
X-Facebook: from zuckmail ([MTI3LjAuMC4x])
by our.intern.facebook.com with HTTP (ZuckMail);
Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2012 05:36:13 -0700
Subject: Facebook Warning
X-Mailer: ZuckMail [version 1.00]
[end excerpt]
2012-02-16 "Facebook Disables CLG Editor's Account Name, Claiming It Is 'Illegitimate'" by Lori Price from "legitgov.org"
[http://www.legitgov.org/Facebook-Disables-CLG-Editors-Account-Name-Claiming-It-Illegitimate]:
Facebook Disables CLG Editor's Account Name, Claiming It Is 'Illegitimate' --'The name you entered was not approved by our system.' 17 Feb 2012 Facebook has decided that 'Lori Price Legitgov,' the personal Facebook account title of the Editor-in-Chief of Citizens for Legitimate Government, is (suddenly) not 'legitimate' and therefore disabled. Price's Facebook account was established in September 2007 as 'Lori Price Legitgov,' and she never received any notifications or warnings from Facebook regarding the account. The official page for Citizens for Legitimate Government [http://www.facebook.com/pages/Citizens-For-Legitimate-Government/93486533659] was not affected.
On 16 February, Lori Price attempted to log on to Facebook and received the following message from Facebook, preventing her from logging in:
[begin excerpt]
Your account has been temporarily suspended because it appears that you have not listed your
real name. As a reminder, Facebook requires all members to provide their real first and last
names. Don't worry -- you'll be able to update your profile with your full, real name or verify
your name in the following steps. [Untrue.] And when you successfully complete this process, your account
will be accessible again. Please also note that Facebook profiles are for individual use only
and cannot be shared or used to represent other entities...
[end excerpt]
Price then re-entered her account name First Name, Lori; Middle Name, Price; last name, Legitgov. Facebook rejected that combination, then one Lori Price had for nearly four and one-half years. Facebook continued to block access for Price, stating:
[begin excerpt]
Inauthentic name -- temporary block
Unfortunately, the name you entered was not approved by our system. Please wait 10 minutes and
then try again.
Make sure you enter your name correctly and that it complies with our formatting guidelines.
Please note that if your next attempt is also unsuccessful, your account may be disabled.
[end excerpt]
Due to Facebook's threat to disable the account entirely, Price entered the following information: First name, Lori; Middle name, Legitgov; Last name, Price - 'Lori Legitgov Price.'
Although this data has been accepted, Facebook has succeeded in forcing Price to change her profile name.
On Thursday, Price attempted to edit her profile in an effort to revert to the original name.
Facebook precluded that change, claiming that Price had changed her name 'too many times.' [!?!]
2012-06-12 "NSA Buddy Google Relegating CLG Newsletters to the Spam Bin" by Lori Price from "legitgov.org"
[http://www.legitgov.org/NSA-Buddy-Google-Relegating-CLG-Newsletters-Spam-Bin]:
If you are wondering why you do not receive your CLG Newsletters, and you (unfortunately) have Gmail as your mail client, check your spam bin. Often, CLG subscribers send emails similar to one received Monday from CLG reader Kerry B., which read in part:
[begin excerpt]
I assume this is common, but for the record... First I'd like to thank you for the excellent information you share! I'm writing to report a problem I've had with Gmail and your newsletter ever since I first subscribed. Even though I have marked countless newsletters as "not spam" and added CLG to my contacts multiple times, "random" newsletters will still slip quietly into my spam folder without fail. I'm now in the habit of rummaging through my spam with the sole purpose of catching and rescuing CLG's emails.
Again today after realizing that I haven't seen anything lately from you, I went digging. Sure enough, the update sent earlier today entitled "3,000 U.S. soldiers to serve in Africa next year 11 Jun 2012" had been marked as spam, again, with absolutely no legitimate reason. I'm not sure if these types of occurrences are common or if you are aware of such an issue, but I want you to know that this is happening to me, and it happens often...
[end excerpt]
And so, if you did NOT receive the CLG Newsletter titled, '3,000 U.S. soldiers to serve in Africa next year 11 Jun 2012,' please write [signup (@ legitgov.org] and I will pass it along.
2012-04-12 "FBI Agents Approach CLG's Webhoster in Bomb Threat Investigation" by Lori Price from "legitgov.org" [http://www.legitgov.org/FBI-Agents-Approach-CLGs-Webhoster-Bomb-Threat-Investigation]:
Emphasizing: CLG's webhoster, MayFirst, was approached by two FBI agents, not CLG itself. MayFirst responded, "We will not cooperate with any investigation into the identities, activities or perspectives of any of our members or any of the users of our systems." [Well, I guess that explains the norfolk.gov visit in the CLG logs on Thursday!]
I received the following email Thursday evening, as a member of MayFirst's Support Team [https://support.mayfirst.org/ticket/5583]:
[begin email]
Reported by [https://id.mayfirst.org/jamie]
Today, at about noon, two agents of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation came to the May First/People Link offices as part of what they said was an investigation of emailed bomb threats being sent to accounts at the University of Pittsburgh.
MFPL Director Jamie McClelland met them at the door and the two agents showed Jamie copies of three such emails. It appears that the emails were being relayed from a server that May First houses. The FBI identified the IP address assigned to the server with the ECN, a progressive Internet provider in Italy. Among its activities, ECN runs an anonymous email server: a server you can use to send email that isn't logged or stored.
The agents asked Jamie questions about these emails. He couldn't answer their questions and still can't. We have no control over that server and no access to it and since it is an anonymous email server there is no record of who is using it. We simply cannot cooperate because we have no information to share.
But there are underlying issues here that transcend the limitations in this situation. Because even if we could cooperate, we wouldn't.
May First considers the use of our Internet resources to make violent threats or carry on campaigns that threaten or facilitate violence to be unacceptable and unworthy of support. Not only does most of our membership oppose that type of activity but its propagation over our servers puts our organization and each of its members in severe jeopardy. This is not the purpose of the Internet.
At the same time, it's the Internet's purpose that drives our unwavering and consistent position on this type of investigation. The Internet was created for free and unfettered communications and any infringement on the privacy, activities or free speech of anyone is in complete contradiction to that.
We will not cooperate with any investigation into the identities, activities or perspectives of any of our members or any of the users of our systems.
At the moment, we have no reason to believe that this investigation will continue in a way that impacts MFPL members. We're sending this to you because we are committed to transparency and full communication with our members and we will continue, the best of our ability, to keep you informed as the case progresses.
We believe that the future of the world and the survival of the human race depend on the open, uninterrupted and unfettered communication among the people of the world. We will strongly resist any attempt by anyone, including governments, to mitigate that kind of communication or to use the systems of communication as an investigative or repressive tool.
[end email]
2011-07-03 "Secret Service visits CLG member, asks about Seize DC" by Lori Price from "legitgov.org"
[http://www.legitgov.org/Secret-Service-visits-CLG-member-asks-about-SeizeDC]:
Secret Service visits CLG member, asks about Seize DC --In two-hour session, Secret Service agents ask, 'What do you know about Seize DC?' By Lori Price 03 Jul 2011 Citizens for Legitimate Government readers are aware of the numerous .govs and .mils in the CLG website logs. See "CLG Sunshine Project" [http://www.legitgov.org/CLG-Under-Surveillance]. The US Senate, Secret Service, CIA, Naval Research Laboratory, DHS, DIA, etc., troll the CLG website on a regular basis. Now, apparently, the Feds have started to troll the people in addition to the site. On Friday, a CLG Newsletter subscriber and CLG Facebook friend/Twitter 'follower,' informed CLG that he received a visit from two Secret Service agents at his home.
The Feds' inquiry target, Chad Smith*, sent CLG an email that included the following information.
[begin message]
After receiving a visit from two Secret Service agents and a two-hour interview about "my credible threats against President Obama" the police state is here! I never advocated violence against Bush or Obama so I believe that we have Facebook moles or that Facebook and Twitter are just letting the government have access to any information they wish (without warrants). 4th Amendment? Not anymore! Just keep this in mind going forward.
[end message]
CLG sought additional details from Chad, who explained that on 01 July, two Secret Service agents arrived at his home, in a suburb** of Connecticut. They asked him about the intentions of CLG's September 10, 2011, protest, Seize DC.
The agents arrived in an unmarked, Chevy Cruze sedan. Chad, a runner, informed me that he had "seen the car before" on other occasions in his neighborhood.
Chad expressed the following.
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They did mention 'Seize DC' and FB friend Justin J.* not CLG, you or Dr. [Michael] Rectenwald [http://legitgov.org/mikerectenwald_writings_101501.html] but obviously they have good background on your organization since they are on the mailing list no doubt...lol. They gave their names and were extremely polite. They were in an unmarked, blue, Chevy Cruze sedan. Nothing like you see on crime shows. (Budget cuts where we need them. Ha ha ha ha!) ...If they come back I'll request business cards. As long as they don't request a formal sit-down in the New Haven office we should be cool.
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"They [the Secret Service agents] seemed to know a lot about your Facebook page," Chad told the CLG. Chad said that the agents inquired, "What do you know about Seize DC?"
The Secret Service also asked Chad to provide details of his involvement in the group. Chad replied that "he intended to go to the protest, to seek redress from the government." He added, "As to the name -- Seize DC -- which is great -- violence is not our intent." Chad amplified, "We have no intentions for violence... We're not going there with tanks and grenades."
Additional details were provided of the visit, via email.
[begin email]
Hey Lori-
All the questions were general in nature and just peppering me to see if I knew of anyone that was thinking about protesting with violent acts or who planned on using vandalism as a resource.
I assured them that everyone I knew was planning on PEACEFUL protest and nothing more. They couldn't tell me what I supposedly said about the president to prompt a visit. As I recall I said the same or worse regarding Bush. Just know that the fishing net has been cast and that old Rockwell song 'Somebody's Watching Me' seems a fitting. If they spend all this time watching us, then who the hell is watching Al-CIADUH and the Tea Party? LOL...
[end email]
I asked how the two-hour questioning session ended. Chad said that they "thanked me for my time."
Albeit "polite," Chad hopes that the two-hour questioning session by the Secret Service would be the last.
More about the Seize DC protest can be found here [http://www.legitgov.org/seizedc].
*Chad's last name has been redacted, at his request.
**Suburb name redacted, at Chad's request.
***Justin's last name redacted by CLG.
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