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Line 1: − <noinclude>{{Conservapedia}}</noinclude>+ − + − On July 13, 2007, they claimed that a user named 'Stevecarson' edited Conservapedia using an automatic 'bot' software package<ref>Contributions: <capture>[http://www.conservapedia.com/Special:Contributions/Stevecarson]</capture></ref>. The next day Conservapedia's owner, [[cp:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]], claimed that this vandal had been reported to the Cincinnati office of the [[FBI]] and was being prosecuted, he discussed his conversation with the FBI officer on the Conservpaedia sysop-only forum[http://cp.noym.net/34523d478d5bcda5], and the group continued to discuss the involvement of the FBI as time passed and how they should handle the situation[http://cp.noym.net/4d53ce523d5093f3][http://cp.noym.net/3b0e57c56f221459]. Even senior sysops wondered how the FBI investigation was going[http://cp.noym.net/f517ef85aaa5accc]. Shortly thereafter, Schlafly claimed that another user with the name '[[conservapedia:Jayjay | Jayjay]]' had been reported to the FBI for very similar editing [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Special:Contributions&limit=100&target=Jayjay]. The materials supposedly submitted in both cases were the IP address of the user and the changelogs of Conservapedia.+ + − A Freedom of Information Act submission made to the FBI, however, revealed that no complaint was ever made.<ref name=historypunk />+ + + + + + + + + + + − One of the most extraordinary aspects of this episode is the lengths to which CP admins are covering it up, deleting any mention of it and blocking the people involved - a [[#And_Finally.2C_The_Cover-up:_When_Asked_a_Difficult_Question.2C_Revert.2C_Threaten_and_Ban|list]] appears at the end of this article.+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − + − [[Image:FBIVandalSeal.png|thumb|Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when they come for you?]] + − ===Origin of The Site=== − <ol> − <li>Conservapedia, the purportedly vandalised website, is a non-commercial, non-governmental, non-infrastructural, not-for-profit, personal 'educational' website. As of January 2009, Alexa, an internet traffic ranking site, ranks Conservapedia as being viewed by 0.0025% of all Alexa software users, which in itself represents only a tiny portion of ''all'' internet users. [http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?url=www.conservapedia.com]. It is clearly a site appealing to a minuscule number of internet users.</li> − <li>It was created and is owned and operated by Mr.Schlafly to assist in the compiling of information for his [[homeschooling|homeschool]] education business, which has about 120 pupils [http://www.conservapedia.com/User:Aschlafly].</li> − <li>It was created to teach his students about new technologies and to encourage his students and other internet users to compile and collaboratively edit information appealing to a particular, rather narrow, political and social viewpoint.</li> − </ol> − ===Technology Background to the Site===+ − <ol start="4"> − <li>The [[wikipedia:MediaWiki|MediaWiki]] software which was used to create the site is a popular [[open source]] [http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/MediaWiki software kit] which was created expressly and exclusively for the purpose of enabling simple collaborative document creation on the internet.</li> − <li>It is possible to securely limit editor entry to a Wiki site by any number of methods (new accounts only by invitation, delayed approval, IP address zone exclusion, and many more). Implementation of any of these methods alone or together securely restricts the set of users who may create or modify data to only those the site owner wishes to allow.</li> − <li>Mr.Schlafly chose not to establish any such methods, hence the Conservapedia website is an 'open' Wiki.</li> − <li>Accordingly, any person with an internet connection may create an account (for free) and immediately begin to create, modify and delete any unlocked page on the website, without legal warning or caution.</li> − </ol> − + − <ol start="8">+ − <li>It is routine for sysops, established users and new editors to create and modify pages at the Site.</li> − <li>As a public space containing (sometimes very) controversial viewpoints, there is frequent debate among sysops, established users and new editors as to content and tone of articles at the Site.</li> − <li>Frequently, this debate results in page locking, editing, deletion, vandalism and account blocking, with much controversy following.</li> − </ol> − ===The Alleged Crimes===+ − <ol start="11">+ − <li>The alleged criminal acts are that user '''Stevecarson''' created a new account and ran software which repeatedly modified articles on the site automatically, achieving many more changes in a three minute window than humanly possible. Eighty articles were modified [http://www.conservapedia.com/Special:Contributions/Stevecarson], with certain words being substituted for other words, for example, the word 'Christianity' being replaced with the words 'Ethnic Identity'. Examples of the edits: [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=House_church&diff=prev&oldid=229706]; [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Antichrist&diff=prev&oldid=229634]. Subsequently another editor '''Jayjay''' edited 230 articles in a very similar fashion [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Special:Contributions&limit=100&target=Jayjay]</li>+ − </ol> − + − <ol start="12">+ − <li>When the alleged vandalism was noted, the user's editorial capabilities were immediately removed and they were blocked from accessing the Site.[http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Special:Log&type=block&page=User:Stevecarson], [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Special:Log&type=block&page=User:Jayjay].</li> − <li>All information modified was easily restored by Sysops within a few minutes [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Special:Contributions&offset=20070713051427&limit=20&target=HenryS], [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Special:Contributions&offset=20070715132647&limit=100&target=DeborahB.], as the Wiki software automatically stores the previous version of the document.</li> − <li>No financial loss was apparently reported.</li> − <li>No damage, permanent or temporary to any facilities was apparently reported.</li> − <li>No data modified was essential to any person, organisation or governmental body, either in a permanent archival sense, or in a time-dependent sense.</li> − <li>It is accepted that a few minutes of inconvenience for the volunteer sysops was caused by the reversions.</li> − </ol> − + − Following a review of the above facts, the FBI ''may'' follow this logic:+ − <ol style="list-style-type:lower-latin">+ − <li>The website is a personal 'blog'.</li>+ − <li>No physical or virtual property damage, financial loss or loss of private information has occurred.</li> − <li>Not only had the owners made no attempt to secure the data at the Site, but in fact modification of the data was encouraged.</li> − <li>Nothing more than minor inconvenience was caused to the owners and operators.</li> − <li>No law has been broken.</li> − <li>The FBI views the reporting of this trivial case to the Bureau as a nuisance, and pursuit of it as timewasting.</li> − <li>The FBI will not be pursuing this case on behalf of Mr.Schalfly.</li> − </ol> − ==The History of the Events, copied From ASchlafly's Discussion Page==+ − + + − + + − :Just thought I would report a strange incident. A user vandalized over 80 pages in three minutes. [[cp:User:Bohdan|Bohdan]] 00:57, 13 July 2007 (EDT)+ + + + − :Probably another liberal enemy of conservative principles. He needs to listen to the classic rock song entitled, "I fought the law, and the law won." He needs to listen to it 80 times, in fact.+ − :Your quick work counts towards our team totals, Bohdan! Thanks and Godspeed.--[[Andrew Schlafly|Aschlafly]] 01:11, 13 July 2007 (EDT)+ − :The people at the [[RationalWiki|other place]] are using bots. [[cp:User:Fox|Fox]] 04:46, 13 July 2007 (EDT)+ − + + − + + − User:Stevecarson, IP address 208.102.255.xxx (we have all the digits), ISP Fuse Internet Access of Cincinnati Bell Telephone, has been reported for his attempt to vandalize this site last night. Prosecuting vandalism on the internet is a priority of this site and of the [[cp:Department of Justice|Department of Justice]]. It's unfortunate that [[cp:public schools|public schools]] don't teach that vandalism is wrong, but the court system does still teach that. He can hire an attorney and try to explain his conduct to a judge. I doubt he'll find much sympathy.--[[cp:User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 10:32, 13 July 2007 (EDT)+ + − Follow-up: the above instance of vandalism has been reported by phone directly to the FBI office in Cincinnati, which handles internet crime. At the request of the FBI, we then sent the electronic record of the vandalism and the IP address to the officers for their investigation and potential prosecution. Yes, it is wrong and a crime to vandalize websites, and our criminal justice system does not care whether you learned that in school or not.--[[cp:User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 10:51, 13 July 2007 (EDT)+ + + − :Honestly, that was probably a waste of both your time and the FBI's. I have a sneaking suspicion that they have bigger things on their minds than chasing down some internet punk. I will be *very* surprised if anything actually comes of this.--[[cp:User:Porthos|Porthos]] 11:24, 13 July 2007 (EDT)+ − :: Well, Porthos, I suggest you visit a local federal courtroom one morning and watch the line-up of cases brought before the judge, and the prison sentences imposed. I suspect you will also be "very surprised" by what you see. Ignorance and lack of experience lead to surprise about many things.--[[cp:User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 12:02, 13 July 2007 (EDT)+ + − : Andy - the FBI have FAR more important things to be doing. You have a ludicrouly inflated sense of importance (not atypical of most CP'ians) if you genuinely believe that the nation's Federal Bureau of Investigations will be all "Yessir! Right on it!" over a complaint that a minority interest blog has attracted a rash of argumentative postings. Really. + + + + + − : And frankly, I'll be right at the front of the line to complain to my Representatives if the FBI DOES give you the time of day, what with the nation on Orange alert. Have you thought about the fact that now, because of your angry complaint, some FBI official is now going to actually HAVE TO process it? A call or two will have to be made, some thought given to it, a process applied, some forms filled - each act in every way representing a distraction from vital work for your country. If an al-Qaeda plot slips by as a result of your distraction, you will have blood on your hands.+ − : Take a look at yourself - don't you think you've actually now REALLY gone too far? Your feverish delusions have now stooped to wasting the time of the proud servicemen and women of an august force. You should grow up a little and act more responsibly. [[cp:User:Wumps|Wumps]] 12:45, 13 July 2007 (EDT)+ + − :::So, you are going to complain about the FBI investigating a crime? I will be the first to complain to my representative about you waisting your representatives time. [[cp:User:Bohdan|Bohdan]] 12:51, 13 July 2007 (EDT)+ + − :: No matter your bluster Bohdan, you know what I'm talking about. This is not the FBI's website, where vandalism could be national security issue. Nor is it the IBM website, where vandalism could represent a commercial threat. This, in fact, is a wiki, a technology purposely designed to not only allow but encourage members of the public to write. You do not have a legal leg to stand on if you leave all the doors of your house open and complain to the FBI that burglers rearranged your furniture and stole the TV. Even contacting the good folk of the FBI is timewasting. They have terrorists to catch. [[cp:User:Wumps|Wumps]] 12:59, 13 July 2007 (EDT)+ + − :::Are you aware that the FBI has a separate division that is dedicated only to fighting internet crime? [[cp:User:Bohdan|Bohdan]] 13:01, 13 July 2007 (EDT)+ + + − :: "Wumps", let me guess. You're a [[cp:liberal|liberal]], right? You may be hearing this for the first time, then. Vandalism is wrong, and it's a crime. The FBI investigates crimes, the DOJ prosecutes them, and the Bureau of Prisons houses the defendants after they are convicted. No kidding. I know, you didn't learn that in [[cp:public school|public school]]. Well, let this site be an education for you and others.--[[cp:User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 12:56, 13 July 2007 (EDT)+ + − : No, Andy, I'm not a [[cp:liberal|liberal]]. I'm an [[cp:American|American]]. And yes, Bohdan, I did know there's an internet unit at the FBI. I believe child pornography, identity theft, financial fraud, international and commercial espionage are all crimes pursued by the department. I don't see any crime anywhere about annoying blog postings being a crime. [[User:Wumps|Wumps]] 13:11, 13 July 2007 (EDT)+ − :: Wumps, you're clueless, and I'm confident you are a [[cp:liberal|liberal]]. We're not fooled by you here. Only a tiny percentage of the FBI and DOJ's efforts go towards catching terrorists. And, by the way, someone who burglarizes an open house is going to jail for just as long as if the house were locked. There are entire divisions of the FBI devoted to internet crime, including vandalizing websites, as Bohdan pointed out.+ − :: One more point, Wumps: "burglers" is spelled "burglars".--[[cp:User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 13:13, 13 July 2007 (EDT)+ − : Well, I gotta admit, you got me there Andy! :-) Actually, I'm not clueless, though my spelling could certainly do with some work. But seriously now, please specifiy exactly what crime is being committed- the actual code of law - when a wiki experiences a disagreeable posting? And no, someone who burglarizes an open house is not going to jail, especially since the house has big signs all over the nations highway saying "Open House here! Come write at www.conservapedia.com!"+ + − : You don't seem to get it. You might well have a legal leg to stand on if you were not a wiki. But by definition a wiki is an open invitation to write and edit. By your standards, since I'm writing something you're disagreeing with right now, I am currently committing a crime. And I don't think for a moment you believe that's the case. [[cp:User:Wumps|Wumps]] 13:19, 13 July 2007 (EDT)+ − :::A Wiki is a (fairly-) open invitation to write and edit. But not to ''vandalise'', which is the case in question. [[cp:User:Philip J. Rayment|Philip J. Rayment]] 07:49, 14 July 2007 (EDT)+ − ::I got a better idea. ''You'' write an article on [[cp:Internet Crime|Internet Crime]], starting with website vandalism. + − + + + + + − :::Not to pry, but should someone check first to make sure that this kind of report isn't considered a nuisance and is not itself prosecuted?[[cp:User:SumsUp|SumsUp]] 22:09, 13 July 2007 (EDT)+ − ::::No offense, but you should probably check to make sure your post here wasn't considered a nuisance that can be prosecuted. [[cp:User:Bohdan|Bohdan]] 22:10, 13 July 2007 (EDT) − − :::::Excuse me???[[cp:User:SumsUp|SumsUp]] 22:13, 13 July 2007 (EDT) − − ::::::By prosecuted I mean blockable. [[cp:User:Bohdan|Bohdan]] 22:15, 13 July 2007 (EDT) − − :I'll take your non-responsiveness to mean that you did not consider it, and that you are kind of mean to boot.[[cp:User:SumsUp|SumsUp]] 22:16, 13 July 2007 (EDT) − − Yes, the FBI will investigate crimes of this nature. They have to do it, it's an obligation. [[cp:User:Scorpio|Scorpio]] 00:01, 14 July 2007 (EDT) − − ::There seems to be a little confusion here... The issue isn't that some moron came along and changed a page maliciously - it is that someone '''designed a software tool specifically and solely with the aim of targeting and damaging the content of this site and then utilised it to do so'''. That is not mere vandalism, I think you'll find. Also, the "open house" analogy is ridiculous. If I visit a museum, it has a huge welcome sign on the door; I may even pay a fee, entitling me to enter that museum. I am not excused in law from then smashing an exhibit... [[cp:Image:User Fox.png]] [[cp:User:Fox|Fox]] <small>([[cp:User talk:Fox|talk]]|[[cp:Special:Contributions/Fox|contribs]])</small> 08:19, 14 July 2007 (EDT) − − :::I agree and I think it is necessary. --[[cp:User:Joaquín Martínez|Joaquín Martínez]], [[cp:User talk:Joaquín Martínez|talk]] 08:38, 14 July 2007 (EDT) − − ''(The discussion continued as follows. However, as the discussion came a little close to the bone, sysop [[TK]] deleted the following section of the thread from Andy's Talk Page [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=User_talk:Aschlafly&diff=230715&oldid=230683], reproduced here:) − '' − − Not a bad idea Ed, however I doubt that website vandalism is an appropriate beginning to an article on [[Internet crime]]. I would suggest Child pornography is the obvious elephant in the room. As I say, 'vandalising' a Wiki is not a crime. Vandalising a locked-down site could be. [[cp:User:Wumps|Wumps]] 13:33, 13 July 2007 (EDT) − − ::Exactly! If you want to learn, don't read, write a book! Far more effective! --[[cp:User:TK|<small>Sysop-</small>TK]] <sub>[[cp:User_talk:TK|/MyTalk]]</sub> 13:34, 13 July 2007 (EDT) − − ::I had a look at some of [[User:Stevecarson|Stevecarson]]'s henious [[Special:Contributions/Stevecarson|acts of vandalism]]. That is truely a dangerous twisted mind at work from which society needs protecting. I wish the [[FBI]] well and pray for a speedy apprehension of this felon. When he is finally behind bars I will then know that I can once again sleep safe an sound. Thank you [[cp:User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] for helping make the world a safer place. Please keep us posted on the case. I await the trial with anticipation. [[cp:User:BritishConservative|BritishConservative]] 14:41, 13 July 2007 (EDT) − ::: You're welcome. Now if you only you could find someone to teach you how to spell heinous and truly, then you'd almost be ready to graduate from elementary school!--[[cp:User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 16:01, 13 July 2007 (EDT) − ::::The problem isn't so much to do with knowing how to spell heinous (I missed a ''d'' in ''and'' too) but one of typos, the old fingers flying over the keyboard aren't as nimble as they used to be. What that has to do with elementary school I will probably never fathom. By the way, have the [[FBI]] got back to you with an update on the progress of their investigation? [[cp:User:BritishConservative|BritishConservative]] 16:29, 13 July 2007 (EDT) − ::: Robert Morris was a graduate student in computer science at Cornell University who released his cute little worm (legally similar to the bot used by the vandal last night) on the internet on Nov. 2, 1988. In 1990, Morris was convicted of violating 18 USC § 1030. He appealed, and his conviction was affirmed in U.S. v. Morris, 928 F.2d 504 (2d Cir. 1991). He petitioned the Supreme Court but it had better things to do, and denied cert. in 502 U.S. 817 (1991). I'd guess Morris spent more than $100,000 unsuccessfully on legal fees in trying to justify his "work".--[[cp:User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 16:01, 13 July 2007 (EDT) − − :: Andy, internet technologies have come a long way since the Dark Ages of 1988, that case bears no relevance to your complaint of vandalism, and 18 USC § 1030 cannot help you. Collaborative editing tools such as Wikis didn't exist then. If you wish to avoid vandalism, and prosecute those who do so to your blog, you will have to move away from being a Wiki, or close entry to only those you have vetted. You cannot complain about rowdy guests having invited them in. [[cp:User:Wumps|Wumps]] 16:09, 13 July 2007 (EDT) − ::: Wumps can't even spell "burglar" but watch how he pretends to be an expert on criminal law. [[Liberal|Liberals]] are highly skilled at ''acting'' like they know something. I doubt Wumps has ever even attended a criminal proceeding.--[[cp:User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 16:28, 13 July 2007 (EDT) − ::Andy - you've never made a typo? I notice your [[cp:Internet Crime|Internet Crime]] article contribution contains one right now. [[cp:User:Wumps|Wumps]] 16:31, 13 July 2007 (EDT) − − ::::As a [[cp:Liberal|Liberal]] Wumps is bound to have attended a criminal proceeding - as the accused! [[cp:User:BritishConservative|BritishConservative]] 16:33, 13 July 2007 (EDT) − − Ho ho, BritCon. Anyway, yes, I'm going to be banned again for 90/10, but I just wanted to point out that having been invited to create the article, the article is of course locked, Andy's typos and all. Please do keep us informed of the progress of the case. I assume it will be part of the public record soon as it has now been filed, I must check up on it. I will gladly apologise and admit I was wrong when you have that evildoer Stevecarson in court. [[cp:User:Wumps|Wumps]] − − ''(When the above section was removed, the discussion continued, beginning with BritishConservative noticing the removal).'' − − [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=User_talk:Aschlafly&diff=230715&oldid=230683 Something] seems to have gone missing. Should I inform the [[FBI]]? [[cp:User:BritishConservative|BritishConservative]] 08:40, 14 July 2007 (EDT) − − :Is it malicious vandalism? Was it done by a bot designed to vandalise? No to both questions, so I suggest that you go back to writing and/or improving articles. [[cp:User:Philip J. Rayment|Philip J. Rayment]] 09:04, 14 July 2007 (EDT) − − I see you have two cases filed with the FBI. Do you have representation? [[cp:User:LegalWhizz|LegalWhizz]] 15:44, 16 July 2007 (EDT) − − ===Vandalism and the FBI [http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:Aschlafly/Archive26#Vandalism_and_the_FBI]=== − − Hi, I love your encyclopedia and have gotten much useful information out of it. I was just wondering if you would be so kind as to provide me with the exact law governing vandalism on open edit wiki's such as this one, I'm doing a computer assignment and haven't been able to find much information on it. Since you've been using it to prevent liberal vandalism would you be able to tell me it. Thanks, and keep up the good work [[cp:Spooster|Spooster]] 22:46, 14 July 2007 (EDT)<br> − − <br>Check out [[cp:Internet Crime|Internet Crime]]. [[Godspeed]].--[[cp:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 00:12, 15 July 2007 (EDT) − − ==The 'Jayjay' Incident== − − ''(Copied from Fox's Talk page)'' − − ===Vandal [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=User_talk:Fox&diff=prev&oldid=233079#Vandal]=== − − I can't believe it!! It took me a while to catch on...at first I thought it was a good editor who was interested in doing edits...but then I looked carefully and noticed that he wasn't fixing them, he was messing them up. My question is how was he doing it so quickly? [[cp:User:DeborahB.|DeborahB.]] 19:07, 14 July 2007 (EDT) − :It wasnt a person - it was a bot. [[cp:User:Fox|Fox]] <small>([[cp:User talk:Fox|talk]]|[[cp:Special:Contributions/Fox|contribs]])</small> 19:08, 14 July 2007 (EDT) − ::What?!?!? That's crazy! I wondering how it was going to fast! But I have ask...what's a bot? :) lol...it sounds bad :) And about putting all my rollbacks on my contest page...that's what I thought, but I just wanted to make sure. Thanks for the response! [[cp:User:DeborahB.|DeborahB.]] 19:37, 14 July 2007 (EDT) − :::Bot is short for robot; its a software program designed to access the pages and alter set words for something else - "is" to "was", "conservative" to "liberal" etc. It can go as fast as the CP server feeds it pages :/ [[cp:User:Fox|Fox]] <small>([[cp:User talk:Fox|talk]]|[[Special:Contributions/Fox|contribs]])</small> 19:45, 14 July 2007 (EDT) − − ===FBI [http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:Aschlafly/Archive26#FBI]=== − User:Jayjay, using IP address 24.123.175.xx (we have the full number), is being reported next to the FBI. Cincinnati Bell will easily be able to trace that IP. Godspeed.--[[cp:User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 19:13, 14 July 2007 (EDT) − − ===FBI defence [http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:Aschlafly#FBI_defence]=== − Hi - a solicitor friend of mine told me about these cases you're filing with the FBI. I'd be very interested in helping you defend the case - would you be interested? I'm based in the UK, but am American, and have a lot of experience defending people against the rather harsh treatment normally meted out by the FBI in these types of situations. I can work pro-bono, and would be interested to hear your case [[cp:User:DrJoshWeinstein|DrJoshWeinstein]] 18:19, 16 July 2007 (EDT) − − :So your solicitor friend would be a middleman, right? [[cp:User:Bohdan|Bohdan]] − − Sorry? Are you referring to my asking the owner of this site about legal representation - that has been my only contribution here on Conservapedia? I'm not sure what you mean? [[cp:User:DrJoshWeinstein|DrJoshWeinstein]] 18:04, 28 July 2007 (EDT) − − I'm revisiting you herre today to check up on the status of your FBI investigations, but I see you've archived that thread. No matter - I would simply like to again offer my professional services to you in this matter. I am a solicitor well versed in defending individuals against the FBI, and am very familiar with cases such as yours, as I've made it my speciality over the past 15 years or so. I notice your wiki references the <i>Gravois Mills</i> case [http://www.conservapedia.com/Hate_crime#Claims_of_Hate_Crimes] - this is a very similar case to your own, and I have spoken with the pastor involved in that case. Despite being a different area of the law, the FBI does indeed view vandalism of physical property the same as vandalism of online property. I understand that you may appreciate discretion, and I will observe that. Please contact me off list if you are interested. [[cp:User:DrJoshWeinstein|DrJoshWeinstein]] 18:26, 28 July 2007 (EDT) − − *Where would you be contacted, Dr. Weinstein? Your IP Address, 85.92.130.117, is located in the Netherlands. You must have a very impressive practice! --[[cp:User:TK|<small>Sysop-</small>TK]] <sub>[[cp:User_talk:TK|--Talk 2 Me]]</sub> 18:35, 28 July 2007 (EDT) − − Yes, I am indeed located in the Netherlands - I'm taking a vacation with family in Utrecht, since you asked! You may contact me via my email address off this thread if you wish. [[cp:User:DrJoshWeinstein|DrJoshWeinstein]] 18:41, 28 July 2007 (EDT) − − : Wow, and you're posting at nearly 1am on a Sunday morning there while on vacation with your family!!!! Good "doctor", perhaps Wikipedia would be a better home for an "expert" like you. You seem far too "clever". − − : By the way, good "doctor", "solicitors" don't practice law here in the [[cp:United States]]. Godspeed.--[[cp:User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 18:56, 28 July 2007 (EDT) − − Uhm....yes, it is indeed 1am on a Saturday night/Sunday morning, but what's so strange about being up after midnight with a nice glass of wine by my side and my wife and I playing backgammon? As to 'solicitor', yes, you've spotted that I am a UK-based solicitor - 'lawyer' in American terminology. I also practice law in the US, by the way, and I'm sorry, I should have pointed that out sooner. I have an office in Washington DC. [[cp:User:BjornBenny|BjornBenny]] 19:00, 28 July 2007 (EDT) − − *Sid, I suggest you get yourself some rest! --[[cp:User:TK|<small>Sysop-</small>TK]] <sub>[[cp:User_talk:TK|--Talk 2 Me]]</sub> 21:23, 28 July 2007 (EDT) − − :*DrJoshWeinstein, Here is some information of on the [http://www.fbi.gov/hq/ci/domain.htm FBI]'s [http://www.infragard.net/index.htm counterintelligence information exchange] program to combat cyber crime, terrorism, and other criminal and internet security threats. [[cp:User:RobS|RobS]] 21:43, 29 July 2007 (EDT) − − ==Copied from Conservapedia: About Talk Page== − − ===FBI investigation [http://www.conservapedia.com/Conservapedia_talk:About#FBI_investigation]=== − − Could we please have an update on this? People are curious as to the status of the investigation. Are you allowed to talk about it at this time?--[[cp:User:Philaretes|Philarates]] 12:51, 30 July 2007 (EDT) − − :And which people are curious about it at this time? [[cp:User:Karajou|Karajou]] 13:05, 30 July 2007 (EDT) − − :Investigations are not launched on a newspaper front page. They are, by their nature, clandestine, unless a point is reached when an indictment will be served. I hope this was edifying. [[cp:User:Learn together|Learn together]] 13:03, 30 July 2007 (EDT) − − No harm in asking a simple question. In response to Karajou, these people here [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=User_talk:Aschlafly&diff=253308&oldid=253305],and here [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=User_talk:Aschlafly&diff=253329&oldid=253320], and here [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=User_talk:Aschlafly&diff=255042&oldid=255039], and here [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Conservapedia_talk%3AAbout&diff=255057&oldid=255056]would like to know. BTW, Learn together, how do you know there will be an indictment? The FBI may well determine this is not worth their time or trouble. Andy made it public that he reported username stevecarson to the FBI, so what is the harm in asking? --[[cp:User:Philaretes|Philaretes]]] 15:12, 30 July 2007 (EDT) − − :You are concerned about trolls (or a troll) asking questions? Interesting. Hopefully you will take this opportunity to quickly learn FBI protocol. If they had started an investigation, they would hardly copy Andy with what they are doing. They will choose to act based upon their timetables and workload. Andy has informed them of a law being broken. That is the proper procedure to follow. In the event that law is broken again, they would be more likely to expedite the case. Andy has already set that foundation. We won't know, nor do we necessarily care, what is being done at this moment. We'll leave that to you. [[cp:User:Learn together|Learn together]] 18:03, 30 July 2007 (EDT) − − :As has been previously established, the clandestine nature of investigation means we simply don't know. [[cp:User:DanH|DanH]] 15:14, 30 July 2007 (EDT) − − DanH, that is true, assuming that the FBI is conducting an investigation. However, why did Conservapedia ban the editors who asked the questions about the investigation? I understand the one who titled his "embarrasing question" as he was a troll, but the others I think, were not.--[[cp:User:Philaretes|Philaretes]] 15:19, 30 July 2007 (EDT) − − ==And Finally, The Cover-up: When Asked a Difficult Question, Revert, Threaten and Ban== − It is extraordinary to note the lengths to which Conservapedia management is going in their efforts to cover this incident up and to suppress discussion. Subsequent to Mr.Schlafly's claimed FBI filings, one user after another (it was 3 when this article started, and is now up to 13 incidents and numerous pre-emptive strikes) has asked how the investigation is progressing. Some have pointed out that asking the FBI to prosecute someone who vandalized an open wiki is not only a ridiculous attempt to distract law enforcement officials from far more serious problems, but is possibly also the criminal offense of 'time wasting,' given that there has clearly been no crime committed. − − Every question has been met with a broad sequence of reverts and blocks. The powers that be at CP are '''extremely''' touchy about this embarrassing issue, and are engaging in their usual [[conservative]] [[deceit]] — lie, deny, stonewall, cover up, lie, deny, stonewall, ban, rinse, repeat. One CP sysop indicated that asking about the case constitutes an actual "obstruction of justice", another reverted a posting with the comment "FBI is NOYB". − − The cases are: − *User Spooster, question at [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=User_talk:Aschlafly&diff=233324&oldid=233259] (apparently archived before it could be reverted), block at [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Special:Log&type=block&page=User:Spooster]. − *User JackTheRealMcCoy, revert at [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=User_talk%3AAschlafly&diff=253308&oldid=253305], block at [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Special:Log&type=block&page=User:JackTheRealMcCoy]. − *User Libby, revert at [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=User_talk:Aschlafly&diff=254243&oldid=254234], block at [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Special:Log&type=block&page=User:Libby]. − *User Eddiec, revert at [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=User_talk%3AAschlafly&diff=255042&oldid=255039], block at [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Special:Log&type=block&page=User:Eddiec]. − :*After his block expired, user Eddiec asked again, revert at [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Talk%3AMain_Page&diff=262772&oldid=262757], and gets told to stop asking here [http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:Eddiec]and then banned AND deleted. <!--Deleted note was "The sysops of Conservapedia would appreciate if you could cease asking about a legal matter that does not concern you. Furthermore, the main page discussion section is certainly not an appropriate place for discussion of this type - or anywhere on Conservapedia. [[User:Jallen|<font color="#4d4d4d">Jallen</font>]] <sup>[[User talk:Jallen|talk]]</sup> 14:15, 8 August 2007 (EDT)". I happened to have a browser window open at the instant the page was deleted! --> − *User DrJoshWeinstein, discussion (not reverted) at [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=User_talk:Aschlafly&diff=prev&oldid=253950#FBI_defence], block at [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Special:Log&type=block&page=User:DrJoshWeinstein]. − *User SumsUp, warned at [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=User_talk:SumsUp&diff=259921&oldid=233568], reverted at [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Talk%3AMain_Page&diff=255884&oldid=255878], block at [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Special:Log&type=block&page=User:SumsUp]. − *User Philaretes, reverts at [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Talk:Main_Page&diff=257542&oldid=257505] and (on his own talk page!) [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=User%3APhilaretes&diff=259124&oldid=259103], block at [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Special:Log&type=block&page=User:Philaretes]. Eight minutes '''''after''''' the block he gets his '''final warning''' and a remarkable [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=User_talk%3APhilaretes&diff=259126&oldid=240911 threat].After his ban, Philaretes responds to Karajou. [http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:Philaretes]. Somehow, I think he will be banned. Philaretes restores comments to his talk page and adds a message for the sysops [http://www.conservapedia.com/User:Philaretes] − *User Order, revert at [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Talk:Main_Page&oldid=257752#Deletions_of_discussions.], threat at [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=User_talk:Order&diff=257720&oldid=257686], using the picturesque phrase "they're gonna give you the stick", blocks at [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Special:Log&type=block&page=User:Order] for this exchange of messages [http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:JoshuaZ#Official_Warning]. − *User EdDeTour, revert at [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Talk%3AMain_Page&diff=257764&oldid=257752], block at [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Special:Log&type=block&page=User:EdDeTour]. − *User Supervisor (This one is clearly just needling the nice people at CP), revert at [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Talk:Main_Page&diff=next&oldid=259471], block at [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Special:Log&type=block&page=User:Supervisor]. − *User TNM (admittedly tasteless), revert at [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Talk:Main_Page&diff=260676&oldid=260675], block at [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Special:Log&type=block&page=User:TNM]. − *User CaptainMike, revert at [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=User_talk:Aschlafly&diff=next&oldid=261577], block at [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Special%3ALog&type=block&user=&page=User%3ACaptainMike]. − *User SchoolDebater mentions it in passing in another thread on Conservative's Talk page [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=User_talk:Conservative&curid=6539&diff=263140&oldid=263136], but it's reverted [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=User_talk:Conservative&curid=6539&diff=263141&oldid=263140] and blocked [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Special:Log&type=block&page=User:SchoolDebater] by Andy in seconds, calling it "all senseless talk!". − *User GRossi asks about the FBI [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=User_talk:Aschlafly&diff=prev&oldid=317282], a math question that was refused an answer, and Andy's brother's apparent sexuality. Reverted [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=User_talk:Aschlafly&diff=next&oldid=317282], and blocked [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Special:Log&type=block&page=User:GRossi], with the message "don't mess with Andy." because he will ******* cut you! − − '''NOTE''' − − A couple of weeks later, the flurry of activity had died down to only sporadic incidents. But CP is still very sensitive about it. At the time of writing older echos of the incident are still reverbarating at [http://www.conservapedia.com/Conservapedia_talk:Privacy_policy Conservapedia talk:Privacy policy]. UPDATE: That page has since been "[[Conservapedia:Burning the Evidence|burned]]" by the CP powers that be. Hardly surprising. − − It seems likely that this web page may itself be contributing to the phenomenon that it documents. People may be taunting Conservapedia just to see their efforts mentioned here. Therefore, barring extraordinary developments, '''we will not be posting further incidents here.''' − − ===The unwritten Commandment=== − − A user [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Conservapedia_talk:Commandments&oldid=265027 suggested] '''not mentioning the FBI''' should be a [http://www.conservapedia.com/Conservapedia:Commandments Commandment]. This was duly [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Conservapedia_talk:Commandments&diff=265028&oldid=265027 deleted] and the user [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Special:Log&type=block&page=User:PercySugden blocked], with "SubHuman troll" being used as the reason. A further user asked [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Conservapedia_talk:Commandments&oldid=267050 why]. [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Conservapedia_talk:Commandments&diff=267112&oldid=267050 Deletion] followed and the user was [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Special:Log&type=block&page=User:EnaSharples blocked]. A third user made a similar [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Conservapedia_talk:Commandments&oldid=275491 suggestion], this was [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Conservapedia_talk:Commandments&diff=275523&oldid=275491 deleted] and the user [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Special:Log&type=block&page=User:JohnMarshall blocked], the reason given was ''mentioning FBI''. With CP's characteristic inconsistency, the blocker who mentioned the FBI in the block comment was not himself blocked. − − ==Closure== − [[File:Conservapedia FOIA 25pc.png|thumb|The evidence of absence.]] − By mid-2010, the whole FBI incident had been relegated to history. However, an enterprising blogger, going by the handle of "History Punk" took matters into his own hands. In a posting on his blog, Historiographic Anarchy on 31 July, 2010, he chastised Rationalwiki for not following through on the FBI incident. He also revealed that he had submitted a request for information on the alleged case reported by Schlafly to the FBI, in terms of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).<ref name=historypunk>[http://historyanarchy.blogspot.com/2010/07/conservapedia-never-even-called-fbi.html Historiographic Anarchy: Conservapedia Never Even Called the FBI]</ref> − − He posted the reply from the FBI<ref>[http://www.scribd.com/doc/35161602/Conservapedia-FBI-FOIA-Letter An on-line copy of the letter received from the FBI]</ref>, in which they stated that they were "unable to identify responsive main file records," which is jargon-talk for "we have no record of a complaint being made." Which is what everybody suspected all along. − − It should be noted that History Punk's identity and letter are unverified. But anyone else could send a similar FOIA request to verify, and probably should. − − It's quite possible that Schlafly has lied to his fellow administrators, informing them that an FBI investigation is underway, whereas the evidence shows that most likely nothing was done. Evidence that some administrators believe that the FBI investigation is ongoing can been seen from Karajou's comments to the [[TZB|sysops' discussion group:]] − {{quotebox|Another thing we have to be aware of is the fact that certain RW trolls are stating we are bluffing when it comes to the FBI, et al. There's a major investment in time and money in Conservapedia, and one side wants to kill it off. So when it comes to law enforcement, no bluffing allowed. <ref>[[TZB]] 410/19a0f837d938b791.html</ref>}} − {{quotebox|Our physical presence over in RW has several effects: 1. It could undermine whatever law enfforcement investigations currently going on; the FBI could see that we're just two groups of squabbling kids and leave it at that.<ref>[[TZB]] 280/cc906d0c4ef44104.html</ref>}} − − ==Foototes== − ==See also==+ − * [[FBI Biometrics Database]]+ − + − {{DEFAULTSORT:{{PAGENAME}}}} − − [[category:internet]] − [[category:law]] − −
Federal Bureau of Investigation (view source)
Revision as of 14:28, January 1, 2012
, 14:28, January 1, 2012Undo revision 950292 by SchIafIyStatistics (talk)vandalism
[[Image:FBISeal.png|right|200px|thumb|Federal Bureau of Investigation]]
The '''Powers That Be''' at ultraconservative Christian fundamentalist blog [[Conservapedia]] have made frequent paranoid and grandiose claims about 'vandalism' <ref>The term 'vandalism' is probably an inappropriate charge — on a wiki, one can't really vandalize in the usual sense of the word. On RationalWiki, we often use the term '[[wandalism]]' (short for "wiki vandalism") to describe this type of activity.</ref> on their site. They have repeatedly [[threat]]ened editors with legal repercussions and threats to report users to their schools or employers. Some of their claims have been farcical, some extremely serious—in particular, the (claimed but unsubstantiated) reporting of two users to the most powerful policing authority in the United States, the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]].
The '''Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)''' is the principal investigative arm of the [[United States Department of Justice]]. As a federal law enforcement agency it investigates alleged violations of federal criminal laws governing banking, gambling, white collar fraud, public corruption, civil rights, interstate transportation of stolen property, and elections. The FBI's investigative authority can be found in Title 28, Section 533 of the US Code. Additionally, there are other statutes, such as the Congressional Assassination, Kidnapping, and Assault Act (Title 18, US Code, Section 351), which give the FBI responsibility to investigate specific crimes.
==Mission==
The mission of the FBI is to protect and defend the United States against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats, to uphold and enforce the criminal laws of the United States, and to provide leadership and criminal justice services to federal, state, municipal, and international agencies and partners.
==Priorities==
*Protect the United States from [[terrorist]] attack.
*Protect the United States against foreign intelligence operations and [[espionage]].
*Protect the United States against cyber-based attacks and high-technology crimes.
*Combat public corruption at all levels.
*Protect [[civil rights]].
*Combat transnational and national criminal organizations and enterprises.
*Combat major white-collar crime.
*Combat significant [[violent crime]].
*Support federal, state, county, municipal, and international partners.
*Upgrade technology to successfully perform the FBI's mission.<ref>[http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/quick-facts Facts and Figures]</ref>
==Crimes under FBI jurisdiction==
===National Security priorities===
*'''Counterterrorism'''
:International Terrorism
:Domestic Terrorism
:Weapons of Mass Destruction
*'''Counterintelligence'''
:Counterespionage
:Counterproliferation
:Economic Espionage
*'''Cyber Crime'''
:Computer Intrusions
:Online Predators
:Piracy/Intellectual Property Theft
:Internet Fraud
===Criminal Priorities===
*'''Public Corruption'''
:Government Fraud
:Election Fraud
:Foreign Corrupt Practices
*'''Civil Rights'''
:Hate Crime
:Human Trafficking
:Color of Law
:Freedom of Access to Clinics
*'''White-Collar Crime'''
:Antitrust
:Bankruptcy Fraud
:Corporate/Securities Fraud
:Health Care Fraud
:Identity Theft
:Insurance Fraud
:Money Laundering
:Mortgage Fraud
:Telemarketing Fraud
:More White-Collar Frauds
*'''Organized Crime'''
:Italian Mafia/LCN
:Eurasian
:Balkan
:Middle Eastern
:Asian
:African
:Sports Bribery
*'''Major Thefts/Violent Crime'''
:Art Theft
:Bank Robberies
:Cargo Theft
:Crimes Against Children
:Cruise Ship Crime
:Indian Country Crime
:Jewelry and Gems Theft
:Murder for Hire
:Retail Theft
:Vehicle Theft
:Violent Gangs
==Legal Briefing on the Case==
==The Director==
The FBI is headed by a Director who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. On October 15, 1976, in reaction to the extraordinary 48-year term of [[J. Edgar Hoover]], Congress passed Public Law 94-503, which limits the term of each FBI Director to ten years.
The current Director, Robert S. Mueller, III, was confirmed as Director of the FBI by the Senate on August 2, 2001. He took the oath of office on September 4, 2001. Director Mueller previously served as US Attorney for the Districts of Northern California and Massachusetts and as Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Department of Justice's Criminal Division. Director Mueller has experience in the private practice of law and is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. For three years, he also served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. Director Mueller holds a bachelor of arts degree from Princeton University, a master's degree in international relations from New York University, and a law degree from the University of Virginia.
===Common Usage Patterns at the Site===
==Headquarters==
FBI Headquarters is currently located in the J. Edgar Hoover Building on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC. The Special Agents and support personnel who work at Headquarters organize and coordinate FBI activities around the world. Headquarters personnel determine investigative priorities, oversee major cases, and manage the organization's resources, technology, and personnel. Headquarters also has a role in gathering and distributing information. If a Special Agent in Boise, Idaho, has some information that would help an Agent in New York City solve a case, Headquarters is responsible for making sure the information gets from Boise to New York.
Headquarters plays a key role in fighting terrorism. It is the focal point for intelligence, not only from around the country, but from the CIA and various countries overseas. Headquarters takes the intelligence information it collects, analyzes it, and sends it to field offices, state and municipal police departments, and other federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security.
In the late 1990s, the FBI put a professional scientist in charge of the Laboratory and instituted reforms to improve evidence handling and optimize research. As the FBI has grown, some Headquarters functions have been moved to other locations. The Criminal Justice Information Services Division is located in Clarksburg, [[West Virginia]]. The Laboratory and Investigative Technologies Divisions are located in [[Quantico]], Virginia. Other specialized facilities, such as high-tech computer forensics centers, are at various locations across the country.
===The Effects of the Incident===
==Budget==
In fiscal year (FY) 2003, the FBI received a total of $4.298 billion, including $540.281 million in net program increases to enhance Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence, Cybercrime, Information Technology, Security, Forensics, Training, and Criminal Programs.
===Findings of Fact===
==Field Offices==
The nuts and bolts work of the FBI is done in its 56 field offices and their 400 satellite offices, known as resident agencies. It is the Special Agent in the field who looks for clues, tracks down leads, and works with local law enforcement to catch and arrest criminals. A Special Agent in Charge oversees each field office, except for the largest field offices, in [[Washington, DC]], [[Los Angeles]], and [[New York City]], which are headed by an Assistant Director.
==International Offices==
In addition to its field offices across the United States, the FBI has 45 offices known as Legal Attachés or "Legats" located around the world. Legats are our first line of defense beyond our borders. Their goals are simple-to stop foreign crime as far from American shores as possible and to help solve international crimes that do occur as quickly as possible.
To accomplish these goals, each Legat works with law enforcement and security agencies in their host country to coordinate investigations of interest to both countries. Some Legats are responsible for coordination with law enforcement personnel in several countries. The purpose of these Legats is strictly coordination; they do not conduct foreign intelligence gathering or counterintelligence investigations. The rules for joint activities and information-sharing are generally spelled out in formal agreements between the United States and the Legat's host country. The entire worldwide Legat program is overseen by a Special Agent in Charge located at FBI Headquarters.
===Major Vandalism [http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:Aschlafly/Archive25#major_vandalism]===
==National Security Branch==
The National Security Branch (NSB) was established on September 12, 2005, in response to a presidential directive to establish a “National Security Service” that combines the missions, capabilities, and resources of the counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and intelligence elements of the FBI under the leadership of a senior FBI official. In July 2006, the Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate was created within the NSB to integrate WMD components previously spread throughout the FBI.
''(This seems to be the first appearance of the incident)''
==Training==
In the FBI, learning is a lifelong process for both Special Agents and support personnel. New Agents' Training incorporates counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and cyber investigation matters into basic investigative courses so Agents are better able to recognize and address these intertwined threats. For example, training in financial crimes shows Agents how certain acts should be closely reviewed for possible money laundering activities by terrorist groups.
FBI support personnel enjoy a variety of training opportunities throughout their careers, including in-service training on counterterrorism, counterintelligence, cybecrime, and other matters; language training; distance learning via satellite; and courses offered through the FBI's "Virtual Academy."
===College of Analytical Studies===
The FBI's College of Analytical Studies provides training for intelligence analysts using state-of-the-art computer tools. A variety of courses are offered to FBI personnel, members of Joint Terrorism Task Forces around the country, and Department of Justice analysts.
===National Academy===
Since 1935, the FBI has offered the National Academy program to experienced law enforcement managers nominated by their agency heads because of their leadership qualities.
The 11-week multidisciplinary program emphasizes leadership development. The [[University of Virginia]] accredits its academic courses. Courses offered include management science, law, behavioral science, law enforcement communication, and forensic science. More than 36,000 police managers have graduated from the FBI National Academy.
''(At least Aschlafly is somewhat aware of a great Clash (cover) song.)''
===Field Police Training===
A Special Agent at each FBI field office coordinates training programs for state and local law enforcement and public safety employees within that office's territory. Course topics include hostage negotiation, computer crime, death investigations, violent crimes, criminal psychology, and forensics. In FY 2002, the field police training programs trained 48,021 law enforcement and public safety employees.
===Prosecuting Vandals [http://www.conservapedia.com/User_talk:Aschlafly/Archive26#Prosecuting_Vandals]===
===Leadership and Management Science Programs===
The FBI conducts three five-day National Executive Institute seminars for heads of large law enforcement agencies each year. Since the program began in 1976, more than 800 top police managers have completed the seminar. In FY 2000, 59 police managers from mid-sized law enforcement agencies completed the FBI's two-week Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar (LEEDS). The FBI also offers 18 Regional Mini-LEEDS/Command Colleges each year for the heads of small law enforcement agencies.
===International Training and Assistance===
In FY 2002, the FBI provided training to more than 8,050 police officers and executives representing 118 countries through courses offered at FBI facilities and at on-site in-country seminars. Courses were offered in Major Case Management and Terrorist Crime Scenes Investigation, among others. The FBI also administers an [[International Law Enforcement Academy]] in [[Budapest]], [[Hungary]], and supports a second Academy in Bangkok, Thailand. The curricula at both International Academies are based on the FBI National Academy model.
==History==
===Bureau of Investigation===
On July 26, 1908, Attorney General (AG) Charles J. Bonaparte ordered a small force of permanent investigators (organized a month earlier) to report to the Department of Justice's Chief Examiner, Stanley Finch. AG Bonaparte declared that these investigators would handle all Department of Justice (DOJ) investigative matters, except certain bank frauds. At first, little seemed to come of AG Bonaparte's reorganization.
In 1909, this investigator force was named the Bureau of Investigation (BOI). At this time, it investigated antitrust matters, land fraud, copyright violations, peonage (involuntary slavery), and twenty other matters. Over the next decade, federal criminal authority and Bureau jurisdiction were extended by laws like the 1910 "White-Slave Traffic" Act that put responsibility for interstate prostitution under the Bureau for a time and the 1919 Dyer Act that did the same for interstate auto-theft. US entry into World War I in April 1917 led to further increases in the Bureau's jurisdiction. Congress and President Wilson assigned the BOI's three hundred employees responsibility for espionage, sabotage, sedition, and selective service matters.
===The Gangster Era===
The 1920's brought Prohibition, the automobile, and an increase in criminal activity. Bank robbers, bootleggers, and kidnappers took advantage of jurisdictional boundaries by crossing state lines to elude capture. A criminal culture marked by violent gangsters flourished, but no federal law gave the BOI authority to tackle their crimes and other law enforcement efforts were fragmented. The Bureau addressed these matters as its jurisdiction permitted throughout the 1920's.
In 1924, Attorney General Harlan Stone appointed John Edgar Hoover as Director. Director Hoover (1924-1972) implemented a number of reforms to clean up what had become a politicized Bureau under the leadership of William J. Burns (1921-1924). Hoover reinstated merit hiring, introduced professional training of new Agents, demanded regular inspections of all Bureau operations, and required strict professionalism in the Bureau's work.
Notorious John Dillinger and his gang terrorized the Midwest from September 1933 until July 1934, killing 10 men, wounding 7 others, robbing banks and police arsenals, and staging 3 jail breaks. On July 22, 1934, Dillinger was shot and killed by FBI Agents outside the Biograph Theater in Chicago.
Under Hoover, the Bureau also began to emphasize service to other law enforcement agencies. The Identification Division was created in 1924 to provide US police a means to identify criminals across jurisdictional boundaries. The Technical Crime Laboratory, created in 1932, provided forensic analysis and research for law enforcement, and the FBI National Academy, opened in 1935, provided standardized professional training for America's law enforcement communities.
In answer to the violent crime of the 1930's, Congress began to assign and expand new authorities to the Bureau. The kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh's baby son in 1932 led to the passage of the Federal Kidnapping Act, which allowed the Bureau to investigate interstate kidnappings. The 1933 Kansas City Massacre spurred the passage of the 1934 May/June Crime Bills. These laws gave the Bureau authority to act in many new areas, to make arrests, and to carry weapons. Renamed "Federal Bureau of Investigation" in 1935, the FBI dealt with gangsters severely, earning its anonymous agents the nickname "G-Men."
===World War II===
As the gangster threat subsided, a threat of a different nature emerged. In 1936, President Roosevelt directed the FBI to investigate potential subversion by Nazi and Communist organizations. In 1940, he tasked the Bureau with responsibility for foreign intelligence in the western hemisphere and domestic security in the United States. In response, the Bureau created a Special Intelligence Service (SIS) Division in June 1940. The SIS sent undercover FBI Agents throughout the Western Hemisphere. These Agents successfully identified some 1,300 Axis intelligence agents (about 10% of whom were prosecuted). When President Truman ordered the program's end in 1947, several former SIS offices became the backbone of the FBI's foreign liaison efforts, now serving as Legal Attaché Offices. FBI efforts also thwarted many espionage, sabotage, and propaganda attempts on the home front, including Frederick Duquesne's spy ring in 1941 and George Dasch's band of saboteurs in 1942.
===Cold War===
When Germany and Japan surrendered in 1945, concern about the threat of foreign intelligence did not end. Revelations that year from former Soviet intelligence agents like Igor Guzenko and Elizabeth Bentley, information gleaned from FBI investigations during and after the war, and decrypted/decoded Soviet cable traffic called "Venona" (available to the Bureau from 1947), convinced the FBI of the seriousness of the Soviet intelligence threat long before Senator Joseph McCarthy made his 1950 speech about communist "moles." Under the Hatch Act (1940) and Executive Orders issued in 1947 and 1951, the Bureau exercised responsibility for ensuring the loyalty of those who sought to work in the government. The FBI played a critical role in US handling of the Cold War.
===Political activism===
In the 1950's, civil rights violations and organized crime became matters of increasing concern. As in the past, lack of jurisdiction hindered the Bureau from effectively responding to these problems when they first emerged as national issues. It was under the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act that the Bureau received legislative authority to investigate many of the wrongs done to African Americans in the South and elsewhere. Under existing laws, the Bureau's efforts against organized crime also started slowly. Then, with the 1968 Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act and the 1970 Organized Crime Control Act, Congress gave the Bureau effective weapons with which to attack organized criminal enterprises, Title III warrants for wiretaps and the Racketeering and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
During the 1960's, subversion remained a central focus of Bureau efforts. The counter-cultural revolution turned the Bureau's attention towards violent student movements, as criminal groups like the Weather Underground and the Black Panthers engaged in both legitimate political action and illegal crime. The Bureau responded to the threat of subversion with Counterintelligence Programs (COINTELPRO) first against the Communist Party (1956), later against other violent/subversive groups like the Black Panthers and the Ku Klux Klan (1960's). These programs resulted in the Bureau, at times, effectively stepping out of its proper role as a law enforcement agency.
During the 1970's, Bureau actions, which were publicly revealed through a strengthened Freedom of Information Act (1966, amended in 1974), resulted in congressional investigations like the Church Committee and the Pike Committee hearings in 1975. In response to criticisms emerging from these revelations, the Bureau worked with Attorney General Levi to develop guidelines for its domestic counterintelligence investigations.
===After Hoover===
J. Edgar Hoover served as FBI Director for almost 50 years. In the wake of Director Hoover's death in May 1972, Director Clarence M. Kelley (1973-1977) refocused FBI investigative priorities to place less emphasis on having a high number of cases and to focus more on the quality of cases handled. Working with the Bureau and Congress in 1976, Attorney General Edward Levi issued a set of investigative guidelines to address the concerns of Bureau critics and to give the FBI the confidence of having public, legal authority behind its use of irreplaceable investigative techniques like wiretaps, informants, and undercover agents. These investigative techniques were used to great effect in cases like ABSCAM (1980), GREYLORD (1984), and UNIRAC (1978). In 1983, as concerns about terrorist acts grew, Attorney General William French Smith revised the Levi Guidelines to adjust the Bureau's ability to prevent violent radical acts.
Director William H. Webster (1977-1987) built upon Director Kelley's emphasis on investigative "quality" cases by focusing Bureau efforts on three Priority Programs: White Collar Crime, Organized Crime, and Foreign Counterintelligence. Later, Illegal Drugs (1982), Counterterrorism (1982), and Violent Crimes (1989) were also identified as priority programs. This concentration of resources brought great success against Soviet and East Bloc intelligence as more than 40 spies were arrested between 1977 and 1985. The FBI also made breakthroughs against white-collar crime in investigations like ILLWIND (1988) and LOST TRUST (1990), and in organized crime cases like BRILAB (1981) and the PIZZA CONNECTION (1985).
During the 1990's, criminal and security threats to the United States evolved as new technology and the fall of communism in the Soviet bloc changed the geopolitical world. The 1993 bombing of the World Trade Centers and the 1995 bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building highlighted the potentially catastrophic threat of both international and domestic terrorism. The FBI responded to the emerging international face of crime by aggressively building bridges between US and foreign law enforcement. Under the leadership of Director Louis J. Freeh (1993-2001), the Bureau dramatically expanded its Legat Program (39 offices by fall 2000); provided professional law enforcement education to foreign nationals through the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Budapest (opened in 1994) and other international education efforts; and created working groups and other structured liaisons with foreign law enforcement.
The Bureau also strengthened its domestic agenda. Responding to criticism of its actions in the 1993 standoffs at Waco, Texas, and Ruby Ridge, Idaho, the Bureau revamped its crisis response efforts. The FBI's commitment to law enforcement service was strengthened by the computerization of its massive fingerprint collection database, enhancements in the National Crime Information Center, and by the revitalization of the FBI Laboratory. In 1997, the Bureau hired its first professional scientist to head the Lab. The Lab tightened its protocols for evidence control, instituted organizational changes to optimize research specialization, and earned national accreditation.
===September 11, 2001===
On September 4, 2001, former US Attorney Robert S. Mueller, III, (2001 to present) was sworn in as Director with a mandate to address a number of tough challenges: upgrading the Bureau's information technology infrastructure; addressing records management issues; and enhancing FBI foreign counterintelligence analysis and security in the wake of the damage done by former Special Agent and convicted spy Robert S. Hanssen.
Then within days of his entering on duty, the September 11 terrorist attacks were launched against New York and Washington. Director Mueller led the FBI's massive investigative efforts in partnership with all US law enforcement, the federal government, and our allies overseas. On October 26, 2001, the President signed into law the US Patriot Act, which granted new provisions to address the threat of terrorism, and Director Mueller accordingly accepted on behalf of the Bureau responsibility for protecting the American people against future terrorist attacks. On May 29, 2002, the Attorney General issued revised investigative guidelines to assist the Bureau's counterterrorism efforts.
To support the Bureau's change in mission and to meet newly articulated strategic priorities, Director Mueller called for a reengineering of FBI structure and operations that will closely focus the Bureau on prevention of terrorist attacks, on countering foreign intelligence operations against the US, and on addressing cyber-based attacks and other high technology crimes. In addition, the Bureau remains dedicated to protecting civil rights, and to combating public corruption, organized crime, white-collar crime, and major acts of violent crime. It is also strengthening its support to federal, county, municipal, and international law enforcement partners. And it is upgrading its technological infrastructure to successfully meet each of its priorities.
At the start of the new millennium, the FBI stands dedicated to its core values and ethical standards. Commitment to these values and standards ensures that the FBI effectively carries out its mission.
::Sometimes the best way to learn about something is when you have to teach it to someone else. --[[cp:User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 13:30, 13 July 2007 (EDT)
==Links==
*[http://www.fbi.gov/homepage.htm Federal Bureau of Investigation official site]
*[http://www.fbi.gov/wanted.htm FBI's "Most Wanted" page]
*[http://www.fbi.gov/hq/td/academy/academy.htm FBI Academy]
*[http://www.slate.com/id/2163407/?nav=fix>1=9330 How to get on the List]
== References ==
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[[Category:List of Law Enforcement Agencies]]
[[Category:United States Law]]
[[Category:Crime]]
[[Category:Conservapedia]]
[[Category:Best of RationalWiki]]
[[Category:Best of Conservapedia]]