OK, so you want to file a FOIA request. The question arises – what do you need to do that?
Obviously, you need an envelope, some paper (or the appropriate blank form), a pen, and a stamp. (smile) You also need some information concerning the individual about whom you’re making the inquiry.
We deal quite a bit with replies to FOIA inquiries concerning military records here at TAH. They’re a tool that TAH uses to “out” military phonies and prove them to be damned liars.
But for many the FOIA process is somewhat of a mystery. So I decided I’d write a short series of articles on the FOIA request process – a brief “how to”, if you like.
Why now and not earlier? While Jonn was a National Archives employee, as he stated elsewhere he intentionally stayed out of the FOIA business. He also intentionally remained ignorant of the FOIA process. That way, no one could accuse him of using nonpublic information, “inside contacts”, or similar unethical conduct. Posting a FOIA “How To” on the site would have simply been wrong under those conditions. So prior to a few days ago I’d not written this article and the ones to follow.
That’s no longer the case. I’ve now got the “green light” from Jonn to post these articles here at TAH.
I’m not saying that what I’m going to describe in these articles is the only or best way to do FOIA requests, or that I’m a expert in the area. But what I’m going to describe seems to work fairly well for me.
Why? Simple. The more people who know how to do a FOIA request relating to military records, the greater chance we have of seeing those who make false claims concerning their military records get “busted”.
That’s a good thing.
What will follow is a series of six articles. The first follows immediately; the remainder will follow over the next few days.
Since the tune I discussed earlier today was somewhat . . . less than happy, I thought I’d post this. Call it “balancing things out”.
Maybe it’s just me. But if there’s a happier rock-n-roll tune out there, I don’t know what that is.
“Mommy’s all right
Daddy’s all right
They just seem a little weird . . .”
Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan
28 and 30 April 1978
Longtime TAH readers know of my interest in popular music – and my penchant for running my yap about it. On that score, all I have to say is: “OK – ya got me.” (smile)
In general, I prefer popular music that is literate and has a message. Don’t get me wrong – a simpler but excellent song, well executed, can also grab and hold my attention; Deep Purple’s Smoke on the Water and AC/DC’s You Shook Me All Night Long are two examples. There are many others.
Still – I tend to gravitate towards popular music that’s a bit more complex, both musically and lyrically. In general, I like a song with a message that makes me think a bit.
And yeah, you’re correct: this is the beginning of another of those damned “walkabouts”. I’m about to wander off into the bush and wax obtuse yet again. (smile)
. . .
Federal authorities have announced they will seek the death penalty in the case of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev – AKA the surviving terrorist bastard “Boston Marathon bomber”.
All I can say is three things:
I’m sure that our “liberal brethren” will be out in force soon raising a hue and cry, and defending “poor, misunderstood young Dzhokhar”. But you know what? I don’t freaking care.
Do the crime, do the time. Or in this case – get the needle.
Apparently the funds were needed to develop a pizza MRE.
Well, I’m joking about the “funds were needed” part. But not about spending years to develop a pizza MRE.
Somehow a pizza MRE just doesn’t strike me as the Army’s most pressing need these days.
Look, I’m all for better equipment, uniforms, field rations, and the like. And improving what you have today is always something you need to look at.
But at some point, what you have today is more than good enough. Go beyond that, and IMO you’re simply wasting time and money – AKA “gilding the lily” or “goldplating”. Or making changes simply for the sake of making changes.
Doing that also wastes time and money – time and money that could be used for better things. Like, you know, maybe keeping promises and/or improving the quality of training or life for the troops. ‘Cause Lord knows DoD consistently seems to have a problem with all of those. And “not enough money” seems to always be the reason.
A pizza MRE. Hell, wouldn’t it be just as simple to put a box of mixed long-shelf-life condiment packets in each case of MREs (or one of each in each MRE) and let the troops “spice things up” as they wish?
From Reuters via Yahoo News:
BERLIN (Reuters) – Methane gas from 90 flatulent cows exploded in a German farm shed on Monday, damaging the roof and injuring one of the animals, police said.
No, I’m not joking. And some of the comments to the article are absolutely hilarious.
Elsie the Cow could not be reached for comment.
(Hat tip to the Drudge Report for the link.)