Our Own Private Patriot Act - Abuse of FOIA?

[stavka]

A law firm in Michigan, appears to be doing what the Attorney General is denying he will do on his own, Seeking Confidential Records from Public Libraries. Most were served yesterday and today.

It looks like they are FOIAing every public Library (hundreds) for user information like name, address, phone number etc.

by no shock, the law firm Flory and Associates, is linked to ultra conservative causes- like The Young Republican National Federation.

Be a shame if that info then fell into the FBI's hands via a private "concerned citizen"

- Needless to say the Libraries are denying the request across the board

[jilln]

1. as they should, because ...

A$$craft told everyone to deny FOIAs whenever possible!!!

[stavka]

2. Really - glad to see that come back to bite him in the A$$

too bad most public libraries (and librarians) are outside his evil grasp and powers.....

Bwa hah hah hah!!!!!

[stavka]

3. ....Interesting late afternoon info

Date: Thu, 24 Jun 2004 16:22:23 -0400
From: ***** ******* <[e-mail]>
To: "[e-mail]" <[e-mail]>
Subject: FOIA request

Well, I spoke with Caleb, the Law Clerk from Flory & Assoc.
Here is the recap of what he stated when I asked why he was requesting the FOIA information from so many libraries:

"It is related to work they are doing for an affiliate organization." He
stated this several times and would not disclose who the affiliate
organization was due to client confidentiality. He also stated that
institutions funded primarily with public tax dollars should be included in public records available through FOIA. He also stated there is the
possibility to challenge the law in court and that he had six months after a denial to challenge.