FBI letter to MLK shows sinister side of government spying

[spookyturtle 9,466]

One of the larger stains the FBI has ever had to endure on its not-so-spotless record was revealed in its entirety Thursday. A letter asking Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to kill himself - signed, sealed and delivered by J. Edgar Hoover's FBI.

The letter was discovered by a Yale history professor who penned an op-ed for The New York Times. Beverly Gage notes the letter occupies "a unique place in the history of American intelligence - the most notorious and embarrassing example of Hoover's F.B.I. run amok."

The letter - now known as the "suicide letter" - refers to the leader of the civil rights movement as "sexually psychotic," "a dissolute abnormal imbecile"and a "fraud." It ends with the famous warning, "You have just 34 days. ... There is but one way out for you. You better take it before your filthy abnormal fraudulent self is bared to the nation."

The letter along with a purported audio tape of MLK's extramarital affairs was sent to the King home and discovered by his wife, Coretta Scott King. Dr. King assumed the letter and tape were from the FBI and his after his death a Senate committee confirmed as much.

n an age where whistleblowers like Edward Snowden have exposed just how far agencies like the NSA or FBI can reach, the newly released full version of the suicide letter is worrisome to many. (Video via NBC)

The Electronic Frontier Foundation released a statement on the letter: "The implications of these types of strategies in the digital age are chilling. Imagine Facebook chats, porn viewing history, emails, and more made public to discredit a leader who threatens the status quo, or used to blackmail. ... These are not far-fetched ideas."

And Vox calls the letter "a terrifying reminder of what government surveillance agencies can be capable of."

FBI Director James Comey acknowledged this blemish in the FBI's past when he was first introduced as director, telling the crowd: "I'm going to direct that all new agents and analysts also visit the Martin Luther King Memorial here in Washington. I think it will serve as a different kind of lesson, one more personal to the bureau, of the dangers in becoming untethered to oversight and accountability."

http://www.aol.com/article/2014/11/13/fbi-letter-to-mlk-shows-sinister-side-of-government-spying/20993537/?icid=maing-grid7|main5|dl16|sec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D563419

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

I read and watched the video on CNN. Scary to think this was a big thing back then, now everyone pretty much knows your business.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

One of the larger stains the FBI has ever had to endure on its not-so-spotless record was revealed in its entirety Thursday. A letter asking Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to kill himself - signed, sealed and delivered by J. Edgar Hoover's FBI.

The letter was discovered by a Yale history professor who penned an op-ed for The New York Times. Beverly Gage notes the letter occupies "a unique place in the history of American intelligence - the most notorious and embarrassing example of Hoover's F.B.I. run amok."

The letter - now known as the "suicide letter" - refers to the leader of the civil rights movement as "sexually psychotic," "a dissolute abnormal imbecile"and a "fraud." It ends with the famous warning, "You have just 34 days. ... There is but one way out for you. You better take it before your filthy abnormal fraudulent self is bared to the nation."

The letter along with a purported audio tape of MLK's extramarital affairs was sent to the King home and discovered by his wife, Coretta Scott King. Dr. King assumed the letter and tape were from the FBI and his after his death a Senate committee confirmed as much.

n an age where whistleblowers like Edward Snowden have exposed just how far agencies like the NSA or FBI can reach, the newly released full version of the suicide letter is worrisome to many. (Video via NBC)

The Electronic Frontier Foundation released a statement on the letter: "The implications of these types of strategies in the digital age are chilling. Imagine Facebook chats, porn viewing history, emails, and more made public to discredit a leader who threatens the status quo, or used to blackmail. ... These are not far-fetched ideas."

And Vox calls the letter "a terrifying reminder of what government surveillance agencies can be capable of."

FBI Director James Comey acknowledged this blemish in the FBI's past when he was first introduced as director, telling the crowd: "I'm going to direct that all new agents and analysts also visit the Martin Luther King Memorial here in Washington. I think it will serve as a different kind of lesson, one more personal to the bureau, of the dangers in becoming untethered to oversight and accountability."

http://www.aol.com/article/2014/11/13/fbi-letter-to-mlk-shows-sinister-side-of-government-spying/20993537/?icid=maing-grid7|main5|dl16|sec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D563419

That is why our 4th amendment freedoms are more important than ever.

[Teddy B 17,252]

That is why our 4th amendment freedoms are more important than ever.

I think the first amendment is the most important, don't you NB? Yanno, being able to freely express your opinions about people and stuff? That's really important to some people and makes them feel important.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

I think the first amendment is the most important, don't you NB? Yanno, being able to freely express your opinions about people and stuff? That's really important to some people and makes them feel important.

I think they are all important. Not sure why pointing out the 4th is important somehow lessens the 1st?

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

I think the first amendment is the most important, don't you NB? Yanno, being able to freely express your opinions about people and stuff? That's really important to some people and makes them feel important.

I saw what you did there.

[Teddy B 17,252]

I think they are all important. Not sure why pointing out the 4th is important somehow lessens the 1st?

It doesn't lessen the 1st at all. I'm just pointing out that the 1st is probably the most important of all, (except maybe the 2nd for you gun aficionados). But without the first we wouldn't be able to freely express ourselves, voice our opinions and talk about people behind their backs.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

It doesn't lessen the 1st at all. I'm just pointing out that the 1st is probably the most important of all, (except maybe the 2nd for you gun aficionados). But without the first we wouldn't be able to freely express ourselves, voice our opinions and talk about people behind their backs.

and if the police could knock down your door with no warrant the 1st would not be shat

They are all important to me. Of course I know with you anti gun nutters, the 2nd is like"we really did not mean it"

[Teddy B 17,252]

and if the police could knock down your door with no warrant the 1st would not be shat

They are all important to me. Of course I know with you anti gun nutters, the 2nd is like"we really did not mean it"

Some folks take the first for granted as well as the 2nd. I've seen some peeps say things that should get them a broken nose, but hey it's their right to say it, right? We should be more aware of how lucky we are to have either and not abuse them.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Some folks take the first for granted as well as the 2nd. I've seen some peeps say things that should get them a broken nose, but hey it's their right to say it, right? We should be more aware of how lucky we are to have either and not abuse them.

Amen

[JohnR! 5,495]

One of the larger stains the FBI has ever had to endure on its not-so-spotless record was revealed in its entirety Thursday. A letter asking Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to kill himself - signed, sealed and delivered by J. Edgar Hoover's FBI.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

It doesn't lessen the 1st at all. I'm just pointing out that the 1st is probably the most important of all, (except maybe the 2nd for you gun aficionados). But without the first we wouldn't be able to freely express ourselves, voice our opinions and talk about people behind their backs.

Since when did the 1st amendment become about talking behind people's backs?

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Since when did the 1st amendment become about talking behind people's backs?

That's not the bill of rights thats paranoia