Got A Call From The FBI Yesterday

[ProfessorGAC]

Phone rings. I pick up.

"This is Agent XXXXX, from the FBI. Can i ask you a couple of questions?" I told him "Sure". (I did ask for corroboration, a phone number where he could be reached, etc.) Then i called HIM back, and really did get the FBI front desk. So, it's all legit.

Well, anyway apparently as part of their responsibility to HSD, they are randomly perusing files and he asked, "Has anyone contacted you regarding your chemical knowledge of explosives?" I said "No. If someone had, i would have called you guys." He said thanks, and that was it.

Seems a fairly inefficient way to combat terrosism.
The Professor

[KarenInMA]

1. Should have said, "why yes. All these anti-abortion folks

call me all the time. I wonder why"..


:evilgrin:

[ProfessorGAC]

2. I Should Have Thought Of That

However, probably best not to mess with the FBI when you have an explosives file with them. Ya think?
The Professor

[Jara sang]

4. Why they aren't terrorist

they are fetus liberators.

[KarenInMA]

9. Aren't abortion doctors fetus liberators?

[zbdent]

28. Only in an Iraqi innocent civilian collateral damage

sort of way . . .

[Catholic Sensation]

5. yeah I'm sure the FBI would have a wonderful sense of humor about that

HEY YOU SHOULD HAVE SAID "I DON'T KNOW, HEY OSAMA, HAVE WE GOTTEN ANY CALLS HERE ABOUT EXPLOSIVES?"!!!

[ck4829]

15. Do you want the Professor to join Lil Kim in jail?

:)

[ProfessorGAC]

17. I Know I Don't Want That!

Especially since i didn't do anything.
The Professor

[tsuki]

44. Don't ever say anything like that. In fact, take the name and badge

number and tell him you'll call him back when you have a tape recorder. Identify them on the tape before you answer any questions, and if you feel uncomfortable with the questions, say so and say you want to consult your attorney. If Freeportgate showed me anything, it showed me to not to be sarcastic or unrecorded. They can make a mountain out of a molehill, especially if they claim you confessed.

Dangerous times for Dems folks. We are considered just a bit right of the "struggle against extremism."

[tanyev]

3. I'm SURE any scientist who did help a potential terrorist

would tell an FBI agent all about it.

:sarcasm:

[ProfessorGAC]

6. Good Point

Apparently i'm not a suspect. They're just checking. Like i said, seems inefficient. But, i did due diligence, and it really was the FBI.
The Professor

[AzDar]

7. Well, Professor...that confirms my suspicions...we're all doomed!! lol....

n/t

[slackmaster]

8. Here our federal government scored a major blow against terrorism

By shutting down our local pirate radio station, which had by far the best programming available in the area.

:eyes:

http://www.pirate969.org/

[ProfessorGAC]

11. See, They're Doing Their Jobs, Just Wonderful

Ultimate example of efficiency! And, some $80k a year guy calls me on the phone to combat terrorism.
The Professor

[Cocoa]

10. was it SAC Wiggum?

[ProfessorGAC]

12. Good One

No he seemed brighter than that! Lots. He was, in fact, very pleasant and business-like.
The Professor

[wicket]

13. LOL!!!!

:rofl:

[papau]

14. Interesting - CIA and NSA just answer with 4 digits and do not

admit who they are.

[ProfessorGAC]

16. How Would You Know That?

How come you get called by NSA and CIA? How come!
The Professor

[DBoon]

25. If he told you

He'd have to arrange for you to meet "an unfortunate accident"

[ProfessorGAC]

31. Then I Don't Need To Know!

I'm not stupid!
The Professor

[papau]

37. Long ago that was of interest for me - but a wait for the clearance

put me in private industry - for good.

But after 2 years of unreal invasion of privacy and trace backs of all around me I got my "high" clearance (back then there were only a dozen levels of high "top secret" clearance - I am told they have over 300 levels now!)

In any case, they "promoted" me (my entrance grade and pay on offer acceptance went up in various communications to me) for about 10 years after that. Last 30 years have been quiet!

[ProfessorGAC]

45. So, You're NOT Spying On Me, Then

Whew! I was worried there.
The Professor

[papau]

49. :-)

:-)

[Occulus]

18. You could have really put a burr under their asses

"Why, no. I would have called you. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for that anthrax mailer, though. By the way, how are those pre-9/11 translations coming along?"

[ProfessorGAC]

19. I Figured It Best Not To Tweak Them

They've already got me on a list. Why irritate them further? Getting higher on the list so that more than a simple phone call is involved would be a bad thing.
The Professor

[ultraist]

48. Maybe they just wanted to let you know, they know where you live!

Perhaps, the question about anyone contacting you about your knowledge of explosives was just an excuse, to call you and remind you that you are being watched. ;)

Actually, I think they are digging deeper into the Universities because many of those associated with terrorist attacks have attended Universities.

[ProfessorGAC]

52. I Don't Work At A Uni Anymore Though

Besides, it's not that hard to find out where someone lives. Probably could do that over the internet anyway. The only reason to call me is my knowledge of explosives. That's it.

The Professor

[Blue-Jay]

20. Shit.

Does that mean that we're NOT gonna make explosives this weekend?

[ProfessorGAC]

21. It Does NOW!

The Professor

[Lannes]

22. Could they be monitoring your internet habits?

and found that you post on DU?

Obviously it doesnt mean anything sinister to rational people but these arent rational people.

[ProfessorGAC]

24. My Names Been On This List Since The Late 70's

I was fingerprinted, had a background check, pictures taken. The whole deal. This wasn't a surprise. You can't take the type of instruction i took without this standard being met.

The Professor

[dweller]

23. of course, you were cleared to talk about this

during an ongoing investigation?

:tinfoilhat:

dp

[ProfessorGAC]

27. I Didn't Ask

And, i'm not being investigated. That's why i was concerned about the relative inefficiency of this approach. Seems fairly unproductive.

The Professor

[mtnester]

30. Probably had one of them there "truth machines" hooked up to the line

just for you!
:tinfoilhat:

On edit - or one of them there voice imprint thingys.

[ProfessorGAC]

32. Voice Pattern Thingie?

Well, i told the truth, so i'm off the hook!
The Professor

[BrotherBuzz]

53. Are you sure you didn't small talk golf scores?

Lying to an FBI agent is a crime! :evilgrin:

[ProfessorGAC]

56. Nope

I can really shoot in the low 70's. Done it a bunch of times this year. So, that's not a lie either.
The Professor

[BrotherBuzz]

58. That's the rub...

I know you shoot in the low 70's, but they can't believe you, and that's their benchmark on truth/lying: Your golf score response measured a lie in their world, so your lack of contact response is a lie, too...just a thought, Professor. ;)

I think I'm going to hit a bucket of balls today and try out some old persimmon woods that are new to me. A complete set - one through five (including a four wood)!

[ProfessorGAC]

61. Are Wooden Woods Still Legal?

Just kidding. They do look good, don't they?
The Professor

[BrotherBuzz]

62. They sound good, too.

[dweller]

33. ...whew...

good to know.

dp

[RaleighNCDUer]

26. Sounds pretty efficient to me.

Sure, they may not catch any terrorists that way, but it's a good way to let your average citizen know "we are watching you - we know who you are and where to find you".

[ProfessorGAC]

29. Yeah, But I Already Knew That

My name has been on file since the late 70's when i learned my knowledge of explosives and bombs. They won't let you take the short courses taught by ACE without a background check, fingerprints, & pix. So, i've known for over 25 years that they knew i was one to follow. I'm just surprised that this was considered a way to combat terrosism. Random phone calls to someone who's been on their list for this long to see if i would admit to being contacted by a terror group. If i had and was concerned, i would have called them. If i had, and was one of the bad guys, i wouldn't admit it. Seemed kind of silly.
The Professor

[Nihil]

55. Maybe they're just washing their lists?

Cold-calling just to check that it's not stale data (like all reputable
telemarketing firms do!).

[pitohui]

34. quite an efficient way to combat prematurely anti-fascist thinking tho

lying to an fbi agent is a federal crime

they have been known to twist any slight moment of confusion or really any statement at all into what they say is a lie

best never to answer fbi questions if you can help it

and if you must answer such questions don't elaborate on the statement, a simple yes or no will do

"if someone had, i would have called you guys," says you, but you know not their definition of "anyone" or "contact," a contact could be an email you never even opened, a phone call you forgot to return because it was a little off or you were busy or you never knew what it was really about


the fbi has their own definition of words and a man i know had troubles because he said "printer," where the fbi said "computer" -- by the fbi definition even your microwave is a computer if it has an integrated circuit in it -- very easy to trip someone up -- it was a damn printer not a computer -- still the man ends up in a rico case -- big mess

cointelpro teaches us that if the fbi can't pin a crime on a person because they are innocent, they may convict the person of "lying to the fbi"

scary stuff

don't know how an innocent person can protect themselves other than not to answer snoopy questions

[ProfessorGAC]

35. I'm Not Worried

If i was, i wouldn't have taken the ACE courses back in the day and gotten an FBI file in the first place. I'm on file. I can't do anything about that now.
The Professor

[pitohui]

38. no point to worry

however much point to good planning

we all have a file if we've ever done anything really, best to keep answers to questions as simple as possible

i'm sure your attorney has told you the same

i think you'll be fine but i also think the fbi is not being inefficient here, which was the complaint

they will have their choice of people to round up when they need to if they need to, on obstruction and lying charges alone, with much documentation already to hand

would be nice to avoid being in the group that could be picked up on charges that look real to the media

[ProfessorGAC]

41. Then I Won't Worry

Besides, too late now.
The Professor

[sakabatou]

36. Weird

[ProfessorGAC]

39. Not Really That Weird

I suppose i should have noted in the first post that i've had a file with them since around 1977 because of some special instruction i took with the A.C.E. It required b'ground checks, pix and fingerprints. So, i've known for a long time that they know about me. But, i've never actually used the skills i learned, so i'm clean. I'm not worried about myself. I just thought this was a silly way to protect the homeland.
The Professor

[noamnety]

40. You called him back at the number he gave you

and someone answered "FBI"?

I'm sure it was them, but that struck me as funny all the same - like you should ask him what office he's at, then go look up yourself what the phone number for the branch is.

[ProfessorGAC]

42. No! I Short Formed The Story

I did due diligence before i answered any questions. I didn't cover the entire detail of that part of the conversation. I did exactly what you suggested. I asked for the primary number of the facility at which he was based, then checked the number for that location in the blue pages. I just didn't cover that detail the first time. I didn't think it important. But, i should have since it made you concerned. My fault.
The Professor

[napi21]

47. I thought of that instantly too! If I were pulling a scam, I'd have

an accomplice to answer the "font desk" phone too!

The only way you can check this for sure is to contact your local FBI office, give the info you have, and ask them to confirm or deny it's validity.

[ProfessorGAC]

51. Read My Reply

I just didn't think it important to cover all the details of due diligence. I did all that the poster suggested.
The Professor

[ultraist]

43. They contacted professors at my alma mater too

But of course, that was AFTER the London bombing when they discovered a previous grad student/TA from NCSU was involved.

It's kind of weird to think that I was living in the same town as this terrorist.

[ProfessorGAC]

46. Eeep!

Yeah, that's a little closer than i want to be to any extremist.
The Professor

[HockeyMom]

50. Two FBI agents came knocking on my door 2 months ago

Scared the hell out of me. They showed me their badges and picture ID's. They wanted to know what I knew about the man across the street. I am renting and just moved here a few months ago. I have only seen the man (older man in his 50s or 60s) outside getting into his car or mowing the lawn and told them so. I think he lives alone there since I have never seen a woman or kids at that house.

I have no way of knowing if they were legit or not, but I watched from my window as they went to the house next door too.

[noamnety]

60. That's nothing to be scared about

He's most likely a government employee or contractor with a clearance. Every few years they renew your clearance with a new background check, and it's standard procedure to go around to the neighbors asking questions for that.

So please don't be looking at him like he's a terrorist for the next few years!


stupid side story for that: during Desert Storm I needed my clearance updated, and I was living in family housing at the university, which was 95% foreign families. Some of the people they asked told me about it afterward: "They asked if I was a US Citizen, I said no, I'm Jordanian, and then they asked 'Well, if you WERE an American citizen, would you trust her with state secrets?'". My clearance was held up for a while, and finally an agent called me at my house to say they were having problems because they had to develop contacts from the last 5 years, and couldn't find any Americans in my community who knew me (I was living overseas for a chunk of that time). Apparently they had staked out my one American friend's house for a week, sitting through some awful weather - too far from a parking area to watch from a car, waiting for her to come home - during the week she was away on vacation. :)

[hunter]

54. Was it agent Mike?

Anyways, you just blew a perfectly good business opportunity.

When someone from the government calls and asks you "Has anyone contacted you regarding your chemical knowledge of explosives?" you should answer "Why do you ask? Are you hiring?"

[ProfessorGAC]

57. They Could Have Hired Me YEARS Ago

If they wanted me they could have called me 25 years ago. So, i just figure they don't want a weirdo like me around.
The Professor

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

59. A friend of mine back in '60s was hauled away for questioning.

He was a sporadic, non-violent, anti-war protestor, who didn't belong to any radical organizations. But, he had worked as a dynamiter in some mine in Michigan.

Apparantly, the FBI goons had taken a picture of him at some protest, tracked his name down through an informant, checked his Air Force Records (he had gotten out by claiming to be a Communist) and started putting things together.

He's not the kind of guy to be intimidated by anything, and thought the whole thing hilarious.

Many years later, I came home from work and found an FBI agent's card in my mailbox with a note on the back to call him. I had been very active in the anti-war movement, participated in some violent demonstrations, had my picture taken several times, belonged to a couple of "radical" organizations and associated with several more.

As it turned out, the agent was doing a "background" check on a neighbor I didn't know.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

Nothing came of it, but

[ProfessorGAC]

63. I Admit To Some Intitial Trepidation

That's why i told him i'd call him back. Some people were concerned that i called back at the same number, but i neglected, in the OP, to mention that i confirmed the number as a field office. But, when he first called, i was nervous thinking "Why would the FBI call me?" Once i knew why, i just thought it was a silly method to track down potential terrorist activities.
The Professor

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

64. As well you should. Those creeps don't exactly have a sterling record.

Especially concerning civil liberties.

[Susang]

65. Zoinkies!

What a fun day you had! :eyes:

On edit: Glad you double checked their info! :-)