The FBI…What in the World is Going On? (Part 2)

  

I only served under Hoover for a short period of time.  He died about five or six months after I entered the Bureau.  It could be correctly stated that he ruled the Bureau and his Agents with an iron hand.  The rules for conduct were extensive, extreme and some bordered on the eccentric.  For example:  Agents were not allowed coffee breaks while on duty - that was in or out of the office.  I soon learned that said rule was often, almost universally, ignored by the Agents.  Nonetheless, if caught by a supervisor, you could be officially censured; and if on probation status at the time, it could mean 'adios.'

Another requirement, more difficult to circumvent, was that New Agents were limited to how long they could be in the Office.  Reason given:  FBI Agents do not solve cases in the office.  I recall the Time in Office (TIO) allowed was about 10% of the workday.  That was approximately an hour because ten-hour days were expected.  For new Agents with no assigned car, this was a problem; and often meant standing at the front door in the morning waiting for a more senior Agent to arrive and ask (beg) to use their car for part of the day to cover leads.  If that failed the public library was a place to work on reports.  And yes, you had to walk.  This was the typical 'First Office' which lasted about nine to ten months.  Finishing that, you were assigned a 'Second Office.'  In my case, it was San Francisco.  I felt that I had hit the jackpot.  That's when, finally, they treated you like a regular Agent... and cars were available.

I had been a deputy sheriff, prior to the military, and before I entered the Bureau.  It was the Bureau’s custom or policy to send five or six Agents to make an arrest – arrests that a deputy sheriff often made on his own.  It seemed kind of demeaning.  In my 'first office,' I remember arresting a selective service violator, a Jehovah’s Witness.  I had previously talked to him and his mother on the telephone.  They were both cooperative.  I said I would come by the house and get him, take him for processing.  The supervisor made me take two other Agents for ‘back up’ and to insure he was properly handcuffed.  It was embarrassing.  The kid was upset.  The mother was upset.  Both seemed like very nice people.  I did apologize to the mother and made some lame excuse for why this was necessary.

Now, it would seem that the Bureau has carried on that same tradition or mind set on steroids… with SWAT teams sent to almost all arrests.  Why?  The Agents' pool, in large part, has morphed into something like ‘girly men.’  I know that term might get me in trouble.  However, they seemed to get away with it on Saturday Night Live.  So, I will give it a try.  But, to clarify, I worked with women Agents, and for the most part, they did not fit in that category.  It generally fits the type of men (and some women) presently recruited.  Which explains why they send a SWAT Team to make the most mundane arrests.  And, it explains why the shooting requirements for Agents have sunk to comical lows.

 

To be continued…

 

True Nelson

The FBI... What in the World is Going On?

 

The FBI… I was an Agent in the 70s.  I am proud of my service.  And, I must say that the experience and connections I gained there greatly enhanced my subsequent career.  Although, early on, being inside the FBI (at the time) was disillusioning in many aspects.  That said, the quality of the men and women in the Bureau, the Agents, generally was pretty high – except for a few.  In that era, many had been officers in the military; but we had former teachers, accountants, and some attorneys.  Which reminds me of a humorous story.  I will digress for a moment.

Awhile back, I was having some physical therapy on my knee.  The therapist, a nice young woman, was asking me about my earlier life… what I did for employment, etc.  I mentioned that I had been a deputy sheriff, a military officer, and an FBI Agent.  She was interested in the FBI aspect.  She said are you an attorney?  I said that I was not.  She said I thought you had to be an attorney to be an Agent.  I responded that was not the case; and that, in my experience, the former attorneys usually turned out to be the worst Agents.  She said, “Oh… my dad is an attorney – and graduated from Harvard Law School.”

Yes, it was an awkward moment.  The only thing I could think to say at the time was, ‘your dad must be a very smart guy.’  She was kind of coolish after that, did not talk much, and I never went back to her.

Nonetheless, my opinion on attorneys in the FBI, and in general, remains the same.  They are ‘hired guns’ that generally have little ethical compass.  Well, ‘hired Guns’ is probably a considerable mischaracterization as far as the Bureau is concerned.  I should describe them more accurately as men and women that are uncomfortable with guns; as well as the requirement to deal appropriately with undesirables, aka the criminal element.  However, former attorneys are generally good at talking, or should I say pontificating, but deficient in many other aspects.  Unfortunately, the talking part often gets one promoted in the Bureau.  But, for those so inclined, it means you do not have to do the scary part.  You can just talk tough and assign someone else to handle it.

This is perhaps the long way around, but I plan to talk about the current FBI and how disappointed I am in the organization’s leadership, particularly Christopher Wray.

To be continued…

True Nelson

Zachariah Peterson (JUDICIAL FOLLOWUP SUMMARY) Threatened to mow down Teachers!

 

In that there has been considerable recent interest in my old blog posts concerning Zackariah Peterson; I thought I would update the judicial process posted in the OregonianLive newsfeed dated 7-28-16 (Maxine Bernstein reporting).  I kind of loss tract of the case over the years.  Hopefully, Peterson has moved on to a responsible and productive life upon serving his sentence.

 

Bernstein quote:  "Upon arrest, Peterson admitted to police that he had left the voicemail messages and wrote the online post, that he had been drinking and had no intention of acting out on his threats. Police found firearms in his home and seized them, including a 12-gauge shotgun, .22-caliber pistol, a 7mm rifle, and a .22-caliber rifle. He was taken into federal custody on Sept. 11, 2015.”

“In March, he pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm and threatening communication in interstate commerce.”

" I'd like to take the opportunity to apologize,'' Peterson, 30, said in court, addressing several parents from the school, the principal and a math teacher. "When I realized what I'd done, I felt horrible about it. I can't imagine how it made you all feel. I just can't believe what I did.''

"A defense-hired psychologist, Scott Senn, testified that Peterson is extremely bright but struggles with alcoholism, intimacy and emotions. He was scarred as a child, and the bullying went unaddressed."

"Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Nyhus and Assistant U.S Attorney Mackeson jointly recommended a sentence of one year and nine months."

"But U.S. District Judge Anna J. Brown calculated Peterson's offense level differently, with an enhancement due to his possession of what she considered a .22-caliber rifle with a high-capacity magazine. She also noted that Peterson, who was convicted of a felony in 2006, wasn't allowed to possess any guns."

"The threat conveyed is appalling...words used were as bad as you can imagine, especially in today's climate," the judge said. "I appreciate those who felt the sting and horror and alarm from his remarks and want to be protected."

"But Brown said she can't ignore an evaluation that found Peterson is at a low risk of re-offending. She said she believes that if his mental health issues and alcohol problem is addressed, he should be able to return to pursuing his Ph.D. when he's completed his sentence."

"I'm very shameful of this. All of this here today happened because I was too proud to seek help that I knew I needed for my drinking and mental health issues,'' Peterson said, standing before the judge moments before she issued her sentence. "I should have known better than to create this situation...If there is one benefit for having been incarcerated for almost a year is I'm sober.''

True Nelson

True's Miscellany: Gun Control Issues; The Biden Crime Family or 'Boys will be Boys'; and COVID

Sometimes it seems that there are so many things to talk about that it defies talking about it.  Moreover, no one particularly wants to hear what you have to say.  But, I have my blog and it is my outlet.

The gun issue:  Everyone, mostly people that know practically nothing about guns, have an emphatic answer to curbing gun violence which they are more than happy to share.  That said, I kind of feel that I have a certain amount of expertise (perhaps I am presuming too much); but I do have 10 years in law enforcement and during which period I was an FBI Firearms Instructor, as well as a member of a SWAT team.  Subsequently, for most of my career, I was in corporate security for a Fortune 100 company; and (I suppose not too surprisingly) ‘workplace’ violence prevention was a priority.  Yes, and I was in the military, and we did use M-16s.  But no one is particularly interested in my opinion, if it in anyway conflicts with their own.

Asked to define the dreaded “assault weapon” on everyone’s mind these days, they generally are referring to the AR-15.  “It looks dangerous.”  And, it is dangerous.  But all guns, generally speaking, in the wrong hands are dangerous.  But, you opine, ‘It’s a ‘military assault weapon.’  Well, not exactly.  Did you know that the AR-15 is not modeled after the M-16?  Did you know, or even care, that the AR-15 predated the M-16?  Nonetheless, those who know little about guns want to deal in generalities that have no relevance to any sort of legal definition of what constitutes an ‘assault weapon.’  It gets kind of tiresome, even hopeless, to discuss.  I’ve written extensively on ‘gun control’ and, if you’re interested, go to my blog’s ‘side bar’ and type in ‘gun control.’  I’ve had a lot to say on the subject.  There are some things we can do to prevent ‘school shootings.’  Let’s just do it with a modicum of expertise involved.

And, if you want my opinion on the AR-15… Well, I think that anyone who would purchase an AR-15, in view of the rifle’s bad reputation, is kind of a ‘knucklehead.’  Best not mention your purchase in public.

The Biden Family:  Could we describe said clan as a ‘organized crime family?’  Well, I might.  Others might qualify the Bidens’ many questionable and even illegal acts as ‘just politics.’  Sort of like breezily discounting it as ‘boys will be boys.’  As a result, giving Joe, Hunter and Jim Biden the benefit of the doubt as ‘just politics;’ and furthermore accepting the belief that there are many other politicians doing the same thing.  Well, you’ve got me there.  Yes indeed, Al Capone would fit right in as a politician.  But he’s passed on to his reward.  My concerns are that it seems the FBI and Secret Service are in on it.  Who is watching out for the public?  It appears no one.  It would be interesting to know how all the money pouring into the Biden Family is ‘laundered.’  Does the IRS look the other way?  God help us.

Covid:  Just had a bout with said disease.  As you might have noted, I survived.  It wasn’t too bad.  Sort of like a bad cold, runny nose with lots of coughing.  Interestingly after four Covid vaccinations, I still acquired Covid.  Whatever they injected into us, maybe they should call it something other than a vaccination.  What if they told us, when we received our Polio vaccination years back, that this will not prevent you from getting Polio, but you probably won’t die?  Or the Smallpox vaccination, or Whooping Cough?  Oh well, I did not die.  I’m thankful for that.

 

True Nelson

"Laptop from Hell" ... Miranda Devine's Book / Exhaustively Researched

 

Just finished reading Miranda Devine’s informative book “Laptop from Hell,” featuring the intrigues of Hunter Biden, drug addict, amateur porn star, and all-around reprobate.  Oh, incidentally, he happens to be the son of our current President, Joe Biden.

Those who choose not to read the book, either because they are simply not interested, or because they passionately believe and have confidence in the integrity of the current Presidency, might opine... ‘you can’t believe everything you read.’  Understood.  But this looks well documented with real evidence.

What do I think about Hunter Biden’s lucrative endeavors with foreign governments which are detailed in the book?  Well, I believe those activities are suspicious in the extreme and, almost without doubt, incorporate illegal activities.

I have a perspective that many might not have.  Some years back, I was a Special Agent in the FBI.  My last office was San Francisco.  And, I was on the Organized Crime Squad.

One thing that people might not know about ‘organized’ crime (Mafia, Chinese Triads, Cartels, Corporate/Political/Civic corruption) is that those involved don’t necessarily have trouble obtaining money by way of an infinite variety of illegal activities. Their biggest problem is how do you explain the money or ‘wash it’; and avoid falling into numerous banking and tax evasion violations, so that they can in turn safely use the money to buy anything and/or anybody they desire.  Therein lies ‘organized crime’s’ weakness; the trip switch; and an investigation’s genesis.

Generally a Grand Jury is instituted, evidence presented, witnesses are called, and once a witness or two decides to save their own skin (hoping for lesser sentences), the dominos begin to fall, and one by one the principals go to jail.

After reading ‘Laptop from Hell’ and listening to the extended interview of Tony Bobulinski (former business associate of Hunter’s) I feel confident that Hunter Biden was involved in illegal international crimes which will subsequently be proven… if an investigation is allowed to continue.

My ‘Take Aways’ from reading the book:

Where is the FBI?  They had the contents of the abandoned laptop before anyone else – yet apparently did nothing.  The computer store owner, upon seeing the contents therein, and the criminal implications, was afraid for his life after he furnished the laptop’s information to the FBI – and they apparently did nothing, did not even have the decency to follow-up with the owner to offer their appreciation, advise that an investigation was in process, and/or to assure his safety in some way.  Now, as incomprehensible as this might sound, the FBI says they can’t locate the laptop.  So, what are we to believe?  Are they in the ‘tank’?  Is the FBI incompetent?  Under the current Director Christopher Wray, my guess is a little (maybe a lot) of both.

It appears that most of the immediate Biden family (which sounds like many of them also have few redeeming qualities) were profiting one way or another through Hunter’s intrigues.  In fact, Hunter complains about that very topic in emails on his laptop.  Explaining that he is tired of supporting the whole family – to include his dad.

 

True Nelson

 

Joe Biden, Russian Oil and America's Shame

 

I watched Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address last night. Yes, unbelievably, I watched the whole speech… hoping.  However, I was disappointed and saddened.

The speech was filled with what I consider to be ‘glittering generalities’ and platitudes, laced with downright misrepresentations. Dare I say lies? Oh, I know he did not write the speech, perhaps didn’t even understand most of it; but I was nonetheless hopeful.

Why did I bother? Well, I was hoping that he would say that the United States would be cutting back or eliminating the purchase of Russian oil. Currently, the U.S. imports approximately twenty million barrels a month from Russia. Nonetheless, in the infinite wisdom of his key advisors, the Russian imports will continue, and the American dollars will be crated on pallets and sent to Russia – in part to finance the atrocities in Ukraine.

Fellow Americans:  When we gas-up our cars, let us hang our heads in shame.

 

True Nelson

The National Debt... It's not funny anymore.

 

The National Debt:  Well, here we go.  Who am I to address such a monumental, incomprehensible problem?  I’m nobody when it comes to this issue.  But, nonetheless, I have my thoughts and forecasts (for what it’s worth).

The National Debt is at 30 trillion dollars and growing.  If you’re like most of us, you might be thinking that ‘we’ (whoever that is) will, at some point, need to pay the money back.  OK, currently that's about $300,000 for every American tax payer.

To whom do we owe that money?  Until recently, I thought the debt was principally owed to other countries like China, Japan, etc.  However, interestingly, most of it is owed to the Social Security System (yes, our Social Security), as well as numerous American pension plans.  Well, isn’t that interesting.

If it had been China or some other country, we could possibly (out of necessity) say: ‘We’re not going to pay you back; and you can’t make us.’  But, that’s not going to work.  Really too childish and could cause international hard-feelings.  Therefore, let's face it, American citizens are principally on the hook to pay it back… one way or another.

Of note:  The last President to decrease the National Debt was Calvin Coolidge 1923-1929.  Since 1929 the National Debt has increased exponentially.  The interest owed on the debt alone is shocking, overwhelming and nearly incomprehensible.

So, what do I think will happen?  The National Debt, let’s face it, will never be paid off – except and unless the US Treasury prints enough valueless paper money to pay it down.  Of course, this will cause uncontrollable inflation.  Welcome to Venezuela.  Make sure you have a wheelbarrow, to carry the money required, if you’re planning on going to the market.

Other possible option:  cataclysmic events that we do not even want to think about.

Perhaps the most likely, the Federal Government will simply ‘welch’ on any pay back to those pension plans to include the Social Security System.  What does that mean?  Ten cents on the dollar?  Your guess is as good as mine.

Some might opine that, 'It's not my problem... I will be gone by then.'  Referring to when the debt comes due.. one way or another.  Yes, I kind of understand where you're coming from.  However, before you exit stage left, why don't you sit down and explain to your grandchildren how you're leaving them holding the check.  Something to remember about you - so to speak.

 

True Nelson