Lawsuit: ACLU, Univ. of Michigan professor seek documents from CIA, FBI

[marmar]

from the Detroit Free Press:



The ACLU and a University of Michigan professor filed a lawsuit today against the CIA and FBI that seeks any files related to alleged attempts by the White House and CIA to smear the professor by digging up dirt on his personal life.

Filed in Detroit, the federal lawsuit asks the intelligence agencies for all files they might have that are related to Juan Cole, a history professor who lives in Ann Arbor and writes a popular blog on Middle Eastern issues.

According to a former CIA official, the White House asked the CIA in 2005 to smear Cole because he was at times critical of the Bush administration’s policies in the Arab world.

Citing the Freedom of Information of Act, the ACLU and Cole sent a letter on June 23 to the CIA and FBI requesting any documents related to Cole. But they said they did not receive any response from them and so filed the suit. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.freep.com/article/20110713/NEWS01/110713051/Lawsuit-ACLU-Michigan-professor-seek-documents-from-CIA-FBI?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

[gateley]

1. Isn't that kind of optimistic to expect a response from the government

that quickly? I've heard it takes extra long for FOIA stuff, I think.

Regardless, I have no doubt it's true. Look at what they did to Valerie Plame.