Hello, World.

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was created by Congress in 1966. This Act allows Journalists and citizens today to know about the Government’s activities. This includes unreleased documents and or information controlled by the Federal and State government. This is an enormous deal for citizens of the United states. -To add, Investigative journalists use this as a powerful tool.

However there are some cons in this Act. It can be expensive. It also can lay out public records from years ago people may want protected just like how Medical History (HIPAA) is.

The biggest con: The FOIA gives the public the right to ask for records, but that does not mean it is a guarantee to access those records.

There are nine exemptions that do not have to disclose documents under the FOIA include – National security information thats classified, Housekeeping materials, material exempted by statue, trade secrets, working papers/lawyer- client privileged materials, personal privacy files, law enforcement records, financial institution materials, and geological data. -For example, the National security act contains “Top secret” materials and this could cause chaos if it were released to the public.

-Current defamation issues include: Pat Mcafee being sued by Brett Favre, Brett Favre has not been charged with a crime (yet) and has a huge $77 million welfare scandal going on in the state of Mississippi. The state is looking into the money Favre has donated to The University of Southern Mississippis’s volleyball facility and how he could be in trouble for placing the money in misappropriate ways. -Mcafee talked about it on his show and by telling the public something that may not be true, Favre is suing him.

• Shannon Sharpe is also sued by Favre for talking about it on his show “Undisputed”.

In addition, Alex Jones was recently just charged with Defamation from a Texas district court Judge for spreading conspiracy theories that the school shooting was a “hoax”. He had to pay in total $49 million to the parents of the students who were killed at Sandy Hook.

Did you know you can get a fine if you take a photograph at a National Park without documentation?- (I.D.)

Write a blog reflection on any topic from the assigned reading

CRIME: Page 172

Crime has been an issue throughout society in America since 1776. Whether that is someone stealing something or not filing federal taxes for years, a crime is a crime.

However, I common misconception that the section in the book talks about is when a person sees someone doing something illegal (Such as drinking underage) that doesn’t make it a full on crime. But: If we used the word “alleged” then in this situation the person “claiming” that the 20 year old was drinking underage then it helps.

-The word “alleged: “Is to be declared or asserted to be as described” – Page 172. In other words, it is a claim of a fact not yet proven to be true.

To add to the underage drinking case, if the state has reasonable evidence to charge the 20 year old with underage drinking, then it would be alleged until the court date/case.

In addition, if I was friends with the 20 year old and a cop questioned me about his drinking actions and fake ID since I was with him all night, then I would be an “alleged” suspect in connections with him.

Another example is OJ’ court case. People to this day “allege” he is a murderer, but the court of law did not find enough evidence to charge him. As much as OJ Simpson’s plus Casey Anthony’s case shows how obviously guilty they are, it is up to the jury and judge to make a decision. -The law is the law and sometimes it can be very black and white.

-Anyone can be “alleged” but if the action is not proven to be a fact (whether they are a criminal or in connection) that person cannot be charged.