I guess I'm not the only one that has some problems obtaining records from the FBI.

But as I read this column from Alex Heard, I did more than cringe at the idea of losing valuable records. I also gained an appreciation for the complexity of keeping and organizing everything the FBI does.

There're records kept at FBI headquarters, in field offices across the country and at foreign embassies and consulates and, if Heard's valid point is realized, perhaps other storage facilities. Read the file below and notice how many places I sent the FBI probing when I was trying to find documents on the FLDS leaders.

When you're done reading the Heard column, do yourself a favor and check out the list of categories used to organize FBI files. Try not to giggle when you realize G-Men had to create a filing system for "Interstate Transportation of Lottery Tickets" and "Excess Profits on Wool."

-- nc

The photo illustration is borrowed from The Slate column by Heard. Rulon-FBI-files052207.pdf

Labels: FBI, FOIA