Ray LaHood email search (DOT)
Submitted | Nov. 14, 2010 |
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Communications
From: Jason Smathers
Kathy Ray:
This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:
All emails and corresponding attachments sent to (to:, cc: or bcc:) or from Ray LaHood (or any person who communicates on his behalf) where the email contains any of the following keywords in the subject or body: "just between us" "breach" "big trouble" "too late" "stupid" "bad company" "perception issue" "the real objective" "very slippery slope" or "true disaster". Limit responsive emails to those sent between 01/20/2009 and the date this request is processed. If he does not use email, expand the search to all methods of communication which he does use.
I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.
In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Jason Smathers
Filed via MuckRock.com
185 Beacon St. #3
Somerville, MA 02143
Daytime: (857) 488- 3081
E-mail: requests@muckrock.com
From: Department of State
Mr. Smathers:
I am working on your FOIA request regarding e-mail records for Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. I apologize for the delay, and would like to discuss this request with you. One of the key terms is getting a lot of hits, and I’d like to discuss some options with you that will help get this through the system.
If you have a chance tomorrow, please give me a call.
Thanks!
Kathy Ray
Departmental FOIA Officer
(202) 366-5546
From: Jason Smathers
Can you please tell me in email which term is getting a lot of hits and why? If you have an idea to limit the request, please let me know. I am willing to limit the request in any reasonable way.
From: Department of State
Jason:
The word "breach" is coming up frequently in group communications from the Department's Crisis Management Center (CMC). It typically pertains to an airport security breach, or sometimes a levee-type breach. The problem is that these instances are one of many bullets on these (at least) daily communications from the CMC. Because they deal with the security field, their release (of many items not related to your request) will request a lot of coordination and redaction.
If I could exclude only the word breach, from only that e-mails from the CMC, it would be very helpful. (If other of your search terms appear in a CMC communication, or the word breach was found in a non-CMC communication, they WOULD be included.)
Please let me know if that is acceptable to you.
Thanks!
Kathy Ray
Departmental FOIA Officer
(202) 366-5546
From: Jason Smathers
Kathy Ray,
Thank you for offering a creative solution, I appreciate your work. I agree to your suggestion.
Regards,
Jason Smathers
From: Jason Smathers
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 14, 2010. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thank you for your help.
From: <Kathy.Ray@dot.gov>
Mr. Smathers:
The last of the search is being completed, then the records need to be reviewed. I think we're about a month from release. I appreciate your continued patience.
Kathy Ray
Departmental FOIA Officer
U.S. Department of Transportation
From: Department of Transportation
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