Sbc.net access (OSD)
| Tracking # |
FA-13-0917 |
| Submitted | April 29, 2013 |
MuckRock users can file, duplicate, track, and share public records requests like this one. Learn more.
Communications
From: Jason Smathers
To Whom It May Concern:
This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:
All records concerning access to sbc.net (the Southern Baptist Convention's website) from computers connected to DOD networks.
It has been reported that accessing sbc.net from US Army computers results in the following message: "The site you have requested has been blocked by Team CONUS (C-TNOSC/RECERT-CONUS) due to hostile content."
I am requesting all records that authorized, requested, or discussed this action before and after it took place. You may limit your search to records created between 1/20/2009 and the date this request is processed. Please do not consider the request processed until the first substantial search is completed.
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
From: Aldorfer, Susan CIV WHS-ESD
Dear Mr. Smathers,
This is in response to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, as stated below.
Please note that your request was misdirected to this office for processing. As you may not be aware, there is no central FOIA processing point for the entire Department of Defense (DoD). Within DoD, each of the Military Services and DOD components are responsible for processing FOIA requests for records related to their own organization. This office, for example, only processes FOIA requests for records related to the Office of Secretary of Defense and the Joint Staff. I am not aware of a connection between the requested information and this office.
The information you are seeking would likely be maintained by the U.S. Army, which operates its own FOIA office. You may request these records, if they exist, directly from that office. Contact information is:
Department of the Army
Freedom of Information Act Office
7701 Telegraph Road, Suite 144
Alexandria, VA 22315-3905
From: Jason Smathers
The following Freedom of Information Act request was sent to the Department of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense on 25 April 2013. A FOIA officer from that office suggested that the U.S. Army is likely the appropriate custodian of these records.
Thank you.
---------------
To Whom It May Concern:
This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:
All records concerning access to sbc.net (the Southern Baptist Convention's website) from computers connected to DOD networks.
It has been reported that accessing sbc.net from US Army computers results in the following message: "The site you have requested has been blocked by Team CONUS (C-TNOSC/RECERT-CONUS) due to hostile content."
I am requesting all records that authorized, requested, or discussed this action before and after it took place. You may limit your search to records created between 1/20/2009 and the date this request is processed. Please do not consider the request processed until the first substantial search is completed.
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
From: Jason Smathers
OSD,
The Army has been sent this FOIA request as well. However, I believe it is reasonable the the Office of the Secretary of Defense would have records about labeling America's largest evangelical Christian denomination "hostile" and blocking military chaplains access to their website.
Such an action surely created a response that the OSD would become aware of and records would be generated.
Please process this FOIA request. It was not misdirected to your agency.
Thank you.
From: Walukonis, Joseph E CIV (US)
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
Dear Mr. Smathers,
This email and attached PDF responds to your FOIA request
dated April 29, 2013 for records related to the blocking of
the sbc.net (the Southern Baptist's Convention's website)
from computers connected to DoD networks. Attempts to access
sbc.net resulted in the message, "the site you have requested
has been blocked by Team CONUS (C-TNOSC/RECERT-CONUS) due to
hostile content."
I have forwarded your request to the Network Enterprise Technology
Command (NETCOM) and the Office of the Chief of Chaplains for action
And direct response to you.
Their contact information is in the attached PDF, FOIA
Letter.
Thank you for your participation in the U.S. Army Freedom of Information
Program.
V/R
From: James, Angela N CIV (US)
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
Dear Mr. Smathers,
This is in response to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request related
to the blocking of the sbc.net (the Southern Baptist Convention's Website).
Please see the attached memorandum. You may contact me directly with any
questions.
Sincerely,
From: James, Angela N CIV (US)
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
To whom it may concern,
I am trying to get in touch with Mr. Jason Smathers reference the Southern
Baptist Convention (SBC) FOIA request I received on 15 May 2013. I've used
his preferred email listed on the original request (cc line). Please have
him contact Angela James @ (706) 787-7623 or via email,
From: Jason Smathers
I agree to fees up to $25 billed in the proper fee category. These records will be turned into a unique work product and published via Witnesses Unto me to a large audience, thus the news media fee category is appropriate.
From: James, Angela N CIV (US)
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
Mr. Smathers,
Personal data such as names, Social Security numbers, home addresses and
telephone numbers of third parties, possibly including the subject, normally
do not pertain to the requester and therefore will be removed. Do you agree,
up front, to accept a redacted copy?
If so, I will forward this request to the IDA for release.
Thanks.
From: James, Angela N CIV (US)
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
Mr. Smathers,
This package is provided in response to FOIA Request Control Number
FA-13-0002, which I received 16 may 2013. This is the first of three emails.
Please reply upon receipt of all three emails.
Thanks.
From: James, Angela N CIV (US)
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
From: James, Angela N CIV (US)
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
From: Jason Smathers
Hello,
All three emails have been received. Thank you for your assistance with this request.
Files
pages