76-14-A2

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FBI

Transcript Some weeks ago, on this program, I told of the retired F.B.I. agent who is being prosecuted by the Justice Department for having used wiretaps, mail openings, and so forth in order to get a line on the revolutionary Weatherman organization. All of this took place several years ago before the agent, John Kearney, had retired. It seems that Mr. Kearney had done nothing that wasn't standard operating procedure at this time. And certainly, the best interests of our people and the nation called for knowing, in advance, what activities were being planned by the Weatherman activists. It is hard to understand how the Justice Department thinks the interest of the nation will be served by proceeding with this after-the-fact prosecution of a man who served his country and his fellow citizens honorably and well. The Attorney General, himself, has expressed sorrow about the case, which makes one wonder why he doesn't drop the whole thing. He has even declared that John Kearney will face ruin even if he's found innocent, because his entire life savings will be used up in his defense against the charges. This charging of an F.B.I. agent with a crime for carrying out orders has reduced -- to zero -- the morale of every agent. The Bureau, a proud service with a unique record, is being treated as if it were some kind of "secret police", guilty of harassing and persecuting the law-abiding. Personally, I don't know of any governmental agency more entitled to the respect and gratitude of the American people. It has guarded against sabotage in times of war, carried on a tireless crusade against organized crime and aided local law enforcement in every way possible. Now, in a climate of fear, mistrust and hysteria, not only the Bureau, but police intelligence of every kind, has been attacked as somehow threatening us with a police state. It is in this climate that former agent John Kearney is being prosecuted. When I spoke of this before, I closed the broadcast expressing the hope that a committee to come to the aid of John Kearney would be formed so I could contribute to his defense fund. Well, that hope has been realized and there is such a committee. Former United States Senator James Buckley, former United States Ambassador Clare Booth Luce and former Secretary of the Treasury William Simon are writing letters asking for help to finance the "Citizen's Legal Defense Fund for the F.B.I.". Contributions should be sent to the Committee, Suite 608, 95 Madison Avenue, New York City 10016. I'll repeat that address in a few seconds, so be ready. The monies received will be turned over to the Special Agents' legal fund of the Society of Former Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation which will assist Kearney in the forthcoming trial. Now I said I'd repeat that address. It is, "Citizen's Legal Defense Fund for the F.B.I.", Suite 608, 95 Madison Avenue, New York City 10016. I know this is something I haven't done before, but in a time when dozens of government agencies are snooping into every facet of our lives without restraint of any kind, it seems to me there is a great injustice in hounding an agency whose so-called snooping is aimed at our protection. This is Ronald Reagan. Thanks for listening.		Details Batch Number 76-14-A2 Production Date 05/25/1977 Book/Page RPtV-159 Audio Youtube? No
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