Editing 76-14-A2 (section)

= FBI =

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=== 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.
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=== Details ===
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<TR><TD WIDTH="150">Batch Number</TD><TD WIDTH="150">{{PAGENAME}}</TD></TR>
<TD>Production Date</TD><TD>05/25/[[Radio1977|1977]]</TD></TR>
<TD>Book/Page</TD><TD>[[Radio_Commentary_Books#Reagan.27s_Path_to_Victory|RPtV-159]]</TD></TR>
<TD>Audio</TD><TD></TD></TR>
<TD>Youtube?</TD><TD>No</TD></TR>
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===Added Notes===

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