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Return to Article: USDA agency launches inquiry into lobbying e-mail

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  Just lets suppose that all the e-mails came from "outside" (what we call "Off Base" in the military). If this turns out to be the case, the IG, IT people and management can investigate and whine all the want, but that is all they can do. Now, if some poor schlub made the mistake of forwarding it on his "Gummint" computer, he or she will find out how the mouse feels after that last nibble on the peanut butter...

  Jerome from Layton Posted August 15, 2007 10:22 PM
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  The USDA should be ashamed of themselves!! Every article I have read about this issue shows the government does not give a lick about the black farmers. I can see why they have lost their land. I read an article on EWG.org in reference to the lack of subsidies to black farmers the average subsidy to a black farmer is 260.00 and the top ten percent (white farmer) receive over a million a head. Oh lets not forget the billions even DEAD white farmers receive. But none for the Black Farmers. Mrs Cooksie should be at home right now with no job, instead of being fair to the black farmers she was on capital hill lobbying agaisnt the black farmers at the tax payer expense, clear violation of the hatch act (is farm service agency the same agency that has discriminated against the black farmers in the first place?. At some point the black farmers need, deserve and will get justice. One person the government continues to under estimate is John Boyd President of the Black Farmers, I remember this guy he rode his mule and wagon to washington to protest the department sometime ago. John Boyd hang in there!! The black farmers day of JUSTICE is coming. You will be the person God called to deliver freedom to the black farmers.

  Wayne Posted August 12, 2007 10:07 PM
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  Why is this "taken very seriously" compared to "Lurita Doan" and the GSA Hatch Act Report? Is there a difference between High Level Hatch Act breaches(wink wink) and working stiffs "wasting taxpayer dollars?"

  Confused Posted August 9, 2007 4:54 PM
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  Go ahead and investigate and prosecute if appropriate but isn't it interesting how this violation has surfaced whereas others get ignored? President Bush will rightly veto the bad farm legislation if the Senate goes along with the product passed by the House. The settlement with the black farmers was gratuitous - all debt forgiven, $50,000, and preferential treatment. I don't think any agency administrators were held to account for the alleged discrimination, yet they're going to vigorously pursue employees that sent out some emails. Create a sham investigation and implicate a few low-level employees just to provide an appearance that officials are dutifully concerned about anti-discriminatory policy. Here come the Hispanic farmers, females, Native-Americans, et al. to claim their piece of the U.S. Treasury.

  Michael Posted August 9, 2007 12:05 PM
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  How dare those uppity civil servants send out a politically slanted email! Of course the instant reaction is to drop the hammer on them. Rewind a few months and recall that the Big Kahuna over at GSA, Lorita Doan, is found guilty of violating the Hatch Act during her so called lunch meetings and what happens to her?

  Yeah, exactly what action did King George take on recommendations she be severly punished after she was found to have violated the sacred Hatch Act? Oh well, never mind that, let's have more cake whilest the guillotining begans over at Ag... and the Imperial Presidency of King George continues.

  Cracked & Wired Posted August 9, 2007 7:14 AM
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  I left USDA after 25 years finding leadership to be "ethically challenged." I am not surprised by this development--it seems evident that the culture led this individual to believe that such conduct would be OK.

  Pitbull Dad Posted August 9, 2007 7:07 AM
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  Government agencies are suppose to follow the law and not partake in any discrimintory actions towards an American citizen, who is ultimately THE TAXPAYER. This particular agency has historically been hostile towards black farmers. And based on that fact alone, I believe the investigation should be performed by a 3rd party.

  zblkbutrflyz Posted August 9, 2007 6:36 AM
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  If government lawyers had chose to fight the original class-action suit in the first place, instead of choosing to settle a baseless lawsuit, they wouldn't be having to look at prosecuting employees today.

  Somtimes you just have to draw a line and stand up for whats right.

  studpardee Posted August 8, 2007 11:03 PM
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  This is a disgrace. Luckily, due to basic network security and audit logs, this should be a cut and dry exercise in tracking the source and flow of the message. Beyond the obvious ramifications to the plight of Black-American farmers, the perception created by this reflects poorly on the agency and its employees - though perhaps only a few individuals are involved. The USDA IG should be able to sort it out quickly.

  Don Posted August 8, 2007 9:17 PM