THIRTEEN MONTHS, NO RECORDS: DAWDLING DEFENSE DEPT. CONCEALS COUNTY COMMISSIONER JEREMIAH RAY BLOCKER's MILITARY RECORDS

Thirteen months ago, I made a simple Freedom of Information Act request.  I asked for the military records of controversial St. Johns County Commissioner JEREMIAH RAY BLOCKER, a Florida National Guard Major whose re-election will be decided in the closed August 23, 2022 Republican Primary.  

The Pentagon has been utterly unhelpful, and now today, its nasty National Guard Bureau PR flak, Major MATTHEW MURPHY is angry at my request.  

Wonder why?

Who put the salsa in National Guard Bureau Major MATTHEW MURPHY's shorts?

Why does NGB have animus toward FOIA requesters?

Does being the Defense Department mean "never having to say you're sorry?"

As a member of the Investigative Reporters and Editors group, I'm wondering whether others have encountered similar effrontery from what CBS News long ago called "The Pentagon Propaganda Machine?"

Here is the administrative record of DoD coverups for the last 394 days, since my simple July 2021 request to the National Guard Bureau.:

-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Slavin <easlavin@aol.com>
To: matthew.murphy3.mil@army.mil <matthew.murphy3.mil@army.mil>; ngb.foia@mail.mil <ngb.foia@mail.mil>; NG.FL.FLARNG.MBX.NGFL-FLL-FOIA@MAIL.MIL <NG.FL.FLARNG.MBX.NGFL-FLL-FOIA@MAIL.MIL>; garybdavenport@gmail.com <garybdavenport@gmail.com>; jeremiah@jeremiahblocker.com <jeremiah@jeremiahblocker.com>; ng.ncr.ngb-arng.mesg.ngb-media-desk-owner@army.mil <ng.ncr.ngb-arng.mesg.ngb-media-desk-owner@army.mil>
Cc: bcc4jblocker@sjcfl.us <bcc4jblocker@sjcfl.us>; lchibbaro@washblade.com <lchibbaro@washblade.com>; aschindler@firstcoastnews.com <aschindler@firstcoastnews.com>; sheldon.gardner@staugustine.com <sheldon.gardner@staugustine.com>; sheltonhull@gmail.com <sheltonhull@gmail.com>; joe@eqfl.org <joe@eqfl.org>; jdunbar@gannett.com <jdunbar@gannett.com>; jeremiah@jeremiahblocker.com <jeremiah@jeremiahblocker.com>; jeremiah@dhclawyers.com <jeremiah@dhclawyers.com>; dmigut@sjcfl.us <dmigut@sjcfl.us>; cvalliere@sjcfl.us <cvalliere@sjcfl.us>; ltaylor@sjcfl.us <ltaylor@sjcfl.us>; jdunbar@gannett.com <jdunbar@gannett.com>; inspector_general@stjohnsclerk.com <inspector_general@stjohnsclerk.com>; nicholas.weilhammer@myfloridalegal.com <nicholas.weilhammer@myfloridalegal.com>; pat.gleason@myfloridalegal.com <pat.gleason@myfloridalegal.com>; sheltonhull@gmail.com <sheltonhull@gmail.com>; taxcollector@sjctax.us <taxcollector@sjctax.us>; sheriff@sjso.org <sheriff@sjso.org>; voakes@votesjc.com <voakes@votesjc.com>; wfusco@votesjc.com <wfusco@votesjc.com>; mminer@stjohnsclerk.com <mminer@stjohnsclerk.com>; bpatty@stjohnsclerk.com <bpatty@stjohnsclerk.com>; bcc5hdean@sjcfl.us <bcc5hdean@sjcfl.us>; bcc1cwhitehurst@sjcfl.us <bcc1cwhitehurst@sjcfl.us>; bcc2sarnold@sjcfl.us <bcc2sarnold@sjcfl.us>; bcc3pwaldron@sjcfl.us <bcc3pwaldron@sjcfl.us>; bcc4jblocker@sjcfl.us <bcc4jblocker@sjcfl.us>; aschindler@firstcoastnews.com <aschindler@firstcoastnews.com>; ashley.moody@myfloridalegal.com <ashley.moody@myfloridalegal.com>; executiveinvestigationscomplaints@fdle.state.fl.us <executiveinvestigationscomplaints@fdle.state.fl.us>; jessicaclark@firstcoastnews.com <jessicaclark@firstcoastnews.com>; waltbog@nytimes.com <waltbog@nytimes.com>
Sent: Thu, Aug 4, 2022 9:13 pm
Subject: Re: [Non-DoD Source] Re: Request No. 2021-49: FOIA and Open Records request re: Major Jeremiah Ray Blocker

Dear General Hokanson, Major Murphy, Major Blocker and Major Davenport:

1. The National Guard Bureau's thirteen (13) months of delays brandish disrespect for democracy.   This FOIA request was made thirteen (13) months ago. NGB is guilty of neglect of duty and disrespect for FOIA and our Constitutional Right to Know about government operations.

2. After I reasponded to his e-mail and requested that he call me, DoD National Guard Bureau (NGB) spokesman Major Matthew Murphy never called me back today. When I called him at 7:49 PM, Major Murphy sounded angry,  arrogant, dismissive, condescending, haughty, insolent, insouciant, unprofessional  and rude.  Major Murphy did not say when records will be provided.  After a brief conversation of only 46 seconds, Major Matthew Murphy  hung up the telephone, saying I was "not media."  Major Murphy is wrong. Now Major Murphy's cellular telephone voicemail box is "full."  His work telephone forwards to his now unanswered cellular telephone.  Do Major Murphy and NGB have delusions of adequacy?  Is a criminal, civil and administrative investigation required of NGB's neglect of duty and its continuing coverup of Major Jeremy Ray Blocker's military records, which are a matter of public concern?

3. Query: Is Major Jeremiah Ray Blocker "deployable?"  He contends that he is 100% permanently and totally disabled and is thus treated as totally exempt from property taxes here in St. Johns County, where he is a County Commissioner, up for re-election in the August 23, 2022 closed Republican Primary.  Does Major Blocker's self-serving conduct meet NGB or FNG legal and ethical standards?

4.  Major Murphy, where are your manners? You owe an apology for your neglect of duty and your rudeness. Please have your supervisor call me in the morning if you are still refusing to talk with me.

5.  General Hokanson, would you please be so kind as to order your NGB staff to send me all requested records by e-mail, by PDF, by close of business tomorrow, August 5, 2022?

Herein faileth not. 

Thank you.

With kindest regards, I am,

Sincerely yours,

Ed Slavin

www.edslavin.com

www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com

904-377-4998

-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Slavin <easlavin@aol.com>
To: matthew.murphy3.mil@army.mil <matthew.murphy3.mil@army.mil>; ngb.foia@mail.mil <ngb.foia@mail.mil>; NG.FL.FLARNG.MBX.NGFL-FLL-FOIA@MAIL.MIL <NG.FL.FLARNG.MBX.NGFL-FLL-FOIA@MAIL.MIL>; garybdavenport@gmail.com <garybdavenport@gmail.com>; jeremiah@jeremiahblocker.com <jeremiah@jeremiahblocker.com>; ng.ncr.ngb-arng.mesg.ngb-media-desk-owner@army.mil <ng.ncr.ngb-arng.mesg.ngb-media-desk-owner@army.mil>
Cc: bcc4jblocker@sjcfl.us <bcc4jblocker@sjcfl.us>; lchibbaro@washblade.com <lchibbaro@washblade.com>; aschindler@firstcoastnews.com <aschindler@firstcoastnews.com>; sheldon.gardner@staugustine.com <sheldon.gardner@staugustine.com>; sheltonhull@gmail.com <sheltonhull@gmail.com>; joe@eqfl.org <joe@eqfl.org>; jdunbar@gannett.com <jdunbar@gannett.com>; waltbog@nytimes.com <waltbog@nytimes.com>
Sent: Thu, Aug 4, 2022 1:23 pm
Subject: Re: [Non-DoD Source] Re: Request No. 2021-49: FOIA and Open Records request re: Major Jeremiah Ray Blocker

Dear Major Murphy:

1. Please call me to discuss DoD NGB's delay, desuetude, and disrespect for FOIA, July 7, 2021 to date.

2. Kindly send all requested records by close of business today.  

Thank you.

With kindest regards, I am,

Sincerely yours,

Ed Slavin

www.edslavin.com

www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com

904-377-4998

-----Original Message-----
From: Murphy, Matthew (Matt) Maj USAF NG NG PA (USA) <matthew.murphy3.mil@army.mil>
To: Ed Slavin <easlavin@aol.com>; ngb.foia@mail.mil <ngb.foia@mail.mil>; NG.FL.FLARNG.MBX.NGFL-FLL-FOIA@MAIL.MIL <NG.FL.FLARNG.MBX.NGFL-FLL-FOIA@MAIL.MIL>; garybdavenport@gmail.com <garybdavenport@gmail.com>; jeremiah@jeremiahblocker.com <jeremiah@jeremiahblocker.com>; NG NCR NGB ARNG MESG NGB Media Desk Owner <ng.ncr.ngb-arng.mesg.ngb-media-desk-owner@army.mil>
Cc: bcc4jblocker@sjcfl.us <bcc4jblocker@sjcfl.us>; lchibbaro@washblade.com <lchibbaro@washblade.com>; aschindler@firstcoastnews.com <aschindler@firstcoastnews.com>; sheldon.gardner@staugustine.com <sheldon.gardner@staugustine.com>; sheltonhull@gmail.com <sheltonhull@gmail.com>; joe@eqfl.org <joe@eqfl.org>; jdunbar@gannett.com <jdunbar@gannett.com>; waltbog@nytimes.com <waltbog@nytimes.com>
Sent: Thu, Aug 4, 2022 1:13 pm
Subject: RE: [Non-DoD Source] Re: Request No. 2021-49: FOIA and Open Records request re: Major Jeremiah Ray Blocker

Mr. Slavin,

 

Please refer to our FOIA process at https://www.nationalguard.mil/Resources/FOIA/.

 

This email is for media queries only.

 

 

Major Matt Murphy, USAF  |  Media Relations Officer  |  National Guard Bureau Public Affairs   |   703-601-6767   |  ng.ncr.ngb-arng.mesg.ngb-media-desk-owner@army.mil

 

Follow us at:

 

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https://twitter.com/NGBPA1636

https://www.twitter.com/USNationalGuard

https://instagram.com/us.nationalguard

http://www.flickr.com/TheNationalGuard

http://www.youtube.com/TheNationalGuard

 

 

 

 

From: Ed Slavin <easlavin@aol.com> 
Sent: Thursday, August 4, 2022 12:56 PM
To: ngb.foia@mail.mil; NG.FL.FLARNG.MBX.NGFL-FLL-FOIA@MAIL.MIL; garybdavenport@gmail.com; jeremiah@jeremiahblocker.com; NG NCR NGB ARNG MESG NGB Media Desk Owner <ng.ncr.ngb-arng.mesg.ngb-media-desk-owner@army.mil>
Cc: bcc4jblocker@sjcfl.us; jeremiah@jeremiahblocker.com; lchibbaro@washblade.com; aschindler@firstcoastnews.com; sheldon.gardner@staugustine.com; sheltonhull@gmail.com; joe@eqfl.org; jdunbar@gannett.com; waltbog@nytimes.com
Subject: [Non-DoD Source] Re: Request No. 2021-49: FOIA and Open Records request re: Major Jeremiah Ray Blocker

 

Dear General Hokanson, Major Blocker and Major Davenport:
1. On July 7, 2021, I requested Mr. Blocker's military records.  That was thirteen (13) months ago -- 393 days.

2. No documents have been received.  NGB has ignored repeated inquiries.  This continuing coverup is unpatriotic and unAmerican, contrary to the genius of a free people. My father was a proud veteran of WWII, for whom the South Jersey Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association is named (CPL Edward A. Slavin).  My father taught me, as JFK's father taught him, that you have to stand up to people with power or they walk all over you. He would be appalled at the Army's coverup of Mr. Blocker's military record, for 393 days.

3. Please send PDFs of all of the requested records today. 

4. Again, Major Blocker is a candidate for re-election as St. Johns County Commissioner in a closed Republican Primary on August 23, 2022.  Mr. Blocker often refers to his military record. We have a Right to Know.  

5. As James Madison wrote in 1823, "A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives."

6. Enough disrespect for our cherished federal legal rights under FOIA.  Please call me to discuss.

Thank you. 

With kindest regards, I am, 

Sincerely yours,

Ed Slavin

www.edslavin.com

www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Slavin <easlavin@aol.com>
To: ngb.foia@mail.mil <ngb.foia@mail.mil>; NG.FL.FLARNG.MBX.NGFL-FLL-FOIA@MAIL.MIL <NG.FL.FLARNG.MBX.NGFL-FLL-FOIA@MAIL.MIL>; garybdavenport@gmail.com <garybdavenport@gmail.com>; jeremiah@jeremiahblocker.com <jeremiah@jeremiahblocker.com>; ng.ncr.ngb-arng.mesg.ngb-media-desk-owner@army.mil <ng.ncr.ngb-arng.mesg.ngb-media-desk-owner@army.mil>
Cc: bcc4jblocker@sjcfl.us <bcc4jblocker@sjcfl.us>; jeremiah@jeremiahblocker.com <jeremiah@jeremiahblocker.com>; lchibbaro@washblade.com <lchibbaro@washblade.com>; aschindler@firstcoastnews.com <aschindler@firstcoastnews.com>; sheldon.gardner@staugustine.com <sheldon.gardner@staugustine.com>; sheltonhull@gmail.com <sheltonhull@gmail.com>; joe@eqfl.org <joe@eqfl.org>; waltbog@nytimes.com <waltbog@nytimes.com>
Sent: Fri, Jul 8, 2022 3:16 pm
Subject: Re: Request No. 2021-49: FOIA and Open Records request re: Major Jeremiah Ray Blocker

Dear General Hokanson, Major Blocker and Major Davenport:
1. Would you please be so kind as to send me the records  that I requested on July 7, 2021 on the military record of Major JEREMIAH RAY BLOCKER?

2. It has been more than a year since my request.

3. Major Blocker is on the August 23, 2022 Republican Primary ballot as a candidate for re-election to St. Johns County Commission.

4.  We have a Right to Know. See below.

5. James Madison wrote in 1822, " popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives."

Thank you.

With kindest regards, I am, 

Sincerely yours,

Ed Slavin

www.edslavin.com

www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Slavin <easlavin@aol.com>
To: ngb.foia@mail.mil <ngb.foia@mail.mil>; NG.FL.FLARNG.MBX.NGFL-FLL-FOIA@MAIL.MIL <NG.FL.FLARNG.MBX.NGFL-FLL-FOIA@MAIL.MIL>; garybdavenport@gmail.com <garybdavenport@gmail.com>
Cc: bcc4jblocker@sjcfl.us <bcc4jblocker@sjcfl.us>; jeremiah@jeremiahblocker.com <jeremiah@jeremiahblocker.com>; lchibbaro@washblade.com <lchibbaro@washblade.com>; aschindler@firstcoastnews.com <aschindler@firstcoastnews.com>; sheldon.gardner@staugustine.com <sheldon.gardner@staugustine.com>; sheltonhull@gmail.com <sheltonhull@gmail.com>; joe@eqfl.org <joe@eqfl.org>
Sent: Wed, Jul 7, 2021 9:30 am
Subject: Request No. 2021-49: FOIA and Open Records request re: Major Jeremiah Ray Blocker

Good morning:

A.  Pursuant to FOIA and eFOIA, would you please be so kind as to send me Jeremiah Ray Blocker's Official Personnel File and Security Clearance File, along with any Inspector General or CID investigations, memos, complaints of discrimination or retaliation, e.g., including but not limited to discrimination against service members or civilians on the basis of First Amendment protected activity, whistleblowing, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, gender or retaliation, etc., including Blocker's allegedly taking it upon himself to violate Florida Sunshine laws in blocking any St. Johns County Commission consideration of a proposed LGBTQIA+ proclamation, March 8, 2021 to date? 

 

B. 1. In the event there are other requests for this information, please expedite the release to me by PDF of all documents already released to others. 

2. Please waive any fees, as the release of this information is in the public interest. I meet the six factor FOIA test.  

3. I am an investigative reporter with more than 40 years of experience in informing the public, including winning declassification of the largest mercury pollution event in world history (Oak Ridge, Tenn. Y-12 Nuclear Weapons Plant, Department of Energy/Union Carbide, 1983) and uncovering the City of St. Augustine's illegal dumping of a landfill in a lake and sequelae (2005-2010).  I can share copies of articles published in American Bar Association publications, including Judges' Journal.

4. Release of the requested information will help promote the public interest in understanding federal government operation.

5. My blog has received more than 4.1 million measured page views and helps inform people about govemental affairs.  We've had more than 75 public interest victories here in St. Augustine, Florida since 2005,  home to the Florida National Guard, a place chock-full of terrorist violence history and persistent racist, sexist, misogynist, homophobic and transphobic prejudice, which the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once called "the most lawless city in America."    

6. Addressing the six federal FOIA factors:

Factor 1. The subject of the request: The subject of the requested records concerns "the operations or activities of the government." .

Factor 2. The informative value of the information to be disclosed: The disclosure is "likely to contribute" to an understanding of government operations or activities. 

Factor 3. The contribution to an understanding of the subject by the public is likely to result from disclosure: Disclosure of the requested information will contribute to "public understanding." The disclosure will contribute to the understanding of a reasonably broad audience of persons interested in the subject. I have developed expertise in pertinent subject areas and the ability and intention to convey information to the public. (It is presumed that a representative of the news media will satisfy this consideration.)

Factor 4. The significance of the contribution to public understanding: The disclosure is likely to contribute "significantly" to public understanding of government operations or activities."   

Factor 5. The existence and magnitude of a commercial interest:   No commercial interest. 

Factor 6. The primary interest in disclosure:  There is no "commercial interest."  FOI officers know that when a "news media requester has satisfied the public interest standard, the public interest will be the interest primarily served by disclosure to that requester."

7. Please call me (today if possible), to confirm receipt.

Thank you.

With kindest regards, I am,

Sincerely yours,

Ed Slavin

Box 3084

St. Augustine, Florida 32085-3084

904-377-4998

www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com

www.edslavin.com