Showing posts with label Newseum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Newseum. Show all posts

Thursday, May 16, 2013

J. Edgar Hoover

Washington May 2013 1 (J. Edgar Hoover)

We got into Washington Tuesday night. My meeting didn't start until late yesterday afternoon. Mrs. C and I spent several hours Tuesday at the Newseum, which is about just what it says. One of the current exhibits was about the FBI, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which meant it was about J. Edgar Hoover, who for decades was its notorious chief.

Although Hoover was a tenacious adversary of crime, he had a dark side that was eventually revealed. He became a paranoid crusader against any hint of Communist activity. Some say he persecuted gay men in public life, although controversy remains today about whether he himself was gay.

The last photo from this exhibit is a recreation of the Montana shack of someone well known to Americans, Ted Kaczynski, the so-called Unabomer. Click the link if you would like to know the significance to us.

Washington May 2013 2 (G-Men)

Washington May 2013 3 (Crossing The Line)

Washington May 2013 $ (Do Not Touch)

Friday, May 15, 2009

Report From Washington

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We spent several hours at the Newseum, the high tech temple of all things information. It was fascinating. One current exhibition is called G-Men and Journalists, about the FBI's attempts to control or manipulate the news media. In the lobby of the museum we found this chilling, life-size image of long-time FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover (supplied by Madame Tussaud's), a dark name in American history. The FBI headquarters is just down the street. They sure remember him.

But, having daydreamed about leaving a career as a lawyer for one in photography, it occurred to me to veer off in yet another direction and become a television news reporter. See below.

We're taking the train to New York this afternoon. Who knows what adventures await.