<p>I read this morning that Lawrence Silberman and others are pushing to have J. Edgar Hoover’s name removed from the FBI building - apparently bills have been introduced in Congress to do so, but not successfully as yet - because of Hoover’s documented abuse of the FBI’s investigative apparatus to spy on political opponents of the party in power at various times. Silberman proposes that FBI recruits be required to sit through a presentation detailing the abuse of the FBI’s authority before being sworn in.</p>
<p>It’s an interesting point. What should a newly minted FBI agent think when viewing the name of a man who engaged in blatant political blackmail to curry favor with top politicians - using information secured by FBI agents - emblazoned on the building housing the agency?</p>
<p>No. As a practical matter it would cost a fortune to remove the name everywhere it appears. There are many decorative areas in the interiors of the HQ building and at Quantico where Hoover’s name and others are in design together, so it would take some work to reconstruct some of the memorials and remembrance themes. As a politcal matter, it’s way out of context. As to new agents - likely zero impact - given the barriers to entry, and the very long process of getting in, plus the all training.</p>
<p>Yes, I think it would be a good thing to take Hoover’s name off. At the same time we should erase Bobby Kennedy’s name from any public buildings (given that he also used his position as Atty. Gen’l [imagine Bush appointing his brother as Atty. Gen’, what an uproar from the Dems] to spy on Martin Luther King). Let’s also make sure that Bill Clinton’s name doesn’t appear on any public buildings - he just had his ability to practice law restored. And let’s take Robert Byrd’s name off of buildings in West Virginia - a former Klan member’s name doesn’t belong on a public building. Let’s take Thomas Dodd’s name off the Dodd Center at UCONN - he was censured by his colleagues in the Senate for financial impropriety. Teddy Kennedy - waited 12 hours to report his accident while a young girl died - let’s make sure nothing is named after him. I’m serious - any public official who violates the public’s trust shouldn’t be honored, they should have their pensions taken away.</p>
<p>Hmmmm. I’ll assume BigGreen does not mean Big Green Party member. </p>
<p>I think they should leave Hoover’s name on the building. In fact they should have his portrait hanging in every building, too. I’d prefer high heels and his hair in a bun. Maybe something a little off the shoulder? Very Joan Crawford. ;)</p>
<p>Most recruits aren’t even old enough to know who Hoover was. As to taking his name off, aren’t we paying enough in taxes without having to pay for new stationery, replacing stamps, etc.? Perhaps leaving it there may make someone realize what not to do. And he did really get the FBI going. I just think we should pass a law that no building or monument, airport, etc., can be named for someone famous until they have been deceased for 50 years. By then, any dirty laundry would be aired, and if people still think the person was so wonderful that many years later, then they deserve it. If not, then nothing need be done. And isn’t removing his name merely an attempt to sweep the problem under the rug? It’s still a large part of the history of the FBI, good, bad or indifferent. Removing his name won’t remove the bad taste, or do those that want to remove it think that it will be forgotten and we can rewrite history?</p>
<p>Hoover was a gay black man passing as a straight white man in a homophobic and racist age. Give hima break. You’d be screwed up too if you were him.</p>