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The FBI's files on Steve Jobs

muckrock.com

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Re: The FBI's files on Steve Jobs

#91

Post by Duff »

revscat wrote: post #61
rsmiller510 wrote: post #52

This is outstanding reporting requesting and staying on the request for information, and it's a fascinating look at Jobs and the government process of vetting White House appointments in 1991. Note that they are still obsessed with the idea of anyone belonging to or contributing to the Communist Party and even checked if had relatives in foreign countries who might have been Communists (they couldn't find any). I als…

> Note that they are still obsessed with the idea of anyone belonging to or contributing to the Communist Party and even checked if had relatives in foreign countries who might have been Communists (they couldn't find any). Their continued focus upon past drug use is also anachronistic. I have not yet read the the document all the way thought, but so far they have mentioned it no fewer than a dozen times. The FBI's p…

They're looking for aberrant things that will lead them to compromising information. You get some leeway for the sins of the past -- provided that you disclose.

If you state that you don't abuse alcohol or use drugs, but individuals associated with you state otherwise, that will merit additional investigation. If you committed a crime and lied about it, what else did you do? Sell drugs? Grow weed in your apartment? Hang out with drug dealers?

Anachronistic or not, using drugs is illegal. If you're hiding some dark secret, that can be used to coerce or otherwise compromise you, it's relevant.

Do you want the US representative to some trade organization selling the country out, because he doesn't want someone to find out that did something stupid in his 20s?

Re: The FBI's files on Steve Jobs

#92

Post by gyardley »

mhurron wrote: post #49
emilepetrone wrote: post #21

"Based on the background information furnished by Mr. Jobs, he has no close relatives residing in communist-controlled countries."

Ya there are some odd questions when applying for green cards in US as well. You would like to think that the communist questions are artifacts, but I doubt they are. "Are you or have you been a member of the Nazi party/movement" "Are you or have you been a member of a Communist Organization" "Have you been charged with or convicted of genocide" Who would answer yes to those questions?

Well, I did.

I mean, who wants to get busted for lying to the US government? You don't know how detailed their background check is going to be - or whether they're ever going to do a more detailed one in the future.

I'm still down here almost a decade later, so obviously a 'yes' here isn't an automatic deal-breaker.

Re: The FBI's files on Steve Jobs

#93

Post by draggnar »

at one point owned a mine with friedland?

Described as a "former hippie" had at one time run an apple orchard in Portland, Oregon, in partnership with Steve Jobs.... Jobs was at one time part owner of Timerland in Oregon, which included a mine.

Re: The FBI's files on Steve Jobs

#95

Post by defen »

feralchimp wrote: post #66
johngalt wrote: post #4

From the background check interviews: " concluded the interview by stating that even though he does not consider Mr. Jobs to be a friend, he (Mr. Jobs) possesses the qualities to assume a high level political position. It was 's opinion that honesty and integrity are not required qualities to hold such a position."

I would pay money to have all these quotes attributed. Who went to college with Jobs?

If you read the bio, there's one pretty obvious guess for this one.

Re: The FBI's files on Steve Jobs

#96

Post by blario »

canes123456 wrote: post #64
blario wrote: post #57

As to character, this is far more revealing than that sanctioned bio. I found the bio to be biased: the author never failed to use "genius" but as far for negative qualities, they were brushed aside. Roughly 40 interviews in this pdf, from close associates, friends, classmates, co-workers, and industry colleagues. Not for profit; only meant to give an accurate depiction. And people seem to have been very honest also;…

You are joking, right? His negative qualities are all over the bio. I also don't think any one would argue with Jobs being called a genius.

I'm referring to the wording. The author never hesitates to exclaim genius compliments, but equally opinionated proclamations about the negative aspects of his character not proclaimed. Facts are stated, but there are no proclamations describing what type of person that means SJ to be.

Re: The FBI's files on Steve Jobs

#97

Post by siglesias »

johngalt wrote: post #4

From the background check interviews: " concluded the interview by stating that even though he does not consider Mr. Jobs to be a friend, he (Mr. Jobs) possesses the qualities to assume a high level political position. It was 's opinion that honesty and integrity are not required qualities to hold such a position."

"[Jobs] would have made an excellent King of France." --Jef Raskin [1]

Betting it's him.

http://www.folklore.org/StoryView.py?project=Macintosh&s...

Re: The FBI's files on Steve Jobs

#99

Post by jrockway »

I enjoyed reading this. Sometimes I watch too many cop shows and think that I want to become a detective. Then I read reports like this, and realize that 99% of police work is producing reports like this one. You may get to interview the occasional reference, but you're probably not going to be getting into many gunfights.

I feel mislead by fictional television programs :)

Re: The FBI's files on Steve Jobs

#100

Post by meiji »

quux wrote: post #60
fiatpandas wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This one's interesting. Why would he need top secret clearance during that period at Pixar?

I think at this point they were selling their image processing systems to intelligence agencies like the CIA and NSA. IIRC, the NSA bought a lot of NeXT systems, and he had to get a clearance for that too. Or maybe this was the same clearance.

People often assume that clearance is only given out in rare circumstances. It's surprising how easy it is to be told you need it and often when you're dealing with certain agencies it's easier for them to make sure you get it so that if they say the wrong thing then they're covered by your arrangements too.
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