War on Whistleblowers - Sibel Edmonds on GRTV

[walerosco]

Run time: 10:34 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H9eI14nTbM   Posted on YouTube: October 11, 2011 By YouTube Member: corbettreport Views on YouTube: 265   Posted on DU: October 11, 2011 By DU Member: walerosco Views on DU: 1617

 
SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: http://ur1.ca/50ptm

This week GRTV talks to Sibel Edmonds, famed FBI whistleblower and the Editor of BoilingFrogsPost.com about the various ways that whistleblowers in the national security establishment are retaliated against, set upon by the establishment, and undermined by the very foundation-funded organizations that are supposed to be helping them.

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. I'm wondering if the word, "whistleblower" is too narrowly defined.

Right now, doesn't it just apply to employees who have something to say about the places where they work? Shouldn't that definition be expanded to apply to anyone who has seen something that needs to be exposed?

[Dokkie]

3. I dont think it is

There are insurance company, utility plant, egg factory whistle blowers. It doesnt have to be for a govt institution. They are all referred to as whistle blowers.

[bananas]

4. Whistle-blowers can also be people who expose the after-the-fact cover-up

For example the engineers who warned not to launch the Challenger:

Challenger shuttle whistleblower reflects on struggle with PTSD

The following is a letter from Roger Boisjoly to a friend, in which he reminisces about his life since blowing the whistle on the Challenger Shuttle disaster, and his struggle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Boisjoly was one of three engineers who, the day before the il-fated January 1986 mission, strenuously objected to the launch, predicting correctly that the O-rings in the solid rocket boosters would fail in the very low temperatures forecast for that day. Their subsequent mistreatment by their employer – and public outrage at this – led to demands for whistleblower protection in the USA.

Published with the kind permission of Roger Boisjoly, in the hope that this may help others who suffer from PTSD.

Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2010
Subject: Long Overdue Communication

Dear Joe:

<snip>

[The Backlash Cometh]

5. I've talked to a whistle blower attorney and they claimed that the laws

only apply to employees.

[bananas]

6. Yes, legal protection for whistleblowers is based on a very narrow definition

To qualify for legal whistleblower protection, there a whole lot of restrictions and qualifications.
But you can still be considered a whistleblower by the rest of us, even if you have not been granted legal whistleblower protection.
edit to add: just to be absolutely clear, without legal protection, you are up the creek without a paddle, and it can have ramifications to your family, coworkers, etc

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. Which is to say, be sure the cause is good enough to sacrifice yourself

and your family's well being.

[bananas]

8. Yes. nt

[formercia]

11. Guaranteed you will lose everything.

They will crush you and put you and your family on the street. The boys will make sure everyone on the inside knows about it, as an example to others that might be harboring the same thoughts.

People think that behavior like that on the part of the Government only happens in places like the old Soviet Union. Well, welcome to the American Gulag, a prison without walls with invisible razor wire. Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it's not there.

[The Backlash Cometh]

12. But haven't you noticed that there's a Chinatown relationship

between the government and the local boys? One propels the other. City Managers and City Attorneys are handpicked for the position. They learn to figure out who the key people are in town and they cater to those key people. The rest of the staff just plays along.

[formercia]

13. Maintaining the Status Quo.

Their job is to protect the 'System.'

[The Backlash Cometh]

14. Is there any moment in US history where someone fought the system and won?

[walerosco]

15. Only when it benefits one corrupt political parties

Daniel Elsberg comes to mind.

[The Backlash Cometh]

16. You know, you're right.

Which is why so many law firms have morphed and now have powerful political proponents in both parties.

[bananas]

17. Lots of us have fought the system and won.

It can take it's toll.
And you have to pick your fights - for example Carl Sagan as Mr.X decided that was one fight he didn't want in on, but he won on other fights.

[formercia]

9. Since the CIA is part of the Executive Branch

Whistleblower protections do not apply, as the Executive Branch is exempt. They can harass you until the day you die and there is very little you can do about it. Been there done that for the last 28 years.
I got the same message she did when I went to get an attorney. If they will even consider representing you, the Shysters want their money up-front....and people wonder why I have a low regard for Lawyers.

[The Backlash Cometh]

10. What I'm finding is that you can't write about small town corruption without

writing about the crooked and/or inept lawyers.

[formercia]

18. Small Towns are the incubators for good or bad.

I wonder how many in Congress came from a small Town. That's where it's easy to get noticed, especially if you're out there.

[Dokkie]

2. K&R

People need to know the story of this hero.