Groups Call for Hearings on the Justice Dept’s Handling of Sibel Edmonds

[dqueue]

ACLU Press Release

WASHINGTON- An unprecedented group of national security whistleblowers and family members of 9/11 victims gathered today to demand that the government stop silencing employees who expose national security blunders and called on Congress to hold hearings into the government’s actions against whistleblowers.

"The government is taking extreme steps to shield itself from political embarrassment while gambling with our safety," said Ann Beeson, Associate Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union. "The government has fired whistleblowers, retroactively classified public information and used special privileges not to protect us but to cover-up mistakes."

...

"The issues surrounding the Edmonds case are so significant that Congress must hold hearings to investigate the government’s actions," said Danielle Brian, Executive Director of the Project On Government Oversight, a watchdog group that signed the appeal brief. "As the people’s representatives, Congress has the duty to protect whistleblowers who seek to uncover and publicize the misuse of government authority."

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. What mainstream paper is carrying this?

[dqueue]

2. Just a press release...

The press conference is on-going in DC right now, Noon-2pm EST. I post this in anticipation it will be picked by media.

I'll lock it if you prefer seeing it in MSM...

[mike_c]

3. I think it's appropriate to post PRs in LBN...

...as long as the source of the PR is made available. I hope the mods agree. This makes LBN a media source, rather than just a media mirror.

[NVMojo]

5. They've booted other Press Releases, though I disagree with it...

[glitch]

6. Agreed. nt

[buddysmellgood]

7. I agree. We can't let MSM tell us what is news. We are the media.

[NVMojo]

4. Great! I hope this pushes it over the edge ...it has stagnated too long ..

[Wilms]

8. Keep the pressure on. n/t

[robertpaulsen]

9. Congrats to the ACLU for their support of Sibel Edmonds! n/t

[cthrumatrix]

10. we all know the MSM is following the "gag order" by ashcroft

Sibel has the goods on these crooks.

[dqueue]

11. Agreed.

I think that's the only reason she's still among us... she must have some "insurance" ferreted away somewhere.

[dqueue]

12. MSM chimes in...

The ACLU, using whistleblowers as examples, stated its case that Congress needs to get involved in the case of Sibel Edmonds, a former language specialist fired from the FBI after coming forward with serious national-security concerns.
...
"This is not just about one case or one whistleblower," Edmonds said at news conference at the National Press Club Wednesday.

In fact, other former FBI employees have voiced concerns about the way the agency handles a post-Sept. 11 country.

During the summer of 2004, Mike German, a 16-year veteran of the FBI, resigned from his job after being alienated for voicing concerns about how counter-terrorism investigations were handled.

"I was openly retaliated against because I reported the flaws," German said at the news conference.

German said he was dropped from work involving domestic terrorism after questioning the agency's handling of the case.

Really good article. Worth a read!

[hector459]

13. People are going to have to take to the streets to get the Bushcos to

address this issue. I'm ready!!

[leQ]

14. put pressure on sen. grassley (eom)

.

[dqueue]

15. The Government Of The People, By The People, For The People!

This from Buzzflash. It's a great read!

A few days ago, during an interview, I was asked to provide comments regarding the IG's Report into my allegations, and I was asked whether or not I agreed with the Report's conclusion that the FBI did not take my reports and allegations seriously, although they were supported by facts, evidence, and other witnesses.

From one perspective, my answer was: yes; despite all the facts, evidence, and other witnesses, the bureau chose not to investigate the espionage case and other criminal acts committed against the United States, its people, and its national security; instead they chose to cover it up. On the other hand, from another perspective, my answer was: No; they took my case, and their objective, which was to cover up these issues and criminal acts, extremely seriously. After all, for the past three years they have been relentlessly and in an unprecedented manner engaged in actions geared towards covering up my reports and investigations into my allegations.

Lets talk about these unconstitutional and un-American actions, shall we? Gagging the United States Congress, blocking court proceedings in my case by invoking the so-called state secret privilege, quashing a subpoena for my deposition on information regarding 9/11, withholding documents requested under the Freedom of Information Act, and preventing the release of the entire report issued by the Department of Justice- Inspector General's office. They engaged in these relentless efforts to cover up, despite the fact that the allegations in my reports, many of which have been confirmed by the unclassified IG report, the United States Senate, and leaked memos by the Department of Justice, involve criminal conduct against our national interests, serious security breaches & espionage activities threatening our intelligence, intentional mistranslation of intelligence, and intentional blocking of certain terrorism and criminal cases related to 9/11 from being investigated.

This is not just about one case or one whistleblower. This is not just about our government's relentless fight against me, and my information. This fight is also directed against what is known as "the public's right to know" in our essential oversight responsibility over our government as responsible citizens. As Harry Truman stated: "When even one American -- who has done nothing wrong -- is forced by fear to shut his mind and close his mouth, then all Americans are in peril." This is a fight against our democracy, which cannot exist without transparency and accountability. Standing up to despotism and tyranny has always been considered illegal by those in power, and dangerous to those who would expose them. But this shouldn't be the case here, not here in the United States of America. This shouldn't be the case when it comes to a truly democratic government; a kind of a government we have proudly defined as, and believed to be, a government of the people, by the people, for the people. Please ask yourself: What happened to this notion of government of the people, by the people, for the people; principles upon which our democracy and governance are supposed to be built?
...

[struggle4progress]

16. kick