Sibel Edmonds plans ad campaign

[moodforaday]

Interesting news re Sibel Edmonds. We already know she's petitioning SC to hear her case and lift the gag order - this is literally yesterday's news. But going through SC is not all she has in mind:

Edmonds told U.S. News that she and other whistle-blowers from the FBI, CIA, National Security Agency, and Department of Homeland Security are so furious with the lack of congressional oversight on intelligence and national security that they plan to launch an advertising campaign targeting government officials who have allegedly endangered national security. The newspaper ads, which could be launched as early as two months from now, would name officials, their titles, their salaries, where they work, and their alleged or documented wrongdoing, says Edmonds. The campaign would be funded by private donations and would be coordinated by the recently formed advocacy group she heads, the National Security Whistleblowers Coalition.

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/050805/5natsec.htm

My only question is, what if mainstream papers refuse to carry those ads? IIRC this happened to MoveOn.org.

[rman]

1. How often have whistleblowers united against the government?

The National Security Whistleblowers Coalition, founded in August 2004, lists a couple of dozen members. I may be wrong but i think this is unprecedented.
http://www.nswbc.org/

[moodforaday]

2. There used to be a whistleblower-protection law

on the books, but I recall reading it was gutted under GWB. No source though, just something I remember reading about recently. Can anyone help with a link, please?

[rman]

6. Whistleblowers Coalition is fighting for better whistleblower protection;

http://www.nswbc.org/press.htm

Whistleblowers Converge on Capitol Hill
Cox News Service
29 April 2005
Whistleblowers Converge on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON — A newly formed group of national security whistleblowers called Thursday for Congress to overhaul legislation that protects federal employees when they expose wrongdoing in the government.

Members of the National Security Whistleblowers met with staff from the House Government Reform Committee and the Senate Judiciary and Armed Services committees to request stronger protections in the 16-year-old Whistle Blower Protection Act.

"We have no system in place that applies direct, individual accountability when it comes to retaliation against whistleblowers," said Sibel Edmonds, an FBI whistleblower, who started the coalition last August. "There is no deterrence for those who engage in government waste, fraud, abuse and criminal activities that jeopardize our nation's security."

<more>

[Raiden]

3. Wow! I like her more each day

:patriot:

[moodforaday]

4. Sibel asks Americans to contact their reps

Another new article here:


Guest Viewpointl: FBI translator gagged, fired for speaking up

In one of my conversations with Ms. Edmonds, she stated that one of the things people could do to is to actually contact their representatives. It does work as we've seen with the Downing Street Minutes.

I suggest we need to rise to the defense of those who place security over party ideology. If we truly care about this country, we need to get to work -- now.

On another note, the article also states:

It is safe to say that had Edmonds followed the example of Mark Felt, our national security might be a little more secure.

Except this is false, because it takes two. Sibel Edmonds could play the role of Deep Throat, but who was going to follow up on and publish her story? Not Washington Post, apparently!

http://www.pressconnects.com/today/opinion/stories/op080605s183071.shtml

[G_j]

5. nominated

great news, bring em on!

[Toucano]

7. Do it! Do it! Do it! n/t

[hootinholler]

8. Where do I send money?

I'll help pay for those ads!

-Hoot

[moodforaday]

9. The site is here

Sibel Edmonds "National Security Whistleblowers Coalition":
http://www.nswbc.org/

- but there appears to be no donation mechanism in place. The article I quoted from mentions it's "privately funded", so it looks like they have sponsorship. I think I'll email them and ask if they accept donations - there's a mailto link on the contact page.

Daniel Ellsberg (who has also been working with Sibel) has a whistleblowers' assistance site here:
http://www.ellsberg.net/truthtellingproject.html
There's a contribution page:
http://www.ellsberg.net/truthtellingproject/contribute.html
but whether these donations go towards helping Sibel's case, I don't know.

On edit: you could also buy Ellsberg's book, "Secrets". I'm reading it now - it details his Pentagon Papers story, but it's awesomely relevant to the current situation as well, in terms of what Ellsberg says about how secrets are kept in Washington. I've posted about this previously:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4255435

[wiggs]

10. A bunch of people are sweating bullets today. nt

[AllyCat]

11. Maybe Gore's new network/station will air it?

I would give these folks money to get this out to the people. If the big network CorpoPress doesn't want to talk about it, we can do it as the people who actually care and want the news.

[drm604]

12. Also Air America

and maybe publications like Harper's, Vanity Fair, etc. Also, send all of that info to progressive email lists and post it on blogs and discussion forums, etc.

[Mr_Spock]

13. These people will get a generous donation from me

I can't wait to give them money for these adds.

[Lecky]

14. This woman is on a mission for truth and justice.

I admire her and others alike for standing up to all the liars in charge. I hope she gives others courage to speak up as well. This is great to hear, it doesn't sound like this woman is giving up anytime soon either.

[KittyWampus]

15. kick