It’s no longer a secret that our government doesn’t like whistleblowers. Since the days of the Nixon administration, they have been persecuted, maliciously prosecuted, fired, transferred and severely harassed. These weren’t the random acts of retaliation – to the contrary, they followed the protocol outlined in the infamous Malek Manual.
Office of Special Counsel (OSC) - the dark legacy
The very agencies entrusted with protecting the rights of whistleblowers have been oppressing those who sought their protection. Like the proverbial wolves in sheep’s clothing, the OSC, the MSPB, the Federal Circuit and federal courts have long been used as the far-reaching tentacles of the government.
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange discovered for himself just how far the U.S. government is willing to go in order to silence whistleblowers and anyone who gives them a voice. An arrest warrant was issued for Assange, then abruptly withdrawn once it received media attention. On August 22, 2010 Assange told a Swedish newspaper of his belief that the Pentagon could be behind a rape allegation brought forth by Swedish prosecutors.
Julian told the Aftonbladet Daily "I don't know who's behind this but we have been warned that, for example, the Pentagon plans to use dirty tricks to spoil things for us." “I have also been warned about sex traps," continued Assange. Even though the warrant has been withdrawn, Julian Assange believes it has already damaged his reputation. "There have been headlines all over the world saying I'm suspected of rape," he told Aftonbladet. "They will not disappear. And I know from experience that WikiLeaks enemies will continue to trumpet these allegations even after they've been denied."
The Pentagon remained silent about its alleged involvement in the case. Since its launch in 2006, WikiLeaks has published thousands of whistleblowing disclosures about the activities of American and allied forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. The website is currently preparing to put 15,000 more classified military documents online in coming weeks. U.S. administration is opposing future disclosures, claiming they could place the lives of Afghan civilians and U.S. soldiers at risk.
During the week prior to the issuance of a warrant, Assange has been in Sweden, working to boost legal protection for WikiLeaks and other whistleblower websites.
Whistleblowers in the U.S. can count on vehement opposition and tireless persecution by the very people elected to represent their interests. U.S. Congressman Mike Rogers went so far as to advocate the execution of WikiLeaks whistleblower, Private Bradley Manning. Rogers thinks Manning should die for his whistleblowing disclosures.
Congressman Rogers sits on the House Intelligence Committee. He said that Private Bradley Manning appears to be guilty of treason in time of war, which is a capital crime. If Manning isn’t charged with treason, Rogers believes he ought to be charged with murder. In either case scenario, Congressman wants the whistleblower to be put to death. "I would support it 100 percent," Rogers said.
US congressman says Bradley Manning should be executed
Rogers told his local radio station that Mannings' actions have condemned to death many Afghans who assisted the U.S. It is hard to see how the video in question, dubbed the “Collateral Murder”, could have done that, since none of such collaborators were mentioned. So far only the U.S. government made the claim that lives have been placed at risk by Manning’s alleged disclosure. They don’t seem as concerned with the numbers of people that were accidentally killed by US assassination squad cock-ups, reportedly exposed by Manning. He also allegedly revealed that Pakistan "allies" had built safe havens for the terrorists who are killing Americans.
The U.S. government labeled WikiLeaks a “potential force protection, counterintelligence, operational security (OPSEC), and information security (INFOSEC) threat to the US Army.”
Congressman Rogers criticized what he called a “culture of disclosure” for encouraging whistleblowers to think that the release of sensitive information is a good thing. Our elected officials are much more used to the “culture of corruption”, where government wrongdoing is covered up and perpetrators are usually transferred and promoted. The clash of these two cultures is brought to the forefront of public attention by the WikiLeaks scandal.
As Mark Twain wisely put it, “In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a brave and scarce man, hated and scorned. When the cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot.”
Manning is being held in solitary confinement in Virginia. He may face a court martial or federal prosecution as the investigation continues.
Early Struggles of Soldier Charged in Leak Case
It should be noted that none of our elected officials have called for the execution of law enforcement officers or public officials convicted of serious crimes against our country. For example, high-ranking border officials are never charged with treason for allowing illegal aliens, narcotics and uninspected vehicles into the U.S. To the contrary, such offenses that undermine the sovereignty of our country are usually accompanied by slap-on-the-wrist sentences (often, only probation).
Badge for sale - the tales of MICE and men
Like prominent whistleblowers who endured the “Enemy of the State” existence, Assange leads a nomadic lifestyle and rarely sleeps in the same place two nights in a row. It’s a wise decision, since the trouble for Assange may not be over anytime soon.
Read more stories by Julia Davis, Los Angeles Homeland Security Examiner
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Comments
Love it! Powerful article.
This is absolutely chilling... Great research, Ms. Davis - your articles are always well-researched and cover the points hidden by the mainstream media.
We the taxpayers are the government and hire the politicians working for us. do not ask what your politician can do for your, ask what can you do for yourself.
It is my experience and opinion that most whistleblowers are the guilty ones...they are usually incompetent in their jobs, fired or disciplined, then lash out at their employer. Most whistleblower reports I have read the authors come across as arrogant and have a very elevated opinion of their self worth many bordering on being pschotic. I believe this is the rule rather than the exception.
Whistleblowers are complying with federal law by reporting criminal activities. Those that don't report are party to the action and guilty of obstruction of justice. Breaking up the ole Boy's Club. Keep bust'em, Ms. Davis!
Where are the two eye witnesses to the "treason?" Treason is the only crime mentioned in the Constitution. According to Article 3 Section 3, "Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court." Assuming Manning does not confess in open court he can only be convicted on the testimony of two witnesses to the same act. If he did release the information did anyone, let alone two people, witness his actions? The Congressman is just grandstanding--or he does not know the Constitution.
Corporate is America's true leader. It controls the majority of the Congress and the President is powerless against it. Whistle-blowers have been considered the enemy ever since Nixon, and are our last line of defense against corporate excess, particularly against the military industrial complex; that thing Eisenhower warned us of almost sixty years ago.
There's a reason Americans feel theirs is not a representative government any more. That's because its absolutely true. Taxation without representation to the extreme. If Corporate overreaches, not a problem: The people shall bail it out. If corporate wants to wiretap us, it's not a problem. They can do it with immunity from prosecution, as we saw with the Bushists. Corporate is in control and there's simply nobody there to regulate it, to tame it and return control to the People.
Everyone here should be happy Assange is providing what checks are left in a free world under Corporate attack.
I see here today, Corporates defenders want to prosecute Manning for what treason?! Go for it. We need a trial in open court-not a Corporate-controlled military tribunal. I dare the government to prosecute Manning in open court. That's the last thing the military industrial complex wants: Exposure for what it is.
Leak to a flood. It's time to take our country back.
http://www.light-to-dark.com/deep_patriot_act.html
As a person who was removed for whistleblowing by the government.I know first hand the deceit the government will go to to destroy a whistleblower. However, i blew the whistle to try and save lives. Nobody should expose these documents without at least redacting the people named who have helped us. If somebody is killed because of an exposure then yes the congressman is correct under the law that the person releasing secrect documents in time of war are guilty of treason. But the government has legal and correct avenues to deal with suspected spies, I am troubled that the government is so used to going after whistleblowers in the shadows.
This is not whistle blowing, this is espionage in a time of war, non conventional to be sure, but war non the less. It is also most assuredly giving aid and comfort to the enemy. This guy desrves to get his neck stretched.
The individual writing about Whistleblower reports, I'd ask in what capacity they reviewed them in, like the disgraced and convicted Scott Bloch from the facade known as the OSC? Whistleblowers are true heroes and the Malek Manual paints the true picture of the government crimes and efforts to silence those that would illuminate fraud, waste, corruption and abuse of their self-imposed discretionary authority. By the way, there is no declared war and it is nothing more than corporate global expansion towards the One World Order. Keep telling it like it is Julia Davis, you're shaking the bushes and the skunks are scrambling.
Ms. Davis,
Thank you for reporting the truth with pinpoint accuracy and information the mainstream media does not report.
I noticed that the Examiner did not list you as their top reporters for 2010. That red flagged the publication to me since I read all of the other articles that are good but do not compare. Seems to be more politics there because none of them appeared on any mainstream media television programs as you did.
Loved how you told the American public they are still being lied to and the threat is from within as well as external. You are an American hero, Julia Davis! Julia Davis is America's frontline defense!
Watch National Security/Anti-Terrorism Expert Julia Davis on the Fox News show "Follow The Money" ("How Safe Is America From Terrorism" edition - December 23, 2010 show) with Eric Bolling. Other guests on a panel include Senator D'Amato, Fernando Mateo, Monica Crowley, Ellen Ratner and Keith Albow.
Follow the link.:
http://www.foxbusiness.com/on-air/follow-money/index.html#/v/4472524/how...
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