Whistleblowers

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Whistleblowers: Martyrs? Snitches? Heroes? Traitors?

This lens tells the stories of usually ordinary people, often experts in their field, whose desire to "do the right thing" is stronger than their fear of potential threats to their own safety in the face of their actions. Whistleblowers often expose severe wrong-doings set to cause harm to a large number of people.

Better known whistleblowers of our recent history include Joseph Wilson, Daniel Ellsberg, Richard A. Clarke and, of course, Frank Serpico. Read their stories and other accounts involving courageous men and women who most often did not get the public acknowledgment they deserved.WorldClassMasterpieceBadge

Who is a "Whistleblower"? 

A Wikipedia entry says: "A whistleblower is an employee, former employee, or member of an organization, especially a business or government agency, who reports misconduct to people or entities that have the power and presumed willingness to take corrective action. Generally, the misconduct is a violation of law, rule, regulation and/or a direct threat to public interest, such as fraud, health/safety violations, and corruption."

Frank Serpico says he is displeased with the term "whistleblower". He prefers the name "lamplighters" - for individuals who seek truth and justice, even in the face of great personal loss.

Whistleblowers - Pillars of our Society

Frank "Paco" Serpico 

Al Pacino's film "Serpico" made both of them famous

Frank Serpico was born on April 14, 1936 in Brooklyn, NY. At the age of 18 he enlisted in the Army and served in Korea for 2 years.

After joining the NYPD at the age of 23, he became a police officer for the next 12 years. During the last years on the force he attempted repeatedly to report police corruption but his superiors refused to act. A series of harassments against his person began with a harrowing interrogation by U.S.Customs officials upon his return from a European vacation.

Frank Serpico finally turned to the New York Times with his information. A lengthy expose in the paper moved Mayor John Lindsay to appoint Judge Whittman Knapp to head a thorough investigation of the problem of police corruption in the New York City Police Department

On February3, 1971, during a set-up "buy and bust" operation, Frank was shot in the face. He survived and took his testimony in front of the Knapp Commission, later that year.

The author Peter Maas wrote a New York Times bestseller about Serpico's story which sold over 3 million copies. The film director Sydney Lumet created an Academy Award nominated master piece starring Al Pacino in the title role.

After living, traveling and studying for a decade in Europe, Mr. Serpico returned home to a quiet life in the mountains of New York State. He continues to support police officers with similar experiences through lectures at police academies and universities.

Frank Serpico speaks a number of languages and engages in studies of animal and human behavior, alternative medicine, music, art, literature and philosophy. He also works with the New York City Council on the implementation of an independent review board on police corruption and brutality to make it easier for honest police officers to step forward and tell the truth.

Visit the Official Frank Serpico Website

"Serpico" - The Movie Trailer 

Serpico Trailer

Serpico - Sidney Lumet (1973) With Al Pacino produced by Martin Bregman.

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Thank God, times have changed. Or have they? 

FOX News Whistle blowers. UNBELIEVABLE!!!

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Have you heard of Dr. Jeffrey Wigand? 

When cigarette companies blow smoke...

This good doctor worked for the Brown and Williamson Tobacco Corporation from 1989 until he was fired in 1993. Subsequently, he "blew the whistle". On the CBS News program "60 Minutes" Dr. Wigand exposed his former employer's practice of "impact boosting": intentionally manipulating the effect of nicotine in cigarettes.

Dr. Wigand's testimony in a Mississippi courtroom led to a $246 billion litigation settlement by the tobacco industry. He refuses to be called a hero, he was simply telling the truth, he says. Brown and Williamson, the country's third-largest tobacco company, misled consumers about the addictive nature of nicotine, ignored research about cancer-causing additives for flavor improvements, and hid documents that could be used in law suits against the company.

Dr. Wigand suffered from counter law suits and smear campaigns, he lost his family and required 24/7 body guards, all because he was doing what's right. His story was told in the 1999 film "The Insider", starring Russell Crowe.

In his own words: "I am honored that people think I am a hero...but I do not accept that moniker as others are much more deserving of it. I did what was right...have no regrets and would do it again. As you see, we were just ordinary people placed in some extraordinary situations and did the right thing...as all should do."

Visit Dr. Jeffery Wigand's home page.

Dr. Wigand tells his story - May 15, 2007 

Whistleblower Protection Hearing: Jeffrey Wigand Testimony

Dr. Jeffrey Wigand testifies about his experience as a whistleblower at a Workforce Protections subcommittee hearing on whistleblower protections on May 15, 2007.

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Doing the right thing - at any cost? 

Many whistleblowers suffer great personal losses - family break- ups, divorces, bankruptcies, even death threats.
Once they've made the decision to step forward, their lives are changed forever. Many of them claim no regrets - they would do it again. Their actions might better the lives of many, but possibly cause great harm to themselves and to their friends and loved ones.

Would YOU blow the whistle at any expense?

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"Tweet!" Anything for the greater good!

mukunda22 says:

Of course--I always think of the greater good. Can think of a few times I advocated for the underdog--was raised that way.

Posted September 15, 2009

KimGiancaterino says:

I've been a whistle blower on more than one occasion, with disastrous results. The bad guys have always won (at least in the TV biz).

Posted May 08, 2009

JaguarJulie says:

Well, with my personal makeup -- and learning from my mom, I'd probably blow that whistle despite the consequences.

Posted December 03, 2008

ElizabethJeanAllen says:

I've blown the whistle on more than one occassion. The fallout is not pleasant. There has also been times when I looked the other way. It depends on the situation. Who will be hurt if you do, and who will be hurt if you don't.

Posted July 02, 2008

spirituality says:

I sure hope so. I do tend to speak out more than others think is wise, so perhaps. Haven't been in that circumstance yet, though.

Posted May 20, 2008

"Pft." Sorry, my family comes first.

 
view all 8 comments

Joseph Wilson 

The last US diplomat to meet with Saddam Hussein

In early 2002, Mr. Wilson was sent to the African state of Niger to investigate reports that the Iraqi president had tried to buy nuclear material there. He found no evidence of any such activities. However, President Bush accused Saddam of exactly these disproved allegations in his State of the Union address 11 months later.

On July 6, 2003 Joseph Wilson published an open letter in the NY Times, telling his side of the story, suspecting the Bush administration of twisting the facts to influence the public favorably towards an Irag invasion. A week later, syndicated columnist Robert Novak reported that part of the reason Mr Wilson - a known critic of the Bush administration who is close to the Democrats - had been given the Niger mission was that his wife - a CIA agent - recommended him.

Little notice was taken of the revelation that Valerie Plame Wilson was a CIA agent until September 2003, when it emerged that the CIA had asked for an investigation into who leaked the information.

It is a crime to reveal the name of an active CIA operative.

Critics of the Bush administration say that the White House leaked Mrs Wilson's name in revenge for her husband's behaviour.

Jason Leopold interviews Joe Wilson 

Jason Leopold interviews Joe Wilson about The Plame Leak

Jason Leopold | An Interview With Joseph Wilson Jason Leopold reports: "In a recent interview, former US Ambassador Joseph Wilson told me that he and his wife, Valerie Plame Wilson, both strongly feel that Vice President Dick Cheney is behind efforts to block her from discussing her work for the Central Intelligence Agency before 2002 in a memoir to be published in October titled 'Fair Game.' Plame Wilson's undercover CIA identity was leaked to a handful of reporters by senior Bush administration officials. She and her husband believe the leak was in retaliation after he spoke out against the White House concerning Iraq."

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Video Showcase about Richard A. Clarke 


911 - the men who saw it coming: Richard Clark


Outfoxed: Fox Attacks Richard Clarke
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More articles - more whistleblowers 

Clarke's take on terror
From CBS - "60 Minutes"
Daniel Ellsberg
Whistleblower, writer, activist - tells truth to power. "The Pentagon Papers"
David J. Graham
The Vioxx Tragedy
Donald Sweeney
The Army Corps of Engineers manipulated the numbers...
Frederic Whitehurst
He took on the FBI...
Sherron Watkins
The "Enron Whistleblower"
Douglas Parker
A 40-year veteran of the US Forest Service uncovers improper use of pesticides...
Joseph Darby
This sergeant blew the whistle on "Abu Ghraib"

Blowing The Whistle On Electronic Voting Machines 

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The greatest whistleblower of our times - "Deep Throat" Mark Felt 

He was the truth teller hidden in the shadows of a parking garage, Washington's object of speculation for 30 years, the secret informer on Watergate to Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein - "Deep Throat" Mark Felt.

Hal Holbrook portrayed this former anti-Nazi spy hunter in the movie "All the President's Men".

As the FBI's second-ranking official, Mark Felt had the means and the motive to help uncover the web of internal spies, secret surveillance, dirty tricks and coverups that led to Nixon's unprecedented resignation on Aug. 9, 1974, and to prison sentences for some of Nixon's highest-ranking aides.

Get the full account of this gripping real-life spy story from this Washington Post article.

"We don't really think of Him as a whistleblower, do we?"

The Greatest Whistleblower Ever...

He spoke the Truth - He lived the Truth - He is the Truth 

And He paid the ultimate price

Jesus could simply not be silenced. His truths continue to inspire millions of followers to this day. He took on the occupying Roman government as well as His own people's religious administration. He uncovered the hypocrisy of politicians, High Priests, and common folks alike.

Most importantly, he "blew the whistle" on all of us - exposing our misguided desires for short-term gains rather than opening up to His gift of eternal bliss. By ignoring His truth and His way we all crucify Him over and over again, throughout our mortal existence.

The greatest whistleblower according to YOU 

Vote for your choice

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1

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Jesus of Nazareth

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2

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Dr. Jeffrey Wigand

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"Deep Throat"

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Frank Serpico

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Joseph Wilson

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Richard Clarke

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Daniel Ellsberg

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David Graham

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Donald Sweeney

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Frederic Whitehurst

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Sherron Watkins

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Douglas Parker

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Joseph Darby

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Former FBI translator and founder of the National more...0 points

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A former chief contracting officer of the US Army more...0 points

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A military intelligence sergeant who is most notab more...0 points

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James Hanson

A climate expert at NASA. He accused the Bush admi more...0 points

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American paleoconservative radio host and filmmake more...0 points

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Get this amazing movie from Amazon.com 

"Serpico" starring Al Pacino

It gets better every time I watch it! A Pacino master piece.
Serpico (Widescreen Edition)

Serpico (Widescreen Edition)

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Release Date: 12/03/2002

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A must-see "nail-biter" history lesson 

Don't worry - I won't give away the ending!

All the President's Men (Two-Disc Special Edition)

All the President's Men (Two-Disc Special Edition)

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Release Date: 02/21/2006

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Daniel Ellsberg's Pentagon Papers 

The Pentagon Papers

The Pentagon Papers

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Release Date: 02/17/2004

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A very important book! 

The Whistleblower: Confessions of a Healthcare Hitman

The Whistleblower: Confessions of a Healthcare Hitman

by: Peter Rost

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Release Date: 12/31/1969

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A useful tip!

Should you ever think about "blowing the whistle" on some wrong-doing of a powerful entity - here's your protection: Office of Whistleblower Protection Program

"Serpico" on eBay 

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  • Reply
    mukunda22 mukunda22 Sep 15, 2009 @ 7:24 pm
    Wendell Potter, Cigna Health Insurance Industry Whistle Blower is the latest of the greatest. Wonderful man. I personally got him to speak at our upcoming Single Payer Rally just in the nick of time before all the TV networks got ahold of him!!

    Can hardly wait to meet him!!
  • Reply
    aj2008 aj2008 May 20, 2009 @ 10:19 am
    This is a very good lens and very thought provoking. It takes a very brave person to blow the whistle, especially if they know that the wrong doer is a respected and/or popular member of their community.
  • Reply
    KimGiancaterino KimGiancaterino May 8, 2009 @ 8:45 pm
    Plenty of food for thought here. Well done, as usual.
  • Reply
    vbright105 vbright105 Nov 9, 2008 @ 10:10 pm
    Another wonderful, thought provoking lens. Thank you
  • Reply
    opalship opalship Sep 5, 2008 @ 6:12 am
    Only for injustices done to innocents and environments. My philosophy.

    My blog here is an awareness petition, although I had no idea how to approach such subject, some things you cant stand by and allow to happen.

    No narcs!, people need know the differences.

    Also police need know when a law was not a suitable blanket for every person or situation!
    Some do, too many do not.
    Otherwise, a robot can replace them, and one day may!
    Remember Star Trek communicators we all loved as kids...now phones are even smaller.
    We do not want Robo Cops, or people do we?

    We all must use discretion and reasonable judgment, also there are situations it is more appropriate to look the other way.

    Some laws are BAD, or corrupt and do not serve the public.

    These topics require open minds and deliberation.

    You may not enjoy being the whistle blower, and could regret harm you cause, so THINK with care.
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