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.
The Chapters of this Lens
- Who is a "Whistleblower"?
- Whistleblowers - Pillars of our Society
- Frank "Paco" Serpico
- "Serpico" - The Movie Trailer
- Thank God, times have changed. Or have they?
- Have you heard of Dr. Jeffrey Wigand?
- Dr. Wigand tells his story - May 15, 2007
- Doing the right thing - at any cost?
- Joseph Wilson
- Jason Leopold interviews Joe Wilson
- Video Showcase about Richard A. Clarke
- More articles - more whistleblowers
- Blowing The Whistle On Electronic Voting Machines
- The greatest whistleblower of our times - "Deep Throat" Mark Felt
- The Greatest Whistleblower Ever...
- He spoke the Truth - He lived the Truth - He is the Truth
- The greatest whistleblower according to YOU
- My other lenses on Courage, News, and Politics
- The Onion: America's Finest News Source
- Get this amazing movie from Amazon.com
- A must-see "nail-biter" history lesson
- Daniel Ellsberg's Pentagon Papers
- Gripping whistleblower stories on Amazon
- A very important book!
- A useful tip!
- "Serpico" on eBay
- Join the Masterpiece Movement on Squidoo Group...
- Isle of Squid
- Blow your whistle here, please!
Who is a "Whistleblower"?
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.
Thank God, times have changed. Or have they?
FOX News Whistle blowers. UNBELIEVABLE!!!
Have you heard of Dr. Jeffrey Wigand?
When cigarette companies blow smoke...
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.
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?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand by"Tweet!" Anything for the greater good!
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
JanaMurray says:
Certainly if it is for the greater good and especially if you are already feeling the effects of social engineering. Good video on this topic a>
Posted April 29, 2008
LeslieBrenner says:
It's very unpleasant and difficult to be a whistleblower, but not saying anything can be worse. So I admire anyone who is willing to speak up to stop wrongdoing, such as torture at Abu Ghraib and the fake Niger yellowcake story.
Posted April 25, 2008
"Pft." Sorry, my family comes first.
Joseph Wilson
The last US diplomat to meet with Saddam Hussein
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."
Video Showcase about Richard A. Clarke
911 - the men who saw it coming: Richard Clark
Outfoxed: Fox Attacks Richard Clarke
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
Electronic Voting Machines Whistle Blower
Software can change votes... I removed 1 min towards the end to meet the 10 min requirement of youtube. Full Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEzY2tnwExs Clips from this testimony are used in the film, "America: Freedom to Fascism" by Aaron Russo. America: Freedom to Fascism http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1656880303867390173 http://www.freedomtofascism.com
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
Add your comment and vote!
Sibel Edmonds
Former FBI translator and founder of the National more...0 points
Bunnatine Greenhouse
A former chief contracting officer of the US Army more...0 points
Samuel Provance
A military intelligence sergeant who is most notab more...0 points
James Hanson
A climate expert at NASA. He accused the Bush admi more...0 points
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Jim Hightower
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Nearly every Saturday morning, down at the farmer's market in South Austin, a man walks by my booth, always shouting a friendly greeting. Sometimes he stops for a quick chuckle about this or that, maybe picks up one of my Tres Leches Coconut Macaroon...
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I've worked in many hotels and restaurants for over 10 years before I started my own specialty food company, in 2001. During those years, I came to appreciate deeply what Latin American kitchen workers contribute to our industry: a reliable kitchen s...
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Some people may give Ronald Reagan all the credit for the fall of the Berlin wall, others point at Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev's policy of glasnost - allowing public criticism of the communist party - for being the cause of the events surrounding...
The Onion: America's Finest News Source
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byGet this amazing movie from Amazon.com
"Serpico" starring Al Pacino
Serpico (Widescreen Edition)
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 10/13/2008)
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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)
Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 10/13/2008)
List Price: $26.98
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Release Date: 02/21/2006
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Daniel Ellsberg's Pentagon Papers
The Pentagon Papers
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 10/13/2008)
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Release Date: 02/17/2004
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Gripping whistleblower stories on Amazon
A very important book!
The Whistleblower: Confessions of a Healthcare Hitman
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 10/13/2008)
List Price: $14.95
Used Price: $1.75
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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If you have a Masterpiece Lens!
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Blow your whistle here, please!
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Thanks for visiting!
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opalship
Only for injustices done to innocents and environments. My philosophy. Posted September 05, 2008 |
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kab
Every watch this video of Clinton Curtis on electronic voting machines? Posted August 03, 2008 |
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ElizabethJeanAllen
Great lens Chef. I love your lenses. Some make me laugh and others make me think. Posted July 02, 2008 |
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spirituality
Funny that most people voted 'I would whistle blow', when research shows that most people don't... But then, who am I to say anything, I voted just like them. Anyhow, thanks for highlighting these very brave and important people. Posted May 20, 2008 |
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flowergardener
Love it Chef! I'm with Margaret on the FDA. Many people have blogged and created websites of their wrong-doings, including my little one of their involvement with Big Pharma against herbs, vitamins, minerals, and natural medicines. Shall we speak of the things they do against medicinal marijuana? Loved Serpico & All The President's Men, and of course Jesus! Posted May 07, 2008 |
