Tag: whistleblower

We've taken a few baby steps back toward democracy after the expiration of the misnamed “PATRIOT Act” gives restoration to Americans’ privacy. But if it wasn't for the revelations of Edward Snowden, we would have never known.

While Julian Assange, the founder and editor of the whistle-blower website WikiLeaks, was granted political asylum from Ecuador, the U.K. is refusing to give him free passage out of the country. Could this be an act for the U.S. who wants him jailed?

The government has been using fear as a weapon against truth-telling, by harassing, threatening, and imprisoning whistleblowers. Citizens like Jeffrey Sterling are being punished for speaking out against the corruption.

When it comes to punishing whistleblowers, the Obama administration is the most aggressive in history. Join Democracy Now in their discussion surrounding the double standard when it comes to who is punished and who walks free.

John Kiriakou, a retired CIA agent, was recently released from prison after blowing the whistle on the George W. Bush administration’s torture program. He talks exclusively to Democracy Now! without regrets.

Does more secrecy breed more impunity? The Jeffrey Sterling case brought to the surface more serious questions about Operation Merlin and indicates that the CIA program was more "shoddy and irresponsible" than Risen’s book reported.

Even though his actions didn't harm or kill any people, Jeffrey Sterling, former CIA case officer, faces a maximum sentence of 100 years in prison and a fine of up to $2.25 million. His sentencing is scheduled for April 24.

Former transportation Security Administration Federal Air Marshal Robert MacLean has become the face for government whistleblowers. And the Supreme Court decided to uphold MacLean's and other federal employees' right to become whistleblowers.

The CIA is on a quest to gain more respect. Is the agency seeking a very harsh prison sentence for Jeffrey Sterling to serve as a warning to others?

A lot of smoke will be blowing through the U.S. District Court in Alexandria during the next few weeks as the Obama administration and the CIA hierarchy are clearly eager to see Jeffrey Sterling punished in a big way.