Risen: “This Was The Most Classic Whistleblower Case I’ve Ever Seen” »

[sabra]

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/01/03/pure-whistleblower/

Risen: “This Was The Most Classic Whistleblower Case I’ve Ever Seen”

James Risen, the co-author of the New York Times story that broke Bush’s warrantless domestic spying program was interviewed on the Today Show this morning. Watch it:



Transcript:

COURIC: I know that you broke the story, as we mentioned, for the New York Times. Why do you think that people who talked about this secret program came forward and told you about it?

RISEN: Well you know I think this was the most classic whistleblower case I’ve ever seen. Where people – You know, in a lot of stories people have mixed motives for why they talk to reporters, some people in some stories there’s a turf battle and they’re losing out on a turf battle, or whatever. In this case – I’ve been a reporter for about 25 years – this was the purest case of whistleblowers coming forward, people who truly believed there was something wrong going on in the government and they were motivated, I believe, by the purest reasons.

[Benhurst]

1. It's not nice to tell the truth about the Bush Crime Family.

:spank:

[texpatriot2004]

2. Oh, that's okay, tell it all anyway

:smoke:

[napi21]

3. So, is this the guy Shrub is going to pressure for the whistle

blower's name?

[sabra]

4. I am guessing that Risen didn't receive a X-mas card from the WH...

Yes, with the snoopgate revelation and his new book, Risen is prolly going to be a target.

[underpants]

5. But THE PRESIDENT said it hurt National Security

There is your rightwing talking point. That is all some will need to hear.

[Virginian]

6. How did it hurt national security? No one ever asks him.

I wonder if he is spying on Dems because they are his political enemies. Otherwise, why can't he obey the laws?

[Benhurst]

7. Well, maybe not national security; but it certainly hurt

Bush Crime Family security.

[txindy]

12. Junior hasn't shut up about it since the spying was revealed, either.

Why does he keep hurting 'national security' by yapping on and on about the spying? Because he's the 'national security' he talks about and we know how he's always hurting himself. We've got the photographic evidence of his self-abuse. ;)

[Az_lefty]

8. It's the President himself thats hurting national security...

whatever evidence they obtained illegally cannot be used at trial. They really screwed up with this one.

[Snotcicles]

9. Keep in mind "Our National Security" is code for

"My Falling Approval Rating."

[Norquist Nemesis]

10. I'm beginning to think "National Security" is code for "Pres. Bush" n/t

[underpants]

11. "National Security" is the ultimate trump card

Jus throw it out and everyone will pull back so as not to be "hurting our National Security". Also, of course, that phrase covers everything from WMD to firetrucks.

[Norquist Nemesis]

13. It's the new "out of the mainstream"

Not too long ago, Lindsay Graham was on a talk show and was asked "Just exactly what IS 'out of the mainstream'. He jokingly described mainstream as those who agree with you and out of it is those who don't.

But now anyone who disagrees with Bush isn't just out of the mainstream, they're 'harming our national security'. :eyes:

[InsultComicDog]

14. So why did he sit on the story for a year?

:bounce:

[EVDebs]

15. He didn't , publisher NYTimes did....at Bush's request

And why did BushCo request that ? Remember, there is still Operation Mockingbird in existence.

www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/JFKmockingbird.htm (scroll down a bit when screen comes up)

[Supersedeas]

16. But America wants to know what Corporate Lipstick Couric thinks?

[stickdog]

17. War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Whistleblowing is Criminal. (nt)