The Story of the Wiretap Whistleblower
Fascinating cover story in Newsweek this week about Thomas M. Tamm, a former Justice Department lawyer who exposed the Bush administration's effort to intercept phone calls and e-mails of people in the United States without court warrants. But it's how he did it that makes it interesting: Tamm went straight to the New York Times, which later published a story exposing the program (based not just on his revelations, it should be noted). He didn't bother with established federal whistleblowing procedures.
Tamm's defenders say he was merely trying to defend the rule of law and expose what he thought was a violation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Without his actions, they say, the administration's activities may never have come to light.
Others say going to the media is the wrong approach. "You can't have runoffs deciding they're going to be the white knight and running to the press," Frances Fragos Townsend, told Newsweek. Townsend once headed the Justice unit where Tamm worked and later served as President Bush's chief counterterrorism adviser. "There are legal processes in place for [whistleblowers' complaints]. This is one where I'm a hawk. It offends me, and I find it incredibly dangerous."
I'll admit to a bias in favor of leaks to the media, for obvious reasons. But you can make up your own mind as to whether Tamm is a whistleblowing hero or merely a turncoat.
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Government Executive Staff Correspondent Alyssa Rosenberg takes a look at news affecting the management and operations of the massive federal bureaucracy.
He should have been terminated... He's not covered by the whistle blower act so he is fair game for the administration
dan ketter Posted Wednesday, December 17, 2008 12:19 PMIf you know your right, the Press is the only way the People will ever know about it. Otherwise it is covered-up. I speak from hard won experience.
Do the right thing Posted Wednesday, December 17, 2008 1:26 PMThe whistleblower act is too narrow. Bureaucracies usually protect managers against the complaints of employees. Chain-of-command complaints disappear while going through channels, and Inspector General/Internal Affairs complaints are often referred back to the offending managers for comment. So, since no good deed goes unpunished anyway, going to the press over an important issue is often the only perceived way to make the anticipated punishment seem worthwhile.
Ted Bean Posted Wednesday, December 17, 2008 1:27 PMOne can only expect such a comment from You know who. When you know the DOJ, DOD, EPA, FAA, Homeland Security, or any other agency under this adminstration's appointie's control( which is all of them) will do nothing but cover up such complaints. Yea, for Mr. Tamm, however I fear for him.
W D Jackson Posted Wednesday, December 17, 2008 3:29 PMEveryone always thinks of whistleblowers in a negative light, however, major changes and reforms, including some of the freedoms and liberties that we enjoy today can be credited to similar instances.
In my opinion, everything should be looked at from both sides. Jumping to conclusions too fast (i.e. stereotyping all whistleblowers) can jeopordize an agency because there are valid issues that need to be addressed.
John Yeressian Posted Tuesday, December 23, 2008 12:49 PM