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Wednesday, January 7, 2009 12:00 AM

The DOJ pursues the "real criminal" in the NSA spying scandal

While the high-level lawbreakers are protected from consequences by our political class, only the courageous whistle-blower is subject to criminal prosecution.

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  • Wednesday, January 7, 2009 09:59 AM

    Musing on whistle-blowers

    Truly brave heroes such as Thomas Tamm, Matthew Diaz, and, I would add, Mark Klein have helped to lift, just a bit, the curtain behind which the Bush Administration has carried out its worst abuses. However, as Glenn points out in the post and as elaborated by multiple commenters in the thread, these actions come at a great personal price, generating huge legal debts in an environment bordering on blacklisting for future employment. Especially given that it is not unreasonable for some contemplating disclosure to wonder if they might actually "disappear", I am given hope by the claims of Seymour Hersh that many people wish to speak with him on January 20.

    Here's to hoping that many more come forward at a time when they feel that they may face only legal and not physical consequences. I'd like to think that I would have the courage to come forward when Tamm, Diaz and Klein did. However, I don't think I would criticize those who have waited. Besides fear of physical reprisal, it also is entirely possible that they are waiting for new leadership at the Department of Justice in order to have the best possible chance of appropriate handling of the evidence they bring forward.

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