NSA Whistleblower Asks to Testify

Well, now we have a pretty good idea who's probably going to jail.

 

Some whistleblower.

He's going to testify about something he says he never did and doesn't know anyone who has.

 

In the article, he says he was not part of the special intercept program, but he doesn't say he doesn't know anyone who was. It doesn't really go into what he knows or how he knows it.

 

So is this his 15 minutes of fame or does he have any way of answering questions with any kind of hope of telling the American people what they want to know?

Sounds like you might as well have the pizza guy testify.

 

In the article, he says he was not part of the special intercept program, but he doesn't say he doesn't know anyone who was. It doesn't really go into what he knows or how he knows it. </font>[/QUOTE]http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/01/03/1435201


Amy Goodman: Were you ever asked to engage in this?

Russell Tice: No, no, and if I did so, I did so unwittingly, which I have a feeling would be the case for many of the people involved in this. More than likely this was very closely held at the upper echelons at N.S.A., and mainly because these people knew -- General Hayden, Bill Black, and probably the new one, Keith Alexander, they all knew this was illegal. So, you know, they kept it from the populace of N.S.A., because every N.S.A. officer certainly knows this is illegal.

Amy Goodman: Russell Tice, did you know anyone within the N.S.A. who refused to spy on Americans, who refused to follow orders?

Russell Tice: No. No, I do not. As far as -- of course, I'm not witting of anyone that was told they will spy on an American...

 

Context. What is the "this" Amy Goodwin asked about? Immediately before Goodwin asked the question, Tice was talking about getting together with other agencies and sharing information on American citizens. It was that specifically that he said he didn't do.

The paragraphs you posted were not contiguous. You left out an enormous chunk of the interview that was in between them. The last sentence you posted supports your argument the most.

However, early on in the interview when asked why he had come forward, Tice said, "Well, the main reason is, you know, I'm involved with some certain aspects of the intelligence community, which are very closely held, and I believe I have seen some things that are illegal.

&lt;snip&gt;

"The charter basically says that the N.S.A. will deal with communications of -- overseas. We're not allowed to go after Americans, and I think ultimately that’s what the big fuss is now. But as far as the details of how N.S.A. does that, unfortunately, I'm not at liberty to say that. I don’t want to walk out of here and end up in an F.B.I. interrogation room."

It is still unclear at this point whether Tice has anything or not. It is too soon to say his testimony will lead to the downfall of Bush or if it is a mere suspicion from a disgruntled former employee.

 

Like I said, he was never asked to spy on American citizens and , as far as he knows, he didn't.

And, as he clearly states, "I'm not witting of anyone that was told they will spy on an American... ", doesn't know anyone who did.

The guy is a joke.

 

Just a request. Please think before calling this man a whistleblower. That is a specific term used in specific instances. It does not apply to the intel community. There is a real reason for that, and when you investigate the issue it becomes clear what that reason is.

Not only is the man not a whistleblower, but his actions may well be criminal. At the best, we are all less safe because of him.

 

Correct.

Whistleblower statutes do not extend protection to those in the intelligence community concerning classified information.

He is not a "whistleblower". The whistle had already been blown. Apparently he wants a little face time to ease his battered psyche.

 

It does apply to the intel community and has since 1998 with the Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Act (ICWPA) (linkie).

You haven't shown that yet.

Or not.

Not everyone trusts the government to be so benign. Many of us feel more safe with our civil liberties intact.

 

Let him testify at his trial for treason!

KenH

Why are you conducting this verbal JIHAD against President Bush? Have you become a card carrying member of ACLU?

 

What was his act of treason? As far as I can tell, he hasn't given any details to any but Congress.

 

Which of your Constitutional rights has President Bush violated?

 

Pretty neat dodge for a "not any" answer.