American Whistleblowers Tortured - Lives And Careers Ruined By Their Own Government
By Logan Murphy Friday Aug 24, 2007 9:30pmVia Forbes:
One after another, the men and women who have stepped forward to report corruption in the massive effort to rebuild Iraq have been vilified, fired and demoted. Or worse.
For daring to report illegal arms sales, Navy veteran Donald Vance says he was imprisoned by the American military in a security compound outside Baghdad and subjected to harsh interrogation methods.
There were times, huddled on the floor in solitary confinement with that head-banging music blaring dawn to dusk and interrogators yelling the same questions over and over, that Vance began to wish he had just kept his mouth shut.
For his trouble, he says, he got 97 days in Camp Cropper, an American military prison outside Baghdad that once held Saddam Hussein, and he was classified a security detainee.
Also held was colleague Nathan Ertel, who helped Vance gather evidence documenting the sales, according to a federal lawsuit both have filed in Chicago, alleging they were illegally imprisoned and subjected to physical and mental interrogation tactics "reserved for terrorists and so-called enemy combatants." Read more...
Please take the time to read the rest of this article, the criminal activity by our government and military goes well beyond these two men. It will enrage and disgust you, but we cannot forget about these brave Americans and their efforts to bring the truth of corruption to the surface.
Yep. Read about it earlier.
Damn shame.
Read this last night. Scares the shit out of ya.
Sickening
They practice it over there so they can bring it back over here.
Our maladministration and their legislative enablers, hard at work.
As if we needed any more proof that the GOP is a front for domestic terrorism. Dubya and his minions torturing innocent Americans for the hell of it. And the Republicans will keep endorsing terrorism every time they agree with Bush.
This is a disgrace to our nation.
Donald Vance did the right thing by bringing this information into light.
His reward, punishment.
God, some of the arms were sold to insurrgents. What the f*#k?
Bush said that we must punish the evil doers. Apparently his administration heard the opposite.
Congress better do something about this.
Three years ago tomorrow, Ernie from ehowa.com posted the following:
Here's his webmaster address: webmaster@ehowa.com
"For any suggestions or feedback you would like to make about EHOWA"
Man this is too fucking over the top!
These are US Citizens being burned by Cheney's good buddies in the Iraq "Print your own money" game.
I hope some big shot lawyer picks this up "Pro Bono" and shoves it right up Bushes ass.
Boy, you sure can count on "Berto to do the right thing.
If he had joined these suits, they wouldn't have to put up with this.
I guess this also shows you how ANYONE can be locked up without charges under our "Patriot" act.
jesus, get us a new administration soon, please!!!
This is what we get when we have an ignorant electorate and a Congress with no balls. Seriously this reminds me of everything I've read about Mussolini's coming to power in Italy. There were many groups in Italian society that could have stopped him if they had had the nerve. They didn't and Italy went Fascist.
With all this evidence of politically-connected firms bilking the American people in this alleged reconstruction of Iraq, we badly need Congress to show some courage and say enough is enough. But, as usual, the Democrats don't have the balls to stop Bush-fascism. And so it continues.
This entire administration deserves serious jail time for all its crimes. And yet they will get away with everything. "...you still don't get it...it's not about right...not about wrong...it's about power!" (since this site loves Buffy so much - a sign of good taste, I must add - did I get the quote right?)
Holy!!!! Yet, not surprising in the least. America is like a badly-plotted Hollywood movie these days. When does the Civil War begin?
If no one speaks up, the terra-ists win. In this case that's the Bush administration; #1 terrorists.
(n.b. terrorist: somebody using violence for political purposes
Microsoft® Encarta® Reference Library 2003. ⓒ 1993-2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. I think torturing citizens fits the definition.)
Unfortunately, this is par for the course, with only some of the most egregious violations coming to light.
For details on the Vance/Ertel case and the podcast of an NPR interview with Vance, check out A Nation of Hypocrites.
#8: I agree with you completely. This is a travisty and a disgrace. I can't get over that this article actually appeared in Forbes Magazine.
There is so much going on below the surface that none of us even know about, that when it does come out there should be criminal charges filed.
I had to go into New York City today, and while I was getting my hair done, my hairdresser started talking about how this war is so profitable for the administration's pals that they don't want the party to end. We got in a big discussion about the war--NO ONE supports it or Bush and his minions.
Thanks for the link--it makes me sick.
Was there any doubt that our forces would stoop to this behavior. Once the rights of many others had been violated, it was only a matter of time before it was done to our own. What is there to stop this administration from detaining its civilians?
Jesus turned wine into semi-automatics
Really, this is nothing to worry about. It will all sort itself out by
MAGIC.
There was a time, when the US was a decent country, that no american would have done anything like this to anyone. I dont mean at a command level - Lindsey England wouldnt have existed. People wouldnt have followed those orders.
How are we today any better than the Giangawede (sp).
the SILENCE from the religious community on this will make you think you're deaf and the actions they will take over it will make you think they're in suspended animation.
United States of America
1776-2000
Great while it lasted...
No.9, your reacton is what this administration is looking for. If you revolt, they will enforce martial law. We the people have lost their voice.
This admin. is going to take away your rights and when you defend; they are going to
imprison, torture, or create a police force around the city.
Organized crime taken to a whole new level.
Geez.
EZ @ 19:
Absolutely, We either stand by eating our American hotdogs and Freedom fries, and watch the spectacle with stricken faces from the sidelines when we're not slaving for Corporate America, or we become an enemy combatant. They have us EXACTLY where they've wanted us all along.
Just when my disgust for this administration has reached its low point something else happens to disgust me even more. if they are allowed to get away with all that they have done then it is just a matter of time before another president uses all the power that Bush has managed to amass in the office of the President and take it to its next logical level,full blown fascism.
BosDav @ 18:
so I guess collectively speaking, most of us here would rather live on our knees than die on our feet fighting tyranny...nice.
I don't know what makes me sicker - Dubya commiting these vile acts, or the putrid cowardice of the American people as they type away hoping Batman and Superman will do what needs to be done for them.
Man, this story is HORRIFYING! I think the comment about the silence by the religious community is right on (no pun intended). Thank you for providing the story online. I doubt it will make the mainstream news. Custer-Battles was in the news for only a short time as I recall when they were sued. Gonzo's Justice Dept hasn't joined in on any of the lawsuits yet...NOW I know why he hasn't been fired yet! He keeps the secrets for King George!
Verdillac @ 24:
So what's YOUR Plan?
Don't bet that you'll hear more of this story on either False News or any of tomorrow's "news" programs.
NiceNCool1 @ 26:
these days, my plan is watch everyone here piss and moan and leave it up to anyone else to come up with a "plan"...how about this - stop paying your bills, quit working refuse to pay taxes, go to jail bankrupt the country...pass it on...oh yeah, it takes guts to do that...sorry,nevermind...here, have a hanky on me...why can't you people lead yourselves for once?!?!
Ok...to all the service man and women out there, if you know something that is wrong and you feel you need to tell someone but not the military or any other agency call the senate Judicial committee chair, Senator Leahey. I bet, you will be somewhat safe informing him (ask for him personally thats with any dept you may call) or the senate arms chair, Senator Finestein. You need to put there phone numbers in your pocket because you may need them at some time.
It is a shame that something like this has happened to a person who thinks they are doing the right thing!
Rep. Waxman is another! If this person had photos and the fbi took them, well they are now destroyed. Thats a shame...
The Bush junta loves replicating all the right wing dictatorships. Today is Salazar's Portugol tomorrow will be more Pinochet inspired Hell
Verdillac @ 28:
So basically you're going to do nothing, not even go to jail yourself, and you intend to reside beside those you've deemed as cowards. Get a life.
My plan is to pray.
I think we should collectively have marches around the country as a non violence movement. Ghandi won those hardheaded Brits by his fast and determination. I believe he prayed and taunted the very word of the gospel. Love your neighbor as thyself.
How about that?
Peaceful resolutions can win over evil.
Verdillac @ 28:
there is some truth to your comment! But, this is the administrations goal, to make us "feel" unsure hopeless and depressed. So, we look to "them" for the answers! What, them! So if we are to take a stand, any stand for being an american, put some creativity in to the process.
I cant tell you what or how to do this, but doing something is better than doing nothing!!! That is something YOU have to find with in your self!
You have it wrong. We'd rather live on our feet than die on our knees.
Money is money.
That's what the Mob says.
But when the Republican party has the same morality as the Mob,
the other party needs to seek justice.
C'mon.
There is a list as long as my arm we should/could bust the busters on.
Bust the Busters.
Screw the Screwers.
Light up the Democraps phones on Monday.
NiceNCool1 @ 31:
I've done enough...it's time for raised intellectuals with "real lives" to take the next leap of faith, rather than pad their resumes with organized polite, safe, ineffective activism. if you can't see that the first step starts with yourself, then it is you who needs to get a life, oh heroic one!
The media will trap the American mind and spin it into a bliss! But go to the link and read or watch the special that Bill Moyers Journal did yesterday on the Media....
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/index-flash.html
There is something we can do...read about it
My ideas were shot down by experts on too many progressive sites...General Strike...it really requires no effort at all...do nothing,,,don't shop, don't work, don't pay bills...just occupy static space..."patently absurd" my idea was called..okay, your turn ,then!
If my request played any role in this article's posting, I thank you.
Verdillac @ 36:
How uninspiring of you to not fight to the death with your 'I've done enough' when we've not even really begun to fight. You've quit before it really begins. What? Have attention deficit syndrome? On to other things more important now?
Verdillac, it's a great idea but *they* know that us Liberals are family values type of people and we put feeding/housing our families above anything else.
I think you're on the right track, though. I think it was Thom Hartman that pointed out that not buying gas on a particular day doesn't do a fucking thing, and what would do something is if everybody didn't drive our cars on a particular day.
Stanley Rosenthal @ 40:
Not THAT I'll Buy
Loud music and a lot of yelling sounds like what you hear at 10pm in a house with preteens and a mom staying up late.
It's not torture.
Sorry.
NiceNCool1 @ 39:
as if you're really going to disrupt your social schedule and do something...like i've said before on this very site, I once was willing to catch a bullet for America, but these days I'm afraid it would get pissed away for a Dodge Durango with a yellow ribbon sticker. Now that we're on the subject, WHAT's YOUR PLAN? Pump Iron?
This is a prime example of chimpy use of putting dishonest AGs into office.
Stanley Rosenthal @ 40:
don't work, pay bills, cosume product, or contribute to the machine for as long as it takes..."we put feeding/housing our families above anything else" - the rabid elephant is in the room eating your food and smashing your house you have niether now...it's an illusion...take to the streets.
Stop the excuses -- get out and march! It is not hard. Support your candidate. Go to fairs, join parades. Pass out this information to as many people who will listen. You would be surprised at the positive response that you get. Who knows if it does any good but it is something that you can achieve and it may at least slow down the march to fascism in this country. (This article provides a prime example of real fascism, where corporations have the power to arrest those who threaten them.)
If nothing else it lets you know who is willing to put shoeleather to pavement and who is all talk. It might be important to know that someday.
Gejo @ 6:
I guess this is chimpy's way of keeping the surge working.
[...] House American Whistleblowers Tortured - Lives And Careers Ruined By Their Own Government » This Summary is from an article posted at Crooks and Liars on Saturday, August 25, 2007 This [...]
George @ 46:
*smooch!*
THANK YOU!
This is the hallmark of despots.
Why don't the people of the US rise up and get GWB out of office? By force if need be?
Undermining the democratic principle of free speech is close to treasonous and truly does undermine the nation.
Verdillac @ 43:
I'm a veteran of the First Gulf War. I to was willing to catch a bullet for America and I had my life on the line everyday as a Fireman for 4 years in the Air Force.
I'm with you on the yellow ribbon nonsense.
Plans.. We've created this problem collectively. It either gets uncreated collectively or it proceeds as it stands. There is nothing than can be done to get what the founding fathers intended. There is no real way to go back. This wasn't created overnight and it will not be undone tomorrow. We will eventually end up with a different kind of America. What direction it goes in will depend upon too many factors and factions. It's hard for an individual to create a viable plan for a an entire group. For as much as America is 'dumbed down' individuals still have their own opinions, or no opinion, on what should be done and if a majority don't agree then it won't work.
EVERY SINGLE THING THAT HAS OCCURRED as a result of Bush's reckless, ill-planned, ill-conceived, and just plain illegal decision to invade Iraq is HIS FAULT. Yes, EVERYTHING can be laid at his feet. And for picking him as their nominee in 2000, and thusly the President (after the Supremes handed him the job), greater blame goes to the Republican Party. So by that act of choosing Bush, they are to BLAME for everything he has done. All of it. Their fault. Yes, that simple.
It is so sad to watch the death of a nation. IMPEACH THE MOTHER FUCKERS!
Bush & Cheney = Traitors
Vote For Kucinich. That is the only sane plan.The neo-cons and their DLC cohorts are just the same.
We gave 'crazed agrresive foreign policy' a chance and it was a bold experiment.
Now let us try Peace as a bold experiment.
David E Toronto @ 49:
Oh, but i need a new iPod and look ! its lindsey lohan! I'm so mad she's only spent 30 minutes in jail for driving drunk. Mmmm. taco bell is yummy. who's alberto gonzales? who cares, Big Brother is on! ....
America is asleep. Some of us are doing what we can within the limits of the law. ..for now.
#50
"It’s hard for an individual to create a viable plan for a an entire group. For as much as America is ‘dumbed down’ individuals still have their own opinions, or no opinion, on what should be done and if a majority don’t agree then it won’t work."
After it has been shown that this administration has gotten it wrong on many levels, for so many years it is surprising that it hasn't come to the point that everyone who disapproves of this administration has gone out on the streets so that the government will sit up and notice. It takes a singular, collective effort for everyone to hit the streets at once to make such an impact and force change peacefully.
Jane Harmon is shocked!
I don't know if I said the right thing here. But if a report like this doesn't wake anyone up, no other report will.
The best -the very best- Americans being treated like shit by the worst.
Gotta love Republican Judges...Bush appoints them...They salute smartly and carry out his orders...That simple.
Judges APPOINTED BY REPUBLICANS are perhaps the greatest problem.
So maybe..just maybe....If we get a DEM into 1600 Pennsylvania then
we get a whole new set of JUDGES and then MAYBE some real change.
But..can we hang in there that long?
This is Gestapo and KGB type stuff.
"Land of the free? Whoever told you that is your enemy." - rage against the machine
"I tried to help the government, and the government didn't seem to care."
That's because it's the government who is ripping us taxpayers off. Of course they are going to squash whistle blowers. The only way to help this government is to impeach the entire war mongering cabal.
This is why I keep C&L in my bookmarks. Thanks.
StirFry @ 57:
This is exactly the reason why the Bush Regime is still in power---- apathy to the nth degree! This is an undeniable truth. You are so right.
Does it seem to anybody else that the FBI sold these guys down river?
This is what you get when we have government by criminals.
I can't help but wonder how much of the Abu Ghraib and Camp Cooper is consider OJT for use in the "homeland". Thug training. In related news, FEMA concentration camp construction continues apace.
Here's another problem as I see it. I've been hoping and waiting for someone at DOJ to step up and stop all this bullshit with fredo by blowing the whistle.
I think I now understand why noone has come forward. They always get destroyed. Official Washington doesnt really want these guys to be able to dime them out on either side of the aisle.
Offensive. I know of no other word to describe it.
This is just further proof of our decent into tyranny under Bush. Why is there not more outrage over this stuff?? It's like people are becoming slowly desensitized. It's the "frog in hot water" story that Gore alluded to in an Inconvenient Truth. It also brings to mind a book I read fairly recently called They Thought They Were Free, about pre WWII Germany. One guy used the analogy of a farmer watching a cornfield grow. It happens so slowly, it's not noticeable on a day to day basis. Then, suddenly, it's overhead. I feel like that's happening in this country. Little by little our liberties are being stripped and tyranny is being introduced. People go obliviously about their daily lives. I found this story EXTREMELY disturbing, yet there's barely been a ripple from the MSM or anyone else.
Shows how Bush, Gonzo et al are the enemies of America. The express purpose opf the DoJ is now to terrorize American citizens, deny AMERICANS due process, and to declare AMERICAN CITIZENS to be enemy combatants.
Why did I suspect this was the case all along?
The purpose of the Iraq war is to make gobs of money for the Bush Mafia, to steal Iraq's Oil, and prepare to rape and pillage Iran the exact same way, and steal the Caspian Sea Oil.
If only the democrats had an ounce of character and would put justice ahead of reelection aspirations. If you ask me, they are equally dispicable for turning their back on our laws and constitution and allowing this rogue regime to get away with this crap.
At this point it seems as if there'd be no difference whatsoever between voting Repug or Dem. Christ!
that's what happens when the faciests run the country you get these brownshirt assholes who do shit like this. Just another shining example of how Republicans are anti-Ameican. And anyone who supports this kind of thing is equally anti-American. This is a country when something is wrong we right it, except when Republicans are in charge then it's if something is right they wrong it. And that's what we have today.
correction on my Word Faciest should have been fascist! It's only 6:44am here and my fingers haven't woken up yet!
[...] American Whistleblowers Tortured - Lives And Careers Ruined By Their Own Government. [...]
[...] American Whistleblowers Tortured - Lives And Careers Ruined By Their Own Government. [...]
Mobsters.
Americans really need to stop feeling "surprise" every time their warmongering nation does something evil.
Ex Navy Submariner @ 62:
If we get a Democratic president and a larger majority in the Senate, impeaching as many of these fascist judges as we can should be a top priority.
It’s been quite an emotional rollercoaster ride for thinking, people of the world since the 2000 election. Some of the events since then have made me laugh. Several have made me sad or angry. Hell, several have made me cry.
This story seems to confirm my worst fears.
My country … the country I have loved all my life … has plummeted to an echelon no Americans ever living before us could have even imagined.
joe @ 43:
Idiot. Not sorry. Mom could potentially turn it off and/or go out for a while. Idiot. Since when do your preteens run the household, are you a wimp or just an idiot.?
State Power + Corporate Power = FACSISM
Here's the scarey part. What happened to these whistleblowers is but a foreshadow of what will seep into our society here in the homeland... or should I say "fatherland"?
But hey, Bushie says he's a christian and is anti-abortion and anti-gay.. that's all that matters right?
Gejo @ 6:
Not really.
This administration IS the evildoers.
Is there a General somewhere in the country, that has a plan and an army, to take back your country?
joe @ 43:
Is this all you take away from this? Wake-up blockhead. The fact that a CORPORATION has the power to make OUR GOVERNMENT violate a CITIZEN'S RIGHTS means that YOUR rights are at risk too.
But maybe you don't want your rights protected....Maybe you trust these multi-national corporations to 'do the right thing.' I just hope one of these corporations don't want your home, job, or maybe even you daughter.
It starts to make sense why Gonzalez isn't gone yet. The firing of US Attorneys was just a small crime. It was a distraction from the big crime of funneling as much money into contractors hands and perpetuating the war through arms sales and last cash.
The Qui Tam lawsuits will not be honored because the administration wants the corruption and malfeasance to continue. They are creating a long-term perpetual war in the middle east.
Just another reason to be concerned about who was really behind 9/11
If Edwards or Obama were to latch into this story and to promise to rectify this perversion of our system, they would jump in the polls and do the country great service in the mean time.
[...] American Whistleblowers Tortured - Lives And Careers Ruined By Their Own Government [...]
castanea @ 34:
Show me!
BoilThemInTheirOil @ 87:
Another blogger claimed that the Dems don't want to change the system that much because they want some scale of the new Executive powers that Bush has claimed. What do you think?