Murtagh: Truth-Tellers Vital to Nations' Security

"Publicity is justly commended as a remedy for social and industrial diseases. Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants; electric light the most efficient policeman."
-- Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis

Our purpose is too urgent to ignore. Today, we face huge dangers to national security, to economic security, to our nation's reputation, and to environmental and homeland security. The truth, unvarnished, unsanitized, uncensored, and undistilled, in short supply, is vital to the nation's cherished future hopes.

50 major public interest groups are joining forces next week to prove Justice Brandeis right: truth is the best disinfectant for the diseased body politic during "Whistleblower's Week in Washington, (WWW)" May 13- 19.

The White House vows to veto Whistleblower protection laws passed by an overwhelming majority of the House . WWW organizers ask the Senate to pass these critical laws by a veto-proof margin. The stakes could not be higher, both for the whistleblowers, and for the country.

WWW is the very first time that we, the whistleblowers from a broad spectrum of society, have all banded together in a single meeting. The program was initiated and organized by fellow whistleblowers from across the country.

Speakers and participants include both well-known figures alongside less known average citizens important to the whistleblower movement including:

 Michael German, a former FBI Special Agent suffered brutal retaliations after reporting his division's wiretapping violations.

 Doctors, such as Dr. Helen Salisbury, and Dr. Larry Poliner, put their careers on the line to protect quality patient care. Dr. Janet Chandler, battled to protect the humane treatment of her patients, and after more than a decade of legal battles, was victor at the Supreme Court.

 Coleen Rowley exposed FBI negligence preceding the September 11 terrorist attack, was named as one of Time magazine's "Person's of the Year," along with Enron-whistleblower Sherron Watkins.

 Jeffrey Wigand, featured in the movie "The Insider," will be speak with Dr. Kanubhai R. Gandhi's grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, and EPA and civil rights activist Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo.

 Republican Senator Charles Grassley will receive a lifetime achievement award for fighting waste, fraud and corruption. The award, like the conference, is completely bipartisan, and warmly endorsed by blue-chip conservatives and liberals.

There are too many patriotic truth tellers to name, so we invite you to visit: http://makeitsafecampaign.org/www/, the website maintained by Whistleblower Linda Lewis. Lewis, together with a score of others , worked this conference relentlessly as volunteers for truth.

What do all these people have in common? The commitment to oppose hazardous, illegal and unsafe conditions, to decrease waste, fraud and abuse of authority in United States government operations, to support the fundamental concepts embedded in our Open Society, to support our troops and our veterans, and to protect the rights of U.S. citizens to speak without reprisal on matters securing the general welfare and defense of our nation.

Activities will include congressional tribunals followed by a May 15 Congressional hearing, rallies, and a whistleblower "Movie Night" and book signings and receptions.

Simply stated, America's truth-tellers want to make America's promise work. They present gripping human, personal stories, and ask for protections that would make our nation safer. WWW promises an opportunity to explore the deep and searching questions as a society that cannot afford to lose important freedoms.

Sunlight really is the best disinfectant. These soldiers for the truth are asking for clean hands in medicine, in government, and in corporations. To protect our security, we need the best policeman of all: the truth.

The joint task force of WWW urge you to write your Congressman, your Senator, the media, and your friends to support this conference and its goal of a safer, freer America. If you can get to Washington, come to the events. They are open to the public, and most are free.

[Note:James Murtagh has spent 20 years as an Intensive Care Unit physician. Murtagh is the founder of "Doctors for Open Government" and also a co-organizer of Washington Whistleblower Week, WWW]

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