Punishment of Whistleblowers in Iraq

[Banquo's Ghost]

They also seem to get very little publicity.
Wonder why they don't contact a non profit org or a nongov watchdog instead of the FBI or another gov org.
Louder screams tend to get heard.

I suspect that this is because they are dealing with issues that have substantial national security implications. To go to a NGO or suchlike would mean that the whistleblower really was breaking the law.

Going through the accepted channel (which appears to be the FBI) is their only real recourse.

[FactionHeir]

Wouldn't whistleblowing in itself be considered borderline lawbreaking already, since you are giving away secrets, albeit to another government organization which might not have the clearance for the information you are leaking?
In fact, the first story presented didn't have any such implications as far as I can tell.

Also, seeing the fate of other whistleblowers and how little is done against said companies/organizations, wouldn't one want to have some backup, regardless of the "national security" implications? You are likely to get the tarred and feathered anyway, according to the article.

[Papewaio]

Wouldn't whistleblowing in itself be considered borderline lawbreaking already, since you are giving away secrets, albeit to another government organization which might not have the clearance for the information you are leaking?
In fact, the first story presented didn't have any such implications as far as I can tell.

I thought supplying weapons to the enemy would have been a capital offense. I'm pretty sure treason is one of the worst offences around and nothing protects anyone from the consequences. So I don't think whistleblowing in this event would be unlawful.

about the guns and the land mines and the rocket-launchers - all of them being sold for cash, no receipts necessary, he said. He told a federal agent the buyers were Iraqi insurgents, American soldiers, State Department workers, and Iraqi embassy and ministry employees.

Land mines and rocket launchers, the perfect IED and anti-(light)-armour... just right for attacking patrols.

If this is true, those supplying the weapons should be hanging from a rope. I'm against capital punishment for person vs person crimes, for those against the state hang away.

[CrossLOPER]

I see no problem with these arms sales. If you sell arms to the enemy, they can blow stuff up, thereby allowing you to give out contracts to favorites. Selling the arms themselves will stimulate the arms market, making things even better!!!

Oh, and if the distributor meets an unfortunate end... well it's not his family is going to claim it.

[Devastatin Dave]

Three words... Chain of Command.

[Husar]

Three words... Chain of Command.

You mean if your superior officers are illegally trading guns you should tell....your superior officers?

Ok, might not apply to this case, but if you try to help and get imprisoned for taking a shortcut to the guys responsible, that's a bit harsh, isn't it? Maybe next time an accident happens I won't call 911 but tell my parents instead, chain of command, ya know.

[Tribesman]

He's a civilian contractor. He called the FBI. He wound up in a military prison. Just a little up for sure, but this article doesn't really list sources, and it there are always two sides to a story.

Well with the Vance story as it originally broke was that acting on information recieved the military had smashed an insurgents arms supply operation , then a good while later it was reported that the feds and the family of the man were annoyed that the military were still holding the person that was the source , then it was reported that the military was saying it was the feds fault for not giving them enough informtion and they would review the detention and take appropriate action as neccesary .
So while you are right that the article doesn't provide much source wise , the story has been extensively covered before with lots of source material and official statements from all parties invloved , so there are more than two sides to every story and they have been pretty well covered .