Government Accountability Project

YouTube: Paul - Bradley Manning is a Patriotic Hero

Summary: This video of GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul, recently uploaded to YouTube and being talked about in the blogosphere, shows the candidate openly voicing his support of federal whistleblowers and alleged WikiLeaks whistleblower Bradley Manning, stating that "maybe he is a true patriot." A longer clip of this video can be found here.

Key Quote: "You know, talking about giving sovereign immunity to our government officials -- and I would remove it all -- but what about giving immunity to the whistleblowers? They're the ones who need immunity,” said Paul. “We have a few brave souls, especially in the foreign policy area -- it came up in Vietnam, it's come up more recently, Wikileaks. Information that, technically yes, they're breaking a rule, but what is the government doing? They're breaking the law.”

Paul continued: “So, if we have an American citizen that is willing to take the consequences and practice civil disobedience and say, 'This is what our government's doing,' should he be locked up and imprisoned? Or should we see him as a political hero? Maybe he is a true patriot who reveals what's going on in government.”   

The New York Times: Hearing in Soldier's WikiLeaks Case Ends

Summary: Manning's hearing came to a close yesterday, with summary arguments from each side. A decision on whether Manning will face a court martial for his alleged actions will come next month.

Key Quote: Private Manning’s lawyers did not argue that he was not responsible for the leaks. However, they likened the military’s case to a “Chicken Little response,” saying that none of the information funneled to the antisecrecy organization WikiLeaks had damaged national security and that the government was overcharging their client, who faces life in prison.

Feds Tout Food Safety Efforts, But Work Remains

Summary: Earlier this week, the federal government released a progress report touting the efforts of President Obama's Food Safety Working Group (FSWG) in fighting foodborne illness over the last two years. While federal agencies have certainly addressed many concerns, the update fails to mention significant struggles and shortcomings. GAP's Food Integrity Campaign has more.

NPR: Lack Of Autopsies After Elderly Die Conceals Health Flaws

Summary: An ongoing investigation by NPR, ProPublica and Frontline has revealed that, due to a lack of autopsies performed on the elderly, over three dozen cases of "abuse, neglect and murder of seniors eluded authorities." Whistleblowers working in the rest homes of these citizens were often the ones who prompted the authorities to investigate the deaths.

Dylan Blaylock is Communications Director for the Government Accountability Project, the nation's leading whistleblower protection and advocacy organization.