High court trims whistleblower rights

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

By GINA HOLLAND, Associated Press Writer Tue May 30, 5:54 PM ET

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court scaled back protections for government workers who blow the whistle on official misconduct Tuesday, a 5-4 decision in which new Justice Samuel Alito cast the deciding vote. (Gee, who didn't see that coming?)

In a victory for the Bush administration, justices said the 20 million public employees do not have free-speech protections for what they say as part of their jobs.

Critics predicted the impact would be sweeping, from silencing police officers who fear retribution for reporting department corruption, to subduing federal employees who want to reveal problems with government hurricane preparedness or terrorist-related security.

Full story:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060530/ap_on_go_su_co/scotus_free_speech

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

http://www.bartcop.com/class-discuss.jpg

[footstepsfrom#27]

A Democratic sweep of both houses in the upcoming elections and the loss of the White House by the GOP in '08 can roll back this stuff at the legislative level. Unfortunately the Supremes look like they're set for a while.

I have been an industry whistle blower 5 times over a 14 year period from 1987-2001 in the Texas Mental Health system, getting canned all but once and black listed the last time. Federal protection laws didn't help since I wasn't a federal employee. However, I didn't care since I took the actions I did with the idea that I could carve out a much better niche with the development of an alternative (ie; counterculture) identity anyway. I simply used my infamy to attract people who were on board with what I did to my own gig. Unfortunately, that won't be the situation facing most federal employees who have to choose between feeding their families and doing the right thing.

It will take decades to undo the damage that Bush has done to this country, if in fact it can be undone.

[Rohirrim]

I'm beginning to question the neo-con philosophy of government.

[defenseman]

A Democratic sweep of both houses in the upcoming elections and the loss of the White House by the GOP in '08 can roll back this stuff at the legislative level. Unfortunately the Supremes look like they're set for a while.

I have been an industry whistle blower 5 times over a 14 year period from 1987-2001 in the Texas Mental Health system, getting canned all but once and black listed the last time. Federal protection laws didn't help since I wasn't a federal employee. However, I didn't care since I took the actions I did with the idea that I could carve out a much better niche with the development of an alternative (ie; counterculture) identity anyway. I simply used my infamy to attract people who were on board with what I did to my own gig. Unfortunately, that won't be the situation facing most federal employees who have to choose between feeding their families and doing the right thing.

It will take decades to undo the damage that Bush has done to this country, if in fact it can be undone.

Find a quality DEM candidate who can beat out another candidate, and you know what, I'll vote for them. However, I just don't see anyone out there for the democrats. If your thinking Hillary, think again. That dog don't hunt. Need to go somewhere else. Gore? Don't think your headed in the right direction there either. But 2 out of 3 ain't bad as far as predictions go..dman

[Rascal]

Ugh...as a government employee this really sucks.

[spdirty]

put more dems in the WH, and they pick more leftist judges like Ginsgerg and Breyer, as well as the GOP nominated Kennedy(well, he is more of the swing vote), Stevens, and Souter and you will have more decisions come about likt eminent domain which have completely smashed property rights. So, which gun to the head would you like?

[Rascal]

Everyday it seems like a revolution is not a bad idea.

[spdirty]

Everyday it seems like a revolution is not a bad idea.

start planning Ill be there (so long as its a right wing revolution)

[Rascal]

start planning Ill be there (so long as its a right wing revolution)

Nope this will be a rolution of the middle person in every way. The minority extremes have ****ed us over long enough. I may not agree with everything with a left slanted moderate (obviously being right slanted myself), but we both recognize being bent over by the extremes of each political party.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Find a quality DEM candidate who can beat out another candidate, and you know what, I'll vote for them. However, I just don't see anyone out there for the democrats. If your thinking Hillary, think again. That dog don't hunt. Need to go somewhere else. Gore? Don't think your headed in the right direction there either. But 2 out of 3 ain't bad as far as predictions go..dman
Yesterday while sitting in a Dennys gulping coffee and pounding away on this laptop I had a conversation with a very conservative GOP type voter several miles right of Reagan.

He says he now hates Bush.

I suggested that we conduct an experiment and concluded that I could randomly select any individual not holding a "will work for food" sign, incarcerated or in the nut ward, and ask a few simple questions...after which one could reasonably conclude that this person was indeed a better presidential candidate than the guy now living in the White House.

A slightly scruffy Dennys waitress was immediately suggested as the target. I informed her that her tip rested on this so she should take it seriously, and proceeded to ask her a few simple questions. Ten minutes later my GOP friend admitted that if the election were held again, knowing what he knows now and faced with voting for "Laurie" or George W...he would cast his vote for the waitress.

I left a $5 on top of the bill for two coffees...;)

[Mile High Shack]

Bush is not a good president

he isn't a true conservative, that is for sure

when you spend money like Lindsey Lohan on Rodeo Drive....you are not a conservative.

He has done more harm to the republican party than anyone has since Richard Nixon

[spdirty]

Nope this will be a rolution of the middle person in every way. The minority extremes have ****ed us over long enough. I may not agree with everything with a left slanted moderate (obviously being right slanted myself), but we both recognize being bent over by the extremes of each political party.


Well, its hard to define what is extreme. I would probably be labeled an extremist by some, if not many.

Tell me what the revoluc'ionaries stand on which issues and then Ill decide whether to join.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Bush is not a good president

he isn't a true conservative, that is for sure

when you spend money like Lindsey Lohan on Rodeo Drive....you are not a conservative.

He has done more harm to the republican party than anyone has since Richard Nixon
He's done far more to harm the GOP than Nixon did. Nixon only lied and participated in illegal activities around Watergate so far as we know. He harmed himself but Nixon also stopped the Viet Nam war and opened China to western influence.

Bush is light years worse than Nixon. You have to go back at least to Warren G. Harding to find a president this bad...and that's not a given either. Bush may be the worst president in US history.

[spdirty]

Bush is not a good president

he isn't a true conservative, that is for sure

when you spend money like Lindsey Lohan on Rodeo Drive....you are not a conservative.

dude you could come up with many examples of why Bush is not a conservative. Starting with the outragious sending.


He has done more harm to the republican party than anyone has since Richard Nixon

yep.

[spdirty]

Bush may be the worst president in US history.

Oh i wouldnt go that far. In fact I wouldnt even say that he is the worst in the last 30 years.

[Rascal]

Oh i wouldnt go that far. In fact I wouldnt even say that he is the worst in the last 30 years.

Who?

[defenseman]

put more dems in the WH, and they pick more leftist judges like Ginsgerg and Breyer, as well as the GOP nominated Kennedy(well, he is more of the swing vote), Stevens, and Souter and you will have more decisions come about likt eminent domain which have completely smashed property rights. So, which gun to the head would you like?

How is Ginsberg, breyer and kennedy responsible for emminent domain? Just want to know thats all. I for one, am vehemently opposed to eminent domain and would stick a 12 gauge double odd in the face of ANYONE trying to take my acreage in colorado. Seriously, I'd blow them in half if they pushed the wrong buttons on this subject. However, they'd be on my land when I did it. Tresspassing signs do carry some weight..dman

[spdirty]

How is Ginsberg, breyer and kennedy responsible for emminent domain? Just want to know thats all. I for one, am vehemently opposed to eminent domain and would stick a 12 gauge double odd in the face of ANYONE trying to take my acreage in colorado. Seriously, I'd blow them in half if they pushed the wrong buttons on this subject. However, they'd be on my land when I did it. Tresspassing signs do carry some weight..dman

Ginsberg, Breyer, Souter, Kennedy, and Stevens all voted to throw out our property rights in favor of more tax revenues a little over a year ago. Certainly you are familiar with that decision, arent you? Those 5 Justices should get the Hammer and Sickle branded on their asses for that decision.

[spdirty]

Who?
Carter

[TheDave]

By GINA HOLLAND, Associated Press Writer Tue May 30, 5:54 PM ET

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court scaled back protections for government workers who blow the whistle on official misconduct Tuesday, a 5-4 decision in which new Justice Samuel Alito cast the deciding vote. (Gee, who didn't see that coming?)

In a victory for the Bush administration, justices said the 20 million public employees do not have free-speech protections for what they say as part of their jobs.

Critics predicted the impact would be sweeping, from silencing police officers who fear retribution for reporting department corruption, to subduing federal employees who want to reveal problems with government hurricane preparedness or terrorist-related security.

Full story:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060530/ap_on_go_su_co/scotus_free_speech

Good lord... I've got to give these guys this, they definitely are working overtime at covering their tracks...

[TheDave]

Carter

I'm certianly not a Carter fan either, but Bushii has outdone him 10x in my opinion

[Rohirrim]

start planning Ill be there (so long as its a right wing revolution)

Where have you been for the last six years? The right wing revolution already took place. We're living it.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Where have you been for the last six years? The right wing revolution already took place. We're living it.
No sh*t, ain't it pretty? The carnage created by this administration may never fully be repaired.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Oh i wouldnt go that far. In fact I wouldnt even say that he is the worst in the last 30 years.
I think it was Lou Dobbs who reported a couple of days ago that in a CNN poll 60% of voters polled said they think GWB is the worst president of the past 60 years. Before anyone suggest that the results are invalid since it's CNN...the same poll also indicated that those polled pegged Reagan as the best President of the last 60 years.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

I think it was Lou Dobbs who reported a couple of days ago that in a CNN poll 60% of voters polled said they think GWB is the worst president of the past 60 years. Before anyone suggest that the results are invalid since it's CNN...the same poll also indicated that those polled pegged Reagan as the best President of the last 60 years.

Your stat has a 97.6% probability of being made up on the spot.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Your stat has a 97.6% probability of being made up on the spot.
Not to mention a +/- error range of 4%...;D

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Not to mention a +/- error range of 4%...;DI forgot the +/- factor. There's a good chance now that your stat has a probability of over 100% being made up on the spot :~ohyah!:

[elsid13]

Find a quality DEM candidate who can beat out another candidate, and you know what, I'll vote for them. However, I just don't see anyone out there for the democrats. If your thinking Hillary, think again. That dog don't hunt. Need to go somewhere else. Gore? Don't think your headed in the right direction there either. But 2 out of 3 ain't bad as far as predictions go..dman


Remember the name Mark Warner - former very popular democratic governor of VA. Successfully businessman, moderate on social issue,tough on crime, well respected in southern conservative state.

[defenseman]

Remember the name Mark Warner - former very popular democratic governor of VA. Successfully businessman, moderate on social issue,tough on crime, well respected in southern conservative state.

Thanks for stepping up to the plate. This is the kind of cooperation BOTH parties need to be practicing. I'll do a bit a research and get back to you. Guilianni , I do like for the most part but the REPUBS will be too damn hard headed (and BLINDED BY PARTISAN PARTY POSITIONS) to even give him a shot. You guys clued me in on his stance wrt abortion and gay rights and hit the nail on the head. He doesn't fit into the right "mold" I guess. Damn, it's time to break all the damn molds around here. Bull in a china shop if you know what I mean. Really sad, he's a team builder, not a fence builder...dman

[TheDave]

Thanks for stepping up to the plate. This is the kind of cooperation BOTH parties need to be practicing. I'll do a bit a research and get back to you. Guilianni , I do like for the most part but the REPUBS will be too damn hard headed (and BLINDED BY PARTISAN PARTY POSITIONS) to even give him a shot. You guys clued me in on his stance wrt abortion and gay rights and hit the nail on the head. He doesn't fit into the right "mold" I guess. Damn, it's time to break all the damn molds around here. Bull in a china shop if you know what I mean. Really sad, he's a team builder, not a fence builder...dman

Doesn't Gulliani also have some domestic issues (wife, girlfried...both???)

Otherwise it's too bad, I remember in the days following 911 that i was incredibly impressed with Gulliani's leadership and strength. He is someone i would strongly consider.

[elsid13]

Thanks for stepping up to the plate. This is the kind of cooperation BOTH parties need to be practicing. I'll do a bit a research and get back to you. Guilianni , I do like for the most part but the REPUBS will be too damn hard headed (and BLINDED BY PARTISAN PARTY POSITIONS) to even give him a shot. You guys clued me in on his stance wrt abortion and gay rights and hit the nail on the head. He doesn't fit into the right "mold" I guess. Damn, it's time to break all the damn molds around here. Bull in a china shop if you know what I mean. Really sad, he's a team builder, not a fence builder...dman


Well he worked very success with Conservative Republican State Senate. In fact he was so popular he got the next guy elected too.

[elsid13]

Doesn't Gulliani also have some domestic issues (wife, girlfried...both???)

Otherwise it's too bad, I remember in the days following 911 that i was incredibly impressed with Gulliani's leadership and strength. He is someone i would strongly consider.


Yeah he does plus a lot luggage, and he pissed off a lot of the party faithful

For the republican look for Senator Allen, or the governor of ARK to be viable candidates

[footstepsfrom#27]

Colin Powell

[defenseman]

Powell won't run is the word I get. If he does, I'd be surprised. I'd think twice on him, however, his record is pretty strong in alot of areas..dman

[defenseman]

Yeah he does plus a lot luggage, and he pissed off a lot of the party faithful

For the republican look for Senator Allen, or the governor of ARK to be viable candidates

I've also the governor of colorado may throw his hat in the mix..dman

And quite frankly, pissing off the party faithful is not necessarily a detriment in my book.

[elsid13]

I've also the governor of colorado may throw his hat in the mix..dman

And quite frankly, pissing off the party faithful is not necessarily a detriment in my book.

It a serious problem when comes to fund raising a the primaries.

[doonwise]

Bush is not a good president

he isn't a true conservative, that is for sure

when you spend money like Lindsey Lohan on Rodeo Drive....you are not a conservative.

He has done more harm to the republican party than anyone has since Richard Nixon

Really makes you wonder why all the true conservative republicans voted for him, eh? Yourself included? Both times?

[spdirty]

Really makes you wonder why all the true conservative republicans voted for him, eh? Yourself included? Both times?
2 words: Skerry Gore

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

2 words: Skerry Gore

:oyvey:

Yeah - we wouldn't want two capable men with brains running things now, would we?

[spdirty]

:oyvey:

Yeah - we wouldn't want two capable men with brains running things now, would we?

And who would those 2 men be?

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

And who would those 2 men be?

Hint: Not the moron who can't speak in complete sentences even when reading scripted lines from a teleprompter.

[spdirty]

Hint: Not the moron who can't speak in complete sentences even when reading scripted lines from a teleprompter.
LOL good one