Watch a Live Webcast of the 2009 Ridenhour Prizes

POGO congratulates the recipients of the sixth annual Ron Ridenhour Prizes, who will be honored tomorrow at a luncheon at the National Press Club. The event is sold out, but you can watch a live webcast on the Ridenhour website beginning at 12:00 P.M.

This year's Truth Telling Prize, awarded for "bringing a specific issue of social importance to the public's attention," goes to Thomas Tamm, a former Justice Department lawyer who courageously blew the whistle on the NSA's illegal domestic surveillance program, at great risk to himself, his family, and his career. Tamm tipped off The New York Times from a metro payphone in 2004; eighteen months later, the Times story on warrantless wiretapping won a Pulitzer Prize. In 2007, FBI officials searched Tamm's home and have relentlessly attempted to build a case against him by going after his family, friends, and colleagues. Today, Tamm is still being prosecuted, as there is no "authorized avenue for a national security whistleblower to use and receive protection when they challenge the Executive Branch for breaking the law."

Next up, the Ridenhour Book Prize, honoring an "outstanding work of social significance from the prior publishing year," and also recognizing "investigative and reportorial distinction," goes to Jane Mayer, author of the critically acclaimed The Dark Side: The Inside Story of How the War on Terror Turned Into A War on American Ideals. Mayer's book delves into the decisions made by the Bush administration following the September 11 attacks that furthered political agendas while violating the Constitution. Mayer is currently a writer for The New Yorker, having previously written for The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, and the New York Review of Books.

This year's recipient of the Ridenhour Courage Prize, "presented in recognition of courageous and life-long defense of the public interest and passionate commitment to social justice," is award-winning investigative journalist Bob Herbert. Herbert began with The Star-Ledger in Newark in 1970, and continued on to become a reporter at the New York Daily News, a founding member of Sunday Edition, a host of Hotline, as well as a national correspondent on NBC from 1991 to 1993. He is currently an op-ed columnist for The New York Times, covering topics such as sexual assault against women in the military, and is the author of Promises Betrayed: Waking Up from the American Dream.

A special Prize this year, the Prize for Reportorial Distinction, is awarded to Nick Turse for his "investigations into the systemic atrocities of the Vietnam War." In an article for The Nation, Turse proved that My Lai was only the tip of the iceberg for Army cover-ups, and has authored numerous books on military corruption.

Established by the Nation Institute and the Fertel Foundation in 2005, in partnership with POGO, the Fund for Constitutional Government, and the Government Accountability Project, the Ridenhour Prizes seek “to recognize those who persevere in acts of truth-telling that protect the public interest, promote social justice or illuminate a more just vision of society.” The Prizes are dedicated in honor of Ron Ridenhour, a whistleblower and journalist who fearlessly sought to expose corruption and scandal, beginning with his letter to Congress in 1969 exposing the horrendous My Lai massacre in Vietnam.

As always, POGO looks forward to honoring our fellow citizens who selflessly strive to promote liberty and justice, and we applaud the courage and dedication of each recipient.

-- Gracie Bowden

Comments

[Axel]

Additional blog comment reply to my prior blog comment reply to this POGO blog comment Article.

Dear Readers, 4/16/2009

Please note and again allow me to express my highly honored appreciation and gratitude to all those at GAP and the NWC and also importantly within a long past GAP Article from Mr. Blaylock and with a blog comment reply that I replied with that has since received many legal and media reviews to note of the contribution that was derived from this Article that seemingly concurred and applauded the proper and forthright support of that the Article and that gave to credit of GAP and in support of our US Constitution, Bill of Rights, VII Amendment.

I continue to have concerns within the blog comment reply I have re-posted here (to save me to re-write). If any new Legislation does not fully cover myself and all past Whistleblowers and including Ms. Sibel Edmonds, I will not agree.

Also, I noticed on the Ridenhour website that Mr. Joe Wilson is a past recipient of the 'Truthtelling Ridenhour Award'. I am also concerned that it may have been mentioned that technically, his wife, Ms. Valerie Plame is not considered a 'Whistleblower'. I am concerned and I will further have to review to consider that even though and/or how she may be considered and/or excluded within consortium legal application of law that also there is a Federal Employee WPA aspect to consider as both are Federal Employees and it appears clear and unmistakable that both have received severe retaliation and there would seemingly be a clear Legal obligation for resolve and to make Whole.

Also I continue and to honor to keep the faith to have the hope to the faith for the hope for the 'Change We Can Believe In' even though it appears as not yet implemented to the significant reasonable extent as I would seemingly hopefully and presume that would be expected and/or announced by our US Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches of our Government at this time.

Hopefully GAP and POGO will allow me and/or to assist me with any modifications, corrections, clarifications or suggestions in reference to this/my blog comment reply.

Thank you and all for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Axel
Axel V. Sabersky

(Also and as most importantly, please note that even though I have mentioned seemingly serious concerns for review and consideration that I continue to support GAP, NWC and POGO et all within their continuing and presumably pain staking highly exemplary due diligent and with the seemingly highest of superb and excellent necessary expertise, knowledge, skills and abilities towards the US Constitutional, Bill of Rights mandates towards the/any 'Federal Employee Whistleblower Protection Restoration Enhancement Act' and seemingly for all. Also and most importantly as I choose to acknowledge an that I have and continue to retain a sufficient amount of continuing concern and with hopefully the necessary amount of trust, regard, respect within concern and that seemingly, presumably and as properly and forthrightly applicable concern for the noted vested interest and of concern that I have suggested the Sabersky Plan Working Group with the Leaders of GAP, NWC
and POGO that will hopefully also accommodate to solve and resolve any and all concerns within the VA in reference to Union Federal Employees and all those they serve and the community and all those they serve and within our US Government that also continues displays MSPB, OSC ecetra posted areas towards resolve concerns).

(Again and as I have mentioned and seemingly suggested for many years and that myself and the leaders at GAP, NWC and POGO are advocates of the US Constitutional, Bill of Rights compliant 'Federal Employee Whistleblower Protection Restoration Enhancement Act' and that in my view the Working Group appears to be a well recognized, accepted and necessary application. I have suggested the Sabersky Plan Working Group as the most formidable and with the most expedient proper and forthright method for review and application for implementation).

[Axel]

Dear Readers, 4/16/2009

I am to some extent do not know and/or I am unfamilar with Ridenhour and Tamm, although I am certain there are many that have the same credibility and/or greater and as these individuals that go ignored and/or unresolved and many as 'Whistleblowers' to this day.

Please note that the current future intended 'Whistleblower' Legislation proposal, if any, as mentioned on the 'National Whistleblower Center' Website has a to only recognize and try to resolve to presumably 'make whole' ecetra only Whistleblowers that have pending or cases/complaints (brought forward!!!!) as of the date of singing of the Legislation.

That certainly would appear to exclude me and many well known Whistleblowers such as Ms. Sibel Edmonds and many, many others.

In my view this would be a complete disgraceful travesty upon our US Constitution, Bill of Rights, Democracy and all proper and forthright interpretations of Law, Rules and Regulations and applications thereof.

Thank you and all for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Axel
Axel V. Sabersky

[Scott]

Thank you Mr. Thomas Tamm for protecting the Constitution and this Country!

Sincerely,
SCOTT

"Enlighten the people, generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like spirits at the dawn of day."

Thomas Jefferson