Air marshals sue Homeland Security over rules

[Rose Siding]

A group of federal air marshals is suing top Homeland Security Department officials to challenge internal rules that forbid them from disclosing waste, fraud and abuse within the agency.

The case filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia this week against Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Federal Air Marshal Director Thomas Quinn says the rules "smother and prevent the disclosure of information" that could improve public safety efforts aiding the war against terrorism.

The lawsuit also challenges internal investigations of the Federal Air Marshal Association (FAMA) and says marshals are being threatened with disciplinary action and criminal prosecution if they do not reveal other marshals belonging to the nonunion group.

FAMA legal counsel Stephen G. DeNigris says the agency rules are unconstitutional and "nothing more than an attempt by the Federal Air Marshal Service to prevent oversight by Congress and the public at large of an agency rife with mismanagement and pettiness."

Policy Directive ADM 3700 prevents air marshals from "criticizing or ridiculing" policies or employees, creating or participating on nongovernment Web sites, and bans employees from speaking at public gatherings, appearing on radio or television or releasing information on any matter pertaining to the service, the lawsuit says.

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20050604-122747-1631r.htm

[babylonsister]

1. I'm confused. This admin is supposedly trying to make

our country safer, but doesn't welcome suggestions for improvement? Up is down, black is white.....:eyes:

[LaurenG]

2. Unfortunately for these true patriots

Homeland Security has never been about improving public safety. IMO It's a guise to invade privacy so the * administration can drag your ass to git mo if you get too wise to their agenda or something along these lines. Gee I guess I don't trust the government. I better get a new :tinfoilhat:

[baby_bear]

3. The Homeland Security Dept is about union bashing

The Bush administration is using this gigantic department to squash federal employees' rights to organize and also to dismantle the current civil service system that was created to avoid patronage.

I must say, they are doing a mighty good job, but they really should try to be more subtle.

gag.

b_b