NSA whistleblower Tom Drake talks Espionage Act, 9/11, intelligence with 60 Minutes

[babsbunny]

NSA whistleblower Tom Drake talks Espionage Act, 9/11, intelligence with 60 Minutes

http://www.rawstory.com/rawreplay/2011/05/nsa-whistleblower-tom-drake-talks-espionage-act-911-intelligence-with-60-minutes-thin-thread/

Posted on 05.22.11
By Kase Wickman
Categories: Activism, Featured

Thomas Drake worked for the National Security Agency before he was indicted by it. Drake felt that taxpayer money was being misused on unnecessary intelligence, not the information that would lead to the successful capture of terrorists.

While the government says he betrayed his country, Drake, facing 35 years in prison if convicted, says he only pointed out government mismanagement. Drake was imprisoned under the Espionage Act of 1917.

“The entire national security establishment – it was a failure, a fundamental systemic breakdown,” Drake told “60 Minutes”‘ Scott Pelley in his first televised interview.

Watch the full interview below, which originally aired on “60 Minutes” on May 22, 2011, embedded courtesy of CBS.

Posted on 05.22.11
By Kase Wickman
Categories: Activism, Featured

Thomas Drake worked for the National Security Agency before he was indicted by it. Drake felt that taxpayer money was being misused on unnecessary intelligence, not the information that would lead to the successful capture of terrorists.

While the government says he betrayed his country, Drake, facing 35 years in prison if convicted, says he only pointed out government mismanagement. Drake was imprisoned under the Espionage Act of 1917.

“The entire national security establishment – it was a failure, a fundamental systemic breakdown,” Drake told “60 Minutes”‘ Scott Pelley in his first televised interview.

Watch the full interview below, which originally aired on “60 Minutes” on May 22, 2011, embedded courtesy of CBS.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

1. Guess: 60 minutes isn't the best source.

:shrug:

Just a little inkling.

Not to take anything away from Tom Drake.

[RainDog]

3. Jane Mayer wrote about him for this week's New Yorker

She also wrote The Dark Side, about the torture program under the Bushlings.

The New Yorker broke the Abu Ghraib torture story by Sy Hersh, as well.

iow, this story is legit and important.

The New Yorker is famous for its scrupulous fact checking, as well.

[DirkGently]

2. It was a great piece, 60 Minutes & all. Drake comes off like the opposite of an "enemy of the state"

Here's the amazing New Yorker article on Drake from the other day:

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/05/23/110523fa_fact_mayer?currentPage=all