Government whistleblowers discuss their new lives and how things fell apart

Emily Fox for washingtonpost

Peter Van Buren, blew the whistle on waste and mismanagement of the Iraq reconstruction program now works in an Arts and Crafts store. Wrote a book about it. We Meant Well: How I Helped Lose the Battle for the Hearts and Minds of the Iraqi People.


You lose your security clearance is what happens blam cut off. 


Thomas Drake is a genius. At Apple. Voiced concerns about privacy violations by NSA and spoke to a reporter about waste and fraud in the NSA program, he says none of that was classified, apparently everything is. Lost a good paying job with pension even though his case fell apart so did his life. Grateful for his job at Apple. Massive legal debts. Son ready for college. He imparts an interesting anecdote about encountering Holder at the Apple store by chance 

un com for ta ble 

Sibel Edmonds was fired as translator for trying to expose security breaches and cover-ups she thought presented a danger to US security. Her allegations were confirmed by Justice's inspector general office but she was not hired back. Left Washington but is still dedicated to exposing. She runs Boiling Frog Post Home of the Irate Minority. She is also founder and director of the National Security Whistleblowers Coalition.


Presently views Washington as last resort for releasing information, she prefers going directly to people and she doesn't need Washington for that.

Richard Barlow, seriously damaged burned-out intelligence officer. Likes his three dogs more than people. An issue of Pakistan getting F-16s and their ability to deliver nuclear weaponry and his testifying about that to Congress, under orders, undermined DoDs intention to sell them, Barlow said Congress is being lied to. Days later he was fired. 

Ruined his marriage.

His situation was investigated, State Dept. and CIA concluded Barlow had been fired as a reprisal. Defense Dept. maintained that the Pentagon was within its rights to fire Barlow. Vindicated by GAO report but cannot be rehired because his record is smeared.

Found work as consultant with FBI counterproliferation program but that dried up. Trying to collect pension and health insurance due him.

Much of what he tried to report about is common knowledge today. Best sellers include his story. 

Now. No money. About one month from being homeless.

Barlow believes the Obama administration has criminalized whistleblowing on levels he's never seen before.

He fly-fishes and bird hunts with his dogs.

Jesselyn Radack attorney for Justice told to find another job after she disclosed FBI interrogated John Walker Lindh without an attorney present.  Her case was closed and prosecutors never identified a potential charge against her.

Became an advocate for whistleblowers.