Whistleblower Summit Conference Header by Michael McCray
Over the last eight years members from the Make it Safe Coalition (MISC) have arranged an assembly of whistleblowers in Washington, DC each year for an annual conference originally known as Washington Whistleblower's Week. ACORN 8 (www.ACORN8.com) will host and the Brown Center for Public Policy (www.Whistlewatch.org) will co-host this year's Whistleblower Summit for Civil & Human Rights on July 28-31, 2014. Code Pink (www.codepink.org) and the Black Law Student Association at Georgetown University Law Center will join us in support of whistleblowers and whistleblower protections this year.
We are proud to announce that corporate / business sector champions will be included as Pillar Award recipients this year. Representative Marcia Fudge (D-OH), Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and Senator Ronald Wyden (D-OR) were honored with a Pillar Human Rights Award for International Person's of Conscience last year. We also recognized broadcasters/journalists with previous Pillar Awards; Rob Kall was recognized for OpEd News (New Media category) and a posthumous award went to Ambrose Lane (Broadcaster). The Pillar is awarded to notable civil and human rights champions; previous recipients include Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Senator Charles "Chuck" Grassley (R-IA) and Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO).
"There is no freedom of the press without news sources. There can be no congressional oversight without government informants. Whistleblowers are the Fifth Estate protecting freedom and liberty from government overreach and corporate abuses." --Michael McCray
Founded over 60 years ago to support Free Speech and First Amendment Rights, the Pacifica Foundation (www.pacifica.org) has fought for and vigorously defended these rights all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court. A staunch supporter of unfettered free speech, the Pacifica National Board voted unanimously to support legislation that would protect Whistleblowers and Free Speech in 2010.
Consequently, the Pacifica Radio Network was the first national media organization to formalize its support for Whistleblowers. Once again, as in previous years, the Pacifica Foundation will actively participate and support this years Whistleblower Summit in Washington, DC. The conference theme this year is--Is It Right?
"Cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'Is it politic?' Vanity asks the question, 'Is it popular?' But conscience asks the question, 'Is it right?' And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but we must take it because our conscience tells us that it is right." --Martin Luther King, Jr.
"I am so excited about co-hosting the Whistleblower Summit this year. We will discuss state of international whistleblower protections and the state of whistleblower protections in the U.S."--Evelynn Brown, J.D., LL.M the Chief Executive Officer for the Brown Center for Public Policy a 501(c)3 nonprofit, public benefit corporation.
The public and all whistleblowers and their advocates, as well as the entire civil rights community are invited to participate, from Black Farmers and USDA employees who report "pink slim" in our food supply, to NSA whistleblowers reporting domestic surveillance on the American people. The Government Accountability Project (GAP), the National Whistleblower Center (NWC) and the Pacifica Foundation will continue their support of whistleblowers and this event. Gloria Minott, Public Affairs Director for WPFW will moderate this year's event. The Whistleblower Summit will include workshops and panel discussions;
Celebrating National Whistleblower Appreciation Day
Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Passage of the Whistleblower Protection Act
Cooking The Books at the Veteran's Affairs Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Judicial Misconduct and Cyber Insecurity in the Age of Edward Snowden
POGO Report on Professional Misconduct and Ethics Violation at the Justice Department (US Attorney's Office)
Fixing the WPEA: Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act--"All Circuits Review, MSPB Summary Judgment Authority"
Decriminalizing Whistleblowing: Enhancing Whistleblower Protections through Prosecutorial Reform
July 17, 20`4
Dear Mr. Lucas:
I had some other potential comments IF we should get a settlement.
If they should include a gag order as a provision of the settlement, I would object on the following grounds.
Firstly, many of our stories may have movie or other monetary rights. This is a "property" right we obtained thru their malfeasance, nonfeasance or misfeasance. We should be allowed to capitalize on these rights. We have earned them. Secondly, this settlement will become "public record" and we can be attacked in public. It is a serious hindrance to be restricted by such a gag order. We must be allowed to defend ourselves from public attack.
In many of the cases there is fraud by the court and prosecutors in order to obtain a conviction. This should never be allowed to stand. We should be granted federal pardons because of the government representative's malfeasance, nonfeasance or misfeasance.
I was never allowed an appeal of my criminal conviction. The appellate court found my appeal did not comply with the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure which entitled me to an out of time appeal. This assuming state court had jurisdiction over my case, with I dispute. My case was a federal question.
Everyone assumed I was given the money to feed our cattle but I was not. Never at any point in the trial was the cost of feeding the cattle discussed. The amount of money was a lot compared to the local people with 15 to 20 cows but a mere pittance to our needs as agreed on the Form 1962-1's.
In the U. S. Court of Federal Claims, the judge ask the DOJ to submit all the signed Form 1962-1's in our file. Out of 10 forms, nine were breaches of contract! The judge, not knowing what to do now that we had proven our breach claim simply transferred our case back to the district court to review our fifth appeal determination. The district court had already reviewed it and sent the taking and breach claims on to the proper venue in the claims court. I still believe our taking claim is valid. The USDA, in an appropriate formal hearing as required by law, found that USDA did not follow the law at 7CFR 1962.17.
So how can we admit USDA actions were legal? We did follow all the law ourselves, even giving USDA the right to starve our cattle to death. USDA formally found their actions did not conform to the law, not us.
I think we should get formal evidence that all USDA liens are cancelled and filed as per record. Evidence that all chattels are released as per law.
Due consideration should also be given to any tax liability that may occur. Any settlement could be paid tax free or exempt.
Well next Wednesday is the 30th and I hope you are ready for them. I hope Ms. Seavers can meet you there. She has some problems right now which I am not sure will get any better.
Good luck to y'll. I hope this helps you some and is not just a waste of time. I really appreciate the many efforts you have made so far and am impressed you have been able to do so much.
Sincerely,
Larry Mack
Mack Ranch Joint Venture
