Washington Post: This could be the beginning of the end for the world's last superpower

International Paul Reveres Ride Again at Second Annual
Meeting:

Whistleblowers, From Revere, to Lincoln to Semmelweis, Inspire
Modern Truth Tellers
By James J. Murtagh, M.D.
 
(Dr. Murtagh is co-chair of International Association of
Whistleblowers IAW.)

And a word that shall echo forevermore!
In the hour of darkness and peril and need,
The people will waken and listen to hear
The hurrying hoof-beats of that steed,
And the midnight message of Paul Revere.

                 The second annual meeting of whistleblowers
was held in Washington DC. May 11- 18, 2008. Inspired by Paul
Revere and other world leaders, the group declared
truth-telling as patriotic today as Revere's midnight ride to
Concord. Abraham Lincoln enacted the first whistleblower laws
during the civil war, and Martin Luther King's dream inspired
civil rights whistleblowers. “The really great leaders of the
world were great whistleblowers,” noted Mike McCray, Esq., the
co-chair of the event. "They spoke truth to power."
 	Whistleblower Lobbying Week alerted the countryside to grave
dangers threatening the world, including a broad spectrum of
government and private employers - health, environment,
national security, civil rights, veterans, and more - have all
banded together in a single meeting. The program was initiated
and organized by the whistleblowers themselves. They were
joined by more than 40 eminent public interest organizations.
Hundreds of citizens took part.
                 Activities included congressional forums and
tribunals, and an award ceremony for Ernest Fitzgerald, father
of modern whistleblowing.  Senator Charles Grassley, champion
of the modern Lincoln whistleblower protection laws, described
the fight against waste, fraud and corruption in government.
The award, like the conference, is completely bipartisan and
has been endorsed by both blue-chip conservatives and
liberals:

o	James Holzrichter and Dr. Janet Chandler, named 
"whistleblowers of the year" by Taxpayers against
Fraud (TAF), announced innovative mentoring programs. Mr.
Holzrichter received the "Profile in courage" award,
in recognition of his contributions and devotion, and his 17
year legal fight against corrupt defense contracting.
o	Distinguished attorney and judicial activist Zena Crenshaw
also received a “Profile in Courage Award” and presented a
day-long program underscoring the need for integrity and
accountability in courts of law.
o	Famed TAF attorney of the year Mike Behn gave a keynote
address describing his national fight against defense and
pharmaceutical fraud. General Charles Henry, retired
high-ranking pentagon procurement officer, introduced Mr.
Behn.
o	Dr. Janet Chandler, a Supreme Court victor, was represented
by Senator Barack Obama before he entered the presidential
race. All presidential candidates were urged to follow the
historic tradition of Lincoln, and to pledge to protect
truth-tellers.
o	Religious leaders, including Rev. Walter E. Fauntroy,
stressed the role of speaking the truth and the role of faith
based initiatives in America's civil rights heritage, invoking
the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi.
o	Physicians Dr. Patrick Campbell, and Dr. Lokesh B. Vuyyuru
urged protection from unscrupulous HMOs like Tenet and HCA who
put profit before patients. Dr. Campbell revealed that Tenet
performed thousands of unneeded heart surgeries in Redding
California to bilk the federal government of tens of millions
of dollars.
o	Chief Deputy Marshal Matthew Fogg (INA) and President of
CARCLE, announced:  "We must be united as never before.
Whistleblower unity is the key to our success with Congress,
with the media, and the public."
o	John Schilling, a co-winner in the largest fraud case in US
history, the $1.7 Billion dollar Health Corporation of America
(HCA) case, introduced his new book. Mr. Schilling was joined
by many of the other most successful winners in urging an end
to fraud against patients.
o	Mr. Tom Devine, legal director of the Government
Accountability Project, held an in depth Congressional legal
briefing, and together with top public interest groups, gave
special awards to Congressional leaders and staffers who
oppose fraud and support whistleblowers.
o	The group honored their advisors, including Jeffrey Wigand
(aka “the Insider”) and Coleen Rowley. Ms. Rowley was named as
one of Time Magazine's Person's of the Year.

 	Whistleblowinig doctors have international impact. Hungarian
Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis transformed world health in the 1800s by
introducing simple handwashing. In honor of Dr. Semmelweis, 
“Clean Hands” awards were given to outstanding whistleblowers
and journalists. Sunshine and soap are the best cures for the
infected body politic.
                   Featured speakers came from India, Japan,
Mexico and the U.N. This band of whistleblowers stood united
to oppose hazardous, illegal and unsafe conditions, waste,
fraud and abuse. They unite in order to maintain an open
society, and to protect the rights of international citizens
to speak without reprisal on matters threatening the general
welfare and defense of the global village.
 	The spirits of Revere, Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Mahatma
Gandhi and Ignaz Semmelweis were alive at this expanding
annual event.


The joint task force of International Association of
Whistleblowers (IAW) urges you to write your congressman, your
senator, the media, and your friends to support the goal of a
safer, freer America and better world.

James J. Murtagh Jr.
Atlanta GA 30329

http://www.internationalassociationofwhistleblowers.net/
http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_internat_080508_whistleblowers_annou.htm
http://makeitsafecampaign.org/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/prnewswire/press_releases/Georgia/2008/05/14/DC22457