November 27, 2014, - 4:37 pm

Thanksgiving ’14: Thankful for Freedom, G-d & America; And That Obama’s Gone in 2

By Debbie Schlussel

Happy Thanksgiving, America! And Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American friends and readers.

American Thanksgiving Used to Look Like This . . .

normanrockwellthanskgiving.jpg

What Thanksgiving Will Look Like in a Few Generations if We Continue with Biz as Usual . . .


Halal Thanksgiving Artwork by David Lunde/Lundesigns (& Norman Rockwell); Design by Debbie Schlussel (& Norman Rockwell)

As on every Thanksgiving to date, I’m thankful I’m still free and that I live in the greatest country on earth. That’s the United State of America, to those of you in Dearbornistan, Minneapolistan, Fergustan, and all the other Third World fiefdoms that have sprung up in our midst and seem to think this is Dar Al-Harb, just an extension of the Muslim Mid-East to be “reverted” and destroyed. That will come in a few generations (and has already begun), but we, thankfully, won’t be around to see it. That’s another thing I’m thankful for: while America has been Kardashianized and Oprahfied and subject to the non-“breaking” of the Internet by someone’s artificially enlarged butt, we’re still here, and in our time remaining on this earth, we will see far worse. But we won’t see the worst. That’s coming, but it isn’t here yet.

For now, we can be thankful for our good health (for those of us who have it, and not everyone does, so my heart goes out to those people afflicted) and for the roofs over our heads for those of us who have that. With ObamaCare soon to be in full force, we may be in danger of losing both. Fortunately, there are only two more years (plus a couple of months of non-sensical pardons) left of the Barack & Michelle years. The Obama’s will soon be gone. Sadly, I’m pretty confident that, despite all the “what ifs,” Hillary Cankles Clinton will be there to feed at the trough in her ever-expanding pantsuits after the Obamas leave. And, then, things will get worse. So, be thankful now, while the going is still better than it’s gonna get.

Today, we have the freedom to eat turkey (torfurkey if you’re one of those people–that’s gotta suck!), watch football, and brave the mobs in crazy Black Thursday that used to be Black Friday. And I guess that says something: that things are still relatively good here–good enough that we can worry about unimportant things like football and bargains on 50-inch TVs and whether or not Kim Kardashian’s silly, loathsome photos “broke” the internet (and how long it will take her transvestite stepfather, Bruce Jenner, to make the full transition; what Wheaties box?!).







I appreciate our fellow Americans who man the counters at convenience stores and gas stations so we can carry on today. No matter why they are there, I’m happy they are, so life still functions today, though it functions more in commerce and regularlity than it should for a national holiday of thanks. I’m thankful for those who really have no choice in the matter and are working today and every other day, the men of the U.S. Armed Forces, many of whom are overseas and away from their families, and a good number of whom are still risking life and limb for Muslims who hate us in Afghanistan. Let’s give thanks for them today and hope they are brought home to American soil very soon.

As I said, I’m thankful that I still have enough money to eat and sleep in shelter that I can afford to heat in the winter and cool in the summer. It gets cold in Michigan, but I like the change in seasons and am thankful I can afford the lifestyle to live amidst those varied seasons and weather. For many Americans who’ve lost jobs and wages to illegal aliens–and many more who will lose them now that Obamnesty has been declared–and for those who lost full-time jobs to ObamaCare, I feel and pray for you. Let’s pray for them and hope these triple Obamaconomy, ObamaCare, and Obamnesty debacles end soon.

Like I also said, I’m thankful that I’m healthy and in one piece. Sadly, for many American middle-class families, that’s no longer been the case since last January, when their insurance policies were canceled and their healthcare premiums soared far past the point of affordability, with deductibles well out of the realm of the reasonable, all due to the implementation of Obamacare. Many of them do not have the luxury of Black Thursday and Friday spending and other necessary vital expenses because of this. Once the employer mandate takes full effect, next year, and once many employers throw employees to the ObamaCare wolves and off employer insurance plans, that will only get worse. So be thankful now, as you probably won’t be later.

I said this last Thanksgiving but it bears repeating: get a medical check-up before the year ends. It will probably be your last under good, capitalist doctors. The best and brightest don’t tend to go into professions heavily regulated by socialism, and that’s what ObamaCare is.

I’m thankful, today, that I grew up in a more idyllic time–a time without reality shows and Kardashians and breaking the Internet and people paying $20 for selfies with some guy who was a checkout person at Target. In fact, I’m glad I grew up in a time before selfies and reality shows altogether. I’m thankful I grew up in a time when parents didn’t need to urge their children not to take naked pictures of themselves and send them out to the world. Even if there had been the internet and capability to do so then, we knew that the way to success wasn’t to become a porn star. That’s all gone now.

I’m thankful that I grew up in decades in which women in hijabs–the Islamic garb of oppression–weren’t a regular sight at the supermarket, movie theater, and everywhere else. But even that seems to be a dated statement because now I’m glad I grew upin decades in which women in full-ninja niqabs (with only eye-slits visible) weren’t a regular site all around me. Now, sadly, they are, and they are multiplying and expanding like cancer. In that day and age, as bad as the INS has been described, we didn’t open the floodgates to those whose religion preaches hate and death to all non-believers. Jihad, then, was over there. Now, it’s here, and we do nothing about it. Oh, wait, we do in fact do something about it: we announce amnesty for all of them and invite more to come over, letting them know they’ll never ever again have to fear arrest because Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been told they are now hands off forever. Moreover, we embrace and bend over backward for this violent cult. The numbers of Muslims and mosques in America have both doubled in the decade plus since the 9/11 attacks perpetrated by Arab Muslims. The message: attack us and mass murder 3,000 Americans, and we’ll willingly bend over and allow you to invade us by doubling your numbers via immigration in just a decade. And that was before Obama announced amnesty in spades. Imagine how much worse it will soon get. I can’t say I’m thankful for the Republicans, who have done not a thing to stop this and preserve our country’s existence so that there might be Thanksgivings and an America 100 years from now. Thirteen-plus years since 9/11, and what have they done? You think that’ll change when they take over in January? Ha!

And while, as I said, I’m thankful that our armed military men are serving overseas on behalf of America, I’d be more thankful to American politicians if they dared have the leadership to guard and secure our own borders. Instead, they hypocritically send our boys to die or give limbs to Muslim enemies overseas (and were doing that again now to protect Shi’ite Muslimss who hate us from ISIS Muslims who hate us), then do nothing to stop those enemies from invading and taking over from within. In fact, all the Republican grandstanding over Obama’s amnesty executive action is just that: grandstanding. Just months ago, Republicans (including Paul Ryan and Marco Boob-io)–wanted to give illegal aliens instant amnesty just like Obama did and never did anything to stop the current de facto amnesty, which began under Bush and was stepped up under Obama. Under Republicans AND Democrats relatively few illegal aliens–including hardened criminals and known terrorists–were ever actually deported.

I’m thankful I grew up in a more idyllic, civil time, when kids like me were told by our parents to respect authority, to listen to our teachers and the orders of the police patrolling our streets. Today, parents applaud their students for harassing teachers and causing mayhem. And teachers are posing in lingerie online and sexting and worse with students. Today, kids and adults who commit crimes and attack police are the heroes. And the cops are the villains. And if and when those cops aren’t indicted for defending themselves and trying to do their jobs, the parents join their kids in rioting, violence, and burning down their sections of America. See Fergustan, Missouri. I’m thankful for the day I grew up, when parents were parents, not friends and buddies who accompany you to NC-17 Miley Cyrus concerts and violent movies like “The Hunger Games.” I’m thankful my parents weren’t into reading “Young Adult” literature with me. They read actual literature and demanded I do the same. I was lucky to be a kid in those days. I would not consider myself as lucky to be a kid today.

I’m thankful that I can still eat an actual turkey today (I prefer the White meat–the breast slices and the wings), and that the animal rights food Nazis haven’t been able to force me (yet) to their diet. And I’m grateful that the turkey I eat is still a kosher one, pursuant to my Jewish dietary needs. In many places around the world, the animal rights jihadists have succeeded in ending kosher slaughter of animals. By the way, as I always note, kosher is the original brine (we pre-salt all of our meat and poutry to remove the blood). My Thanksgiving dinner, today, was prepared by my friend, Chef Cari, of Chef Cari Kosher Catering. Yum!

And, as usual, today–and every day–not only am I thankful for my freedom and the ability to say and do as I please on this site without government intervention, but I’m also tremendously thankful for you, my dear readers and friends. For your readership (which keeps growing each year), for your insightful and observant comments, for your news tips, and for your generous support–both morally and financially. All of that helps keep this site and my work going. I’m thankful for not just my freedom and health, but yours as well. Without you, I wouldn’t be able to do this. And without our brave men protecting America and serving here and overseas, I wouldn’t be able to do this. Without them, we wouldn’t have a First and Second Amendment to speak of.

I’m thankful today–and every day–that I don’t live in a place like Iran. I’m not thankful that we continue to do nothing and look the other way as Iran develops nukes. All of the things I’m thankful for here in America today–those are things that Christians and Jews (and Zoroastrians and others) in Iran do NOT enjoy (some of them are even punished with death for practicing their faiths). Yet we do nothing about it, while we send troops to help pro-Iran Shi’ites who run Iraq. Are they really better than ISIS or just a different Muslim sect that doesn’t depend on U.S. support like Iraq does? The freedoms and other things I’m thankful for are things that will also never again be enjoyed by the victims of Iran’s Hezbollah–including hundreds of U.S. Marines and Navy diver Robert Dean Stethem. They will never again enjoy freedom or good health or tasty turkey, as they turn over in their graves and their ghosts cry out over our inaction and cozying up to the ayatollahs.

To those who wished me a Happy Thanksgiving, Right Back Atcha! A repeated thank you for reading this site this past year, over the years before that, and, I hope, in the next year. Again, I am thankful for all of that and all of you.

I wish a joyous, delicious, fun Thanksgiving to you all! And I hope you will take the time beyond the turkey, stuffing, dressing, cranberry sauce, and all the other fixin’s to give thanks that our country is still free and that we are all alive and kicking. Give thanks that you still have a roof over your head and think of those who do not. Give thanks that you have family and friends, and remember that many do not. Many people are alone on Thanksgiving, more this year than before–the statistics show it. Those are my primary things to be thankful for, in addition to being a citizen of the greatest country on earth. Or at least what still is the greatest country but soon may not be (and isn’t as good as it once was), given the course on which we currently find ourselves.

While left-wing self-hating Americans want us to regress to their phony version of history–ie., that we are the oppressors of Indians, turkeys, Fergustan’s violent “gentle giants,” “ObamaPhone” donees and users (that’s redundant–see Fergustan “gentle giants”), and every other “victim” imaginable or unimaginable, don’t forget that the real oppression is going on elsewhere . . . all over the world today. Be thankful that you don’t live there. I am. A large part of that real oppression is under Islamic totalitarian rule, some of it is under Communists and “former” Communists, and the rest is under lands soon to be controlled by Islamic totalitarian rule. I give thanks that we are not like them, that we don’t live under them. And I give even more thanks that WE. ARE. BETTER. THAN. THEM. (But less better than them than we used to be.) Never forget that.

If you are reading this site, you know that you and I still have the ultimate in freedoms: free speech. And though we have a pan-Marxist, Islamo-pandering President and a Republican Congress that is hardly much better, and though times are tough for Americans all over, we are still citizens of the best damn country on earth. Most of all, I am thankful to be an American. Thank G-d for that!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! May G-d bless you all. And G-d Bless America.






40 Responses

Happy Thanksgiving to Debbie and all the readers of this site.

JeffE on November 27, 2014 at 9:46 pm

Happy Thanksgiving Debbie and all your supporters too.

Mark Anthony Hammond on November 27, 2014 at 10:12 pm

Happy thanksgiving, Debbie, family and friends.

RT on November 27, 2014 at 10:18 pm

I was unemployed for 18 months a few years ago. I’m so thankful to God to be working.
We still have free speech, yet every time I post a thought that isn’t 100% PC on this or any website, I fear it could cost me my job.
The PC Nazis are out in force trying to shut down anyone that doesn’t toe the line.

smg45acp on November 28, 2014 at 8:57 am

    The same is happening in Australia and we have always had less freedom than Americans.

    No bill of rights here!

    dashcam55 on November 28, 2014 at 3:51 pm

Good day to all Happy Thanksgiving to Debbie,and all Americans in this site God Bless God Bless America,,TG.

Tirdad Gharib on November 28, 2014 at 9:42 am

My computer is not big enough to list all the things I’m thankful for, but finding you postings is right in there with all the rest. Keep up the good work.

Larry Levine on November 28, 2014 at 10:43 am

My most memorable Thanksgiving Day was in November of 1971, when I was a soldier in the 101st Airborne Division “Screaming Eagles” serving in the old Republic of Viet Nam, and going on a week long Rest and Recuperation leave (i.e., “R&R”) to Sydney, Australia.

En route, after our Pan American flight left Da Nang, I mentioned to a soldier sitting in the seat next to mine that I was looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving Day in Australia.

He replied that Thanksgiving Day was a uniquely American holiday, not observed in Australia, nor in very few other countries.

In Sydney, instead of checking into a hotel, I followed the counsel of my church leaders and contacted the local leaders of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints (i.e., the “Mormon” church), and they arranged for me to be the house guest of a couple living across the bay in the suburb of Manly, who had immigrated from England, and whose son was away at sea serving on a submarine in the Royal Australian Navy.

They, in turn, arranged for me, along two full time LDS missionaries from America, to have our Thanksgiving dinner at the home of an American family employed in Australia (who had a very attractive daughter).

Because of that, I now regard Thanksgiving Day as both a religious observance AND a patriotic holiday, and when invited to a Thanksgiving dinner, I now wear my military decorations on my best Sunday-go-to-meetin’ suit.

Ah, BUT, as for our unalienable right to “Freedom of Expression” alluded to by Debbie Schlussel?

Because I very recently unwisely stated some unpopular “politically incorrect” personal opinions to the management, I’m being kicked out of the Armed Forces Retirement Home on Friday 05 December 2014, and thus, I plan to spend this Winter sleeping in the cargo bed of my pickup truck.

Further, I’m warned by the powers that be that if I continue expressing unpopular personal opinions, that it’s quite possible I’ll eventually be physically attacked, and maybe even murdered.

Well, I’ve lived my life, and people have tried to kill me before, so what else is new?

Mox nix.

Oh, guess what?

Sunday 07 December 2014 is the 73d anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and it’s the 47th anniversary of the day I was formally inducted into my beloved United States Army.

John Robert Mallernee on November 28, 2014 at 11:37 am

    JRM, I am very sorry to hear about your plight. It doesn’t seem legal but with the advent of Obola-Putin, the Constitution doesn’t stand for much these days. People who were on to that Marxist arse-rag have known that about that prevaricating bugger even before that freak was elected. I hope something happens by 12/5 so you will NOT have to spend a cold winter in a car! I’ll be praying for you too.

    What a nasty, septic tank of a world this is. Where the truth is decidedly IGNORED and dumb-ass retards believe in fantasy and non-truths (FERGUSON, et al…)over the cold, hard truth. It is truly disgusting to behold!

    This country is getting exactly what it deserves but it’s painful to see innocent people being treated like bad guys and bad guys are seen as National Treasures (I’m talking about your (substantial)sociopathic tuchis, CANKLES CLINTON, et al..!).

    The wild rumpus has hardly begun. It will surely get worse rather than better. What a shame. That is what you get when you cultivate a society of perverts, dopes and mental defectives. DISGRAZIA!

    Skunky on November 29, 2014 at 8:05 pm

    JRM: That’s F’ed up that they’re kicking you out for speaking words. Also, interesting stuff on your webpage. I didn’t know you were a fellow Trooper.

    Air Cav, Sir!

    DS_ROCKS on December 1, 2014 at 10:40 am

    JRM, the email of your retirement home is Admissions@afrh.gov. This tells me that you might well have a constitutional challenge based on a First Amendment objection.

    I’m no lawyer, and I, personally, would be inclined not to rent to liberals–which I could do in most areas–but government structures are a different thing.

    It seems you have given up the fight, though.

    skzion on December 1, 2014 at 6:44 pm

Mr. Mallernee, that’s a heaping helping of bad news. You will be in my prayers. May The Lord Jesus Christ protect you, keep you in good health, and raise you to His Kingdom at an appointed time.

P.S. – Keep on being politically incorrect. You’ll have a lot more mental health, even if the world outside hates you for it.

Alfredo from Puerto Rico on November 28, 2014 at 12:01 pm

The Republican response to Obama has been to do nothing. This will indeed continue when they take over the legislature. It won’t matter. The damage has been done. The Republicans are whimps. Afraid of their own shadow and certainly afraid of the PC Police, of being labeled “raciss”.

Also…don’t worry about Hilary in 2016. There isn’t going to be a 2016, election that is. Free elections are over. We have a president for life, Obama I. Something will happen in the next 2 years on the scale of a 9/11. BOTH PARTIES will agree to suspend the constitution and declare martial law-(for our own good) which will never be lifted. All national elections will be suspended indefinitely.

Sorry, this is how I see it.

Tommy Thomas on November 28, 2014 at 1:12 pm

    The Republicans aren’t scared of their own shadow.
    They’re scared of the of the media shadow.
    In a way you’re right. There’ll be election in 2016, a media election. There’s no freedom when you’re an addict and the media is America’s addiction which is sad because in many ways it’s lost the rush. Just like a true addict.

    So we’ll see.

    japple on November 28, 2014 at 5:10 pm

      an election

      japple on November 28, 2014 at 5:11 pm

Happy (belated) Thanksgiving, everybody!!! And happy Black Friday too!

Infidel on November 28, 2014 at 1:15 pm

Mr. Tommy Thomas isn’t the only one who sees it that way. The Alinsky-ite tactics, the class warfare and distraction politics practiced by the regime are sure to bring about such a scenario. And THAT, is as designed. Anyone who thinks this guy is incompetent hasn’t been paying attention.

There will be no more free elections, only flea erections. And worldwide tyranny.

Alfredo from Puerto Rico on November 28, 2014 at 1:41 pm

Happy thanksgiving Debbie

japple on November 28, 2014 at 5:13 pm

I’m grateful I’m not kid growing up these days.

japple on November 28, 2014 at 5:14 pm

*a* kid, beg your pardon, cheers everybody

japple on November 28, 2014 at 5:15 pm

Commenting in a humorous vein, I remember some time ago (when?) reading SOMEWHERE (but where?) on the computer Internet that in that famous Norman Rockwell painting, “FREEDOM FROM WANT”, it’s extremely unlikely that an elderly lady could hold that obviously heavy platter while standing in that position, nor would she even attempt to do so when her husband is standing right beside her, and there’s younger, stronger, healthier folks gathered about.

John Robert Mallernee on November 28, 2014 at 6:21 pm

That same unknown art critic also pointed out that there was no room on the table to place that platter, with knocking over and spilling some glasses of water, and also scattering other dishes.

John Robert Mallernee on November 28, 2014 at 6:26 pm

    OOPS!

    I goofed.

    It’s supposed to be, “WITHOUT”, instead of, “WITH”.

    John Robert Mallernee on November 28, 2014 at 6:28 pm

      What the heck are you talking about?

      Tommy Thomas on November 28, 2014 at 7:12 pm

        @What the heck are you talking about?
        Tommy Thomas on November 28, 2014 at 7:12 pm

        The Norman Rockwell painting at the beginning of this article TT.
        Ever try to hold a 20lb turkey?

        theShadow on November 30, 2014 at 12:51 am

Yes, in spite of the dreadful developments in the US and in the world, there is much to be thankful for. To have friends and family in our lives can be the greatest blessing of all. And we still have much freedom here in the US.

But, as JRM has made clear in his thoughtful post above, there are significant limitations and restrictions being imposed on our free speech. There is a US Supreme Court case, for example, that has virtually eliminated free speech among government employees whose jobs involve identifying, investigating, auditing, or rooting out waste, fraud, mismanagement, abuse, and violations of law–preventing them from exposing or reporting about them if their superiors want that information silenced. This ruling not only went against the First Amendment but also obviously goes against the public interest. The SCOTUS has, in effect, created an anti-American law. And the US Congress has still not stepped up to the plate to re-write the law to invalidate that ruling.

Americans should also take note that the enemies of the United States, many of which are represented in OPEC have conveyed their own message on Thanksgiving Day–and their selection of this day for their announcement is no coincidence. This Thanksgiving Day, OPEC has declared economic was against the US. Because of developments in the US energy industry, the US now stands in a position to not only be energy independent, but to become a leading exporter of energy as well, and to crush the OPEC empire. OPEC effectively announced that it is fighting back and will pursue a strategy of lowering the price of oil sufficiently to drive many US companies out of business, before they jack prices up again. While this will have great short-term benefits for the American economy by further lowering the gas price at the pump, it will have long-term deleterious consequences unless the US understands what is really going on: we are at economic war with the OPEC nations.

The solution? Cut out ALL military spending that could benefit ANY Arab nation. As Debbie suggests, American lives should not be putat risk and billions upon billions of dollars spent defending any enemies of America for ANY reason whatsoever. ALL resources should be devoted to causes that directly or indirectly benefit America. That means providing subsidies and tax benefits to companies developing oil in America. It means increasing funding of Israel’s defense, because their enemies are OUR enemies. It means cutting off any defense sales to any OPEC nation and any funding to any OPEC nation or any of their subsidiaries.
Hopefully, one day soon, Americans will wise up and demand that their government leaders take actions to advance, support, and strengthen American businesses against American’s enemies. All of these things will ultimately help the US to achieve its goal of energy independence, and, ultimately LASTING lower energy costs.

The barbarians have been knocking at the gates of America for some time now. They have sent the US the ultimate “Thanksgiving Day” message: “Screw you, America.” All that America has to do to marginalize OPEC forever is to act now in its own self-interest and to cease aiding the enemies of the US and civilization. It’s a simple as that.

Final thought for the day. It’s a fact: Muslims rarely win any Nobel Prizes in science, medicine, or economics (i.e., the real Nobel prizes, not the bullshit ones, like the so-called “peace” prize). The last Muslim to win such an award was in 1999 and there was only one other Muslim who won such an award before that one.

And this isn’t because the Nobel Committee hasn’t tried to find another Muslim to give such an award to. The Nobel Committee is very leftist and if they could give such an award to a Muslim without being the laughing stock of the scientific community, they’d gladly do it.

But they can’t because even though Muslims represent more than 26% of the world’s population, Muslims aren’t involved in anything that could potentially benefit humanity. Could this be just a coincidence? Hardly. The followers of Islam have shown again and again that helping humanity is against their very principles and that they are dedicated to the three Ds: death, destruction, and deception.

In contrast, just about every other cultural group has won Nobel Prizes in science, medicine, or economics, including atheists. Notably, Jews and Israelis have won more than 25% of those prizes even though they comprise less than 0.2% of the world’s population. And we should also take note that the Nobel Committee shouldn’t be considered the final arbiter on accomplishments in those pursuits. Anyone who knows about those fields of human endeavor knows that Jews and Israelis are thought leaders and great innovators in them.

Now, is it just a coincidence that, on the whole, the islamic cult–which produces nothing of value to benefit humanity–seeks the destruction of Jews and Israel, which produces things that benefit humanity? No, it’s not. It’s a form of Gresham’s law, as bad money seeks to drive out good.

So my Thanksgiving Day wish is that Americans wise up, recognize the barbarians at the gates, and fight back with everything we’ve got. The survival of civilization may depend upon it.

Ralph Adamo on November 28, 2014 at 7:20 pm

    Mr. Adamo, what is the name of the Supreme Court decision about Government employees that you mentioned?

    Marcus on December 1, 2014 at 9:14 pm

      Marcus, the case is Garcetti v. Ceballos,126 S. Ct. 1951 (2006). You can Google it and get the PDF of the actual ruling. But here’s a link that will give you an idea as to what it’s about and why it has the impact of chilling/silencing free speech in government and academia: http://www.citizen.org/Page.aspx?pid=798

      Ralph Adamo on December 2, 2014 at 1:31 am

Yes, the PC scum believe that hammering a steer in the head is more humane than bleeding them out with the sharpest knife possible wielded by an expert in humane slaughter.

But what can you expect from Liberals.

Occam's Tool on November 29, 2014 at 6:11 pm

I’m very thankful always for my fellow veterans some of whom continue to serve and to those with lifelong physical and mental injuries sustained during their service. Every day should be Veterans Day and we should thank them for their service at every opportunity. G-d bless America and our veterans!

DrBob1961 on November 30, 2014 at 9:01 am

I think it is worth noting though, that your referenced decision does not prevent whistleblowing. Subsequent SC decisions have helped carve out a niche for whistleblowing.

It is true that the Supreme Court is now considering a case that might expand one of the exceptions to whistleblowing, but readers should not have the impression that whistleblowing has become illegal.

It goes without saying that a potential whistleblower should consider the circumstances and consequences very carefully, and consult ahead of time with an attorney who has expertise in this area.

Marcus on December 2, 2014 at 7:50 am

And academia? The only chilling effect on free speech in academia is to severely limit the free speech of conservatives, and of those who support Israel. That existed long before 2006, and is not a result of the Supreme Court decision you referenced.

Marcus on December 2, 2014 at 8:16 am

    Marcus, no, the SCOTUS has not reinterpreted or made any rulings that minimize the damage done by Garcetti v. Ceballos.

    Let me give you an hypothetical example. A government inspector general uncovers evidence that a government unit is purchasing millions of dollars worth of supplies from a vendor at prices substantially above market and then paying kickbacks to certain politicians and others. When the inspector’s superiors learn of the investigation, they tell him to shut it down. They may also provide incentives to the inspector, such as suggesting that a desirable promotion is in store if he complies and/or a reassignment to “Syberia” will happen if he doesn’t, if not an outright firing. The inspector is also informed that if he blows the whistle, there’s no telling what could happen to him and his family, as powerful forces don’t want this thing coming to light. The inspector is also informed that he will have no legal recourse, thanks to the SCOTUS ruling, and that he will never get employment again unless he plays ball.

    Don’t think that this “chills” free speech? Very few people would be willing to go through the hell that this inspector would face without having any legal protection whatsoever.

    Of course, if we change the above facts and instead of an inspector general finding the fraud, a janitor happens to stumble onto it, the janitor would NOT be denied protection under the SCOTUS. That is because the SCOTUS only protects those who blow the whistle when the identifying the fraud isn’t part of their jobs. Of course, what are the odds that a janitor or somebody totally outside the fraud itself would ever find out anything to blow the whistle on the fraud? The odds are next to zero. Justice Stevens wrote a dissent pointing out this very issue and the very absurdity of it as being counter to the public’s interest, but the majority prevailed.

    As for academia, yes, there were many limitations on free speech, but they are worse now than ever before.

    Ralph Adamo on December 2, 2014 at 4:42 pm

Lawson v. FMR, U.S. Supreme Court, No. 12-3

I am speaking here about whistleblowers, not cases with different factual situations.

I wouldn’t spend time responding to your comments except that potential whistleblowers may be reading this, and I do not want them to be misled or deterred from coming forward because of your comments.

Marcus on December 2, 2014 at 4:49 pm

Marcus, Lawson v. FMR LLC, No. 12-3, ONLY affects employees of publicly traded companies under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, often just called SOX. The ruling extends the SOX protections to the employees of a public company’s private contractors and subcontractors. This case has absolutely no bearing whatsoever on government employees or those in academia.

And I should also point out to you that as a practical matter, the publicly traded companies have ways of keeping potential whistleblowers in line, irrespective of the SOX rules. If a major fraud were occurring a publicly traded corporation, and if it originated from the top ranks, all those in the know would already be typically highly compensated–and they wouldn’t want to risk it all. So if any top executives had pangs of guilt, they would probably resign rather than blow the whistle.

The fact is that there is much less whistleblowing going on today–and virtually NONE in the government sector. I wonder why?

Ralph Adamo on December 2, 2014 at 5:39 pm

Mr. Adamo, Google searches confirm the current existence of Government whistleblowers. There is nothing more to be said. Since I don’t know you I won’t speculate about the reason for your persistence in creating incorrect impressions.

Marcus on December 2, 2014 at 6:17 pm

Marcus, there’s no reason to speculate. I have considerable knowledge and expertise in the field. I don’t know what Google searches you’ve done, but you haven’t cited so much as a single important case that would help support your contention. Prior to Garcetti v. Ceballos there were scores and scores of cases involving local city governments up through the federal government. Post-Garcetti v. Ceballos? Nil–proving that the SCOTUS’s program to shut down whistleblowers has worked.

Your ipse dixits don’t cut it. You should at least have to do some detailed detective work and come up with a few good cases along with some quick summaries. And don’t tell me that you can’t be bothered having to do some work and that your ipse dixits are sufficient. Pre-Garcetti v. Ceballos, I could have easily cited to you dozens of cases each year. And don’t tell me that the fraud, waste, and corruption stopped post-Garcetti v. Ceballos. You might fool some people with that nonsense, but certainly not me.

Ralph Adamo on December 2, 2014 at 9:15 pm

Have you ever heard of the VA whistleblowers?

Marcus on December 2, 2014 at 9:51 pm

Congratulations.You found one. And the settlement: reinstatement/promotions. Wow. I’m underwhelmed.

Your piddling example is akin to me arguing that not a single banker responsible for the mortgage frauds that directly led to the massive financial crisis of 2007-2008 went to jail nor was even seriously punished, and you coming up with Fabrice (“Fabulous Fab”) Tourre as an example of how I’m wrong.

Tourre was once a high-flying Goldman Sachs trader. He was ordered to pay more than $825,000 in one of the prominent cases stemming from the mortgage meltdown that helped spark the Great Recession. THIS is who the US government chose to make an example of. A small time player taking orders the big fish.

What a joke. I told you to do some research and you’ve come up with diddly. You’ve wasted enough of my valuable time.

Ralph Adamo on December 2, 2014 at 11:48 pm

There are numerous VA whistleblowers. There are a number of ICE whistleblowers. I have put up with your sarcasm, pedantry and rudeness in order to make the point to potential whistleblowers reading Ms. Schulssel’s website that whistleblowers are alive and well.

As I mentioned though, potential whistleblowers should be extremely careful, and consult ahead of time with an attorney having expertise in this area.

Marcus on December 3, 2014 at 12:56 am

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