The Washington Times updates us on the latest with former colleague Russ Tice:

Russ Tice, a whistleblower who was dismissed from the NSA last year, stated in letters to the House and Senate intelligence committees that he is prepared to testify about highly classified Special Access Programs, or SAPs, that were improperly carried out by both the NSA and the DIA.
“I intend to report to Congress probable unlawful and unconstitutional acts conducted while I was an intelligence officer with the National Security Agency and with the Defense Intelligence Agency,” Mr. Tice stated in the Dec. 16 letters, copies of which were obtained by The Washington Times.

Having worked down the hall from Russ for several years I’m disinclined to comment further specifically on his situation.

What really disturbs me, from a broader perspective, is the fact that guys like Russ, Sibel Edmonds, etc., who by many accounts were trying to do the right thing as they saw it, are forced to resort to hanging with the likes of the VIPS. Granted, when pushed up against a wall you’ll do what you have to do, but it seems to me that one ought to be able to turn to neutral concerned party to square these kinds of things away.

What am I saying? This is DC we’re talking about here. Alas . . .

About the Author

Michael Tanji

Michael Tanji spent nearly 20 years in the US intelligence community. Trained in both SIGINT and HUMINT disciplines he has worked at the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and the National Reconnaissance Office. At various points in his career he served as an expert in information warfare, computer network operations, computer forensics, and indications and warning. A veteran of the US Army, Michael has served in both strategic and tactical assignments in the Pacific Theater, the Balkans, and the Middle East.