This is a letter from Rep. Alan Grayson containing information on a blogger/journalist who has been reporting on the NSA spying activities:

For several months, journalist Glenn Greenwald has reeled off one blockbuster article after another concerning the National Security Agency’s pervasive domestic and international electronic spying programs. For instance, Greenwald broke the story that the NSA receives a report on every single telephone call that anyone makes in America. This has incited the spying industrial complex and its allies to launch vicious attacks against Greenwald. For instance in June, on Fox News, Rep. Peter King (R-NY) called for Greenwald’s criminal prosecution. Luckily for Greenwald, although he is an American citizen, he lives in Brazil, and the newspaper that circulated his reports is based in England.

Congressman Alan Grayson, wanting to learn more about the scope of domestic spying, has invited Greenwald to provide a briefing to Congress in Washington, D.C. Given the threats to prosecute him, Greenwald has been reluctant to do so in person. So one month ago, Congressman Grayson sent a letter to Attorney General Holder, asking whether the AG would prosecute Greenwald if Greenwald came to D.C. to testify. Yesterday, we learned the answer. First, we’ll show you Congessman Grayson’s letter, and then we’ll share the AG’s response:
October 10, 2013
Attorney General Eric Holder
United States Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20530-0001

Dear Attorney General Holder:

My office has been in contact with Glenn Greenwald, a journalist for The Guardian, who has reported on previously undisclosed data-collection methods and privacy breaches by the National Security Agency. His reports have been based on information that he received from whistleblowers in his capacity as a journalist, not from personal knowledge. I asked Mr. Greenwald to meet in Washington, D.C. with me and my staff as part of my official duties. He is reluctant to do so, because he fears detention, and potentially prosecution, by the Department of Justice or other U.S. authorities.

Mr. Greenwald, a United States citizen currently living in Brazil, has been publicly attacked by Members of Congress such as Representative Peter King, who on multiple occasions has called for his arrest merely because of his reporting as a journalist on the NSA. The Chairs of the Senate and House Intelligence Committees, Senator Dianne Feinstein and Representative Mike Rogers, have appeared to echo this threat, as have prominent foreign-policy commentators such as Alan Dershowitz and Marc Thiessen.

Moreover, activists and persons connected with this summer’s revelations about our country’s surveillance programs have already experienced government encounters that smack of intimidation. Mr. Greenwald’s partner, David Miranda, was detained for nine hours at London Heathrow Airport in August by U.K. law enforcement officials invoking the United Kingdom’s Terrorism Act. Baraa Shiban, a Yemeni anti-drone activist, was similarly detained at London Gatwick on September 24th and repeatedly questioned about his political work and opinions. Our own government, as detailed in documents reported by Mr. Greenwald, portrays political opposition to drone attacks and similar activism as part of “propaganda campaigns” by America’s “adversaries.” Therefore, Mr. Greenwald is concerned about similar difficulties should he return here.

I regard this as regrettable, because: (1) the commission of journalism is not a crime; (2) on the contrary, it is protected explicitly under the First Amendment; and (3) Mr. Greenwald’s reports regarding these subjects have, in fact, informed me, other Members of Congress, and the general public of serious, pervasive violations of law and constitutional rights committed by agents of the government. Bearing in mind that Mr. Greenwald is a citizen of the United States, please let me know: (1) whether the Department of Justice intends to bring charges against Mr. Greenwald, and (2) should Mr. Greenwald seek to enter the United States, whether the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, or any other office of the federal government intends to detain, question, arrest, or prosecute Mr. Greenwald, or to monitor or interfere in any way with his entry into or movement within the United States.

Sincerely,

Alan Grayson
Member of Congress

Congressman Grayson’s letter prompted the Washington Post to ask AG Holder these questions. Yesterday, the Washington Post reported on the answers:

[Attorney General] Holder indicated that the Justice Department is not planning to prosecute former Guardian reporter Glenn Greenwald, one of the journalists who received documents from Snowden and has written a series of articles based on the leaked material. Greenwald, an American citizen who lives in Brazil, has said he is reluctant to come to the United States because he fears detention and possible prosecution.

“Unless information that has not come to my attention is presented to me, what I have indicated in my testimony before Congress is that any journalist who’s engaged in true journalistic activities is not going to be prosecuted by this Justice Department,” Holder said.

“I certainly don’t agree with what Greenwald has done,” Holder said. “In some ways, he blurs the line between advocate and journalist. But on the basis of what I know now, I’m not sure there is a basis for prosecution of Greenwald.”

So there you have it – thanks in part to Congressman Grayson’s inquiry, we know what is on AG Eric Holder’s mind if journalist Glenn Greenwald comes to the United States to inform Congress about domestic spying. Congressman Grayson’s view on this is simple: investigative journalism is not a crime.

The postscript for this episode is Greenwald’s response to Holder’s statement, also from the Washington Post report:

Greenwald said he welcomed the statement but remains cautious. “That this question is even on people’s minds is a rather grim reflection of the Obama administration’s record on press freedoms,” he said in an e-mail. “It is a positive step that the Attorney General expressly recognizes that journalism is not and should not be a crime in the United States, but given this administration’s poor record on press freedoms, I’ll consult with my counsel on whether one can or should rely on such caveat-riddled oral assertions about the government’s intentions.”

One way or another, Congressman Grayson will continue to seek Greenwald’s testimony regarding the scope of domestic spying, so that Congress and the American People can hear the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

By Marianne Lincoln
Story out recently: OSHA Weaknesses Force Workers to Choose: Report Safety Violations, or Keep Their Jobs?
http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/15809/osha_weaknesses_force_workers_to_choose_report_safety_violations_or_keep_th/
The mission of the “pro-business” lobby is to save companies money by not having to “fix” the details that make workers safer. We need legislators and Congress people who will take heed to make this work. Unfortunately in this Tea party world of stripping the government of its money and powers, it won’t happen.
When I was a kid in the 1960’s, there was a growing tendency to use the taunt… “tattletale.” Even then, I was concerned that this would be a problem with my generation. Exacerbated by the ‘60’s drug generation, where there is a definite code of silence, it is now too pervasive that people should shut up and put up with it. This is not good because it leads to great opportunities to abuse people.
Where are truth, integrity and dignity? It would seem most businesses would rather run advertisements to persuade you rather than stand up and be counted by their fairness and integrity.
This is precisely why we need the whistleblowers and the protections in the law both Constitutionally and in other code.
Most people who know me understand that if I see a problem, I take up the issue. Very often, when pointed out, things get fixed. Occasionally, pointing out a problem will make your removal the “fix.” On these occasions the world needs the brave souls called investigative reporters. Many newspapers these days are so beholden to their advertisers, they won’t step out a cover the story in depth either. The large newspaper syndicates often put a grid lock on getting to the core of the problem, or they ignore the elephant in the room.
On rare occasions the brave soul emerges and does the right thing in spite of the risk because he/she believes in the greater good. They take a lot of heat, risk and bad press. Some have been forced to leave their communities. Some are even forced to leave their country. The measure of their worth is the value of the information they brought to light.
Mandela spent 27 years in prison for standing up for what he thought was right. When he finally was release, what he started had finally taken place and he has humbly glowed in that light.
The ultimate test of a soul is being in one of these situations. What would you do?

I remember sitting in a school board study session. The superintendent received a phone call during the meeting. It was security. A Graham Kapowsin student had committed suicide. Bullying was immediately suspected. Later as more details came out, it was alleged the student also was gay.
I had run for legislative office several times and had always hedged on the issues related to civil rights for LGBT people. My district was conservative, the issue wouldn’t pass a litmus test here. I changed that day. At the next board meeting, I spoke out in support of LGBT students and faculty and proposed the district get educational packets from an organization called GLSEN, Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network. Their materials help educators create an environment where student of all sexual identities can feel comfortable and respected. And to make a point, I said point blank, I don’t want to have any more dead teenagers.
At that time, I started really listening to the things my LGBT friends were telling me about the discriminations built into the law. The right of visitation with a critically ill partner, the right to adopt, the right to inherit without taxation, the right to apply for citizenship when married to a US citizen, but most of all, the right to be in a loving monogamous relationship without bitter repercussions.
I had been working in King County for over 5 years. Several of my co-workers were gay. They were incredibly amazing and talented people. One was Canadian and had married his partner in Canada. They adopted two disabled children to raise. Another was almost as flamboyant as he could be, but he was sure fun to be around. He always put everyone in a better mood.
Thinking back to my youth, I remember kids that didn’t quite fit in. Michael recently had the opportunity to marry in a church. He was always very committed to his Christian Faith; he was bullied about it as a kid. I believe he was heartbroken or at least very conflicted when he grew up and realized he was gay. He had always wanted to be a pastor and his realization dashed his dream. He had a long term committed relationship with his partner. The passage of Referendum 74 brought his dreams back. It was a delightful wedding to witness.
Then there was Richard and Tom. We were in school plays together. I don’t think either lived to be 30. They contracted HIV and died of AIDS. Our drama group reassembled and held a party to say goodbye to Richard. Some were afraid to give him a hug. I’m glad I hugged him; he was always so sweet.
So of course, I am happy today that the Supreme Court has given Federal recognition to the LGBT couples who have married in states that recognize their union. Banking, social security benefits, military survivor benefits, there are so many special recognitions for married couples they will now enjoy. For the other states, it is highly understandable that for many it will take a bit more time. It is painfully sad that you can search the Internet and see so many stories on “gay boy tied up and beaten.” I cannot fathom what it is inside people to make them think this is okay. Then again, it wasn’t okay because of skin color or religion either. Can we grow out of our barbarism? I think we can, at least through generations raised with better awareness and understanding.
I think the Supreme Court for recognizing the states that are stepping up. I urge the folks who are delighted about this, not to reverse discriminate against those on the court who were raised under unprogressive ideals. They exist all around America and the world. We have to show them we have a better way, even toward them. In the end, what we are really talking about is kindness to others, even those with whom we disagree. It isn’t always easy, but it is always best.
This weekend there will be especially happy Pride parades, …make us proud.