Rodent Regatta

ARE THESE SIMILAR SITUATIONS?

Read this story about the Air Force Colonel who got suspended for criticizing his boss. Then, read one of the best DaveNet emails I’ve seen. Are there similarities here? Do things change when we’re talking about our nation vs. our employer?
What was the original historical context of ”freedom of speech”? Can an employee openly criticize his or her employer? Can an employee openly criticize his or her boss?
We live in a time when some are becoming more strident in their criticism of governments, some consider it patriotic to ”go along,” and others won’t say or write what they really think for fear of the government’s newly-exercised powers of investigation.
Whether a government, business or church are there any limits on criticism? Do insiders to one of these have greater or lesser responsibilities than reporters, journalists or outsiders? When is one a whistle-blower and when is one merely a concerned party?
The DaveNet is relevant to nearly all of our current national news stories – Catholic priests out of control, accounting scandals, government intelligence gathering and analysis and the prosecution of a war. Who is ”allowed” to speak out and how forcefully? Who should speak out?
Great stuff, ”Dave”, and thought-provoking!