Richard Colvin is WRONG ...

He's ALL over the news and media in Canada today.
He has been labelled a "whistle-blower" by the press.
His allegations have been the latest cause celebre in Ottawa.

The Conservative Government in Ottawa is doing EVERYTHING he can to sully his character, question his motives, and refute his allegations about the abuse and torture of detainees in Afghanistan.

The Media has found his source is the Red Cross, his information WAS conveyed to the appropriate members of the chain of command, and there is evidence to suggest that his allegations have validity.

The Government and the Military is suddenly singing a parallel tune - almost NOTE for NOTE ...

And today on CBC Radio's morning programme The Current guest host Susan Ormiston gathered three former Canadian Diplomats to speak on the topic of Diplomats who have had their careers ruined for standing in the role of 'whistle blower' and identifying corruption, and problems in the service of the Government.

As I listened, I couldn't help but laugh at the futility of trying to change a bureacracy like the Government ... today we see what happens when a lone voice dares to stand up and say - "there's a problem" ... instead of responding in a way that is open and willing to investigate the problem and seek a just and lasting solution, the Government, like ANY good bureacratic institution, rallies to villify the lone voice ... Instead of opening up the conversation and hearing the voices, they instead say - "he had his opportunity," "there was no undue pressure to be silent" and other nonsensical statements that ring hollow to ANYONE who has had ANY experience in a bureacracy that is under threat.

The JOB in a bureacracy is to "DO YOUR JOB" ...

It ALL sounds remarkably familiar ... when confronted with a toxic, politically charged bureacratic chain of command the status quo - the proverbial party line MUST BE MAINTAINED. The image of "everything is fine" must be supported. The notion that there are problems are anathema ...

It's ALL about secrecy and censorship ... it's ALL about denying the reality of the situation and painting a pretty picture in warm pink fuzzy terms that villifies those who will NOT tow the party line, and who dare to speak out - even if it is an appropriate, and democratically sanctioned setting ...

Mr. Colvin is simply wrong ... he spoke of things that are best hidden away, and NOW the Foreign Affairs department will slowly push him out of the civil service, and end his career. The villification that we've heard from Minister MacKay, Prime Minister Harper, Senator Wallen, and others will slowly continue and expand, and his career will be OVER.

No one likes a whistle blower ... no one like to have the harsh light of reality shone into the dark hidden corners where toxins, corruption, petty politicking, and bullshit lingers in a bureacracy ... listening to the three career diplomats I heard echoes of voices I've heard over the years within the Church ... every bureacracy is ultimately the same - it will protect itself no matter what, and any one who discovers cracks in the foundation, or imperfections in the paint, or concerns in the construction - WILL BE DEALT WITH swiftly and harshly ... the only difference between the Government and the Church is we expect these things from the Government, while the Church purports to be a place of JUSTICE and FAIRNESS.

Richard Colvin is wrong ... he should have "grown up", "moved on," "let it go," "stay silent," and all the other phrases those anonymous voices in the Church keep lofting at me ... no one likes to hear the truth, especially those insecure frightened people cowering in bureacracies ... they will stop at NOTHING to silence the voices that dare to utter a truth that is uncomfortable to hear ...

From where I sit ... Colvin is a hero ... he is standing up for the work our troops are doing on the ground in Afghanistan, and wanting the values of freedom, justice and democracy (and ALL the other things we've wrapped in the flag) to be maintained ... otherwise, why are we in Afghanistan any way??

... the story continues ...