05A1-08 - Compare the concepts of virtue that are described in the text and explain how it has evolved over time. Analyze the meaningfulness of virtue ethics for today's public administrators. Provide examples to illustrate your points

Whistle Blowing: Public Benefits and Personal Risks Introduction There are occasions when ethical violations in an organization are so severe that an employee might feel compelled to report these violations to outside authorities who have the power to take corrective action.

This is known as whistle blowing. While whistleblowers do much public good, inside an organization, whistleblowers are frequently viewed with hostility and are often subjected to discrimination, persecution and retribution. Increasingly there are laws that are designed to protect whistleblowers, but whistle blowing is still a risky proposition and not something that is entered into lightly. Below you will see a list of famous whistleblowers. See if you can match the names to the activities they exposed.

Daniel Ellsberg Former military analyst who released the Pentagon Papers, which documented the government’s assumptions and decision making surrounding the Vietnam War, to the New York Times and later to other newspapers. These were highly classified documents and Ellsberg personally risked going to prison for his actions. He became the target of Nixon administration payback efforts. His case did go to trial, but a mistrial was declared due to government misconduct in evidence gathering. His action is credited with causing an erosion in support for the war.

Lois Jenson In 1988, filed the first class-action sexual harassment lawsuit in the United States against the Eveleth Taconite Co. in Minnesota, and forever changed the way Americans live and work. A judge found the company liable. In the trial for damages, the judge in the case allowed the mining company access to the complete lifetime medical records of all the women who were party to the suit and, in a written decision, called the women “histronic” and publically released details of the women’s private lives. They were awarded damages of $10,000 apiece. The decision was overturned and a second trial was ordered. After a 14-year effort, the case was finally settled out of court.

Coleen Rowley Chief counsel in the FBI’s Minnesota field office, exposed how FBI headquarters’ inefficiencies and archaic procedures thwarted the investigation of Zacarias Moussaoui, the alleged 20th hijacker in the 9/11 plot.

She was invited to testify before Congress. Her memo lead to the reorganization of the FBI.

W. Mark Felt Also known as “Deep Throat,” he was the associate director of the FBI. Felt provided Washington Post reporters vital leads on the Watergate scandal that eventually resulted in the resignation of President of the United States, Richard Nixon.

Jeffrey Wigand Was the head of research and development for Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp. (B&W), the country's third-largest tobacco company. In a 1996 60 Minutes interview he related how the company misled consumers about the highly addictive nature of nicotine. Amid the ensuing lawsuits, he became the target of a smear campaign issued by the company, required bodyguards to protect himself, and lost his family (through divorce) and his reputation.

Bunnatine Greenhouse Opposed and exposed the approval of a multimillion dollar no bid contract to a Halliburton subsidiary in Iraq. In testimony before congress she also testified to other waste and fraud perpetrated by Halliburton.

She has since been removed from her position as the highest ranking civilian contracting official in the Army Corp of Engineers.

Karen Silkwood In 1974, she was a blue-collar worker and union activist who raised concerns about plutonium plant safety. On her way to meet a New York Times reporter to discuss documentation she claimed to now have in support of her accusations, she was killed in a one car collision. While it was never proven that foul play was involved, speculation continues.

Joseph Darby Provided the compact disc of photographs and an anonymous note that exposed the torture and prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. He initially wanted to remain anonymous but was named in a Senate hearing. While his actions were lauded by some, (he received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in 2005), in his hometown he was shunned, had property vandalized and now lives with his wife in protective military custody.