TT #19 | 13 Public Servants for Whom I'm Thankful

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Many federal-level public servants (past and present) have done at least one thing that benefited the public. This being a time to give thanks, I thought I'd list 13 of those public servants -- in NO particular order, as they all made contributions.

1.   William Brennan (1906-1997): former U.S. Supreme Court Justice, appointed by Ike  Eisenhower (R) in 1956.  Brennan repeatedly fought to protect middle- and working-class Americans.

2.   Louis Brandeis (1856-1941): former U.S. Supreme Court Justice, appointed by Woodrow Wilson (D) in 1916.  Brandeis fought for Americans' right of privacy.

3.   Carol Lam: former U.S. Attorney, Southern California.  Lam successfully prosecuted Rep. Duke Cunningham (R-CA) for taking bribes.  From that case, stemmed two others: one involving ex-CIA official Dusty Foggo and contractor Brent Wilkes. (Fired U.S. Attorney scandal overview)

4.   James Comey: former U.S. Deputy Attorney General. In 2004, he stood his ground when White House staff descended upon former AG John Ashcroft's hospital room, seeking to pressure the ailing Ashcroft to approve a likely illegal warrantless-wiretapping program.  In 2007, comey testified about this before Congress, giving the public a glimpse at what went on behind the scenes. 

5.   Archibald Cox (1912-2004): the first special prosecutor to investigate the Watergate scandals.  Cox learned about the Watergate tapes and fought like a pit bull to get them -- though he knew  President Nixon would fire him over the efforts. (Watergate overview.)

6.   Lawrence Walsh: the independent counsel appointed to investigate the Iran-Contra scandals.  He secured numerous indictments and convictions, though President George H.W. Bush pardoned some of the bigger players in 1992. (Walsh's  final report and BN-Politics' overview.)

7.   David Walker:  U.S. Comptroller General, who heads the Government Accountability Office.  The GAO is Congress's investigative arm -- likely our most non-partisan government entity, as it serves both parties in Congress. (GAO bio)

8. Arthur Levitt: former chairman, U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. Levitt fought to protect ordinary investors from Enron-type scams by pushing for better rules and laws.  If Congress had followed his advice, billions in investor losses might have been prevented. (SEC  bio and Levitt's book, Take on the Street...).

9. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-ID): crusader for FDA reform. Grassley has done incredible work exposing fraud and flaws re: drug companies and the FDA. (see examples)

10.  Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA): chairman, U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.  Even before becoming chairman, Waxman spent years investigating waste, fraud and abuse on the part of government employees and contractors. (Waxman's Web page and BN-Politics' govt. contractor section)

11.   Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT). As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, he pushed the investigation into Justice Department politicization and pushed for less secrecy on the part of the Executive Branch.

12.   Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA).  As the Senate Judiciary Committee's ranking member, he helped Leahy investigate the Justice Department's politicization and scrutinized Justice officials' testimony -- though he knew his actions would anger fellow Republicans.

13.  Rep. John Conyers (D-MI): chair, House Judiciary Committee.  Like Senators Leahy and Specter, Conyers led his committee's probe into Justice Department politicization.

Recent BN-Politics Posts:

 * Questionable Attack on Krugman re: Social Security
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* Man Tasered to Death in Vancouver Airport

* Administration ZigZags on War

* Another Climate Change Wakeup Call

* Ex-U.S. Attorney Builds Case Against Ex-Attorney General

* FEMA: Poor Management or Corruption?

* FBI Forensics Tests were Faulty, Prosecutors Misled Juries: Are Innocent People in Prison?

Thanks to our Commenters:

1. Nap Warden
2. The Abundance Place
3. Tinkerbell
4. The Happy Wonderer
5. The Pink Flaming
6. One Gal's Musings
7. Single Parents Unite
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9. No Nonsense Girl
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24. Convergence of Worlds
25. I am the Diva
26. Nichtszusagen
27. Inside My Wild Mind
28. Raven's Roads
29. Random Ramblings
30. YummY!  Down on This
31. Christine d'Abo
32. Chicken-Scratch.ca
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34. Soulful Thoughts of Rachel
35. Samantha & Tigger
36. Quiet-Mom.com
37. Tales of Life with a Girl on the Go
38. Ed's Thread
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40. Madame Rubies
41. Collecting My Thoughts
42. Joystory
43. Andi & Stien
44. Alasandra
45. Homelife
46. Writing in Faith
47. Scribbit
48. D3

Comments

[Nap Warden]

As a trader for the last 12 years on the floor of the stock exchange, I am not sure that I am a fan of Mr. Levitt...That is quite an extensive list anyway. Have a happy Thanksgiving!

[Holly]

I can see I don't follow politics - most of these people I do not know. Not all, but most.

Happy TT-13 and Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Smiles,
Holly
http://theabundanceplace.com

[Tink]

I don't know any one of them, but I am excused by living far away! ;-)
I have a random TT this week.

[ellen b]

It's good be be thankful and I admire the fact that you know enough to choose 13 public servants you are thankful for and why. Puts me to shame...
Happy TT and Thanksgiving to you...

[SJ Reidhead]

I like your list. How often do we think about things like this?

The Pink Flamingo

[The Gal Herself]

I'm so with you on 5, 11, and 12. Especially 5 and 12. It's not easy to buck the tide, and these men did.

[Lori]

I dont know any of those people but I I know nothing about politics...I read it anyway:) Happy TT.

[Susan Helene Gottfried]

Good choices. I've got a few issues with Specter (malpractice anyone??), but he's been a great advocate. Except for that malpractice thing...

Happy TT!

[No nonsense girl]

Wow, I like this topic...what a great one appropriate for thanksgiving !!!

Happy thanksgiving!!! :)

[Janet]

Fantastic idea for Thanksgiving, well done :-)

[cajunvegan]

Not something I think about often enough ... too busy trying to be sarcastic ... this week's edition is for shits and giggles ... no deep thoughts ... just fun

[Robin from Israel]

It's so refreshing to think about the ones who've done something RIGHT for a change...

Excellent choice for the day.

[Diana]

Interesting. Thanks for the encouraging comment on my Thursday 13!

[zenmomma]

I recognize lots of these names but it's probably from watching The Daily Show I'm afraid. About Archibald Cox, a bumper sticker I remember from the Watergate era "Impeach the Cox-sacker."

[Denise Patrick]

Very interesting list. I can think of a few more that I might add to it - but I like who you have.

Thanks for visiting my TT!

[Mom Not Mum]

I don't know much about politics and politicians so it's always a learning experience coming over here. Great list.

[Babyamore (Trish)]

I know nothing about these men (living in Aust) but from the short description they sound very worthy.

[Joely]

I must admit to not really knowing any of these names except in passing. *hangs head in shame* Happy Thanksgiving!

[Adelle Laudan]

Being a Canadian, I don't recognize most of these. Kewl of you to acknowledge them!
Happy Turkey Day!

[TeaMouse]

I don't know any of those people, but I think it's great that you are thankful for what they have done. There are so many negative people and it's refreshing to see positive thoughts, especially public servants - they don't usually get that kind of attention.

[Joanne]

My knowledge of history is so bad. I've never heard of half these people! Great idea for a list. Very informative for me. Happy 13 & Thanksgiving. Thanks for stopping by.

[Leslie Dicken]

Hanging my head here, as well. I do not know these names...but I also do not follow politics as closely as I should. I'm glad there are people like you who DO pay attention to these very important issues! Thanks for stopping by my T13!

[Mommychicky]

Very interesting list, but so many men. How about a list of women public servants?

[morgan]

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy TT! Great list!

[iamthediva]

well, the names don't mean much (i'm canadian) but what they fought for does. Happy Thanksgiving, and TT.