Fired air marshal loses battle in job fight

[alp227]

Source: CNN

Washington (CNN) -- A federal air marshal fired after revealing the government was cutting back air marshal coverage at a time of heightened hijacking concern has lost a major battle in his fight to reclaim his job.

A federal panel, upholding a decision by an administrative judge, said this week it has ruled the Transportation Security Administration's decision to fire Robert MacLean was legal and "did not exceed the bounds of reasonableness."

The Merit System Protection Board said it accepted MacLean's statements he was motivated by a desire to protect the flying public, but said his leak "could have created a significant security risk." Further, it said, MacLean cannot claim whistle-blower protections because his disclosure "was specifically prohibited by law."

MacLean said he will appeal the decision.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/08/05/air.marshal.fired/index.html

[Javaman]

1. just another example that they whole "terrorist security" is nothing but a charade. nt

[SoapBox]

2. Such bullshit...

"..."did not exceed the bounds of reasonableness."

Laughable.

The system is SO full of holes and most of it is a side show act.

Remember the pilot that did the vid of the ground/ramp workers, simply entering and exiting a door in to secure areas?

[PavePusher]

3. "could have created a significant security risk."?!?!?!

Wow.

@the MSP Board: I'd say that "cutting back air marshal coverage at a time of heightened hijacking concern" created an actual fucking security risk, you ignorant, arrogant, fucktard shits.

Jesus Christ on a fucking rubber pogo stick....

[Metta]

4. Sounds like b.s. and war on whistleblowers, again.

Such bad karma.

[saras]

5. Complete system failure

Firing a whistleblower is, prima facie, unreasonable. It would take an extraordinary situation for this not to be the case.

The entire PURPOSE of whistleblower laws is to protect whistleblowers WHEN they break the law in a minor way reporting a larger criminal action.

Given current law regarding "intellectual property" and "national security", it will virtually always be against some aspect of the law to report anything about the internal workings of a corporation that they don't want reported.

[No Elephants]

6. Most transparent administration ever, also hardest on whistleblowers ever.