Despite this staggering mess, there are no noble outcomes for those who have blown the whistle, according to a review of such cases by The Associated Press.

"If you do it, you will be destroyed," said William Weaver, professor of political science at the University of Texas-El Paso and senior advisor to the National Security Whistleblowers Coalition.

Tell the truth, try to make things actually work, and kiss your ass goodbye. When everything that has gone on for the past few years finally comes out, people are going to look back at Joe McCarthy and Richard Nixon, compare W to them, and ol' tailgunner Joe and Tricky Dick are going to look like paragons of virtue and rectitude.