Chris Appy

In this discussion with Chris Appy, a history professor and director of the Ellsberg Initiative for Peace and Democracy, the focus is on the 1969 draft lottery and its impact on public trust. Appy explores how the televised nature of the Vietnam War revealed darker truths about government narratives, leading to erosion of faith in leadership. He details pivotal moments like the Tet Offensive and the My Lai Massacre, illustrating their role in fueling dissent. The episode dives into personal stories and the emotional toll this era took on both individuals and society as a whole.

Kathleen McClella, Deputy Director at WHISPeR, Danielle Brian, Executive Director of the Project on Government Oversight, and Chris Appy, a Professor of History, discuss the precarious world of whistleblowing. They dive into famous cases like Edward Snowden and Chelsea Manning, exploring the motivations and repercussions of revealing government secrets. The conversation highlights the challenges whistleblowers face in navigating legal protections and the moral dilemmas in their choices. The transformative legacy of figures like Daniel Ellsberg is also examined in relation to today's whistleblowers.