50 years ago today my father @DanielEllsberg began taking volumes of the Top Secret history of the Vietnam War (the Pentagon Papers) from his safe at the RAND Corporation to photocopy on a friend’s xerox machine.

Oct 1, 2019 · 11:44 PM UTC

18
93
16
333
He acted in the hope that revealing this history of lies might help end the war. He was particularly inspired by his reading of Gandhi about the power of Truth. He described his motivations for me, and shared the books he had been reading by Gandhi, Thoreau, M.L. King.
1
22
63
Later that week, at the Brentwood Country Mart, he asked me if I would help. Not that he needed my help (I was 13)—but he wanted me to see that there were times when one might be called to pay a price for the cause of peace. And this might be his legacy for me and my sister.
1
18
68
Two years later the Papers appeared in the press. He was arrested and faced a possible 115 years in prison. To a reporter who asked if he wasn’t afraid of going to prison, he said, “Wouldn’t you go to prison if it would help end this war?”
2
25
1
102
What did I learn? My father’s witness was inspired by others—especially young draft resisters. I learned the power of moral witness. It inspired me to spend my life telling the stories of saints, prophets, and witnesses. I learned that one lamp lights another.
6
32
1
153
Load newest
Replying to @RobertEllsberg @DanielEllsberg
Blessing on you both!
5
Replying to @RobertEllsberg @DanielEllsberg
The magic number one whistleblower.
6
Replying to @RobertEllsberg @DanielEllsberg
What an extraordinary act that was. Thank you, Daniel Ellsberg!
3
Replying to @RobertEllsberg @DanielEllsberg
He’s the starfish that was saved in the story, the man walking the beach trying to save the starfish that had washed ashore. As another man asked why are you throwing them back into the ocean, you can’t save everyone.,no but I saved that one. One person can change the world.
1
3
Replying to @RobertEllsberg @DanielEllsberg
I remember. My Father was stationed at the Pentagon at the time.
2
Replying to @RobertEllsberg @DanielEllsberg
I wish he could have been one of the norm not an exception not only then but now
1
2
Replying to @RobertEllsberg @DanielEllsberg
Brave dad❤️
1
Replying to @RobertEllsberg @DanielEllsberg
In my ephemera collection I have a wonderful PEN program signed by Lena Dunham, Norman Lear, and your father. He gave a great speech that night.
1
1
Replying to @RobertEllsberg @DanielEllsberg
I well remember your father's bravery and passion, and I am eternally grateful to your father.
1