Three weeks ago, I wrote an article entitled "YouTube, Homeland Security, and New Media" which highlighted that people can generate their own stories, post them on a video sharing site, and by-pass traditional media. In the case of the story of Michael De Kort, the 41-year-old former engineer for Lockheed Martin, whose claims were ignored by the media.

Well, now the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general has confirmed some of the allegations of mismanagement at the U.S. Coast Guard. In his report, Skinner charges that the contractors control much of the decision-making process and the Coast Guard is often "forced to accept plans and equipment because it cannot review contract documents before the contractor moves ahead with its plans." A report on De Kort's concerns about the program's physical shortfalls will likely be released by the end of the month.

It is interesting to see that whistleblowers can become empowered in this new era of Consumer Generated Media.