THE FACTS of the Ukraine scandal are clear and damning, so it is not surprising that President Trump and his minions search desperately for scapegoats and distraction. In many instances, they just look foolish. But one particular obsession — to name and attack “the whistleblower” — is a grave threat to the integrity of the government.

Despite warnings that disclosing the whistleblower’s identity might expose him or her to harm, right-wing media outlets such as Breitbart have printed the name of a federal employee who may be the whistleblower. Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee have threatened to call the whistleblower as a witness in the panel’s impeachment inquiry. The president even retweeted an article with the printed name. Mr. Trump insists he must be allowed to “meet my accuser,” as in a criminal trial. But the whistleblower is more like a confidential informant who tips off the authorities before an arrest or a trial. Every substantive allegation in the whistleblower’s account has been confirmed, on the record, by witnesses whose identities are known to Mr. Trump and the world. The president’s lawyers will have the opportunity to challenge the evidence if and when he is tried in the Senate.

Given how he has slandered other witnesses, there is little doubt what Mr. Trump really wants: a target. Conservative outlets have already attempted to link the alleged whistleblower to their long-running conspiracy theories about the Obama administration and the “deep state.” Obnoxious radio provocateur Rush Limbaugh has mocked the supposed whistleblower’s appearance. For his part, Mr. Trump has resorted to attacking the whistleblower’s lawyer, Mark S. Zaid, on the basis of tweets the lawyer wrote in 2017. The president would no doubt like to expose the whistleblower so the conversation can turn to old tweets and conspiracy allegations rather than the facts.

John Gregory Presco, DOB 10/8/1946

This man’s name is John Gregory Presco, DOB 10/8/1946. He lives in Springfield, Oregon.

He frequents Eugene, especially the Whiteaker neighborhood, and regularly shows up at activist events. He is a stalker, a harasser, and an obsessed delusional sicko. He targeted a friend of mine and has been writing about her obsessively, and when I confronted him about his behavior, he decided to target me as well.

If you need a concrete example of his behavior and why I am posting this, his delusional writings can be found at https://rosamondpress.wordpress.com

If you see him in your neighborhood, on the street, or anywhere, call him out. Expose him. Make it known that you will not accept and tolerate someone who harasses and obsesses over young women in our community. This man is a very sick individual. Anyone who deliberately makes women feel unsafe should not be tolerated in this or any community.

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