Carol...re: "Would you use this argument to refer to anyone who tried to bring attention to what the US government was doing with regard to Iran Contra before the media started reporting it and it was proven?"

No...why do you ask? Entirely different situation.

Remember, extraordinary claims and accusations require extraordinary proof. You (and others) are arguing for the relevance of these suppositions, and drawing lines between obvious truths and pure speculation that boggle the mind.

I can see where the government did certain stupid things, and even see other things that verge on impeachable offenses, but I refuse to assume that this shows I ought to believe that almost ANY accusation about them is probably true.