Posted on 06/07/2009 7:24:24 PM PDT by bmweezer
At a family picnic tonight, I heard a story so unsettling and unreal, that I thought it was a joke until confirmed otherwise.
A number of weeks ago, my uncle through marriage took it upon himself in a public place (a local convenience store) to criticize the policies of Barack Obama which was heard by a few patrons.
A little background on my relation: he is a burly man with a creative tongue who, when speaking makes clear his opinions to everyone around him, but does so more to steam and vent than to do 'anything' about it. On this particular day in this particular store, Uncle Ted explained to his friend who was with him, as they stood in line to buy a weekday lunch, that he disliked the new president and the socialist policies that he was pushing in Washington. Further, my uncle indicated that he didn't care if our president was black, yellow or purple, but Obama's policies convinced him that the president was nothing more than a stupid you-know-what (starting in "n".)
Weeks later, my uncle arrived at his job early in the morning like he always does, and was called into his boss's office and berated because of his off-comment. Apparently someone in the store had heard Uncle Ted's rant, took his license number and thanks to a ID badge that was on my uncle's person, wrote a note to my uncle's company detailing what supposedly happened that day.
More background: my Uncle works for a private company, is a member of a Union, in an industry that is heavily regulated but not one that is receiving funding or loans from the federal government.
When my Uncle was approached about this letter, he was not told whom wrote the letter nor was he given a chance to explain what he said, nor was his given the opportunity to refute one or more of the charges presented. Rather, management indicated that it was "on good authority" that the words mentioned were real and were a bad reflection for one of their employees. Further, my uncle was put on two weeks unpaid leave and immediately placed on two-year's probation for something he said off the clock in a public place. In the end, if it weren't for his Union ties, my uncle believed that he would have likely been fired altogether. Upon exiting the meeting, Ted was given a copy of the letter for his files, which he received with the name of the accuser blacked out.
The letter stated specifically what my Uncle had said, but was then peppered with inaccuracies, including the author's opinion that my uncle had threatened the president's life and the policies that the president was supporting.
Unfortunately, this story took one final turn when the secret service arrived at Uncle Ted's home, where the plain-clothed officers preceded to check each room for 'anti-Obama material' and possible 'contraband.' In addition, the service agents asked my uncle to give an inventory of the type of weapons on the property (a few licensed guns for hunting purposes) and asked if he had friends near or in Washington, D.C.
I was stunned.
This is Middle America folks, with the closest city at least three hours a way, in an area that while it continues to trend-Republican, is one that has never been known for the inclusion or support of bigoted organizations that very often votes for Democrats in local and state elections, while remaining Red in national elections. Simply said, our town is like many in the United States that like our politics real and slighly right-of-center in a 'don't cause any waves' type of way.
My uncle is no different, and if this is happening here in an area far from a large political hub, it begs the question as to what are Obama's supporters doing elsewhere?
Scary stuff and a story worth repeating.
It’s not the government’s fault your Uncle Ted works for gutless weasels.
It seems to me your Uncle does have grounds for legal action, either through the courts, or through the grievance process.
There was a thread today that said the Muslim King has a taste tester. Can you believe that BS?
To clarify: Obviously the police actions were over the top and unwarranted. I meant only with regard to the employment situation.
I heard a joke the other day that is more descriptive than vocal.
The Joke starts by saying “What does every black joke start with?”
Then the person looks around. That is the joke.
If you are speaking of Obama you had best look around and see who is listening.Shades of Nazi Germany, but that is what the US is becoming under the Muslim President.
Pass
I don’t know. If I was an owner I wouldn’t have problem having a fat, loud mouthed, bigoted cracker who frequently uses the “n” word to describe the President representing my company. /sarcasm
Union sticks up for employee against Obama?
Not sure about this one either.
>> my Uncle ... is a member of a Union...if it weren’t for his Union ties, my uncle believed that he would have likely been fired altogether.
Sorry, pal. Your uncle is a Socialist. Lie down with dogs, get up with fleas. Labor unions SUCK. All of them. No exceptions. NONE.
Note that NOTHING he purportedly did is illegal. He was only hassled privately through his SOCIALIST UNION employment.
If he told his employer to go to hell, then hired a lawyer and went after him with both barrels, he has my sympathy.
Otherwise, as a SOCIALIST SUCKUP UNION MEMBER... in Bambination, he’s just getting what he bought and paid for. No sympathy.
She envies the whiteness.
Sure--Ø has to make sure the porkulus is cooked right.
The surliness of Mishrill just jumps off the screen. Boy, is she ever studying Carla, and apparently doesn’t like the contrast. That is one angry bitter woman.
Really no way to tell if this story is real or not.
It could happen, certainly. But the writer is anonymous, the place is unknown, the players are unknown. We don’t even know what kind of business it was.
No question that liberals are intolerant these days. You could say just about anything about Bush and get away with it, but you have to watch it with Obama.
But we already knew that.
While that is a wholly unacceptable word to use, even that does not necessitate such a vile takedown. Seriously, I can imagine a boss pulling an employee aside and saying that he had been told the employee had used a racial epithet while near work getting lunch, wearing a company badge, and that it reflected negatively upon the company, and to never do it again.
But what happened to your uncle is truly way beyond the pale.
Hard to imagine this story being flipped, with Bush as the verbal target. In fact, I think most would agree it would be impossible.
To this day, pin-headed, ultra-liberal folks I know “hate the state of Texas” and “anyone they meet from there”, since that is Bush’s state and generally trends red. They gladly tell everyone they know such things, looking into your eyes, proclaiming it loudly and with nodding sincerity.
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