Moulton woman says she lost job for sporting Kerry sticker on car

[TrueAmerican]

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/040912/sticker.shtml

Moulton woman says she lost job for sporting Kerry sticker on car

By Clyde L. Stancil
DAILY Staff Writer
[e-mail] · 340-2443

MOULTON — Lynne Gobbell never imagined the cost of a John Kerry-John Edwards bumper sticker could run so high.


Lynne Gobbell said her boss fired her last week because of the Kerry-Edwards campaign sticker on the back of her car.
Gobbell of Moulton didn't pay a cent for the sticker that she proudly displays on the rear windshield of her Chevrolet Lumina, but said it cost her job at a local factory after it angered her boss, Phil Gaddis.

Gaddis, a Decatur bankruptcy attorney, owns Enviromate, a cellulose insulation company in Moulton.

Gaddis did not return phone calls from THE DAILY about the alleged Thursday firing.

more...

[liberal_in_GA]

1. Isn't this illegal?

Someone should make some noise about this.

[patricia92243]

3. If GA is a "rightto work" stat like NC - what it really means is the righ

right of the boss to fire you - and not have to give any reason.

[Sydnie]

14. But it seems to me that he DID give a reason and one that I think would

be illegal. Had he fired her without giving her notice of his objection to her political sticker, then he would probably be in the clear. Having had the interaction that he did, as well as having his manager reflect his opinion with his statement about "working for him or John Kerry". I would think that could be found to be a violation of her civil rights.

I would seek a lawyer and file a wrongful termination suit as well as a civil suit for civil rights violations and voter intimidation.

Chalk one more job loss up to Bush!

[spooky3]

23. you do not have a right to speech without interference from a private

sector employer under most circumstances. Many Americans do NOT understand this. Most private sector employers are smart enough not to try to control your putting bumper stickers on your cars, because it is demoralizing and accomplishes nothing for their businesses, but they ARE entitled to make these restrictions, IN GENERAL. There may be exceptions, such as if a city law gives more protection to private sector employees.

The Constitution guarantees that the GOVT cannot interfere with your right to free speech and of course you know this is limited too (e.g., can't yell "fire" in a crowded theater if there is no fire). But if she had worked for the Federal, state, or local govt., chances are she would have been entitled to display the sticker on her car without interference from her govt. employer. There's a big difference between govt. and private employers here.

[Pepperbelly]

31. nope ... your lens isn't wide enough ...

It is not only the federal consitution that comes to bear in this instance, it is also the Georgia consitution, fedferal and state labor laws and any local ordinances as well. I did a brief search and found relevant instances of each.

No, it is not nearly as cut and dried as you make it out to be.

[spooky3]

38. Did you READ my post? or do you just want to argue?

I was quite clear that (a) I was speaking about the general rule and

I said that (b) SUCH AS if there were a city law --or other law providing greater protection specifically in a case like hers, then she could be protected. I did not say that was the only possible exception.

I'm not excluding other state or local laws--I simply kept my post short to give ONE EXAMPLE.

There could be other laws that are relevant, but these are unusual. There are the exception rather than the general rule and CERTAINLY would be an exception in most Southern states. Americans often believe (as evidenced by many posts here) that the general rule is that they have these free speech rights and employers can't interfere with them but that's simply not the case. Employment-at-will is the general rule, with exceptions.

There IS NO FEDERAL law that she can rely on.

The burden would be on her and her attorney to find the exception and make it stick.

If you don't believe me, do the research.

[Pepperbelly]

39. if what you insist is true is in fact true ...

then it is time to get out the pitchforks, torches, and lynching rope because there is no way that I will personally stand by and allow an employer to bully people out of their franchise because he owns a company.

Fuck them.

And if you are supporting this, I am Goddamned sure looking for a fight.

[spooky3]

42. Why do *I* get attacked for simply DESCRIBING the reality?

I haven't advocated this policy AT ALL.

If you do not believe my explanation of what her rights are, please go to the ACLU website, which I have cited when other unfortunate instances like this have been posted at DU.

This is my area of professional expertise. I'm offering it to you free but if you don't value it, please do the research yourself, and attack the villains rather than those of us who are trying to help DUers understand what their rights are.

Edited to add: Here's one link to an ACLU document on EAW and the legal changes it advocates:

http://www.aclu.org/WorkplaceRights/WorkplaceRights.cfm?ID=9077&c=34

[Pepperbelly]

45. i think you missed most of my point reflexively ...

if what you are saying is true ... that employers can mandate political viewpoints, restrain political speech, and discharge employees without cause for political reasons, then it is time to stop that shit right now. And for something this egregious, to actually fire someone because an employer doesn't like her political beliefs, it might well be past time for legal remedy and the system is so utterly corrupt, it is unsalvagable.

Think of the implications. Most of us work for corporations whose interests are opposed to those of worker-bees and these sons of bitches can fire someone because they don't like their politics? This clearly robs employees of the franchise and that is reason for violence if the courts cannot protect us. You say they cannot. It sounds like time for axe-handle justice then.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

74. basically we have moved to a form of serfdom, but I think it may be true.

I think it depends on the state law...but I think if the laws are such an employer can fire you for any number of things you think are "private" or "non of their buisness".

[Pepperbelly]

90. if one can lose their livlihood for their political beliefs ...

it is far past serfdom and if that is the law, it shouldn't be and if the government is so corrupt as to not realize that this notion invalidates the franchise and is essentially the same thing as threatening people to gain their political support, then it's time to fight. The franchise is a far more important principle than any labor laws. This is something worthy of revolution.

[Redneck Socialist]

84. I can fire someone if I don't like the color of their shoes.

In many places you are an "at will" employee which essentially means you can quit or be fired for just about any reason. It sucks, but unfortunately it is the law of the land in far too many places.

On edit: sloppy typing

[TankLV]

104. Touch subject. Strong feelings. Hang in there.

I am sure people are just pissed as hell at the concept and you are a convenient target.

Consider it a badge of honor.

My boss vents on me all the time because I have a thick skin and he never says anything personal or means anything personal and I don't take it personally.

[SotarrTheWizard]

92. Nobody has lost their franchise.

Legally, her car was in his parking lot, which is private property.

She was told to remove the sticker: she did not.

The First Amendment limits GOVERNMENT action, not private action.

She MIGHT have a civil rights case, but as she threw away her gloves, apparentely in sight of management, they probably have justification to say SHE quit the job... and legally, they'd be on semi-solid ground. . .

More's the pity. . .

[Scairp]

44. Well, they may cut both ways

They put pro-Shrub flyers in the paycheck envelopes. They can't impose their political viewpoint and restrict hers. I'm no lawyer, but this would seem to be a clear Constitutional violation of her rights. I think she definitely needs to get legal advise about this.

[svan81]

77. You're wrong dude.

Being in the private sector does not make you immune to federal law. There are multiple instances in which a private company avails itself to federal jurisdiction.

First, there would be federal jurisdiction if there was subject matter jurisdiction because of a diversity of citizenship. But that doesn't apply in this case, according to the facts that are available.

HOWEVER, it is very likely that this company recieves some sort of tax incentive from the federal government.

Thus, because most private universities recieve federal money for financial aid (stafford loans, etc.), they subject themselves to federal law. A private university cannot fire a professor for speaking his mind, as long as what the professor says is not a fighting word, libel or obsenity.

When your constitutional rights are violated without due process of law, then there is a definite constitutional question, even if the company is private because as I pointed out, most of the time the company isn't as private as you would think

There are definitely state laws that protect employees from wrongful termination and discrimination for political views. But the chance of this young lady getting a fair trial in Georgia might not be as great as the chance in federal court.

Who knows, but it certainly isn't as simple as a private sector can violate people's constitutional rights without due process just because it is private.

Who knows, maybe this factory is 100% private but I doubt it.

[spooky3]

86. You're wrong, dude. Do the research. I have.

DUers, PLEASE be sure you are knowledgeable and don't put yourself in jeopardy. Ask an attorney you trust.

[Cha]

17. That's probably why she didn't

have much luck with the lawyer.

[Eric J in MN]

35. It's Alabama (nt0

nt

[Cronus Protagonist]

4. I don't think it is illegal

Being a Democratic is not a protected class, AFAIK.

In Memorium
http://brainscream.com/MP3/wtc-Roger_Waters_and_Waking_Born-World_Trade_Center_Tribute.mpg

[napi21]

8. If this is Decatur Ga. it's perfectly legal! That's what RTW means!

A Right To Work state law means you are an at will employee. You can quit for any reason, and your employer can fire you for ANY REASON! And I mean ANY! If they don't like the color of your shirt, or the way you walk today, or where you went to lunch!!!

The only thing they can't fire you for is race, age or religious reasons.

[Pepperbelly]

19. You're conflating two different things and have neither exactly right.

RTW laws deal with open and closed shops basically. No closed shops in RTW states. In so-called "at will" states, even then with discharge without cause, severence is granted, even if it is in the form of unemployment compensation. I think she ought to sue the motherfucker and run it up the pole to see what happens.

Employers cannot dictate political stances nor can they compel employees to refrain from supporting a candidate they do not like.

[Cha]

21. This sounds like Good News!

Thanks, PB!

[spooky3]

25. sorry, you're not right either. See above explanation on employment-at-

will.

[SotarrTheWizard]

94. However. . . .

. . .they CAN dictate conduct on their own private property, which is how they'll evade any consequences. . .

[Scairp]

52. It's Alabama, actually n/t

[R3dD0g]

9. The legality depends on the state employment laws.

Here in Arkansas, employment is 'at will'. Meaning you can be fired for no reason or any reason. Illinois? probably has more enlightened employment laws. But, after so many years of Republican policies who can know anymore? We're all just serfs to them.

edit. I looked at the article closer and see it's in Alabama. She's screwed.

[SoCalDemocrat]

24. boycott

she needs to get it into the press in the area, so people can boycott the guys business.

[coalition_unwilling]

83. Ditto, and the national media also

To shame this yokel out of business through a national boycott (and massive civil disobedience at his plant)

[Scairp]

109. Have CORRECT info on this Geddes jerk

All of this idiot's info is right there, including his email addy and a link to his own website as an attorney.

http://www.betterinsulation.com/search_results_for_marylandMFG1.htm

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

2. kick

MKJ

:kick:

[baldingrockwarlord]

12. There oughtta be a law....

Political harrassment creating a hostile work environment.

[baldingrockwarlord]

13. but then...

The boss would just find and use a different reason for firing.

[jerryster]

37. N/S

A Zappa icon! I love it! Wowie Zowie, dude!

[SoCalDemocrat]

5. I got a ticket

I got pulled over and given a ticket for my "registration tags". I think it was the huge Kerry sticker on the back that drew his attention, because I wasn't speeding, in a pack of traffic, and he came over from quite a ways off to check out my vehicle. He couldn't have seen the tag from that distance.

I have a Kerry magnet that I put on the bakc of my car up high on the back of the trunk.

[MessiahRp]

60. That's what we call DWD.. "Driving While Democrat"

I got it for that too. I had a silver '88 Ford Taurus Wagon, nothing special.. rust in all the same spots as every other '88 Ford Taurus... then April 2003 I get pulled over. The cop is very rude to me and cites me for speeding (he claimed I was doing 15 over when I was doing 7... 15 over is a higher ticket here in WI), he cited me for expired registration (which I had renewed that January and the stickers were current), and he told me that he had been watching my vehicle for a week. I drive on a very busy highway to work so how would he know my car since it looks like a million others?

Oh yeah, my big anti-Bush stickers. I had a huge "Bush is a Dumbass" and "War is Terrorism" stickers on the back of my car.

I knew right then and there why I was being pulled over.

When I went to court, the judge dismissed my charges about the cop as speculative and kept the ticket on there. However with other police officer recognition and a letter from the DMV they did drop the charge of expired registration.

Get used to it though. There's a lot of maverick Republican cops that take the law into their own hands like this.

Democrat Tim Carpenter met one in Milwaukee when a cop broke into a fistfight with him. All because Carpenter's a Dem.

Sad isn't it?

Rp

[cheshire]

6. Can se thank a rethug for that?

[Sydnie]

7. That's outrageous!!!

She should see a lawyer right away.

[napi21]

11. See Post 8. It's legal!!! n/t

[Protected]

10. Another O'Reilly

"Without Bush tax cuts, you wouldn't have a job!"

O'Reilly said the same thing on the Tim Russert show that if his taxes went up, he'd quit "The Radio Factor" and 50 people would lose their jobs. :eyes:

Where were all of these idiots during the 1990s when jobs were being created left and right even without Bush's amazing tax cuts?

[nyhuskyfan]

55. Funny thing about that...

I stumbled across an old Bill O'Reilly speech from 2002 where he made reference to having a staff of 10 people who work for him on the TV show. Is it possible that the radio show has five times the TV show? Maybe. Or maybe he's lying...

http://www.pbs.org/weta/washingtonweek/voices/200204/0402morals.html

[RamboLiberal]

15. Info on company that fired her

Enviromate
P.O. Box 847
Moulton AL 35650
256-974-9972
[e-mail]

Don't know who this John Graham is listed.

http://www.lawrencealabama.com/pages/ch/directy.html

[Jim Sagle]

29. Alternate contact info:

EnviroMate Insulation
13855 Court Street
Moulton, Alabama 35650

Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

[Scairp]

75. THIS EMAIL ADDY IS NOT CORRECT!!

I have made an idiot out of myself using this email address and chewing out the wrong company. It really would be nice if you were VERY sure this was for the company in question BEFORE you posted it!

[Jim Sagle]

76. I googled it. Whaddya want for free?

[Scairp]

78. To be CORRECT!!

[Jim Sagle]

82. Tough.

[Name removed]

93. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[w4rma]

107. That company may be in Chapter 13. The *new* email is to a Ch13 lawyer

Chapter 13 law office:
http://www.pgeddes.com/

EnviroMate Insulation 13855 Court Street
Moulton, Alabama 35650

Phone: [phone]

Email Address:
[e-mail]

Web Site:
Being Developed

Source:
http://www.betterinsulation.com/search_results_for_alabamaMFG1.htm

EnviroMate Insulation 13855 Court Street
Moulton, Alabama 35650

Phone: [phone]

Email Address:
[e-mail]

Web Site:
Being Developed

Google Cached source:
http://216.239.41.104/search?q=cache:v3jrv8OxUhQJ:www.betterinsulation.com/search_results_for_alabamaMFG1.htm+EnviroMate+Insulation+Alabama&hl=en

[Cha]

16. This Infuiates me and I hope

some intelligent progressive lawyers take this to the Supreme Court.

So what he got his fucking tax cut..so that makes him a fucking dictator?

This lady,Lynne Gobbell, is a Hero and is making a MUCH BIGGER STATEMENT, by her getting fired for an injustice done to her, than she ever could for sporting a KERRY/EDWARDS sticker on her car.

[RamboLiberal]

18. Kerry campaign should vet her story and if legit use it

As the intimidation tactics Bushies use.

Use it in * trying to duck the "People's Debate". Use it in to see * you have to sign a loyalty oath. Use it in that protestors of * are herded in to first amendment zones far from the election or speaking venue that * or Cheney are attending.

[Cha]

20. This is not the America I want to live in

..that's why I'm fighting for a change.

I see from posts above that it is "illegal" in Georgia to fire someone because they don't like the way you are voting..but this is part of a larger pattern by the bushbots and I would definetly like to see Lynn Gobbels make the National news and use by the Kerry campaign to enlighten voters..if, as you say, it is "vetted" and is airtight!


On edit! Now I see by Pepperbelly's post that Lynn Gobbles should get a lawyer and "run it up a post"!!

[DU9598]

22. Wrongful discharge

While she would not be protected under most employment discrimination laws in most "at will" employment states, she would still likely have a "common law" claim of wrongful discharge. Such a claim is equivalent to a suit under a statutory right (like under the ADA or Title VII of the Civil Rights Act) only she must show that the termination was retaliatory for her political free speech which is a public policy that the state supports. At least this is the law in Iowa. She could also potentially sue for harassment or intentional infliction of emotional distress, but not likely be successful. This claim is like most state whistleblower statutes. They are all based on the common law (case precedent).

Interesting, yet sad, case that could make precedential law.

[spooky3]

27. Unless Iowa has a state low providing these rights, she would be out of

luck there too. The public policy exception is extremely limited and usually would not be applied in this case because judges are very reluctant to "interfere" with the "free market" relationships between employers and their employees. The exception she might try to win under is the Constitutional protection on free speech, but this applies only to public sector employers.

Here's a link to a very recent Iowa case description of a rare public policy exception (as spun by employer attorneys). But in this case even these attorneys pointed out that there was a statute that was being interpreted as giving employers more rights (in the last few paragraphs) (the Iowa law protecting worker safety) and unless there is a law specifically protecting political speech for a private sector employee she would probably have no case at all.

http://www.hrhero.com/nl/iaemph.shtml

edited for typos and to add the link and explanation

[Cha]

28. This is Georgia, though..not that it

would make a difference in the law.

[RamboLiberal]

30. Actually I think it's Alabama

Company is listed in Moulton, Alabama

[Cha]

46. Sorry, I just saw the "Decatur News"

and thought Georgia. Glad to get that straightened out. Thanks!

[spooky3]

40. It WOULD make a difference because her protection depends on the laws

and court decisions in her area.

However, please re-read my post. I did not say she was in Iowa. I said "Unless Iowa has a state law providing these rights, she would be out of
luck there too." Note the TOO.

[Cha]

47. Again, Sorry! Must read closer!

AT least I found out it was in Alabama!:)

[snippy]

57. I agree. n/t

[Papa]

79. Excellent Idea.

Talk about how Bush was a uniter and not a divider, yet after 4 years this nation has been divided unlike no other time. It's so bad that liberals are being fired from their jobs by conservatives, for no reason other than their intent to vote for John Kerry. That's George Bush's America.

[George_Bonanza]

26. Make this headline news, NOW

This kind of myopic political intolerance should not be welcome in America.

[Doctor_J]

32. get used to it

we will soon go from a one-party nation to one-party states and right on down to one-party businesses.

[Kimber Scott]

33. Somebody out to go through the parking lot and put Kerry/Edwards

stickers on ALL the cars.

[RamboLiberal]

36. How about each of us sending them one

Hey, I didn't suggest it :evilgrin:

EnviroMate Insulation
13855 Court Street
Moulton, Alabama 35650

Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

[colonel odis]

50. NOW we're getting somewhere.

call the place enough times tomorrow so they become afraid to answer the phone.

[Cha]

49. I like the way your mind thinks!

}(

[Kimber Scott]

54. Bwahahaha!

:evilgrin:

[DoNotRefill]

69. That would be vandalism...

eom

[TankLV]

105. IF - big IF - this story is the case - that the idiot repuke boss can do

this with impunity - then that's exactly what I would do!

I just can't believe freedom of expression does not trump some rediculuous interpretation of RTW.

I thought RTW only had to do with unions and the RTW without haveing to join one or contribute to one that is there already.

Boy do we need to change these scummy rules!

[RamboLiberal]

34. ALABAMA - that's the state this happened in

DU'ers please let's get this straight.

The story is reported in the THE DECATUR DAILY
201 1st Ave. SE
P.O. Box 2213
Decatur, Ala. 35609

The company she was fired from is from Moulton, Alabama

EnviroMate Insulation
13855 Court Street
Moulton, Alabama 35650

Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

What a backass red state - sorry any DU'ers from Alabama

[Cha]

48. Duly noted!

[Scairp]

51. I think the jerk's name is misspelled

I found a Phillip A. Geddes in Decatur but no one called "Gaddis". I sent the reporter and email about this, but keep it in mind if or when you decide to yell at this asshole.

[abrock]

41. My letter to these guys.

We saw the story on the woman you fired for the Kerry/Edwards bumper sticker, and we are going to make sure everyone knows about it. We, of course, being the American people. I come from a Republican family, but I still cannot support such blatantly un-American actions.

If we have to start a website to get donations for this woman's defense fund so she can fight you in court, we will.

Sincerely,

----


Notice how I said I was from a republican family. (which is entirely true, I am only aware of one other Dem leaning IND besides myself in dozens of relatives) :)

As for that last part, shall we do it? I've seen funding set up for things MUCH LESS important than this. In my opinion this is vitally important for free speech in this country, and I hope bigger news outlets pick it up.

[kayell]

43. Time to find out every company that Enviromate sells to, and send them

a copy of this article and a copy of that flier that Gaddis sent around.

Follow up in a week and ask if they are still purchasing from Enviromate.

Here's a place to start with for a list of Enviromate purchasers.
http://www.airtightinsulation.com/07.AT_Testimnils_html/index.cfm

Please note that these people purchase Enviromate or another insulation through another supplier (Air Tight). It is Enviromate they need to be made aware of, not Air Tight.

[Scairp]

53. Let's keep this kicked n/t

[Hanover_Fist]

56. In most states if you don't belong to a union

you are considered an "at will employee", meaning they can literally fire you for NO reason whatsoever. Only with a union can you protect yourself.

[George W. Dunce]

61. Bullshit

I live in Mass and I know people who have sued for wrongfully discharged. My mother in law was fired and she sued and they gave her nearly 20 grand in hush money, they wanted no part of a court room. I also worked with a guy who was fired and two weeks later he came back with an attorney and he was back at work the following day. More times then not they will give you as much as it takes to defend such a thing in court or just hire you back.

[Hanover_Fist]

63. Well friend

I work in Oregon and have witnessed this "phenomenon" with my own two eyes.

[meow2u3]

67. At-will employment does not mean

an employer can use the statute as an excuse to violate public policy. Firing someone because he/she refuses to vote as the boss dictates is grounds for a wrongful discharge suit since the boss doesn't have a license to trample on the civil rights of his or her employees, contrary to the way this right-wing asshole seems to think.

[snippy]

58. How very republican. n/t

[louis c]

59. Call the Department of Labor

and start action immediately.

You can not be fired for that reason.

You see why Unions are so necessary. If this happened in a Union shop, and I was BA (which I am), the Boss would be fired. If it were the owner, he'd be fined.

I know, I've done it before. As a Union Rep, I've had a boss fired for "inappropriate behavior", which is close to this.

I remember a new manager making disparaging remarks about the Union to my members. My labor lawyer called his boss, presented the signed statements of my members, and the manager was shit-canned the very next day.

This shit can't happen in a Union environment. It certainly is worth a dollar a day to my members to have job security, collective bargaining rights, seniority rights, health and dental benefits (from the employer), and a strong advocate that intercedes in their behalf with a Harvard educated labor lawyer that makes management shit their pants to pull f**king bullshit like this.

In my place, we have Union bulletin boards in every department that display Kerry stickers and a Union Newspaper posted with the headline IBEW Endorses John Kerry.

Where I work, nothing like this would be tolerated.

[Hanover_Fist]

62. In my perfect world

everyone would belong to a union, from the waitress at Dennys to medical doctors. Why do you think the democrats were so strong for so long? It wasn't just the money donations from the unions, it was millions of unified people who voted for candidates who represented them in the halls of congress. Truly the legacy of Reagan was patterned after the romans "divide and conquer." We now battle each other for our pathetic jobs, and crucify each other in the workplace in order to get ahead, in the meantime the CEO's and board of directors are laughing all the way to the bank.:dem:

[louis c]

65. I couldn't agree with you more

I love Unions, and I love representing my members.

I just won a grievance on discipline against one of my members poor attendance by invoking the Family and Medical Leave Act.

It was passed and vetoed by Bush's dad three times. It passed again in 1993, and was signed into law by Bill Clinton.

It was co-sponsored by John Kerry.

What difference does a Democratic President make, with a Union that knows how to apply the labor laws? For a Viet-Nam Vet, 30 year employee of my Union, the answer last week was "All the Difference in the World."

[DoNotRefill]

70. Good luck with the Dept of Labor....

they're WORSE than useless, they're obfuscatory.

[Scairp]

64. Kick

[Cha]

66. Kick!

:kick:

[Scairp]

68. Kick back

[Dem2theMax]

71. kick it to the top

:kick:

[QC]

72. Lawrence County is heavily Democratic.

One of the last Dem strongholds in Alabama, in fact.

I expect Mr. Gaddis to catch some flack over this.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

73. KICK

[trof]

80. I sent LTTE (to Mr. Gaddis)

Dear Mr. Gaddis,
As an attorney I'm sure you have some passing familiarity with the U. S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I would call your attention to:
Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

I would argue that the freedom to place a bumper sticker on one's car is guaranteed under the 1st Amendment. Of course you could argue that the Bill of Rights applies only to the contract between congress and the citizens, and that you are not congress. You are a private individual, running a private company, and you can darn well do whatever you want. You may even be correct in your argument, but you wouldn't be right. What you've done isn't right, and now that you've possibly cooled down a bit, I think you know it.

Would you have fired Ms. Gobbell if she were a Catholic or a Jew or an atheist? I hope not. People hold whatever beliefs they do for their own reasons. Where and if they go to church, or how they vote, is none of my business or yours. If you think coercion is a good way to secure votes for your candidate, I think you're in for a rude awakening.

It's interesting to note that you are a bankruptcy attorney. I can certainly see why you would support George Bush. He has been very good for your business. His economic policies have sent personal and corporate bankruptcies to all time highs.

Massey Lambard

Foley, Alabama

[Scairp]

95. His name was spelled wrong

Apparently, it's GEDDES. The reporter had it wrong. I emailed him and he responded right away, saying the yes, several people had emailed him already and pointed this out. Sorry I didn't post before you sent the letter.

[Catfight]

81. Where's Mouton? n/t

[Mike Daniels]

85. Is it possible that she doesn't have a case or that she's lying?

From article: Gobbell said she consulted a lawyer, but then changed her mind about going to see him. She said she has cried about the incident and must do without income for three weeks while the state unemployment commission decides if she is eligible for compensation.

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Why exactly did she change her mind? Is it possible that the lawyer would find out that she was lying and that she was fired for cause? Everyone jumps to conclusions over a story that is based on "one and only one" person's account. And, I'm sorry, but wouldn't the prudent thing been to have gone along with the request and then sought out a lawyer to see if the employer had any legal grounds before quitting.

Also, why can't she at least temp or start looking for employement while she waits for the employment commission to rule she is eligible for compensation. The day after I was fired from a job I filed with unemployment and then went to the temp agencies while I waited for the benefits to start. Sounds like she plans on sitting on her butt and doing nothing.

Until I know more about this I'm not declaring the woman a hero by any means. The boss is undoubtedly an ass for the "campaign literature" in the paycheck envelope but I believe in hearing both sides before going off half-cocked in support of anything.

[LoZoccolo]

88. Maybe she thinks she can't afford it.

She just got fired from her job and will have no income for three weeks.

[Scairp]

97. The owner is a lawyer too

Could be in this small Alabama town she can't get any other lawyer to help her.

[RichardRay]

87. If he'd fired her without comment he'd be in the clear, but....

since he specifically stated that he was firing her for her Kerry bumper sticker I suspect he's more exposed. Read the HR literature on 'How to Fire' an employee. It's pretty horrible stuff, but it also clarifies just how careful and employer has to be, even it an 'at will' state.

If her manager stated that she was fired for the bumper sticker and will swear to that it might be worth her time to pursue it. I think her boss screwed up.

Richard Ray - Jackson Hole, WY

[Mike Daniels]

89. I don't see where he actually said she's fired

All she says is that the boss told her "get out of here" (his physical office?) and "close the door".

Furthermore, her supervisor said "I reckon you're fired. You could either work for him or John Kerry," Gobbell said. Not exactly a hard statement of fact given that the "either or" part comes from the manager and not the owner.

I'm sorry, but she starts challenging the boss while he's already in a meeting and it appears that she escalates the matter with each of her statements. All the boss said in specific response to the question of "am I being fired" was that he was considering it and that could have been strictly for her conduct at that moment.

[RichardRay]

91. Slow down there, big guy

First, the story in the paper says:

She went to her bosses office on instruction from her supervisor.

"She went to Gaddis' office, knocked on the door and entered on his orders."

So she didn't barge in on him, she knocked and was told to come in.

You'll also note that I said that if the manager who gave her the termination information stated that he was firing her on direction from her boss then she might have something.

Richard Ray - Jackson Hole, WY

[Kingshakabobo]

102. Richard...also, the boss gave any attorney worth a damn

rope to hang him with when he sent out partisan payroll suffers. He certainly can't claim that he has a ban/policy on political speech/propaganda in the work place. Those types of bans are perfectly acceptable and legal to keep the peace in any work environment. I think a judge or jury wouldn't have a hard time with a "what's good for the goose is good for the gander" argument.

[Name removed]

96. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[RichardRay]

98. That's about the stupidest thing I've ever seen posted on DU

That's not a personal attack, it's an objective statement. It reminds me of things I've seen posted in the Free Republic or Ann Coulter lists.

Maybe you're familiar with them?

Richard Ray - Jackson Hole, WY

[mitchum]

99. Richard, I said it would be a SHAME...

Out of politeness, I'm not going to equate a lack of reading comprehension with stupidity

[RichardRay]

101. See 'disingenuous'

in any good dictionary. Although there are some current discussions about the modern usage of the word I think it covers the ground.

Richard Ray - Jackson Hole, WY

[mitchum]

103. See "Chicken Little" in any children's library

[mitchum]

100. [e-mail] is the only email address that I can find...

for this dirtbag's company
The phone number is 800 339 3531

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

106. I'm in the area...

email me if you want to help and have ideas....

Thinking about making this a pet project.

[QC]

108. kick!