Re: (OT) POWER of the Web (and apologies)
 

alarikf:

I would post a quote but you typed such a long message http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif.

Mostly, moving to legal aid is just future option. Finding someone who will review the case and take it on a contingency fee is a possibillty. Also, thought about looking around for some assistance/advice from NOW (National Organization of Women). Problem is, we have some money saved up and to hire an attorney that we have to pay could turn out being the way that we lose our money...the very money we may need to help tide us over till she can find another job. Around $10K in the bank, but that can go quite quickly with the money the government can throw at the case. So, it's a tough decision and IF (still hoping the local management can come up with a solution) we don't get a just solution, well...I guess we will be looking at all we can do. Ultimately, she may just move on, like so many women do (and I hate that...but it's ultimately her choice). Today, we drove to work to turn in her laptop and files (that she uses when she had her work-at-home days). I told her to hold her head high and just walk into the office but when the elevator arrived at ground level, she started crying and couldn't get off. So, I told her to wait in the car while I turned it in.

I hate them for what they are doing to her!

Re: (OT) POWER of the Web (and apologies)
 

Thanks, Possum!

Re: (OT) POWER of the Web (and apologies)
 

Yes, this is true. I don't claim to be able to walk a "tight legal line" so before the website (and other avenues are looked into) gets "fleshed out", I'll consult. Also, since my job is in the same office as hers is, I realize I could get fired (and that would be a disaster having both of us out of work) so assuming she won't be working there after they can't come up with a just solution, she'll do the website and she can't be fired for it (since she will already be finished with them). Only remaining possibility is that there is some law (or government regulation) that prohibits any kind of revealations such as the website would be doing (and, therefore, there might be other consequences).

Re: (OT) POWER of the Web (and apologies)
 

As in any situation like this, things escalate if a satisfactory solution isn't reached. If it turns out that she gets the bad end of the "justice stick", then we'll escalate.

Re: (OT) POWER of the Web (and apologies)
 

This is one of the problems. For some strange reason, the outcome of her complaint years ago will not be given to her. All she was allowed to receive was a copy of her complaint. Seems funny (read: suspicious) to me. Like, the victim in a rape trial isn't allowed to see what the punishment was for the convicted rapist.

I know it's going to sound bad but since the guy who did this is black, his attorney is black, the judge is black, and the civil right/EEO officer in our office is black, well, you can imagine my worries as discrimmination and prejudice is NOT just a thing white people are quilty of.

Re: (OT) POWER of the Web (and apologies)
 

Thanks, Parasite!

Not that we are trying to make the world a better place (as we are really concerned about ourselves). However, every step taken to stop stuff like this is a step that ultimately helps stop it in a general way for people all over.

Re: (OT) POWER of the Web (and apologies)
 

Hang in there big guy. Good luck to you and the wife.

Can’t offer much advise though, as I live in the civilized part of the world where these things are handled properly, but if you want to resort to physical violence then I can let you borrow the trusted old rusty (yet pointy)™ spear http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: (OT) POWER of the Web (and apologies)
 

This is a terrible situation and I'm praying for a good outcome. I agree that you should be very careful about posting information to a web site. Definitely speak with an attorney before you do anything that you could regret later.

Although I have some trouble trusting people in the federal government (power corrupts), perhaps it would be worthwhile to speak with your congressman or senator about your problem. If they are honorable, they may be able to work behind the scenes to resolve the problem or put enough pressure on the agency to get the situation resolved satisfactorily.

May God give you strength and wisdom to deal with this situation...

Re: (OT) POWER of the Web (and apologies)
 

I agree with Greybeard, talk to some politician, all of them State and Federal (I would CC and e-mail to all of them, so they all see who you sent the e-mail too), hopefully you get a real reply from some of them, not an automated reply.

The good-ole-boy network with politician bugs me, but I swear it is horrid in Government agencies. They are mostly great employees but I wonder sometimes what a government employee has to do before the hammer comes down and they loose that job for life they have *shrug*.

I hope that you and your wife's gets through this in a positive manner, and hopefully going to an elected official, you will get quick results. If thing don't work out in that office, perhaps one of the politician could help move her to another department so she wont loose her benefits.

Also, as another person said, though I agree with you in principal that revenge is sweet, it will more than likely backfire on you in a bad way, even if you do no "wrong" they have the money to take you to court to drain you dry and they wont care if they loose, cause they know you don't have an endless pocket like they do. To us a football analogy, its usually not the guy that throws the first punch that get's the penalty called on them, it's the person that fights back. Use the legal and political route, and play it safe.

Good luck, and I do hope things work out the best they can. If not, move on the best you can, as long as you and your wife know you did the best you could, you will always be able to hold your head hi knowing that you are better than those scum. I believe in Karma, what goes around will come around, whether you see it or not, they will get what's coming to them sooner or later.

Re: (OT) POWER of the Web (and apologies)
 

Slynky,

In cases like this (discrimination et al by the government) there are undoubtedly going to be some lawyers who will take cases on pro bono (for free). Lawyers have to generally have a certain proportion of their cases done pro bono on a regular basis, and they often enjoy doing it. Especially in cases this cut and dried, becuase they get good exposure, experience, etc...so, I would really reccomend talking to local legal societies. They WILL have a list of lawyers who do pro bono work.

Also, all major cities have "legal aid societies" or the like which are free legal advice and assistance for people who can't afford lawyers. Find the one where you live, and talk to them. At the very least they will give you good advice and tell you what references you need to look at, and they will most likely also have a pro bono lawyer reference.

If you haven't taken any steps down this path, I really really reccomend it - it will prevent losses, headaches, and the appearance of "not doing all you could to rectify the situation before resorting to website slamming"

And, all it might take is one letter from one lawyer to work it all out. Get a lawyer. They're your friends in cases like this.

Good luck,

Alarik

EDIT:

Here's a number of hits for legal aid soceity in Atlanta:

http://www.google.com/local?q=legal+...p;near=Atlanta,+GA&radius=0&latlng=33748888,-84388055,9020620603199630990


Some snippets from it:


... Atlanta Legal Aid Society provides services only for residents of ... help outside Atlanta,
see Other Legal Resources, call our main office at (404) 524-5811, or e ...

http://www.law.emory.edu/PI/ALAS/departments.htm - Cached

Directory for LegalAid-GA

... Senior Citizens' Law Project) LSC LOGO 151 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 524 ... LegalAid-GA is a project of Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Georgia Legal ...

http://www.legalaid-ga.org/GA/StateD...%20/LoggedIn/0 - Cached

LawHelp State Directory Profile

... GA 30303 (404) 524-5811. This program helps with the following kinds of legal problems
[Click Here]: ... LegalAid-GA is a project of Atlanta Legal Aid Society, ...

http://www.legalaid-ga.org/GA/StateD...n/0/orgID/1404 - Cached