Charles D. Varnadore, Whistle-Blower at Nuclear Lab, Dies at 71. "He got tired of fighting"

[Catherina]

Charles D. Varnadore, Whistle-Blower at Nuclear Lab, Dies at 71



Charles D. Varnadore at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 1992.
By DOUGLAS MARTIN
Published: August 4, 2013

After Charles D. Varnadore complained about safety at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, where he worked as a technician, his bosses moved him to an office containing radioactive waste. When an industrial hygienist recommended that either he or the waste be moved, he was put in a room contaminated with mercury. ("After the industrial hygienist advised that either he or the material be moved, Mr. Varnadore was placed in a room that had been a mercury reclamation center. Visible mercury, which is poisonous to the nervous system, was in several places in the room." )

Mr. Varnadore fought back, publicizing questionable safety practices at Oak Ridge, a federal nuclear research center that had helped develop the atomic bomb, and his own treatment, which he characterized as retaliation for his outspokenness.

...

Mr. Varnadore’s complaints also led to stronger laws and practices governing employees who dare to blow the whistle on powerful employers.

....

Mr. Varnadore died at his home in Lenoir City, Tenn., his wife, Frances, said. Asked about the cause, she said, “He got tired of fighting.”

...

“The only conclusion which can be drawn from this record is that they intentionally put him under stress with full knowledge that he was a cancer patient recovering from extensive surgery and lengthy chemotherapy,” the judge, Theodor P. Von Brand wrote in his decision. “Under the circumstances, he was particularly vulnerable to the workplace stresses to which he was subjected.”

...

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/05/us/charles-d-varnadore-whistle-blower-at-nuclear-lab-dies-at-71.html

Sad, shameful story. If you have time, read the whole thing

[HiPointDem]

1. kr

[GiaGiovanni]

2. This is how evil works

and how some people are courageous against it.

[Hydra]

3. I read it as suggested

Even more sickening that expected:

“The only conclusion which can be drawn from this record is that they intentionally put him under stress with full knowledge that he was a cancer patient recovering from extensive surgery and lengthy chemotherapy,” the judge, Theodor P. Von Brand wrote in his decision. “Under the circumstances, he was particularly vulnerable to the workplace stresses to which he was subjected.”

Judge Von Brand sent the matter to the labor secretary, Robert B. Reich, so that damages could be assessed against Martin Marietta. Instead, Mr. Reich dismissed some of Mr. Varnadore’s charges on the ground that they had been filed too late, and he dismissed others because he did not believe they had been proved conclusively. A panel appointed by Mr. Reich found that while there had been retaliation against Mr. Varnadore, it was not pervasive. It threw out the rest of Mr. Varnadore’s claims, and in 1998 a federal appeals court supported these high-level reversals

Clinton Admin did the deed in this case. Can we be done with the DLC yet? The number of lives they've cost us is reaching republican levels.

[Catherina]

4. I felt like crying after I read it. Will you and anyone who cares, please go to this thread

Dear Hydra, will you and anyone who cares, please go to this thread by OmahaSteve and sign the petition. I know petitions aren't much but with so much at stake, I feel it's the least we can do to help a fellow worker out Help a Meat Inspector Punished for Reporting Inhumane Conditions!

[truedelphi]

8. Thanks for letting us know about this.

Signed and sent.

[Catherina]

9. Thanks truedelphi n/t

[truebluegreen]

5. And the saddest part is

Robert Reich is one of the "good" guys.

[truedelphi]

7. He is only one of the "Good Guys" bcause now that he now longer has

Any power (as he is no longer part of the government), he SAYS things that make sense. Much of what he discusses these days is in direct contradiction to actions he took, and advise he gave, while inside the government.

[truedelphi]

6. Clinton was all too happy to sign off on the Bank Modernization and Reform Act.

Too bad for the middle class if this piece of legislation removed the protections of Glass Steagall from the American economy.

During Autumn 2008, we all saw how that turned out.

Of course on his end of things - it's all good. One hundred thousand bucks for every speech he makes in front of a Corporate Podium.

[Hydra]

10. And induction into the Bush Family- that puts Chelsea and decendents in the 1% club

I assume President Obama will get the same offer if he does everything as required.

[truedelphi]

11. yep, although the offer will be adjusted for inflation. n/t