Whistle-blowing witch grounded by TSA

[brooklynite]

Source: MSNBC

Here's a situation for all you aspiring managers: If you were the boss at a U.S. government agency and one of your employees complained that she was afraid of a co-worker's religious practices, what would you do?

Would it change your decision if the religion were Wicca, and the employee feared her co-worker because she thought she might cast a spell on her?

Here's how the Transportation Security Administration handled it:

It fired the witch.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41959553/ns/business-us_business/

---

I can't believe there isn't a massive workplace discrimination lawsuit brewing.....

She accused Smith of following her on the highway one snowy evening after work and casting a spell on the heater of her car, causing it not to work.

[shraby]

1. What in the hell are people smoking?

[BeHereNow]

71. I dunno, but I want some too. n/t

bhn

[MNBrewer]

2. I'd love to see this in front of a judge

She's a witch! She turned me into a newt, she did!

[joeybee12]

3. I got better...nt

[Versailles]

4. Who needs a judge?

A duck and scales are all you need...

[jdadd]

25. Heres proof

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRXzKzOyP9aDMwuGukcAawMfbPV4nTn9N8sZqZi17B_28ntsDQ9

[MNBrewer]

29. My EYES, MY EYES!!!!

[sinkingfeeling]

5. I really don't think these people have the brains to be out in society, much less work for the TSA.

[Zephie]

14. Now say that again, with any other religion in the place of Paganism

And see if you feel the same way. Unless you believe that it's ok to discriminate everyone who practices any religion, tell me, why is it ok to do it to Pagans? Would you be saying that it if were a Muslim fired from the TSA for their religious practices, or would it be discrimination then because Muslims are the hot button religion du jour?

Why should I not be allowed to be out in society? Is there something inherently wrong with me in that I choose to worship the Earth?

[sinkingfeeling]

15. Sorry I wasn't clear. I was speaking about the TSA directors and the employee who filed complaint.

There should be no room for anybody within public service (and I believe, also in private industry) to 'fear' somebody else's religion or even to know what that religion is.

[Zephie]

24. Thank you. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

There's a lot of raw nerves and it feels like every time a story about Paganism comes up the people who like to make fun of us loony witches just come right out of the wood work to tell us how crazy we are. I apologize for jumping on you like that. :hug:

[tblue37]

62. Wow. It was absolutely evident that the poster meant the idiot who thought the

witch was casting spells that made her heater stop working--and the manager who stupidly fired the witch over her religion, thus opening up a very serious can of legal worms!

You would have to be pretty much on a hair trigger to take that post as being anti-wccan!

[wickerwoman]

82. It's not though.

"These people" is an extremely ambiguous referent.

But anyway, they've sorted it out now. But I think it was a reasonably interpretation, thankfully clarified.

[PDJane]

6. What the hell is in the water down there?

Good Lord and Lady, people. It's an old and respectable earth-based faith!

[lumberjack_jeff]

7. Brooms fall under the jurisdiction of the FAA. n/t

[brooklynite]

9. Only when flying over 1,000 feet...

[lumberjack_jeff]

11. Don't make me put the whammy on you. n/t

[immoderate]

8. So why isn't she killing goats for the Defense Department?

This lack of communication between government departments is revolting. This woman has talents that are recognized by the government. She should be put to work casting spells on the enemies of freedom!

--imm

[JackInGreen]

53. tbh

that's psionics, not casting.
Bit difference.

[immoderate]

72. More than one way to kill a goat.

--imm

[Eric the Blue]

10. Court Case

If the Wicca goes to court, she better hope it never gets to the US Supreme Court. I know of at least five justices that would vote to have her burned at the stake.

[Zephie]

12. Having lived something similar, these stories always make me cry

I hope that the Pagan community will step up to help her, it's good to see that they interviewed Selena Fox on the subject, rather than finding the local gothed out Majikckz practitioner many journalists go to. Most of us know what it's like to face similar issues, Paganism is still treated like a joke by many people because of ignorance and intolerance.

[tblue37]

63. I hope that the witch sue the holy heck out of the coworker and the

manager and gets very, very rich from it!

Imagine openly firing someone for their religion in the US!

If the manager had half a brain, he would have at least disguised the reason for the firing. If he had a whole brain, of course, he wouldn't have fired the witch in the first place but would have fired the nuisance coworker for harassing the witch over her religious faith!

[TygrBright]

13. "She'll turn me into a newt!"

Gawd. Teh stoopid, it burns.

We really need a :facepalm: smiley.

amazedly,
Bright

[DissedByBush]

32. It's a fair cop n/t

[pasto76]

16. sounds like they should fire plaintiff for being STUPID!

[tblue37]

64. AND for harassing a coworker over her religion! nt

[The Backlash Cometh]

17. Can't she sue?

[james0tucson]

18. or slander?

>She accused Smith of following her on the highway one snowy evening after work and casting a spell on the heater of her car, causing it not to work.

I'm pretty sure this is simply slander and would be easier to deal with than a workplace discrimination suit. I didn't catch the location but I imagine it was an at-will employment state.
In all coldness, the manager should have terminated her without cause, instead of drawing attention to the religious issue or the staff conflict.

[brooklynite]

19. State doesn't matter...

...this was a Federal position. She was probationary, which probably does give the management the legal right, but I'd hate to be the Regional Director having to deal with the news coverage.

[JackInGreen]

20. Ladies and Gentlemen

I love you all, and love my DU community, and I get all of the jokes here and have made several similar myself, but I'm also a Pagan, and there seems to be a lack of understanding, or perhaps disregard for the GRAVITY of this matter.
This woman was fired for having an unpopular religious faith, in a world and society that has advocated praying as a good christian for the death of people you dislike. Not only that, but it appears that this was the 'acceptable' cover for her whistle blowing.
The implication is that if these things are allowed, somewhat institutionalized here, it's likely a occuring on a larger scale.
If this were done to a Christian (Not the poisonous ones, but you, I'm talking to you, my peace loving family out there), and folks started making stigmata or crucifixion jokes, I think they might feel the same as I do right now.
The humor is understandable (and personally, if someone asked me where I parked my broom I'd tell them that that 'broom' cost more than their summer home.) but please, let's not lose sight of the more serious and grave things that this leads to.

[JackInGreen]

23. Not trying to come off

as the offended and oversensitive witch in the corner...call it a fit of peke.

[Demeter]

44. Pique, if you please

Unless you have a small furry dog with epilepsy!

Demeter, filling in for the grammar police today...

[JackInGreen]

51. not yet I don't

though I'm more partial to Corgis. Thanks for the spelling correction, good with the Gods I am, good with the spelling...eeeh, sometimes not so much.

[tblue37]

66. I actually AM the grammar police. Thanks for covering for me while I was on break.

http://www.grammartips.homestead.com

(Actually, although I am a grammar "guru," I don't go around acting like a grammar cop unless I am grading student papers, and then that is part of my job.)

[ieoeja]

35. I don't see a single joke in this thread aimed at Wiccans.

But I do see a bunch aimed at her ignorant accuser.

[lbrtbell]

40. But they're also hurtful to Wiccans

A lot of that went on during the Christine O'Donnell B.S., as well. Joking about brooms and being turned into a newt is like responding to a story about a black person being fired for his race with jokes about the employer fearing desks being stained with fried chicken and watermelon. Meaning, the jokes may be aimed at the employer, but they're still using hurtful stereotypes.

[Demeter]

45. It's a Monty Python reference

and even someone as thoroughly out of the culture as I can recognize it.

[JackInGreen]

50. Like I said

I understood the references and guffawed at first, but then considered the other perspective, and it generated something I think of as a justified head of steam. Not because it was a joke, but because it's bloody insensitive to have nearly nothing but jokes as the most bulky responses of the first 18, without much of the gravity that I think the subject deserves.
Just my two cents, I don't want to be the humor police, but I get this shit all the time, a LOT of us do, and whether the jokes directed at our persecutor or at ourselves, they still sting and enforce negative stereotypes....though I stand by my commentary on a good broom costing more than a summer home.

[lbrtbell]

39. +100000000000000000000

[Nye Bevan]

57. Is it a Firebolt? (nt)

[Locrian]

21. I think...

I think the other employee needs to be fired for stupid.

[47of74]

34. Along with the directors at that airport

[felix_numinous]

22. Interesting that people praying together for the death of some public official

is not considered malevolent spell casting --while wiccans (who actually practice doing no harm to others), are considered evil and scary.

[GillesDeleuze]

26. whats crazier? casting a spell or believing it works?

Im guessing the recipient and believer that the spell was cast is christian

[lbrtbell]

41. Spells are part of the Wiccan religion

They're much like prayers--for long-term results, improving one's life, etc.

I agree that this idiot is probably a Christian, and it's true that nobody can cast a spell to, say, ruin a car heater. However, denigrating all spells is maligning Wiccans, Pagans, and all people of earth-based religions.

I know you didn't mean it that way...I'm just explaining something you innocently overlooked. :)

[LiberalFighter]

54. Someone should ask the christian twit how many times she has prayed

for something bad to happen to someone.

[GillesDeleuze]

58. nothing fails like prayer.

spells probably don't do much go either ;)

[wickerwoman]

85. What about "the power of positive thinking"?

Lots of people use positive visualisation and aren't considered "crazy" for it. Is it crazy for a basketball player to "see" the three pointer before he takes a shot or for a writer to have a little ritual (cup of tea, twenty sit ups) to help her get "in the zone". To the extent that meditation reduces stress it can have positive health benefits. Victims of abuse are often encouraged to come up with little rituals (writing things on balloon and popping them or writing letters and burning them) to help them let go of anger or pain. Is that crazy? They're all technically examples of what pagans mean by "spellcasting".

Paganism isn't really a "religion" in the same way that Buddhism isn't a religion. You don't have to believe in supernatural beings. You can be an atheist and a pagan at the same time (I am). You just use certain rituals to put yourself in a particular mind state or to let go of negative feelings or feel more connected to the natural environment and the seasons.

How many non-practicing Christians still have Christmas trees? How many atheists still celebrate Thanksgiving? Do you bring home souvenirs from trips? Why? That piece of Berlin Wall is just a rock. Is that really different from creating/researching a little ritual to recognize mid-winter or the end of a great tomato crop or bringing home some seashells and arranging them on a shelf to remind you of summer?

[GillesDeleuze]

87. Eh..

I've never been a fan of the positive thinking mantra. I think if people spent a tenth of the time planning as they did wishing things would happen, they wouldn't need to trick themselves into feeling positive about the outcome.

As the old saying goes, "Two hands working are better than a thousand clasped in prayer."

[wickerwoman]

90. Afraid you're still missing the point.

It's not about "wishing things would happen" instead of working. It's about getting yourself into a better mindset/improving your focus so that you can do the work better. Most people recognize a certain mental state where they perform at a higher level. Using a little ritual or trick to get yourself into that state isn't the same as "wishing things would happen" nor is it "feeling positive about the outcome" whatever it is. It's part of preparing yourself to do the work well.

One of my cousins has ADHD and his parents refuse to put him on drugs. He uses meditation to help him focus and it has made a big difference. It's one of the things that allows him to get through any task at all.

Anyway, if it doesn't work for you don't use it. But there's nothing "crazier" about paganism than there is about Buddhism or meditation or visualization or using metaphorical rituals to release negative emotions after abuse, death in the family or PTSD.

[GillesDeleuze]

91. Witchcraft or Marxist Materialist Incantations?

Inquiring metaphysicists want to know!

[Tyrs WolfDaemon]

65. I agree with you, however...I can cast a spell on a car heater.

If you cast a spell for money, then you can't just expect the cash to fall in your lap. You have to go out in the world and help it along.

Now as to the car heater. I would go to the car in question and jimmy the hood open as I prayed to Loki to cause chaos in the engine. I would praise Odin for giving me the foresight to examine a car manual before hand to learn how to disable the heater. Then finally, as I finish the job, I would call to the Frost Giants to come and ensure that the person would need to use said heater.

As a Pagan - I could do all of that, but I don't and wouldn't. It would be destruction of private property and Tyr would be angry and send the law after me.


But as you can see, I can cast a spell on a heater. :evilgrin:

[davidthegnome]

27. SIckening

Had she been a follower or nearly any other religion this wouldn't have happened. I won't do those TSA people the kindness of calling them stupid - they're assholes. The woman who accused her of putting a smell on her car's heater needs psychological treatment - or, perhaps this was simply a scheme to get Smith fired.

In any event, this is religious intolerance and outright bigotry and it's absolutely disgusting that these people are getting away with it.

[moonbatmax]

28. And here I thought we had this thing...

called the First Amendment. AH! Here it is...

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 know, I know, there's a million reasons it doesn't apply. The TSA isn't Congress, it's not a law, per se, Wicca's not a real religeon, etc., etc. Spare me.

I'd ask if the Bill of Rights means anything to anyone anymore, but I think we've known the answer to that for awhile, now.

[tblue37]

67. But it is still against the law to fire someone from a job for a variety of

reasons--and religion is one of them. You also can't fire them for being the wrong age, race, sex, etc.

[SoapBox]

30. This is a MUST read story....

...EVERYONE must be sure to read the full story.

Wow...talk about harassment at work...bullying...and just being afraid.

And remember, these people are taking care of our nation's SECURITY.

Ms. Smith, I wish you the best and hope that you will stand up for your rights as an AMERICAN.

[davsand]

31. "She did cause the cow's milk to dry up and the well to go bad."

"I have witnessed her dancing with the Devil in the forest by the light of the moon, and after she spoke harshly to me a wart grew upon my arm."



Sounds a hell of a lot like the Salem Witch Trials, and that is some evil shit a workin' if you ask me... This witch will never go quietly, and I will promise you bloodshed if you come near me and mine with ill intent. I don't NEED to call up demons or curses to bring you down, I'm quite capable on my own.

I am old, cranky, and just plain bone tired of people who want to stick a nose in my personal business.




Laura

[lbrtbell]

42. I like old, cranky people like you. :D

We need more like you in this world.

[Jumping John]

33. The TSA hates us for our freedoms n/t

[Demeter]

46. Truer Words Were Never Spoken

and what does that say about the government, which built and maintains this evil agency?

[blackspade]

36. WOW!

There are some really stupid people out there.

[trud]

37. too bad I'm not a lawyer

I'd make a mint on this one.

[lbrtbell]

38. She needs to contact the Witches' Anti-Defamation League

The ACLU might be of help, as well.

Witches can't cast spells to make car heaters fail, etc. Witchcraft is a religion. That'd be like accusing a Fundie of saying a prayer that made the car heater stop working.

[Blandocyte]

43. Did she leak info to Wiccaleaks?

Just asking.

[PatrynXX]

47. But she turned me into a Newt

o_O

TSA is somewhere near the Koch Brothers.... Organized crime

[DainBramaged]

48. And I cast a spell on the fool that she herself get fired for pure stupid

[Name removed]

49. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[KansDem]

52. Yet, we can say "Bless you" to a co-worker?

:shrug:

[LiberalFighter]

55. TSA assistant director, Matthew W. Lloyd should be fired as well as

the idiot Mary Bagnoli making the complaint.

[Nye Bevan]

56. I know this is 2011, but if you are a witch or wizard you should probably keep it to yourself.

Things are certainly better for these folks today than they were in Salem in the 17th century, but you are still liable to be on the receiving end of smart-ass jokes and discriminated against. Many people still don't appreciate that there is a lot more to wizardry and witchcraft than large iron cauldrons, broomsticks, transubstantiation, potions, and Butterbeer.

[tblue37]

68. I am an agnostic, and even agnostics and atheists catch quite

a lot of crap from some true believers.

Nevertheless, I am glad more and more atheists and agnostics are speaking out, just as I am glad that witches no longer hide their faith practices, and that many women who have had abortions are speaking out, and that many gays are not longer willing to hide who they are.

The more that prejudiced people are forced to see that they are not the "norm," or necessarily even the majority in many cases, the more they will be forced to deal with diversity rather than trying to suppress or penalaize it.

[Pacifist Patriot]

77. +1

[tblue37]

69. Self-delete. Accidental dupe. nt

[Sivafae]

74. Why? I will not allow other people's ignorance scare me into silence. x-tians can wear crosses...

I should be able to wear a pentacle. We've been in hiding for the last 500 or so years. We can come out of the broom closet now, and should not fear any backlash. We are protected by law.

[Pacifist Patriot]

76. Could not possibly disagree more.

And your post demonstrates exactly why.

[wickerwoman]

81. Could say the same thing about Mets fans.

Why should my actions be dictated by the ignorance and intolerance of others?

[Nye Bevan]

83. PLEASE can you put a hex on the Phillies? Pretty please? (nt)

[wickerwoman]

86. As much as I hate to pass up the chance

to wish ill on the state of Pennsylvania, I'm afraid hexing is out. What goes around comes around and the Mariners need all the help they can get. ;-)

[JackInGreen]

59. She should get ahold of

these folks:

http://www.circlesanctuary.org/liberty/
Pointed out by Kestral9000 on DailyKos.

[tblue37]

60. She will win a lawsuit easily. I hope she gets rich from it! nt

[tblue37]

61. I'd certainly fire the other one--for being a dumbass! I would assume

she is far too stupid to function in any real job.

[Pacifist Patriot]

78. That was pretty much my assessment.

I'm so glad I'm not in management anymore.

[Keith Bee]

70. Yep, let's persecute (on religious grounds) those who protect us from the people we fear...

...on religious grounds. :eyes:

[Ferret Annica]

73. I am of Wicca too, and I find this disturbing

I had Wicca on my dog tags in the U.S. Army, and had to fend off negativity directed at me about my faith, so I sympathize with this woman.

I hope she actively seeks re-reinstatement and gets her job back.

[notadmblnd]

75. My neighbor left a note on one of his co-workers PC that said

"Jesus is coming for you." He said it was a joke, the the joke was on him. He was fired for it. I felt bad for the guy.

[marasinghe]

79. this from the scum that have the gall to view nude bodies of the flying public on-screen ....

and literally mishandle their genitalia. speechless, other than to say: fuck the TSA & its management and the politicians who enabled them.

[queerart]

80. Christian Terrorism At It's Best!

The Christian Terrorists won't stop at filthy Queers.....


... and they won't stop at practitioners of Wicca....... (casting a spell on her car heater, for Christ's sake)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem_witch_trials


They will come after you too.....


For anyone that is silent on matters like this, you are giving Christian Terrorists the green light to terrorize others.....


There would be more outrage for a cull of Bison in Yellowstone.... but important voices are hushed....... Crickets!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miULdI-qocg

[and-justice-for-all]

84. Is there no longer freedom of religion??

Oh, my bad, they mean freedom of xtian religion and not all religions....

no matter how ridiclous the religion, they still have a right to practice it; last I knew anway

[Javaman]

88. Ironic hypocrisy.

she accuses this person of "casting a spell" yet, is willfully ignorant of her own religion being the one believing such bullshit.

[Name removed]

89. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[StarsInHerHair]

92. well technically, some Christians are practicing Black Magick with their

'imprecatory prayers' 'prayer warriors' PRAYING FOR THE DEATH OF DEMOCRATIC POLITICIANS, AS WELL AS NON-CHRISTIANS, & SO many others that don't agree with them.

http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/44143894.html

"If you’re asking God to harm someone, is it really “God” you’re praying to? Associated Baptist Press - Drake, former SBC officer, says he’s praying for Obama to die (updated)."...from herehttp://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/33885_Wiley_Drakes_Imprecatory_Prayers

http://www.religionnews.com/index.php?/rnstext/does_god_answer_prayers_to_do_someone_ill1/

Yes there is a war going on between Christians, the sane vs. the insane...& the Pagan Wiccan Heathen communities are aware of certain Christians doing this