It took four months, and a little prodding, but the Seattle Times has finally published a story on the Commissioner of Public Lands Doug Sutherland’s well documented sexual harassment of a young DNR employee:
Washington’s public-lands commissioner, Doug Sutherland, inappropriately touched and made remarks to a young female employee who soon quit the Department of Natural Resources despite his formal apology, according to public documents on the incident from his own department.
During a workplace meeting in 2005, Sutherland touched the woman’s back and waist and made suggestive comments that made her uncomfortable, according to written accounts from the woman and a witness.
After an internal investigation, Sutherland met with the woman at her request and apologized to her. He agreed that he had violated departmental policy on appropriate behavior, according to the documents.
There now, that wasn’t so hard, was it?
Yeah sure, the headline emphasizes the apology over the offense (because that’s the most compelling part of the story, right?) and the reporter doesn’t seem to care much for sizzle, but even given the fairest shake possible, Sutherland still doesn’t come off looking too good. Given the front page placement and the factual, if dry lede, I’d say I’m pretty satisfied with coverage.
A couple of comments though…
But details about the incident are emerging at a sensitive time for Sutherland, 71, a Republican and former Pierce County executive who is running for a third term overseeing more than 5 million acres of state lands and logging on private timberlands.
True, but perhaps the timing wouldn’t have been quite so sensitive if the Times and other news organizations had run this story months ago when they first got ahold of the documents?
The Seattle Times in late February received the documents detailing the allegations from critics of Sutherland who back his Democratic opponent, Peter Goldmark.
And your point is? What, you expect Sutherand’s supporters to dig up dirt on their candidate? But I guess that’s the type of observation we should expect when the Times assigns a political scandal to their environmental reporter.
The Times did not publish a story at the time. The details were first publicly reported online in a Seattle-based blog, horsesass.org, on Tuesday.
You’re welcome.
Sutherland has maintained that his contact with the woman was simply meant to be a friendly gesture. And, in an unpublished interview in April with a Seattle Times reporter, Sutherland specifically disputed that his remarks had been lewd.
“I have no recollection of saying anything like that,” he said. “Nor do I believe I would have.”
Really? And yet Sutherland told HR:
“The incident, as [REDACTED] describes it, is essentially what happened. The disconnect is in how she felt and what my intent was.”
I dunno, doesn’t seem like much of a dispute there to me. As for Sutherland’s assertion that he “simply meant [it] to be a friendly gesture,” well, it doesn’t really matter what Sutherland intended. Legally, harassment has little to do with the harasser’s intent, and everything to do with the victim’s perception. And the perception on the part of the victim and the witnesses seemed pretty damn bad.
But I don’t want to rely solely on my own judgment on this, so I forwarded my post to University of Washington Sociology professor Pepper Schwartz, a nationally renowned author and speaker on sexuality, work relationships and other issues, and I asked her if she could help me put this incident into some context.
“I do think this is an unnecessary and unfortunate experience,” Dr. Schwartz replied via email. “The person in question was treating this young woman as a piece of meat or an object rather than as a junior employee. It really is demeaning and inappropriate and even if it wasn’t meant to intimidate or embarrass the woman, it certainly would have that impact.”
Dr. Schwartz went on to address the broader issue of workplace harassment: “The more junior a person, the more her status and dignity are at risk; this was exactly the wrong approach. I don’t know if it fits the definition of sexual harassment, because as I understand the term it has to be a repeated act. But certainly it was loutish, humiliating and has no place in a work environment. It certainly could and did have a negative effect on her standing at the time and her feelings about being an employee in that place for the future.”
There’s simply no excusing Sutherland’s behavior, regardless of his excuses. This was rotten behavior, and rotten management. And voters need to ask themselves this November, whether he is the candidate best able to manage the hundreds of employees at DNR.
There it is – at the request of the little Rickie Dumbasses of the world.
Many of us have heard about how child abusers “groom” their victims. That is the gradual process they use to sort out which children will be receptive to their lies, who will be compliant to their power plays, and silent to the authorities out of fear, misplaced loyalty, or feelings of guilt.
Sutherland’s comments and actions to this young lady appear to be the initial stages of such “grooming behavior”. He’s testing to see how she reacts to his advances.
If she gets angry and upset, or reports him, he denies he had any bad intent, accuses her of “over-reacting”, and takes steps to protect himself by using his power & position to marginalize her, implying she is “crazy” or “militant feminist”, both likely to negatively impact her career. If she is embarrased but doesn’t take any strong action, he assumes that she is intimidated by his position and will test further to see if she will continue to be compliant (hence, the hand around the waist later in the day). His comments about visiting the location where she works is designed to see how she reacts to future advances.
Nope, I’m not buying the “no bad intent” argument, regardless of whether or not it would be a legal defense.
By the way – isn’t the statute of limitations for a federal action six months for this type of offense? Isn’t that one of the reasons why Anita Hill didn’t bring an action against Clarence Thomas?
When are you going to post the current podcast of Drinking Liberally?
Hey I just found out that the notes of the guy and what the lady wrote are not the same. Now if he did touch her inappropriately in 2005 and apologized he should be held accountable then. We now know it was the Goldmark Campaign guy who leaked it to the news. Interesting. And he never asked the woman if he could make this public. Wow Goldmark’s campaign really cares about the woman don’t they?
Also it seems rhp6033 is over reacting with his: “he denies he had any bad intent, accuses her of “over-reacting”, and takes steps to protect himself by using his power & position to marginalize her, implying she is “crazy” or “militant feminist”, both likely to negatively impact her career.” comments. Looks like that didn’t happen either.
You forced MSM’s hand, Goldy! KING 5 TV news picked up this story, too — they even gave your blog some free publicity.
Puddybud,
“Hey I just found out that the notes of the guy and what the lady wrote are not the same.
What the fuck are you blowing about here, Pud? The notes of WHAT guy? Second question…did you read Goldy’s first post on the topic all the way through?
“Now if he did touch her inappropriately in 2005 and apologized he should be held accountable then.”
If by “he”, you mean Sutherland, then yes he did touch her inappropriately (according to the victim, the witnesses, and Sutherland’s acknowledgment of the story), and he DID apologize to the victim for it.
“We now know it was the Goldmark Campaign guy who leaked it to the news.”
You are mistaken. It WAS NOT the Goldmark campaign who leaked the document. (It WAS an independent entity that is sympathetic to the Goldmark campaign, but not the Goldmark campaign.)
“Interesting.”
It is always more interesting when you misunderstand the truth or just plain make shit up!
“And he never asked the woman if he could make this public.”
Who do you mean by “he?” The document that Goldy posted are official state documents that were requested through a public documents request.
“Wow Goldmark’s campaign really cares about the woman don’t they?”
Wow…Puddy really cares about FACTS and REALITY, doesn’t he?
rhp @ 2
What you’re describing isn’t far from the truth in those kinds of cases. It is exactly what Brian Baird did some years ago.
Puddinghead @4,
It was most emphatically NOT “Goldmark’s campaign guy” who leaked the story. And everybody in the media knows it. I never spoke with anybody from the Goldmark campaign before breaking this story because I didn’t want to risk the campaign asking me not to run it.
@4 Overreacting? As I recall, a Democratic governor was forced from office by Democrats for doing the same thing.
Leave it to pudwhacker to excuse/make excuses for/minimize/defend/blow off/look the other way at/ignore/disregard sexual harassment by a Republican officeholder.
Cripes, if a Democratic dogcatcher’s cousin’s next-door neighbor’s sister’s friend did that, puddy would be calling for the Democratic officeholder’s head.
Luigi,
“When are you going to post the current podcast of Drinking Liberally?”
Sometime this evening.
@6 See #10.
Well Darryl I expect a comeback
@13 “Well Darryl I expect a comeback”
This is gonna get good. I think I’ll just sit back and watch. Puddy’s bravado is a bit reminiscent of the last 5 seconds of John Dillinger’s life.
“Doug McLelland’s notes don’t jive with the wronged lady.
Are you talking about the differences that Goldy discussed at length in his original post? Hence the second question. Please…read Goldy’s first post on this topic…slowly and carefully before commenting on this again.
“Different he”
So…when you said, “Now if he did touch her inappropriately in 2005 and apologized he should be held accountable then” you were referring to someone OTHER than Sutherland?????
“Then why did the guy who leaked it said not to use his name of the facts he was affliated with the campaign?”
First, there was no “leaking” involved. Public documents (results of a DNR sexual harassment investigation) were requested via a public records request, and given to several different news media. Secondly, the individual who provided the documents to the media DID NOT say s/he was “affiliated” with the Goldmark campaign.
“Doug McLelland”
So you were saying, “And [Doug Mclelland] never asked the woman if he could make this public.” Again…the documents are official state documents that were compiled as part of an investigation of sexual harassment. They were released, as required by law, on account of a public records request.
Really Darryl, I expect more from you.
Expect more in what regard? Your original statement revealed several weaknesses in your understanding of this case. As does your follow-up statement. I’m just here to help, Puddybud!
@15 Ah, Darryl, don’t try to help him; just put him out of his misery.
Like it is in any way relevant who leaked the story? I can see it now – Democrats leak news that the world is round! Now does that mean it is not?
All this deflection by the inbred righties should be ignored. The facts are they support a guy who is a pervert and they appear to support such conduct even if it is something that could be done to their daughters.
Yeah Puddy when I was feeling your daughter’s tits I was just – you know – going for a friendly gesture.
Can’t you cowards just once in your life all out your own for what they are? You don’t have a single intellectually honest bone in your asslicking bodies do you?
Now if we can just get the local pro-republican media to look into Dino Rossi’s DUI!
What am I missing?
There was a single incident that someone was touched inappropriately in front of other people.
The person offended was touched on her shoulder, back and waist. Outside her clothes.
The person offended was apologized to.
The person that touched was not arrested.
The person offended has not sued.
If all true, what did the victim do to earn getting the story on the news. If she was so embarrassed about being touched that she quit, how do you think she feels now?
Be touched inappropriately.
Be publicly humiliated by the toucher’s political enemy.
Priceless.
Darryl: My original first paragraph specified he as Sutherland. Did you miss it?
The response to your inquiry the second he is Doug McLelland.
Okay I read the original post. McLelland said he corroborated her story and he added more to his which if he said that in front of her as specified is a different accounting, even in the public record.
Regarding the person who leaked the original documents after the public request, I listened to Sutherland’s campaign mgr interviewed this afternoon on the radio. Totally different story on the guy (his name was mentioned in the interview) and what the news people said upon receiving the story.
So Marvin given your proclivity to molest little boys, your feelings on this matter are hardly important.
Every time one of you right wing pervs get caught – the rest of you start clucking like a bunch of chickens hoping to distract. I promise you it won’t work this time. This pervert has to go and WILL go.
Nobody reads the newspapers anymore you imbecilic liberal ninnies….and if you do, you’re an environmentally-cruel fascist that is furthering global warming and contributing to worldwide deforestation….
(according to your own delusional philosophy at least).
Godamn you kids are amusing to watch flounder around in your hypocrisy.
The sexually repressed “Matt Drudge” wannabe Goldy gets a fabricated story from Sutherland’s political adversaries with the always trustworthy “anonymous” accuser , he then reports it to the Seattle Times, and in turn gets a pat on the head for being a loyal lap dog for the DNC while receiving the humiliation of having the Seattle Times not even have it on the front of their on-line webpage? You have to actually search for ‘sutherland’ to reach the story on-line at the Times.
I didn’t know Goldy was into “cloning”, but when the lead Donkey makes an ass of himself, what other word is there for that??? HAHA
Puddy,
“Darryl: My original first paragraph specified he as Sutherland. Did you miss it?”
Thanks for the clarification. I figured that’s who you were referring to.
“The response to your inquiry the second he is Doug McLelland.”
OK
“Okay I read the original post. McLelland said he corroborated her story and he added more to his which if he said that in front of her as specified is a different accounting, even in the public record.”
I didn’t completely follow you there (missing word?) but either way, as Goldy pointed out, both accounts came to the conclusion that Sutherland was making reference to her breasts (regardless of the exact wording, on which they differed somewhat)!
“Regarding the person who leaked the original documents after the public request”
The phrase “Leaked [public] documents” is something of an oxymoron, don’t you think? :-)
“I listened to Sutherland’s campaign mgr interviewed this afternoon on the radio. Totally different story on the guy (his name was mentioned in the interview) and what the news people said upon receiving the story.”
Do you remember the show/station?
Sutherland’s campaign manager was NOT offered the documents. But, Goldy was directly contacted, as were several papers, by the “leaker”. None of the papers have suggested that the “leaker” was connected with Goldmark’s campaign.
The Times points out that they “received the documents…from critics of Sutherland who back his Democratic opponent, Peter Goldmark.” They did not say the person was affiliated or connected to the campaign beyond being a supporter of Goldmark & critic of Sutherland.
Rick D.,
“Nobody reads the newspapers anymore you imbecilic liberal ninnies.”
Didn’t you say yesterday that if the story had any legs, the Seattle Newspapers would be writing about it?
(Oh…yeah…you said that right here.)
Now one of the dailies has written about it, The Seattle Weekly and The Stranger have done several posts on it on their blogs (which means it may well end up as an article in the forthcoming print edition). Crosscut picked it up.
And…now Puddy says he heard it being discussed on some station. KUOW did an entire hour on this case (and sexual harassment in the workplace.)
And…um, I am told that at least one of the local TV news stations have covered the story.
But…don’t worry. Nobody is paying attention.
Are they? ARE THEY????
(BTW, Rickster, the documents involved are state documents that came from the DNR investigation into the sexual harassment allegation against Sutherland.)
@24
Ooo… Good one!
@ Wing Nuts.
@ 24 ~ this is a one and done type story and you know it. Unless legal action is taken, Goldy has shot his wad and will need to find some new fabricated items for his puppet masters at the DNC and the Goldmark campaign in particular.This time though, given the length of the piece with no legs, he should seek a publisher with editorial license….Afterall, it’s the substance that counts Goldy, not the word count.
As for having it picked up on KUOW, that is only preaching to the choir…Nobody outside those that want to be put to sleep by NPR’s “all things considered” or the “gang of four” listens to the station.
You may as well have said that the story broke on KIXI am, which is KUOW with an adrenaline shot.
Although I must admit that Goldy’s High-pitched whine tends to disturb any type of REM sleep you may incur during your listening experience on that station (KUOW).
27 LMAO @ Little Rickie Dumbass!
“fabricated”… Just what a reality-denying winger would say.
You got your wish dumbass. A front page story in the Rossi-loving Blethen Times.
@27
Fabricated?
That doesn’t sound fabricated to me. That sounds like the DNR found that the mand running the DNR committed sexual harassment.
If you go back to the original post an read Richard Pope’s comments you’ll see that Sutherland is also a dead beat dad.
So much for family values.
Rick,
“this is a one and done type story and you know it.”
Could be! You know…just like the David Irons, Jr. story.
“Unless legal action is taken, Goldy has shot his wad…”
I doubt any legal action will be taken. But, given that Sutherland was not punished (even though he was found by the investigation to have violated state workplace policy) was because “he answers to the people,” people are entitled to know the story, don’t ya think?
“…and will need to find some new fabricated items for his puppet masters at the DNC and the Goldmark campaign in particular.”
Fabricated? Where? The entire basis of this story, including the details, come straight from official state records gathered during the Sutherland investigation.
“This time though, given the length of the piece with no legs, he should seek a publisher with editorial license….Afterall, it’s the substance that counts Goldy, not the word count.”
What were you babbling about there?
“As for having it picked up on KUOW, that is only preaching to the choir…Nobody outside those that want to be put to sleep by NPR’s “all things considered” or the “gang of four” listens to the station.”
Ummm…according to Arbitron ratings, KUOW has the largest audience among all Seattle-area talk radio stations.
But, don’t worry, lil’ Ricky…nobody’s paying attention…..
Shit, just like “mama beatin'” Irons, Sutherland is lil’ Rickie Dumbass’s kind of REPUBLICAN.
Throw that lever with pride LRD. It won’t change anything. Peter Goldmark will be the man in that job come next January.
Anyone else notice that nobody from HA has written about alleged drunken wife beater Richard McIver being found guilty of violating city ethics codes today?
Yeah, turns out he “awarded a no-bid contract to a company after vacationing at the Virgin Islands condominium of one of the company’s owners.”
Let me search for something positive to say about this blog in cases like this … You people are very good at not bashing people in your own party, no matter how corrupt they are.
Wait, that’s not a positive thing to say. Remaining silent is pretty sleazy of you. Let me keep on thinking about this.
Does anyone here care abut Peter Goldmark. He is awfully well qualified for this job, maybe over qualified.
As for Sutherland’s inappropriate touching … jeeez. Daryl are you or an anthropologist or a preacher’s son?
WADR to Sister Schwartz, the sexual harassment weapon does get dulled when it is overused. Judgement, folks, use it or lose it!
Anyhow, Goldmark is a great candidate .. I just wish he was running for Lt. Gov instead of Bruce Whatsisname.
32 – Wait, aren’t you the Republican loser who claimed you can run your hands over a woman and get away it if only you avoid her genitalia and do it with a smile on your face?
Yeah, you’re that guy!
BTW ..
to stem any confusion. The Rev and SJ is both me. I am very hinred to say I just competed the work for my certificate in the Universal Life Church and am very proud of this achievement.
Whenever I wish to sound self righteous I think I shall use my new title. I have quite a collection: AB, MD, PhCan, PhD, Commander USN, MD (hon), and now Reverand. And so humble too.
Also, I am considering holding services if anyone wishes to contribute to our building fund.
The Rev,
“Does anyone here care abut Peter Goldmark. He is awfully well qualified for this job, maybe over qualified.
Damn straight…Peter Goldmark would be an outstanding steward of the state lands.
“As for Sutherland’s inappropriate touching … jeeez. Daryl are you or an anthropologist or a preacher’s son?”
Well…both, actually. But…you knew that.
Hey Troll…weren’t you the one who claimed that “the female back is not a sexual organ?”
Oh…yeah…here it is.
I’m still laughing my ass off at you over that one. Maybe someday puberty will set in for ya, there, Squirt.
@34,
First of all, I’m not a Republican. I’m a proud liberal and progressive.
And you are partially correct. What I did say to all you geeks and wonks who probably don’t have a lot of experience with women is that the human back is not a sexual organ, so when Sutherland patted her on the back, he wasn’t touching her “naughty place.”
Troll,
“Let me search for something positive to say about this blog in cases like this …”
Don’t waste your breath, Squirt…nobody gives a fuck what you think about this blog.
“You people are very good at not bashing people in your own party, no matter how corrupt they are.”
You are sadly mistaken about the purpose of this blog. This IS NOT A FUCKING NEWSPAPER. This is a liberal blog that writes about liberal issues of interest to liberals.
Your complaints are tantamount to walking into a video store and complaining about their lousy book selection. If you are lookin’ for news go read a newspaper dumbfuck!
how much will this story effect the election? who knows, but sutherland has to be taken down for more reasons than just creepy old daddy behavoir. this is a guy who has associates and former staffers who rhetorically lump eco-arsonists and even nazis with the environmental movement, and label liberal conservationist values as working for a big government controlled anti-freedom agenda. i can respect a conservative with a differnet opinion and expect many to occupy elected positions, but this sort of rhetorical extremism is not compatible with reponsible government leadership. sutherland must go and if this story is the straw that breaks his back then good riddance to the dirty old man.
@39
You can try to justify turning the other way and remaining silent when Democrats are caught being corrupt all you want, but I – the only person here with courage, honor, honesty, ethics, and yes, gravitas – will continue to point out your selective silence.
ByeByeGOP @ 18
Seattle Times
September 28, 2004
Rossi also had some run-ins with alcohol. When he was 18, he and a friend got drunk on a bottle of vodka and then, with Rossi behind the wheel, crashed his Pontiac into a house and totaled the car. No one was injured, but Rossi was charged with drunken driving and underage drinking. The charge was later reduced and, instead of jail time, he had to go to a class and pay a fine.
“It’s one of those things that happens when you’re 18 and you know everything there is in the world to know,” Rossi said.
http://community.seattletimes......g=rossi28m
41 – Keep reminding us of your high opinion of yourself. Always good for a laugh.
It’s not going to change what’s coming in November.
Rev SJ Schwartz @ 35
The Universal Life Church awarded me a Doctor of Divinity degree back in 1978 when I was 16. I think I had to pay $20 tuition. And I have never listed this degree on my resume!
@42 thanks Richard I just don’t know why this stuff isn’t brought up more often given the fact that the right wingers go back 50 years to dig dirt. We need to remind folks that the so-called rule of law, family values types are really just a bunch of criminals and perverts.
Troll @ 38,
‘the human back is not a sexual organ, so when Sutherland patted her on the back, he wasn’t touching her “naughty place.”‘
As Lee pointed out yesterday, this isn’t the STOOOPIDEST thing you have ever said, but damn close!
In your prepubescent innocence, you seem to be confusing the term “sexual organ” with “reproductive organ,” or perhaps confusing “sexual organ” with a culturally-specific “taboo body places” (anus, vagina, scrotum, penis, breasts, etc. in our culture)
Unless you are some kind of puritan (or, as I suspect for your case, sexually immature), pretty much the entire epidermis is a sexual organ–fingers, toes, armpits, breasts, backs, necks, lips, thighs, stomachs, and so on. Only some sexual organs also have strong cultural taboos.
But even so, the simple act of touching a sexual organ is not necessarily sexual. For example, when you hug your mommy and her breasts are pressed against yours (or your chin if you are as young as I suspect), that would not be considered “sexual.” Likewise shaking hands is not usually considered sexual even though tactile stimulation of hands and fingers can be important erogenous (sexual) acts. Even with “naughty places” or culturally “taboo” places, context is important. It is not a sexual act when a gynecologist does an exam.
Finally, sexual harassment isn’t typically about touching “Naughty bits” or culturally taboo places. If you engage in unwanted touching of such parts (you know, sticking your finger up someone’s anus without asking) you are charged with sexual assault, not harassment.
Your naive ideas about sexual harassment suggests that you still live with mommy and have never held a real job.
Either way…I’m still laughing my ass of at you!
re Sutherland: We’ll just keep hammering this story for all it’s worth until Sutherland’s career is completely tarnished and ruined.
‘Take no Prisoners and Give no Quarter!’
This is the new progressive motto.
Troll,
“You can try to justify turning the other way and remaining silent when Democrats are caught being corrupt all you want, but I – the only person here with courage, honor, honesty, ethics, and yes, gravitas – will continue to point out your selective silence.”
Justify? There is no justification offered or needed. This is a partisan blog. Always has been. We make no secrets about it.
So, you don’t show “courage.” You just portray yourself as an FUCKING IDIOT!!!! You simply misunderstand what this blog is about. You are like the moron going to a Home Depot and yelling that they don’t sell groceries!
If you want to show “courage” go someplace where they claim they provide balance and objectivity. Then you would have a point!
Troll is just a right wing republican asslicker like all the rest. They come and go here. They eventually cut and run. They don’t have the stones to stand and fight. And remember, one of their leaders The Fake Mark is ashamed of Bush and won’t even deny it.
Taxes? What Taxes? Only The Little People Pay Taxes!!
USA Today reports that tens of thousands of wealthy Americans are using foreign banks to evade U.S. income taxes.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/.....-lgt_N.htm
Roger Rabbit Commentary: Betcha they’re, ahem, the same ones complaining the loudest about taxes (other people pay). Betcha they vote Republican. Betcha their kids don’t serve in the military.
@48 “You can try to justify turning the other way and remaining silent when Democrats are caught being corrupt all you want, but I – the only person here with courage, honor, honesty, ethics, and yes, gravitas – will continue to point out your selective silence.”
Wow!!!!! Did one of our trolls actually say that?!!!!
[pause]
[hysterical rabbit laughter]
Should I tell that idiot it was Democrats who ran Mike Lowry out of Olympia after he got caught patting an ass he wasn’t married to?
Nah. I don’t think I will.
Sexual harassment is a shifting term.
e.g.
The woman who comes to work showing cleavage and a thing .. is she harassing others?
The guy whoi snaps his suspenders, sticks his chin out and displays other examples of male dominant behavior around women may be an asshole but is a sexually harassing anyone?
Is a replica of the statue of David sexually harassing if its owner is gay?
If one many lightly touches another on the arm to see if there is homosexual interest, is that harassment?
Is it harassment when Barack calls a reporter “sweety?” What oif he calls her skirt ? Or .. what if hw notices that she is well dressed and says so?
Frankly I still do not see WTF it has to do with choosing a land commissioner. Just imagine what would have happened to Kennedy, Ike, Roosevelt, if the morals police has been around in their day?
@53 We lawyer prefer to work with the legal definition of “sexual harassment” and find it sufficiently definite. The main intellectual challenge for us is calculating the damages.
@53 (continued) “Frankly I still do not see WTF it has to do with choosing a land commissioner.”
It’s a relevant consideration for the people who work in the department. And, by extension, that should make it relevant for every citizen of Washington state, because those folks are our employees not his.
Bush’s Plan To Lower Milk Prices
The administration reportedly is massing federal troops on Wisconsin’s border and the invasion is set to begin any day.
(This joke was stolen from the David Letterman Show.)
Golf Course Rage
A 33-year-old golfer is in jail after smacking another golfer over the head with a 6-iron for playing too slowly at the Auburn Golf Course.
Roger Rabbit Commentary: These are stressful times, and I think the stress is beginning to get to some people.
Too bad the Republicans didn’t run Bruce Mackey for Lands Commissioner in either 2000 (when Sutherland was first elected), or this year (when Sutherland should have honorably retired from public service at long last):
http://www.dnr.wa.gov/AboutDNR/Pages/Mackey.aspx
Mackey has worked for the Department of Natural Resources since 1987, and has a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Wazoo, and 15 years of academic experience before he joined DNR. In 1996, he actually ran against his boss, incumbent Democrat Jennifer Belcher, as the Republican nominee for this position. (Pretty gutsy move, if you ask me!)
If there had been a race between Mackey and Peter Goldmark, we would have seen two uniquely qualified individuals competing for the position. As it is, I am sure Mackey will do an excellent job helping Goldmark run the DNR come January 2009, just as he has done for the previous three Lands Commissioners.
Back in ’29 people waited in lines for food. In 2008 people waited in line overnight to buy an iPhone.
Amusing how the HA Donkey brigade castigate persons like Sutherland accused anonymously of “inappropriate behavior”, while embracing Wife beating scum Like McIver(D) and John Manning and Drunk driving trollops WSSC justice Bobbi Bridges(D) and Venus Velasquez(D) whom like to play bumper cars on the Seattle streets after getting loaded….oh, and then there is Sexual harasser Mike Lowry (D)and Sexual harasser and accused rapist Brock Adams (D). Democrat family values I guess.
Yup, you Donks are at least consistent in your selective outrage.
Oh and Darryl, the article you linked showing KUOW being the highest rated Talk radio station in Seattle is nearly 3 years old. But thanks for the attempt.
Roger
We “lawyers” …..
I call horse turds on this one. “Sexual Harassment” has about as much to do with a well defined entity as “victory” has to do with Iraq.
Here at Udub, the person with responsibility for SH gave a talk in which she started that ALL cases brought to her attention were justified. She went on to describe protective behavior that reminded me more than little of “Scarlet Letter” movie.
Abusive behavior in the workplace is clearly a problem. At the Udub the most common form is to employ a JD top threaten employees. The common practice is to have these people make pronouncements with threaten of The Law, all in a context of the JD being identifies as a … JD. Why do I say JD rather than attorney? Because these people also INSIST that they are not acting as attorneys since under Wastate law only the AG or her representatives can act as attorneys within a state agency.
The net effect, however is that these momser-attorneys claim NOT to be governed by the rules of the bar!
I am told that this shyster abuse is common in State government. Which is worse, having some old guy touch a lady’s tush or to be called into an office by Attorney Bigguy and told if you do not do so and so the wrath of the Law will come down on you?
60 – Uhhhh. Lil’ Rickie Dumbass – everyone you list in your little rant is gone from office except McIver.
Keep the faith LRD. We’ll be laughing at you while Sutherland is turned out of office.
Must be tough being a REPUBLICAN dumbass.
Not half as tough as being a peeping tom like yourself YLB.
Who’s in that Airport stall you’re peering into with that avatar anyway? Larry Craig in Minnesota or Goldy in Austin? Hopefully you didn’t bring your camera equipment this time.
OBTW ~ As I’ve told Darryl, this Sutherland non-story is a one and done type thing. You’ll see come election time, sunshine.
Puddylicker posting as Rick D. seems VERY interested in airport stalls in Minnesota where his hero, republican anti-gay, gay Senator Larry Craig is always looking for action. I hear Puddy/Rick likes guys with wide stances.
63 – LMAO! How many times do I have to say it? The eye’s on your right wing dumbass bullshit.
You’re the first one to bring up that perv angle and that says more about you than anything.
LMAO!! You mention Larry Craig and now McSameOld just had to scrub his website of that anti-gay, gay fornicating Attorney General down in Alabama whose wife caught him in bed with his trusty aide.
You guys don’t have a prayer in November.
The Tacoma News Tribune ran this on the front page of the local section this morning.
Somehow I don’t see The News Tribune’s editorial board giving the thumbs up to Southerland this time around.
The only times a man should put his hands on a woman at work are:
1) If she is on fire and needs immediate assistance putting it out.
2) In need of CPR
Otherwise keep you hands to yourself……
How hard it that to understand….?
Once again, the elected official “stays” and the subordinate employee is forced to “quit” her job.
When is the state of Washington going to take steps to protect employees from sexual harassment and/or workplace violence from elected officials?
How many other incidents of inappropriate touching, inappropriate comments or incidents of workplace violence at the hands of elected officials are “covered up” each year?
Does the state of Washington have an obligation to protect innocent subordinate female/male employees from harassment or violence? (You bet they do).
And now, for the billion dollar question:
Who does the state of Washington represent-“elected officials” or the people who live and work in the state of Washington?
Did you know that the Washington State House of Representatives refuses to give victims of harassment copies of reports filed by the employee when they were employed by the state?
According to House Counsel, former employees are not allowed to have copies of their records, even for medical purposes.
Since when does the state take the side of elected officials over it’s employees?
Attorney General McKenna?
Governor Gregoire?
Anyone else care to explain what’s going on?
Is there a single state legislator – male or female – that gives a damn about what’s happening to these employees?
Or, are the members of the state legislature going to “look the other way” each time an innocent employee’s hopes, dreams and aspirations for a state career are destroyed?
Yeah, I had to quit too.