Slain Marine's father says he lost job for speaking against Iraq war

[MindPilot]

The father of a 20-year-old Marine killed in Iraq in March said he lost his job at an Escondido printer last week allegedly because of his anti-war activities.

Fernando Suarez del Solar said one of the owners of Mi California told him he was spending too much time speaking out against the war with Iraq and that his views threatened to cost the company business from people who didn't agree with him.

Full story at: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20030708-9999_1m8father.html

[cheapbeemr]

1. 'Grab a man by the balls......

'and his heart and mind will follow.' The conservative powers-that-be control men through granting or withholding employment; though with ever greater numbers permanently laidoff one wonders how much longer this will be effective.

[NYC]

14. A power over a man's subsistence amounts to a power over his will.

Alexander Hamilton.

[prolesunited]

2. What a warped world

we live in when advocating for peace can get you fired, but speaking out on behalf of death and destruction increases your stature. I wish the man well and peace in his journey to create meaning from the senseless death of his son.

[Sinistrous]

3. This makes me wonder:

Has the Norquist/Straussian noose around our freedoms already choked the life out of them, or is there still a spark of life in there someplace.

[Dhalgren]

5. No, they are still alive!

When given the choice, this courageous man said, 'I'll keep my freedoms, thank you.' I afraid it is going to take many more martyrs and not just in the employment area before this turns around. We have to be strong, and we have to support each other. This man, in this story, did the right thing. He is paying a price, and hopefully, his bravery will not go unrewarded.

[northernsoul]

9. this guy is true American hero

People who've stood up for justice and for their right to not have all their decisions dictated to them by Power are the people truly built America. I salute this man and I mourn the loss of his son.

[Sinistrous]

11. To: Dahlgren and northernsoul

I agree with both of you. I only lament that in this country a person has to pay such a price for speaking the truth.

[study_war_no_more]

16. Hi northern I am with you.

This man has got balls, after the death of his son I am sure he will not apoligise.

[northernsoul]

26. I hope he never shuts up

Why does this country have so few Del Solars and so many Sean Hannitys?

Well, hats off to him - he's exactly the kind of guy I think of when I think of the true Spirit of America

[ThorsteinVeblen]

4. The American People are the most ignorant and vindictive people

in the world. They live in constant fear and constantly take it out on those who they percieve as "not toeing the line".

March in lockstep or risk losing your ability to support your family.

[reprobate]

15. TV, You're right. But consider this.

More and more it looks like * and his administration is going down. With the admission of lying about the iraq-african yellowcake deal, they have admitted to federal crimes, which can be impeachable, but more importantly, is an offence which can put them in a federal prison.

The very vindictiveness you speak of can be the thing that turns the sheeple against them. At least I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[ThorsteinVeblen]

25. Did Reagan go down for Iran Contra?

You are again overestimating the American People. The American People don't care. As soon as the government screams "Terror" or "Communism" the victim mentality takes over thereby releasing the government to do whatever evil it wants.

The American people are the ONLY check on the American government. Not the U.N., not Nato, not our allies. Unfortunately Karl Rove understands the American people and how to manipulate them - he has it down to a science.

Bush will not go down because the American people will forgive for anything he does.

[are_we_united_yet]

45. Well...

I hear your skepticism. There are American People out there who have thought all along the Admin is full of crap. I would point to the protests against the war as fairly hard evidence. Call me naiive but I believe a sizeable portion of the population (formerly known as Admin supporters) are waiting for the wind to blow in a different direction. Many people simply do not want to go against the grain. So the Sheeple response has merit. Will it be enough though? Don't know.

[The Backlash Cometh]

6. What does that say when a man loses a son who thought

he was out to fight to protect freedoms, and his father loses his job for exercising those freedoms?

[Dhalgren]

22. Perfectly phrased.

This should be the question asked of every media whore, every politician, every candidate. Their answers would make our destinies clear.

[samsingh]

7. i hope that the war supporters

get some payback for all the misery they have caused the innocent people, soldiers, and the peace movement.

Sad that you can lose a job for protesting a war, but get so cheered on for being pro-war. Note that the justification for war was all wrong, so essentially pro-war people support invasion of any sovereign nation at the whim of the government.

[TreasonousBastard]

8. Disgusting...

and that's not the end of it.

Read Rothschild's article on "Enforced Conformity" in this month's Progressive.

http://www.progressive.org/

:puke:

[feminazi]

10. TB...good article...thanks for the link

*

[BiggJawn]

12. Good thing I read that AFTER lunch....I think....

That pretty much killed my appetite...Thanks for the article, sure made MY nutsack swell with pride to be a Murkan! (not!)

What a fucked-up country! our young people are getting killed in places like Afghanistan (West Talibanistan) and New Iraq "Fighting for their FREEDOM" and the folks back home can't even call the Idiot Boy King an "Idiot Boy King" without losing their income.

And that piece about the teacher who "mis-uses taxpayer money (his SALARY)..." what's the rational behind that? "We'll pay you, only as long as you use OUR money for purposes we find pleasing and edifying to the taxpayers of this district"?

So if MY boss finds out I buy junk food, booze and donate money to DU, NWF, and the Sierra Club, and he doesn't like it, can he threaten to cut my pay, or worse yet, FIRE me?

guess so, I just read 2 articles that said as much.....

What a fucked-up country....

Fuckin' Idiot Boy King, anyway!

[shimmergal]

51. These episodes are truly frightening.

And I applaud Chris Hedges' courage in speaking out in that address.

What _hasn't_ been said in any of the media reports is that Rockford College is an extremely politically "conservative" college. I thinke they were one of the few who refused to take any federal education funds at one point because they didn't want govt. "interference" with their admissions policies, administrative decisions, or anything else.

Hedges was brave to give his speech there. However, it would have been even scarier if he'd been speaking at a state univ. or Ivy league college and gotten the same treatment.

[librechik]

13. ah, the old "independent contractor" scam

gets more employers out of trouble than any other gamibit, I betcha.

It's a great excuse to treat the employee like shit!

[quilp]

17. This "Land of the Free" is very conformist.

If you want to make a living you had better understand that. If you want to hear real free speech listen to Europeans.

[Bandit]

18. I'm very mixed about this

I sympathize with this man however as a business owner who does not allow political advocates from my business I can also sympathize with the business. I don't care what political views you hold in private but when you represent my company you must refrain from having a political viewpoint. It doesn't matter what views you have someone will disagree with them and I don't want that reflected by my business. My business is politically nuetral. I don't advocate religion either.

[BiggJawn]

19. Do you prohibit the delivery dudes from having "Gush" on in the truck?

Just curious. I agree with you, it's Good Business to be politically and religously neutral ( I won't shop at "Christian Owned" businesses or anyplace displaying an Ichthus) But we BOTH know you can walk into almost ANY place of business in this country and find:
"GAWD Bless Murka" posters or other expressional grafix
Pictures of Dim Son on the wall.
Gush Phfleghmball on the radio in the back room
Etcetera.

If you take effort to scrub ANY political or religious expression from your business enterprise, you must be a rare duck indeed...

[Bandit]

24. No I don't interfere with what they listen to on the radio

If they start repeating what is said then I have a problem. And for the next poster I admit I didn't read the article so I would have to agree that he was mistreated if he was fired for what occurred on his own time. I believe one should have the right to do or say what ever the hell they wish on their own time just don't bring it to work.

[brook]

28. How about customers?

How do you handle them when they start to share their political and religious feelings with you?

[Bandit]

29. I just don't give them any encouragement.

I can't stop someone from ranting but I don't contribute to the conversation either. I just smile and try and move the conversation towards business. No body gets what they want all the time but in todays world one has to be very careful about what is said and how your words may be taken. If I was the same carefree person I was in the sixties I would have a completely different attitude. I would be in the streets demanding impeachment but today is a different time.

[geomon]

33. Isn't it called...

selling out??

[Bandit]

34. Yes

It is called just that. It's also called maturity.

[geomon]

35. You are correct...

Little things like making a living (surviving) get in the way don't they??

:)

sucks though....

[brook]

42. yeahbut...

the *ultimate* maturity is death.

I'm not trying to argue with you. These are questions you and I and everyone grapple with all the time. Certainly if I had been more *political* (in that *other* sense) during the height of my career, I'd be more affluent today. But I am who I am - and I can't seem to change - nor am I sure I would if I had a *do-over*. My Grandaughter refers to me as her *rabble-rousing Grandma* - a label I wear with some pride. It made my children think and it's making her think these days.

I believe -hope- most people do the best they can to be fair and good in life. Peace.

[brook]

41. I can respect your position.

I feel differently and it's only fear of losing my job and a certain inbred sense of not wishing to cause harm to another human that allows me to hold my tongue somewhat. I had a client tell me today: "the Iraquis just have to accept that we're in charge now". I wanted to rip his throat out. The sorry Republican jackass has a rent-subsidized house; eats at a government program and has a social services supplied fricking maid once a week! I, on the other hand, cook his meal, make minimum wage, clean my own apartment and pay my own rent, which is about 55% of my total monthly income. Yet I'm a *commie* and he's a freaking patriot with a flag the size of a California king sheet hanging off his damned truck. It would never occur to him that people like me voted for the programs that take care of his lazy ass.

Sorry for the rant - that's just the way it is - here and now.

[diamond14]

43. hey Brook....keep fighting the good fight...there's lots of us who

are progressive and never changed to any of this conservative crap...

stand up for what you believe in ! don't ever give that up....we need to start standing up with PRIDE...proud to be a Democrat, proud to be a liberal, proud to be a progressive...I'd be ashamed to be a reTHUGlican and it's about time we let them know it...

hold fast to your dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly...(author unknown)....

here's some famous words from an older guy who lived his convictions with pride...Paul Wellstone..

"Never separate that words you speak from the lives you live !"

" Stand up for all who lack the strength to stand up on their own."


53 year old Patriot and still standing up against greed/corruption/
and those who are destroying our Democracy

[geomon]

32. Why would you DISCRIMINATE against someone based on ...

Religion??

I thought that democrats were inclusive????

[BiggJawn]

49. Discriminate, my ASS....

Watch that slippery slope, friend. So, in order to be inclusive, Should I also avail myself of the services offered by crack dealers, prostitutes, and telemarketers?

I didn't think so.

YOU wanna support RW Fundamentalism (which is what you do when you support businesses that bray about being "Christian-owned" <"Pray in private, not on the street corner"> ) YOU just go right ahead!

If you want to debate this CHOICE of MINE, you're gonna have to do better than that Freeper-ish, whiney "but I thought democrats were inclusive" bullshit.

Agent Provacateur!

[dfong63]

21. did you read the article?

I don't care what political views you hold in private but when you represent my company you must refrain from having a political viewpoint.

the article said he was a contractor, and speaking against the war on his own time. he was not "representing the company" when he spoke.

what's even worse is this:
``Suarez said Mi California, which also does marketing and graphic designs, was supportive following his son's death and built a Web site in his honor.''

reading between the lines here, the company had no problem trying to capitalize on Mr Suarez's tragedy in a knee-jerk "patriotic" way, but they fired him when he dared to actually use the constitutional rights that his sone supposedly died to protect.

[flavorself]

27. I understand what you say...

but thought that this quote, which I noticed this morning, also has a point....

“Professionalism – in particular the notion that experts should confine themselves to their ‘legitimate professional concerns’ and not ‘politicize’ their work – helps keep individual professionals in line by encouraging them to view their narrow technical orientation as a virtue, a sign of objectivity rather than of subordination.” (Schmidt, Disciplined Minds – A Critical Look at Salaried Professionals And The Soul-Battering System That Shapes Their Lives,
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2000, p.16, http://disciplinedminds.com)

[BiggJawn]

30. So being a "GEEK" specialist is now a VIRTUE?????

And all theese years I thought it was a sign of the "Social Retard"...

Incredible, the stuff they come up with to keep the "cogs" of The Machine in line, isn't it?

Be back soon...gonna read some more disciplinedminds...

[Bandit]

31. I guess I don't understand this quote

"helps keep individual professionals in line by encouraging them to view their narrow technical orientation as a virtue, a sign of objectivity rather than of subordination.”
I don't consider myself kept in line and I do view my business as a virtue. I don't feel like I'm subordinate to anything other than business etiquette. I just feel it isn't proper to discuss politics in a business environment. Some may feel uncomfortable and I want all my customers to feel comfortable and not worry that I may treat them differently because of their politics.

[berry]

50. Thank you for the link--this book is important

I have yet to read it, but just the excerpts are enough to know this needs to be widely read (and I hadn't even heard of it!)

Everybody!! check this book out!

[diamond14]

38. Bandit: could be a big PLUS for business, bragging about your

employee, whose son died in the service of America...it could show what a Patriot you are, and how you care about America and American values...and such an attitude of support towards our soldiers and their families could really make more people want to work with your business...

certainly it is a real big NEGATIVE for your business if you show all America that you would fire the father of a dead American soldier for his political views...I think that the views of our soldiers's families are extremely valuable to our National debate and political process...and to your business...I suspect that many reasonable people will no longer wish to do business with "Mi California" printer now...if you treat your employees like sh*t, then your customers suspect that you may also treat them the same...

why not make this guy a POSITIVE for your business...lots of companies post prominently the EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH...and you could commend his Patriotism, his continued work for your company despite such trama, and his desire for PEACE....Bandit...PEACE is a nice idea...if presented correctly, all Americans embrace it from both parties...you could encourage your customers to COME IN AND SHAKE THAT MAN'S HAND....

or is it now Vietnam-in-a-microwave...there were no parades and no jobs for my colleagues returning from Vietnam, and their fathers suffered horribly and some lost their jobs in their mental anguish...

[Bandit]

40. You make some very good points

I am not in that situation so I can't say one way or another how I would react. I believe in America and I believe we need a strong military but I was and still am opposed to our Pre-emptive invasion of Iraq. I doubt that I would do more than share in my employees grief over his loss. I doubt I would try and capitalize on it. That is Republican behavior. I would not deny if someone asked that what happened, happened though I don't think I could benefit from such a tragedy. Maybe I'm just not a true American that see dollar signs everywhere.

[Robin Hood]

20. That is how these mother fuckers support the troops.

They could give a rats ass about the troops or their families.

[saigon68]

23. COWARDLY AWOL PRINCE DOESN'T CARE EITHER

This type of Bullshit Galls the hell out of most VETS.

What the Fuck does the employer know about the emotional suffering of a GOLD STAR Family.

In this case apparently nothing. Some leadership here is necessary to say this stuff sucks. What is CHIMPY doing????

Apparently NOTHING

Been there Done That---

[diamond14]

37. likely employer was all mad because the guy already lost

work time to go to his son's funeral...that's the "compassionate conservatism" of today's reTHUGlican business environment....I'm so old that I remember when it was standard business practice to pay for employees' healthcare and retirement, when 'contract-help' was very rare, and when OSHA laws were reducing work injuries...

under the reTHUGlican ENRON-leading business practices of today...NOBODY gets healthcare or retirement, NOBODY has any rights as all work in "contract" work, and as bush* demolished OSHA laws, you're lucky if you survive the day, while the cancers slowly develop...then if your son dies in the war...YOU ARE FIRED...it's the reTHUGlican way...

my hopes are that a compassionate "Democrat" will step forward and GIVE THIS MAN A DECENT JOB....

[brook]

36. I emailed Sirio.

Reminded him that Senor Suarez del Solar's son died protecting his (Sirio's) "piece of the American Pie" and that I hoped he'd never forget that.

It's the least I could do.

[Nlighten1]

39. Anyone have the phone number for this place?

I saw we call them and give em hell.

[dArKeR]

46. [phone]

Mi California Advertising
   
[phone]
   
114 S Juniper St, Escondido CA, 92025

I think this is it. Can't find an email

http://search.yahoo.com/bin/search?p=Mi+California+Hawthorne,+CA

[gate of the sun]

44. so I guess even if your child dies

you don't have the right to speak out. What kind of a country do we have now? Not one I'm too proud of. I feel for this man and the unjustice that has been brought into his life via the bushman and his friends. First his son dies and then he is fired for speaking out. I can't truly imagine his outrage, though I can empathize. It is a travesty for such a "freedom living nation".

[colorado_ufo]

47. A vision of the future -

I can foresee a time, when sanity has returned to this country, when this man's story will be made into a movie that will serve as an inspiration for millions.

[goforit]

48. If he is not using the work place ...thats ok! God bless him & his mission

We all know that this WAR was wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!