LEN IS RIGHT POST EDITED

Minions:
I've had to edit my last post, in re my travails at work, because I was specific with certain aspects of the situation. The place I work can dismiss me if I am specific as to names, be they personal, corporate, or whatever, because it shines a bad light on the company, and I can probably be more productive for the family if I'm working.

So, the entire story is the same, I've just changed specifics so I can't be brought up on charges. Oh, they can bring me up on charges, but they can't make it stick without specifics.
Great country and great company, huh?

LT

HARASSMENT BEGINS AT WORK FOR LEN

Greetings:
A few weeks ago, I reported that I had nearly been fired for writing a couple of letters to management and 5 other employees, requesting that the other Crafts where I work stop doing my Craft's work. As I stated, the letters were as non-threatening as could be, just simple requests. Of course, as I expected, my requests were turned down.

Yesterday, the expected reaction to all this started, but in a different way than expected. I give you the following statements for your consideration:

• "We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough religion to make us love."
• "I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike yor Christ."--Gandhi
• "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross."
• "I'm for the separation of Church and Hate."
• "Religions are just cults with more members."
• "Last time we mixed politics with religion, people got burned at the stake."
• "It's a scientific fact: Scum Always Rises To The Top."
• "Militant Agnostic. I don't know and you don't either."

The previous statements are from bumper stickers that I have all over my tool box at work. I've had these stickers on my box for almost 2 years and no one has said anything, other than to express that they liked my stickers.

So, yesterday, a Management employee , who is my main nemesis in my role as a Shop Steward, and who was one of 2 management people (along with our Facility Superintendant) who called me upstairs into the Manager's Office to chide me for writing the previously mentioned letters (that almost got me fired), called me into the backshop where I keep my toolbox, and told me that he had a complaint that someone was offended by the bumper stickers on my box.

In truth, there were 2 stickers on my box, not previously mentioned, that could have been deemed offensive. One was a decal with a picture of a hand giving "the finger." The other one was a small sticker that said, "Wake The Fuck Up." He told me I had to remove these stickers because they were offensive. Knowing that it was unlikely that someone really complained, but not wanting to argue and get myself in trouble, I agreed to remove both of those stickers. He then pointed to the stickers that had the religious statements above, and said that those had to be removed also because they were offensive religiously. He then stated that he, personally, was offended by the one that said, "It's a scientific fact: Scum always rises to the top."

I asked him to explain to me why they are offensive, and he just said they were, and that someone didn't like them, and they needed to be removed. I told him that I felt my Right to Free Speech was being violated and he said, "Not when it's offensive to others. Somebody complained and now I need you to remove these stickers." I said to him, "Why do I have to remove the one that says, "Militant Agnostic. I don't know and you don't either." That's a statement about myself. Isn't that my right to Religious Freedom as guaranteed by the Constitution?" He got mad at this point and told me to remove the stickers. He said I could keep the ones that said the following:

• "Freedom of Speech Means the Freedom to Disagree."
• "Evolution is just a Theory--Kind of like Gravity."
• The Price of Apathy is to be Ruled by Evil Men."--Plato
• "I Pledge Allegiance, not Thoughtless Obedience."
• "Your Silence Will Not Protect You."--Audre Lord
• There were also assorted sports teams stickers and band name stickers that I could keep, along with Union stickers.

What I ended up doing was removing, not only the "offending" stickers (because I didn't want to be charged with insubordination for refusing a directive), but I also removed ALL of the stickers, so as not to have any questions as to if I removed the correct ones. I then touched up the paint on the toolbox, so as to remove anything that could give them fodder to hassle me, or a reason to say I refused a directive.

When I asked the Management employee to give me the name of the person who was "religiously offended," so I could go up to the person and apologize for said offense, he wouldn't give me their name, saying that it would only lead to trouble. I asked him if that meant he didn't trust me and thought that I would do something to threaten the person. He said that he didn't want any 3rd-party conversations taken too far and problems to ensue. I then asked if I would be afforded the same courtesy if I was ofended by the myriad of stickers and pictures that are all over the shop on tool boxes and lockers? He said that if he thought they were offensive, then yes. I asked what determines something to be offensive. He just said, "We'll look at it and see."

So I ask ya, am I wrong to contact the ACLU? Has my right to Free Speech been violated? Do the Rules of Conduct and Diversity Training supercede the U.S. Constitution? It's possible that someone complained. Though after having no one complain after almost 2 years, I wonder if someone really DID, or is the company starting to wage a war of harassment on me for complaining that they were giving too much of my Craft's work away?

I'm asking any of my friends in the Legal field to contact me with their opinion. I do have a call into the ACLU now (waiting to be called back), to see if I have a leg to stand on, or if I should just go and be a "good little soldier" and let it go. This call for a response goes out to my friends Judge Toomey, Clem Parente, Packy McGraw, Gerry Leary, Will Anthony and Nick Mesiti. I realize that this is not all of your fields of expertise, but would like to get your opinion. My email address is ltollert@nycap.rr.com

Jeeez. Can you believe this shit? I don't know...maybe I'm wrong. But...how can that be?

LEN IS RIGHT CORRECTION ABOUT HEATH LEDGER

I received a complaint from one of my faithful readers (Uncle Bob the Mixologist), saying that I didn't give a fair shake to Heath Ledger's performance in The Dark Knight. He said that before I make that statement, that I should see the movie. He believes that Ledger's performance IS Oscar-worthy. Well, this time Bob is Right and Len is Wrong. Well, I'm wrong for making the statement without seeing the movie. He very well may have given the performance of a lifetime. I stand corrected for talking before I knew the facts. I will see the movie and give my opinion afterward. My complaint was more toward the hype by critics, and that Oscar sometimes gives an award based on sentimentality rather than who gave the best performance.

Alright. Have a great day, and I'll talk with you soon.

I am,

Len Tollerton

THE SHARK, THE SYD, THE MOVIES

Hey Now!!
Here we go with another LIR post. A bunch of stuff to talk about.

THE SHARK
First, the Great White Shark, AKA Greg Norman. The Open Championship of golf (British Open) was held this past weekend. For the first 3 rounds, the leader was 53-yr. old Greg Norman. Norman was my favorite golfer back in the 80's-90's. He was the bridge, for me, between My all-time favorite, Jack Nicklaus and my present favorite, Tiger Woods. For a time, years ago, Greg Norman was as dominant as anyone had ever been in the sport, except for Major Championships. And except for an infamous meltdown in the '96 Masters, Norman could have, should have won, probably, 3 more Majors, but didn't because of lucky, unbelievable shots by other golfers (Larry Mize and Bob Tway for example).

Anyway, for 3 days last weekend, Norman played fantastic golf for the conditions and gave anyone over the age of 40 the hope of a really wonderful result. It would have been a win for the ages to be sure. Greg didn't have as good luck on Sunday's final round and finished 3rd, 6 shots behind the eventual winner. And it is my contention that if the stupid, freakin' hype-loving media would have left him WITHOUT asking about choking on Sunday, or what it would mean for a 53 year-old guy to win a Major, or whatever, and just let him play his game, he very well may have done it. Thanks to all of the sportswriters and TV reporters. Maybe you're supposed to be able to handle that at that level. But it was ridiculous, some of the questions he was asked. For me, it was a great thing to see, a hero in the lead after 3 rounds, 10 years after he lost his hold on being #1. I'll bet only folks from the United Kingdom were rooting for Padraig Harrington. I'm pretty sure that the rest of us were pulling for Greg Norman to pull an '86 Nicklaus on everybody. Nice job, Shark. We're all really proud of you.

THE SYD
We attended the graduation party of Sydney Luce, daughter of close friend Roy the G.B. King, over the weekend. Congratulations Syd, and best of luck at SUNY Geneseo in the fall. We had a nice time at the party, despite the crushing humidity on Saturday afternoon. Enjoyed seeing Chuck, th E.o.D. sitting up and taking nourishment. I was fairly subdued the whole time, cause I knew I had to go back to work that night at midnight, after being off a week for vacation.

THE MOVIES
Last week we saw two movies. I love giving my funds to Regal Cinemas. Anyway, we saw Hancock and Hellboy2. Obviously not date flicks. Both were enjoyable popcorn movies with ALOT of action. Will Smith played an unlikeable super hero, with Jason Bateman playing a guy trying to improve Hancock's image. Some good fun and a surprising twist in the middle that changes the movie.

Hellboy 2 was one for me and the boys. Lots of fantastic action, comedy and destruction from the big red guy and an evil elf that wants his race to control humans and the planet Earth. One of Hellboy's crime-fighting partners was this guy who was very fish-like. He ended up reminding us of C-3PO from Star Wars, only not as much of a priss. He would actually fight.

If you're looking for mindless action fun at the movies this summer, check out these two films. Our next two must-sees are Wanted and The Dark Knight. Oh, and by the way, can we just say that Heath Ledger did a fine job as the Joker and not ordain his job in the Dark Knight as the second-coming of God-like performances worthy of an Oscar, just because he's dead. If he hadn't died NONE of the critics would be giving anything more to this flick than kudos for action. Face it, the critics just want something to hype. Let's play off of the dead guy, shall we?

Alright, that's it for now. Just wanted to keep in touch. Football is just around the corner, folks. But first, I haven't played any golf in a month and I'm going to Florida on August 10th. I better get some practice in or my father-in-law's friends in Palm Harbor are going to take all my money and think I really DO suck (not just in April). Okay, I do. But only to the tune of shooting between 84-95. Not struggling to break 100 like in April.

This has been LEN IS RIGHT. I'll talk with you soon.

I am,
Len Tollerton

G.B. KING'S NEW MANCAVE

Hiya folks:
Last night Kevin the Roller, Ken the King and I drove out to Scotia to the home of Roy the G.B. King to join Roy, Chuck, the recovering E.o.D., and Extreme Justin in the Grand Opening poker night at Roy's newly completed mancave.

Roy has been laboring for over a year to build this room in his basement, which includes a 46-inch LCD HDTV (which swings on a boom for viewing wherever you are in the room), new furniture and poker table. He did a really nice job on it, took his time with the planning and now it's ready for use.

We played our normal No-Limit Dealer Choice game (Hold-'Em, Omaha, Pineapple) and had a really good time. For the first time in 3 tries, Justin was the big winner. The last two times we played, Justin got nutted early and was gone within an hour. Not this time. I think the Roller ended up as the night's big loser (he doesn't like Omaha and Pineapple). For the first time in 3 or 4 times, I actually lost. I think my total for the night was -$50. No biggie. Win some, lose some.

On top of the fun, we also got to watch our beloved NY Mets win their 7th straight game. Hopefully the Phillies will fold in August.

Chuck, the E.o.D. seems to be recovering from his bypass surgery well. He passed up the delicious brownies baked by Roy's wife, Sue. The rest of us, however, did not. We scarfed them mofo's up real quick.

So, congrats on the opening of the Man Cave, Roy. Here's to many more poker nights in Scotia. The rest of you should stop by for a game sometime. Then you can see why LEN IS RIGHT.

Peace for the week.
I am,
Len Tollerton

RUSH AT SPAC, BUT NOT MOHEGAN SUN/LEN ALMOST GETS FIRED

Hello there, minions:
Last Saturday night, son Jackson and I went to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center to see the band RUSH play on the 2nd leg of their Snakes and Arrows tour. Coming along for the show was Jackson's friend C.J. and his dad, Clayton.

We had inside seats (as opposed to sitting on the lawn). Rush no longer has an opening band, because their song catalog is so large. So now, they come out and play for an hour and 15 minutes, take a 15 minute break, and then play for another hour and a half. I've gotta say, it was pretty loud inside. The band opened with my all-time favorite Rush song, Limelight. They employ video screens throughout the show which go back and forth from showing the band playing, to whatever the theme of the song they're playing happens to be. For instance when they do the song, Red Barchetta, which is about driving an illegal sports car in the future when there are no gasoline engines, the screens show a car going very fast along a winding road and the screen is your view, as if you were driving. So there was ALOT of sight and sound going on. These guys are virtuoso musicians and in my opinion, they were definitely on their game this night. The weather was beautiful and the crowd was definitely into it, singing along with most songs and cheering loudly after each song.

This proved to be a little too much for friend C.J., who was attending his first rock concert. At 11 years old, I don't think he was ready for the loudness of the music and the excitement and size of the crowd. His dad took him up onto the back part of the lawn where it was a little less intense and he was able to get a break. Next time, I think he'll be okay and ready for a show, because he'll know what to expect. The kids are now getting to the age where we'll just be dropping them off at shows (after age 15 or 16) with their friends, and summertime is concert time. Jackson spent the whole second set headbanging his long, blonde hair and holding up his hand with the "devil's horns" sign. I had to explain to him that Rush is not a metal band, so he had to change hand signs to the peace sign. (By the way, you know dad will probably be going to many of the same concerts the kids go to, because I like rock music)

NO MOHEGAN THIS TIME
Two nights later, I had tickets to the Rush show at Mohegan Sun. Since friend Roy was out of town, friend Chuck is recovering from heart surgery, and my other friends either couldn't get a day off from work, or couldn't afford the cost of the show, the hotel, and gambling, I was left to either go by myself or eat the tickets. Since it's no fun to go alone, I ended up eating the tickets. Brother-in-law Dave was supposed to go, but couldn't get it off from work. Too bad, because he's a drummer, and Rush's drummer, Neil Peart, was unbelievable all night at Saratoga. He did his customary 10-15 minute drum solo, and in my opinion, he is the only guy in rock who SHOULD do a solo. The concert drum solo has become so trite that I think it takes awayfrom the flow of most shows and reduces the amount of songs the band plays. But this guy is, hands down, the best. In the middl of the solo, his drum kit does a 180 degree spin and he re-seats himself and starts playing on electronic drums that have all sorts of sounds programmed into it. All of a sudden, you've got music and sounds going on that he is triggering with drum sticks. He ends up doing a straight jazz drum solo with jazz music and a film clip of Neil's idol, Buddy Rich, playing behind the kit. I think Dave would have really enjoyed it. Too bad.

I think people should take days off from work to enjoy life once in a while, other than weekends. Am I the only one that feels empowered by live music? C'mon, people, live a little!! Your job will still be there when you get back. That is, except, for friend Stan G., who is a rural route mail carrier and would probably get fired by the gestapo-like Post Office if he took an unscheduled day off. Stan and I were sidekicks just after high school and we went to every show that came to the area and many that were out of the area, back in the early 80's. Stan had a '73 Chevelle SS that was the concert ride and party boat during those years. Truly, I wonder how we made it home many nights, seeing as we were so horrendously impaired most times. But that's info for another post.

Eating $225 worth of tickets is NOT RIGHT!!

LEN ALMOST GETS FIRED FROM THE RAILROAD
As I may have stated before, I am now the Shop Steward of the Sheet Metal Workers Union where I work. For years now, management has liberally used a rule that allows other Crafts to do my union's work. Our last 2 Shop Stewards have laid down and been useless in arguing this rule. This rule, which is in our contract, was not negotiated, but imposed on my union by a Presidential Emergency Board in 1992. Anyway, I'm really tired of seeing it used. So I wrote some letters a couple of weeks ago to members of other Crafts who were doing our work. I asked them not to do our work anymore, or at least don't do it unless directed by a Foreman (refusing a directive can get you taken out of service for insubordination).

Well, the letter I wrote was written in a friendly tone, not threatening at all. Well, one of the Machinists felt threatened, even though his actions were jeopardizing, in the long run, my family's well-being. So, he went up to management with the letter and the letter was sent to the Railroad's Labor Relations Dept. in Washington. Labor Relations called my Union and told me they were recommending that I be fired for trying to cause a work slow-down. Luckilly, I was able to talk my way out of it, and I didn't get fired, or even disciplined. I was, however, asked not to write anymore letters to other co-workers. There's actually alot more to this story, but I won't bore you with it.

Suffice to say, LEN IS RIGHT, and the Railroad is WRONG. But you probably knew that, anyway. No matter. Right or wrong, they hold all of the cards, so I lose. But the fight goes on. If I don't put up resistance, I can't look at myself in the mirror, or look my family in the eyes. I'm sure you understand.

LIR would like to welcome new readers, leggy Wendy from the Railroad and Stan G. to the Len Is Right family of minions. From now on they will be referred to as Leggy Wendy and Stan G on posts. Kind of like Jen Came, who by the way is happily expecting a new baby in about 6 months. Congrats to Jen Came (hopefully, she did!!)

Be well and enjoy the weekend.
I am,
Len Tollerton

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

Hello folks:
I hope you are enjoying your Independence Day holiday. My friend Roy, the G. B. King is, cause he's on vacation. It's gorgeoues outside today. We'll be doing a little grilling with the Moms here at Stover Place. I haven't decided about fireworks yet. The crowd down at the Empire State Plaza will be LARGE and PT hates crowds. Besides, my neighbors will all be blowing off stuff till 1 a.m. anyway.

RUSH CONCERT
Tomorrow is the big day. After a lively Dungeon and Dragons game with the boys, it'll be up the Northway with Jackson, his buddy C.J. and his dad, Clayton, to see the band that you all need to see. This is the second straight summer that Rush has played at SPAC. I've praised this band many times previously, so I won't bore you. But it's the highlight concert of the summer for me. I think it'll be C.J.'s first rock concert. Good band to start your career off with. Besides seeing Bobby Sherman when I was a little kid, my first concert was the Doobie Brothers at SPAC in 1977. My buddy Todd's first show was the locally INFAMOUS Black and Blue (Sabbath/Oyster Cult, respectively) concert at Lebanon Valley Speedway in 1980. That was a good one to start with. Never in my life have I been at such an event. When we first pulled up to the parking lot, there was a line of fifteen or twenty guys that you had to drive by and they all were offering some kind of drug. All of the classics were represented. Then, they wouldn't allow bottles in, so people rolled kegs into the infield on hand trucks and just drank. One guy came walking in carrying a Matt's beer ball. Remember those? Did you have one as a lampshade in your apartment? Then some guys carried in these 10-foot tall wooden crosses and stood them up and set them on fire during Sabbath's set. Later, after it got dark, Blue Oyster Cult came out and I got to see laser lights for the first time. Motorcycles, jeans bandannas, halter tops, ciggys, party, just whatever you can imagine. Some people would call it the height of the classic 70's outdoor concert. Others would call it the nadir of human behavior. I wouldn't want to do it all the time. But once in a while.......what fun.

Unfortunately, the reason for its infamy was because some people got killed on the way home. Alot of people walked to the show, or just parked their cars along the road on the way in and decided to walk the rest of the way. A couple of people got hit by a truck and got killed, leaving the show. Also, an inebriated concert-goer trespassed on someone's property and received a shotgun blast to the chest. It was the last concert that they EVER had at the Lebanon Valley Speedway.

THE CHICAGO CUBS AND THE END OF THE WORLD
The Chicago Cubs are one of the best teams in baseball, leading the NL Central. It's been, what, 90-100 years since they won the World Series, right? Well, I'm thinking that for as good as the Cubs are playing right now, that they'll again fade in the end of summer and will not win again this year. But folks, we here at LEN IS RIGHT have the answer for all you long-suffering Cubs fans. Your team is going to FINALLY win the World Series in the fall of 2012. It will coincide with the end of the world, as seen by the Aztec calendar, which as we know, has been the be-all, end-all for a few years. So, ya know, I'm kinda thinking...I gotta be a Cub hater in 2012. I'm really rooting for them from now till 2011. I may even have to make my beloved Mets my 2nd favorite team until then because I'd like to see the Aztecs proven wrong. I'm also hoping that they ended their calendar because they ran out of chalk or something. Can you see Montezuma saying to his staff, "Pedro! Juan! Qetzqetl!! Enough of this calendar crapola. Let's go to the beach. I feel like a Corona or two. Maybe if we end it there, the fools in the future will think it's significant. Am I a funny fuckin' Yucateccan, or what?"

So, Go Cubs!! At least until 2012. Then, it's "Up Yours, Cubs!!"

ONE REASON I LOVE BASEBALL
We have alot of reasons to dislike pro sports, but I can give you a reason to love baseball. The reason lies in the play known as the bottom of the 9th Walkoff Home Run. Any time a game-winning walk-off homer is hit, the guy who hit it comes to the plate and is mobbed by his teammates. Watching that always brings me back to my youth when any kid that hit any homer, always got mobbed by his teammates when he came to the plate to score. It didn't have to be a game-winner. Any homer. And whether you're a sports fan or not, former or present athlete or not, experienced it first hand or not, it doesn't matter. And no play in any other sport is as cool as the game-winning homer. When you see a professional baseball player get mobbed by his teammates after hitting the big homer, you can see on everyones face that they're all back to being kids. And salaries and championships and endorsement deals, for a few seconds, don't matter. It's all the love of the sport, the love of a game. It takes us back to when we were kids and summers were carefree. Just for a few short seconds it all comes rushing back. Kids on a dusty Little League field, all running out of the dugout to greet the kid who hit one out. For that reason, I will ALWAYS love baseball.

Enjoy the holiday weekend. Party responsibly. LEN IS RIGHT loves his minions. Vote the poll question.

I am,
Len Tollerton