Quadriplegic lawyer calls 'Apprentice' tryouts discriminatory

[truthpusher]

http://www.newstribune.com/articles/2005/02/10/news_state/0210050049.txt

Posted: Thursday, Feb 10, 2005 - 10:26:43 pm CST

Quadriplegic lawyer calls 'Apprentice' tryouts discriminatory

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A quadriplegic lawyer has sued producers of NBC's "The Apprentice," saying the tryouts for the popular reality show discriminate by requiring that would-be contestants be in excellent physical health.

In his federal lawsuit filed here last week, James Schottel Jr. wants a preliminary injunction that would force the show's producers to drop such requirements that exclude him and "others similarly situated" from being considered for the show.

(snip)

He said the lawsuit only is meant to correct a perceived Americans with Disabilities Act violation by Trump Productions LLC and Mark Burnett Productions LLC.

"This isn't a frivolous lawsuit," Schottel said Wednesday. "Since the ADA was enacted, there have been great steps in new buildings and accessibility by (the disabled). But I rarely see a person with a disability on anything" on television.

complete story:

http://www.newstribune.com/articles/2005/02/10/news_state/0210050049.txt

[Us vs Them]

1. Purpose of the ADA

"Since the ADA was enacted, there have been great steps in new buildings and accessibility..."

I thought disabled people couldn't handle great steps. That's why we have ramps now.

[Pastiche423]

11. That is not funny

[98geoduck]

2. The Apprentice pretty much shows how corporate whores are born.

[unblock]

3. this is frivolous

well, at least, it goes against established case law.

had 'the apprentice' been untelevised, the plaintiff would have had a point.

however, the show is, of course, televised. courts have long held that tv producers can have wide latitude in considering physical appearance and characteristics when contemplating putting someone in front of the camera.


as a side note, that show is a horrible display of bad hiring, interviewing, and management practices. the fingerpointing blame games in the boardroom especially may be good television, but they are revoltingly bad business.

[DemBones DemBones]

6. They might be legally able to refuse an application

from someone because of his appearance but requiring excellent physical health says nothing about appearance and presumably rules out anyone with, say, diabetes or asthma. Can you tell by looking if someone is asthmatic or diabetic? Many of us have "invisible disabilities," including many more chronic conditions than just the two I've mentioned. The issue is whether a person can do the job with reasonable adaptations for his/her disability.

[MADem]

4. He better get in line

Behind the geezers, the fatties, the uglies, the zit laden, the people whose bodies don't photograph well, the ones with annoying voices or habits...

They want people who will play roles. It's like hiring bad actors on the cheap and calling it a contest. If there's a "part" for a whining bozo in a wheelchair, they'll call him. MAYBE. If there's someone cuter in a wheelchair, he's out.

It ain't a JOB, it's a CONTEST. And they don't have to tell you why you weren't picked.

I don't watch the show, after about forty seconds my mind froze at the stupidity of it. Give me a good cartoon any day!

[DemBones DemBones]

5. Why aren't DUers more supportive of equal rights for the disabled?

DUers vociferously support rights for other groups but when it comes to the disabled, we get posts making cheap jokes about the disabled not being able to handle steps and suggestions that the "whiny" quadriplegic suing will have to get in line behind fat people.

Feh. :puke:

[w4rma]

8. It's not a job. (nt)

[LiberallyInclined]

9. this isn't about equal rights-

being chosen or even considered for a part on a tv show is not a "right".

the guy is being a whiney crybaby.

[DemBones DemBones]

10. So it would be OK if the rules excluded gays? Blacks? nt

[LiberallyInclined]

14. Yes.

It's not a federally-funded entity, it's a television show, and they are casting it.
How many black actors sued "Friends" when their casting call for six white actors went out?
the producers are the ones with a right- they have a right to set the parameters they see fit for their television program.

sheesh...:eyes:

[Dogmudgeon]

12. He's seeking redress for a grievance

Taking it to court, even if the case is of dubious merit, is the way adults resolve these kinds of differences, not "crybabies".

Name calling is far from adult behavior. Most of the "crybaby" epithets are made ironically -- whether the name-caller realizes it or not. The Republicans work this piece of agit-prop like an 18-year-old hooker. It's strange to see it used around here.

He'll lose. The Republicans will gloat -- "another blow for freedom from Trial Lawyers and Whiners!"

And if Trump wants to make himself look like a visionary and a hero, he'll choose a well-qualified handicapped person among his lineup of Apprentices next season.

--p!

[LiberallyInclined]

15. He doesn't have a leg to stand on....

:bounce:

Adults are able to admit when they are wrong, instead of tying up and further clogging our judicial system.

going to court over something totally ludicrous is the "adult" equivilent of a temper-tantrum.

[Dogmudgeon]

13. Initial effects of Republican Poisoning

Just a sip of the old Kool-Aid will do it.

Why does contesting a rule make someone "whiny"? It makes no sense -- it's part of the poisoned communication the Republicans/Conservatives/Dominionists have been spreading.

The targets are generally people with situations that cause revulsion and induce ridicule -- fat people, the handicapped, "stupid" people or "sheeple", children, "rednecks", and members of the other few remaining groups that it's safe to hate.

The cure? The victim of Republican Poisoning should simply re-think the response, and, in Ayn Rand's words, "check your premises". A few passes over the brain virus will render it impotent, and it will be rejected like the transplanted spleen of a weasel.

--p!

[rawtribe]

7. I saw some skiers

with "dis"abilities last weekend that make most folks seem lame.

:spank: