Grandmother loses job because parents were stranded in NO --

[Radio_Lady]

I just wrote to Keith Olbermann and made the president of Positronics Industries, Springfield, MO, my nominee for WORST PERSON of the day (or maybe even the month). I also called the company and spoke with the president's secretary and gave her a piece of my mind! What the hell has happened to FAMILY VALUES?

From: http://wireservice.wired.com/wired/story.asp?section=Breaking&storyId=1088984&tw=wn_wire_story

Grandma Fired for Missing Work to Babysit

Wednesday, September 14, 2005 10:58 p.m. ET
By BILL DRAPER Associated Press Writer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- When forced to decide between caring for her 18-month-old granddaughter whose parents were stranded in New Orleans or leaving the girl with strangers so she could show up for her assembly line job, Barbara Roberts chose to be a grandma. And for that, she was fired.

Roberts says she didn't know if her daughter and son-in-law were even alive when she called the Positronic Industries factory in Mount Vernon the day Hurricane Katrina came ashore to say she wouldn't be in. But at least she was sure Trisana was safe.

The 54-year-old, $7-plus-per-hour worker had made the four-hour drive to Columbia from Mount Vernon on Saturday to watch the girl while her parents were away. Roberts had planned to be in her own bed by Sunday night.

Tina Roberts and her husband, Chris Hardin, had flown to New Orleans on Aug. 26 so Hardin, a professor at the University of Missouri School of Medicine, could attend meetings. It was supposed to be a weekend business trip.

Hardin tried to reschedule the flight home the afternoon of Aug. 27 as the Category 5 hurricane approached, but he was told the airline had canceled all flights because of the storm.

(snipped)

[Whoa_Nelly]

1. Will be watching to see if Olbermann shares your nomination!

:thumbsup:
WTG, Radio_Lady!

[Pirate Smile]

2. There was a story yesterday about a person who got fired because

she went down and picked up her stranded siblings.

[Angry Girl]

3. What about the Family Dollar woman who was fired?

Woman fired after rescuing siblings from Mississippi
Family Dollar gave permission, then quibbled with time

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050914/NEWS01/509140424

Google Family Dollar and suit and you'll see a bunch of entries! So much for billionaires with compassion. I'll never shop there again.

Besides, if I'm not mistaken, isn't Family Dollar the store where things are always MORE than a dollar?

Nightweed's Hurricane Katrina Aid Organizations

[Radio_Lady]

9. I did see this story, too, but was not able to concentrate on it.

Had to get to the dentist this morning and hubby had a full physical exam this afternoon. Thank God we have a home, medical care, a planned trip to Hawaii next month. We are blessed!

In peace,

Radio Lady

[KamaAina]

10. Wasn't that also in Missouri?

What in the world is going on up there? I'll bet Jim "No" Talent is behind it...

[Iris]

12. more than dollar but cheaper than Wal-mart, K-mart, or Target.

It's not a everything's a dollar store and the selection sucks, but they are in a lot of poor communities.

[trotsky]

4. Quote from the father

"I sit here trying to imagine what kind of world it would be if grandmothers didn't make that decision."

Obviously it would be the Republican utopia, where workers fear for their very lives and put their own well-being ahead of all other family members.

[Benhurst]

5. Oh, bitch, bitch, bitch. Join the team, Grandma.

This is BushAmerica, the land of root, hog, or die. You don't live in Sweden.

What did you expect? Compasion?

The business partners of Dubya's grandfather, Prescott Bush, put it best: "Arbeit macht frei."

:patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot:

[Cassandra]

6. Ah, Repuke family values.....

so heartwarming.......or is that heartburning?

[Radio_Lady]

7. Keith just gave this story # WORST tonight Thurs., Sept. 15...

Beware the power of a grandmother aroused! I must have given his secretary (the only person I was allowed to speak with) a big pain!
After I ranted for about five minutes non-stop, she meekly advised me she is a grandmother too!

I plan to mention it to my audience of estimated 80,000 to 100,000 people here in Oregon tomorrow.

Remember the name, folks, Positronics Industries of Missouri.

I posit that this a**hole of a president will have to answer for this error in judgement for a long time.

In peace,

Radio Lady

[Radio_Lady]

8. Maybe someone will offer her another job that pays more than the

paltry wage she was earning with Im-possible-tronics of Missouri.

I am going to try and call her tomorrow if I can find her telephone number on switchboard.com.

[antigone382]

11. Great job, Radio_Lady!

It's wonderful that you're using the power of your voice to try to help this woman out...maybe you could try to get her on your show???

[Radio_Lady]

20. Thanks, antigone382. Regrettably, I had an interview with an author

scheduled for today and couldn't cancel it. Next week, I'm having some minor surgery so my show is pre-recorded already.

By the time I'm back at the studio, it will be old news. But keep on it. Did anyone see any mention of it today (Friday, Sept. 16th)?

[FreedomAngel82]

13. That is so horrible

:( The least they can do is understand. *sigh* :cry:

[proud2BlibKansan]

14. I have family in Mt. Vernon, MO

It's as red as red can be and swarming with fundies.

[I_Make_Mistakes]

15. So proud, what is the fundie justification for this? I am asking how

they can justify this, "Was God supposed to save them?".

[proud2BlibKansan]

16. It falls under the work ethic commandment

I would guess.

[eridani]

17. Address, phone, email

Let's ream the assholes a new one!

Positronics Industries Inc
[phone]
423 N Campbell Ave
Springfield, MO 65806
[e-mail]

[eridani]

19. The Internets work really, really fast

After my email at about 10PM PDT, I got the following automated reply. Note the timestamp.


Springfield MO / September 15, 2005 / 3:43 pm


The nation has never before experienced a disaster of the magnitude
of Hurricane Katrina. The effects of this tragedy were more far-
reaching than could have ever been imagined.

This event has caused Positronic Industries to recognize that its
employee policies need to be updated when dealing with disasters.

We regret the difficulties this has caused Barbara Roberts and her
family. An offer of reemployment was extended to her and she has
accepted.

Positronic Industries is now in the process of creating a company
wide disaster policy.

[SeattleGirl]

18. Congrats, Radio_Lady!

Just watched the 9:00 pm pacific time Countdown, and saw your nominee was the WORST person!!! Nice going! (And I hope the cretin gets a s**t load of nasty emails and calls about this!)