One of my co-workers scares me sometimes

[deadmessengers]

I work with a little GOP blowhard. He sits there listening to RW talk radio (Typically Boortz and OxyRush) from one end of the day to the other, and repeats obsessively the talking points he hears. Every once in a while, he'll just get all worked up in a lather over something, usually how Democrats don't support the troops or some tired old thoroughly debunked canard like that.

This morning, he really got worked up into a frenzy with something that Boortz said, although I don't know what. He slapped his desk, and said, pretty loudly, "I swear, we need to just round up all these Democrats and hang every last one of them for treason." Despite the degree of ignorance and general fuckwittery that would go into making a statement like that, I'm really starting to think that it's not just hyperbole, and that he believes that Democrats should be purged or something. It's a little frightening, actually.

I try to keep my political views to myself at work - I just don't feel that it's appropriate. Apparently, I do a pretty good job, because this guy assumes that I'm a Repugnican. Sometimes, though, it takes a lot for me to bite my tongue and STFU while he sits there and rants and rants and rants.

How do you all keep from being driven nuts by your right-wing lunatic co-workers? I know most of you have'em...

[LisaM]

1. Why don't you point out the GHWB and Reagan are ACTUAL traitors?

Who deliberately skirted Congress to fund the contras in Nicaragua?

[deadmessengers]

32. True, but...

I'm not going to roll around in the mud with this Napoleonic little shitstain. I really try to maintain some standard of professional decorum around the office, even if he doesn't. It's hard sometimes, though.

[Cha]

67. Shouldn't his superiors know

that he is babbling rw hateradio and spewing death threats to Democrats?

Just a thought.

That's what the limp one and the others thrive on..idiots who can't think for themselves. Why don't their threats get stopped before it's too late?

[Deep13]

I remind them that they are talking about people they know.

Then I point out that their premise is wrong.

Finally, I ask them if they want some Neosporin for all the scrapes on their fingers caused by dragging their knuckles around.

[Warpy]

2. You could always alert Human Resources to the problem

because having someone next to you slapping his desk and threatening to hang Democrats is unnerving and undoubtedly affecting your own productivity.

At least request being moved to another cubicle or part of the office.

The guy sounds like he's the type to go way off the deep end.

[bigscott]

10. EXACTLY

he is creating a hostile work environment regardless of your political affiliation - turn him in - he is DANGEROUS - at least make them enforce a no-talk-show listening policy in the office

[ItNerd4life]

16. Exactly! Report him to HR

Most workplaces don't tolerate political propoganda or hateful speech within the business (from both sides of the aisle). HR should look into it and eventually shut him up or kick him out.

[DBoon]

19. this is beyond hostile

this is almost a death threat.

People have been immediately escorted out the front door by security for less.

[RC Quake]

73. Well, we had a woman go off the deep end last week.

She escaped before the police could get here. She flipped out and vandalized her supervisor's office and cut all of the cables and cords to her telephone, computer, etc. Boxed up all of her supervisor's personal belongings and threw them in the dumpster. And this is a University!

You know what they did for the employees in her office? Put us in lockdown for 2 days until they could locate her and take her into custody. They brought a clinical psychologist in to talk to us about violence in the workplace because there were many concerns. According to him, we were all worried about nothing. She's a 40 something white woman with no criminal past. She doesn't fit the "profile".

So, even though she displayed physically hostile acts toward her supervisor and is clearly psychotic...we are to only be concerned about her mental health and make sure she is taken care of. There was zero concern about her co-workers.

What a whacked society!

[spoony]

22. That sounds like the best course of action

Since it's probably not a great idea to try to engage the nutter directly!

[geardaddy]

40. I agree.

He's creating a hostile environment and should be reported to HR.

[deadmessengers]

45. Yeah, I've thought about doing that.

I really don't know if going to HR is the right thing to do. Yes, he's made a general rhetorical threat against all Democrats (which any smart lawyer would dismiss as obvious hyperbole).

On the other hand, I'm not really willing to risk my career just to shut him up, and there would be a risk of being labeled as a malcontent or a whiner. I've got as much to lose as he does.

[Warpy]

53. That's why I phrased it in terms of your own productivity

because HR people are suckers for that terminology.

Requesting a move is the best policy.

There is no reason you should be subjected to desk banging and threats, even general ones.

It's not enough to turn him into the cops for, but it's more than adequate to alert Human Resources that they have a problem.

[ProudDad]

69. There are LAWS against hostile working environments

HR folks know this...

and are afraid..

[deadmessengers]

83. There are, but they don't cover this.

They cover hostile working environments with regard to sexual harrassment, or harrassment based on race or religion. Some states have added sexual orientation to that, but not the one I live in. After 15 years in "corporate America", I've been through those training classes more times than I can remember, both as a low-level employee and as a manager.

What those laws (generally) don't cover are harrassment based on political beliefs. That's not a protected class or status, and the Federal anti-discrimination statutes almost certainly don't apply in this case.

[ProudDad]

89. Aw, don't make me have to google about this

This particular guy sounds unhooked -- off the wall...

This is a case of someone's violent behavior creating a hostile environment.

Ah well, if it were me I'd push on management to control this guy.

[jhrobbins]

50. This is the way to do it-don't try and engage him in a debate.

This is a job for HR (I have a Masters in HR and this is under theri aegis)

[Rosemary2205]

62. Exactly. Under zero tolerance this guy would be fired.

I am in HR and I have to say, if we knew anyone in our company was spouting "hang all liberals as traitor" at work, we'd politely show them the door. And if we really thought he was SERIOUS we'd contact the police to have him charged with making terroristic threats against our liberal employees.

This company doesn't put up with that at all.

[Starlight]

97. That's exactly what I'd do.

[youthere]

3. Personally, I would report him to management...

I think you've tolerated it long enough, and it's become distracting.

[DawnIsis]

9. I agree with you this guy should be reported to management because the death threat was directed at

you and all liberals in your office.

[DawnIsis]

4. I have checked out right wing websites and the same death threats are repeated

against liberals and gays threatening "their" country. I think it's time we need to start taking this stuff seriously.

[DBoon]

21. all they need is legal cover and we will have problems

even cowards become dangerous when they no longer have to fear the consequences of their actions

[YOY]

5. I tell her to not discuss politics at work

When she does I pull out the full "Shut the hell up, you have no idea what you are talking about."

Kinda funny, she's not too sure if Dems are terrorists or hippies. Really funny actually.

[jackster]

6. First of all...

that statement today was WAY over the line and your HR dept needs to know about this.

Secondly, my fundie friends at work are outnumbered so to speak - I'm one of a group of very well-informed and politically astute individuals who shoot them down constantly (funny how the fundies are generally the ones who have no clue as to what's going on in the world). We try to keep politics out of our conversations, but sometimes it does enter. Today, as we were discussing Gonzalez-Gate, someone piped right up and said "Oh but Clinton did it too!" Of course, she was immediately set straight.

[deadmessengers]

WOW I wish I worked in a place like that.

Where I work, I'm the only Dem. Everyone else around here is either hard RW (although a lot less maliciously so), or Libertarian (I like the Libertarian guys, actually - they're not fans of Shrub or the war). For the most part, everyone keeps politics out of the office, except this one little gasbag.

[jackster]

92. well.... I am in Massachusetts

THANK GOD!

but even here we have the idiots who listen to Jay Severin, Howie Carr, and OxyBoyRushbo!

[EnviroBat]

7. Just poke your head over the cube wall and say...

"Bring it fucker..."

[rox63]

8. It sounds like he is creating a hostile work environment

What would your bosses think if someone was saying that all minorities or all women or all gay people should be rounded up and hung? And how is it any different when he says that about Democrats? The guy needs to be reported to the management, at the very least.

[deadmessengers]

84. those are protected classes, and Democrats aren't. n/t

[no_hypocrisy]

11. Just as long as he doesn't come to work "loaded for bear",

OTOH, if this guy keeps getting worked up, all bets are off. I believe some RW radio is tantament to inciting a riot becauses they keep pressing buttons of their audience.

[kestrel91316]

47. Remember how the radio stations were used to stir up hatred

and murder in RWANDA several years ago? They are dancing around the edges of doing the same thing here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rwandan_Genocide
"....Radio stations, particularly Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM), owned by top government leaders, and newspapers, began a campaign of hate and fear. They broadcast and published material referring to the Tutsi as subhuman and making veiled calls for violence....."

[likesmountains 52]

77. You know, when I read that book I thought the same thing...scary

[raccoon]

93. What book? nt

[likesmountains 52]

94. We wish to inform you that tomorrow we will be killed with our families..

An incredible book about the genocide in Rwanda..

[raccoon]

98. Thanks for the heads up. I'll look into it.

I saw the movie SOMETIME IN APRIL. appalling.

[likesmountains 52]

99. Thank you...just added that movie to my queue at Netflix

[conscious evolution]

87. I remember that

I've even posted on it here several times.
What right wing talk radio is doing is very similar to what the Rwandan media was doing.

The good news is that the Rwandan media personalities responsible for spreading and inciting ethnic hatred were convicted for war crimes.
The fact that the First Amendment protects them here in the US gives the International Criminal Courts jurisdiction in the matter.

[woodsprite]

12. I work with several.

One in particular is pretty bad. He and his buddy were discussing the benefits and amount of damage that can be done to a skull with the type of bullets that the shooter used at VT. Somehow they got onto the subject of concealed carry permits. His buddy said he should apply for one (Delaware - you have to have several references). Now THAT would be scary to me -- sitting right across from this guy and know he was packing. He's a hothead. Reminds me of a kid I knew in highschool who would pick up desks and chairs and throw them across the room in a fit if he didn't get his own way.

[iamthebandfanman]

13. yeah id report him to management

thats a threat in my opinion.


id just tell your boss like you said to us

you dont like to bring up politics at work and dont think its appropriate and that he has done so for a long time and you have tolerated it ... but you are a democrat and you heard him make a statement about hanging anybody who was a democrat and you are uncomfortable having him around you or working with you.

[monmouth]

14. I'm presently listening to Rush to see if any mention will be given

to the anniversary of "Mission Accomplished." Nothing yet. In pillory of the Tenet book and Tenet himself, he stated that the Bush administration "never said it was Saddam who had anything to do with 9/11." I've been listening to so much disinformation and lies it's unbelievable. He hung up on a "Sylvia", a devout listener of his because she questioned that statement. He asked her where she got this info, she stated "on the news." Drive-By-Media is to be blamed for all anti-Bush, anti-Cheney comments. They are the reason for an uninformed public. If your guy is listening to Rush and Boortz, maybe he should be reminded that they are "entertainers", not journalists. That should really set him off. Good luck.

[deadmessengers]

51. I'm sorry to hear that...

How do you keep your breakfast down while listening to him? :puke:

[Buzz Clik]

15. Tell the asshole you just got a concealed weapon permit.

Start wearing one of those long black cowboy trenchcoats to work and put your hand under your coat every time you walk by the jackass's desk.

He'll spend more time changing his underwear and less time listening to Boortz.

[madokie]

26. I like that solution

but I don't work anymore but when I did it was mostly in construction so I would just tell the sob to shut the fuck up and turn that damn radio off or I'll take a hammer to it and then do it if he didn't. it would always work too.

[mudesi]

17. Tell him they're lying to him (nm)

[Rude Horner]

18. I have a similar issue

with a co-worker a couple offices down from mine. He used to continuously send me those stupid RW emails that are so easily debunked by snopes.com. At first, I ignored them and didn't say anything. Eventually, I got tired of it and responded to each of his emails with the link to snopes, debunking it.

If he continues to send me that crap, I intend to start emailing him the link to the weekly "Top 10 Conservative Idiots". :evilgrin:

[krispos42]

20. Ask him...

Who will run the country after the Bush Administration is hanging from the tallest yardarm?

I mean, we're hanging traitors, right?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

23. I have to hide my faith, too

My boss has said all Muslims should be shipped out and that he wouldn't hire one.

There has to be someone that is a Dem that the coworker likes. Try and find out, and the next time he says that, say, "Oh, would you include ______ in that group?"

[Cleita]

27. That's awful. No one should have to hide their religious

affiliation or party loyalties on the job although I understand, in the climate of hate created by the Bush administration, it would be wiser to do so.

[DBoon]

33. atheists have to do this all the time

nt

[Gold Metal Flake]

52. Yup. n/m

[knight_of_the_star]

58. Ditto on most pagans

I know one woman who is fortunate in that she gets all the high holy days off and doesn't get shit from her bosses about her religion, in fact they try to work with it when there's a scheduling issue. Most of the time that is not the case, I know waaaay too many stories of people who were fired for bullshit reasons after the truth of their faith came out.

[kineneb]

91. try the look one gets

when one says "but I am a Buddhist". I suddenly become some kind of weird aphid in their eyes.

At least they don't want to kill me... at least I live in California, land of strange religions.

[Deep13]

37. As if it is necessary to point this out...

...it is illegal to discriminate in hiring based on religion.

[deadmessengers]

39. And notoriously difficult to prove...

...unfortunately. Also, bringing an employment discrimination action is kind of like going "all-in" in a really high-stakes poker game. If you lose, it can be a career-ender.

[Deep13]

I know it.

[knight_of_the_star]

60. The proving is what makes it difficult

Mostly because the company finds an acceptable reason to fire the victim that at least looks plausible.

[bdamomma]

56. your boss can be reported too for that remark.

[deadmessengers]

85. oh hell yeah

That's one of the "deadly sins" - for a statement like that to be made by someone in a supervisory role is grounds for termination at ANY company I've ever worked out.

[Seabiscuit]

24. Report him to his supervisor - how much work could he be doing if he's

loudly regurgitating right-wing crap he hears on hate radio all day?

[deadmessengers]

43. Sad thing is...

the guy is undeniably good at what he does. He may be a right-wing jerk, but he's good at his job. That's what makes this tough - someone who pulls their weight and then some is a HUGE asset to our group, his venom notwithstanding.

[Seabiscuit]

63. I guess I took you literally when you said:

"He sits there listening to RW talk radio (Typically Boortz and OxyRush) from one end of the day to the other, and repeats obsessively the talking points he hears." How could he possibly get *any* work done if that's the case???

[deadmessengers]

86. Somehow, he manages

I guess that was a bit of hyperbole on my part. But he does seem to spend an inordinate amount of his day ranting about Democrats and liberals.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

88. BUT I would think his views would count as harassment?

anybody who makes threats, talks dirty should be reprimanded regardless of their competency?

[Cleita]

25. Doesn't Ann Coulter regularly call for liberals to be made extinct?

I think rhetoric like this borders on treason because the Constitution protects the rights of all citizens, not just conservatives. We need to start pushing back on these proclamations and the best way IMHO is to keep pointing out that these proclamations by Boortz, Limbaugh et al are very unAmerican and those people should be investigated for their anti-American, treasonous rhetoric to find out who their loyalties lie with. I think an investigation would point to and through Bush all the way to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and that clearly is treasonous.

[drm604]

28. As others have said, this should probably be reported to HR.

Beyond that, I'd like to add that what you're saying is disturbing. How many others out there are listening to the same crap all day and harboring murderous thoughts? If Democrats do become more successful in this country, people like your coworker will likely become more and more outraged and we could start seeing incidents of violence. I don't know what can be done about it, but it's something to watch out for.

[deadmessengers]

82. The question is...

when does the RW rhetoric espoused by Boortz, oxyRush, inSannity, and Savage Weiner cross the line where protected free speech becomes shouting fire in a crowded theater? I'm not convinced it does... yet. Of course, I'm pretty much a First Amendment purist - "Also I disapprove of what you say, I will defend to the death your right to say it".

[deutsey]

29. Make no mistake: there are rightwingers out there who, if given the go-ahead,

would round us up and execute us.

Fortunately, I don't think they're a large group, but they're out there.

[bdamomma]

57. are they most of the gun owners?

[rockyandmax]

30. Drop some enlistment papers on his desk

[deadmessengers]

34. Can't pull that one on this guy, unfortunately

He's disabled ex-Navy.

[Deep13]

35. correct answer!

You can proceed to the semi-finals. :evilgrin:

Oops, just read the response. Well, some people truly are war mongers.

[ronnykmarshall]

31. I would just say to him, I'M a democrat!!

Bring it on!

My office is pretty much blue, but I don't talk politics in the first place.

[DemGa]

36. I've worked around people similar to that

But that included upper-management too. Glad to be gone from those azzholes.

[cheesedawg]

38. He's right...(read on)

BushCo doesn't support the troops, isn't that obvious! He doesn't give a crap about troops, he just wants to line his own pockets.

I wonder if your co-worker would be willing to go as far as visiting a recruitment office? I wouldn't want him to sign up, but I'd have more respect for him if followed his big yap up with some heartfelt action.

Repubs are always so fast to put other lives in danger but never their own.

Bush twins anyone?

[deadmessengers]

42. He served.

Surprising though it may be for one of these weasels, he actually did sign up and serve, something he just LOVES to bring up to anyone who disagrees with him.

[cheesedawg]

49. Well, good for him

I can't knock him for that.

[Hobarticus]

41. This is a matter for HR...you may be protected by law

Seriously.

In my state, I am specifically protected from harassment due to my political affiliation. It's no different from racial or sexual discrimination.

If he's making not-so-veiled threats, that's in violation of your rights as an employee. Your employer should take this VERY seriously.

And even so, talking about killing ANYONE is hardly workplace-appropriate talk, considering recent events.

If nothing else, it's disruptive.

Does anyone else feel the same way as you do?

[deadmessengers]

48. Doubtful

I'm fairly certain that I'm the only Democrat in the office. If there are any others, they're doing a pretty damn good job of keeping their heads down. Hell, even the openly gay guy in our group is a "Log Cabin" Repugnican.

Although, you do bring up a good point about recent events - that does color things a little, doesn't it?

[Hobarticus]

61. Still...he gets away with it because he's a bully

You should have workplace intimidation/harrassment laws. If your HR or even your supervisor doesn't take action, they risk legal action....not from you, but by the state, if you choose to file a complaint.

Regardless if you're the lone Dem in your county, if this assclown wants to rant and rave, he can do it off the clock. That's simply disruptive, and counter-productive.

First you have to address the problem, personally. Simply ask the offender to hold it down, next time he shouts out loud; tell him you're trying to work and he's disruptive. If you frame it in a way that demonstrates that he's disrupting your productivity, you cover yourself for the next step...

Which is telling your direct supervisor that the noise level is being disruptive, counter-productive, and detrimental and divisive to the team.

If they're dismissive, then I wouldn't be hesitant about mentioning recent events, and the recent language that he uses against a segment of the population that you happen to be a member of. Having a copy of your state's workplace intimidation/harrassment laws in-hand is not a bad idea.

Hang in there.

[meldroc]

44. Prank him.

I recommend the Annoy-a-tron - it should keep him busy for hours... :evilgrin:

[meldroc]

70. Alternatively,

You could switch his computer's wallpaper to a big peace sign while he's gone...

Or sabotage his radio to play nothing but Air America.

Or subscribe him to a whole bunch of liberal newsletters and such...

[guitar man]

46. wow, that sucks

Around here, we're all the same. Bu$h came on tv a while ago and there was a chorus of "idiot, moron, jackass" from all four of our offices at once :evilgrin:

As far as the idiot at your office goes, could you quietly slip a plastic bag over his head while no ones looking? :shrug:

[bdamomma]

54. some people are just filled with hate, and don't know what the hell

they are talking about. You are smart not to say anything at work these people want authoritarians to run the government to be told what they can do, what they can't do, what they can say and things that they can't say.

[deadmessengers]

55. They want authoritarians to run the government...

...as long as they're the authoritarians. In other words, all the freedom in the world for them, none for anyone else.

[bdamomma]

59. it is a double standard, like they are better than anyone else.

[scarletwoman]

64. You should ask him if he is a terrorist. Mention that threats against American citizens are supposed

to be brought to the attention of Homeland Security.

sw

[karlrschneider]

65. There are times when the Bush Doctrine makes sense.

just sayin'....

[DrunkenMaster]

66. it is not hyperbole

Don't doubt for a second that the potential for fascism and genocide exists in the heart of every human being. Some of us do our best to fight it, others secretly long for it to be released....

[ProudDad]

68. I'd print out little articles of truth

posters for impeachment, etc. and surreptitiously drop them on his desk from time to time...

I'd also complain to management that his actions are creating a hostile work place...seriously. I wouldn't put up with this kind of shit for more than one hour. Of course that may only work if the management aren't right-wing fucks too.

Good luck and you deserve a more peaceful workplace...in fact, the law says you MUST have a more peaceful workplace.

On Edit:

Upon further reflection I wouldn't even try to engage his delusions. This asshole sounds like someone who is PTSD, brainwashed and utterly without rational capabilities. You couldn't change his mind with a hammer. Forget about engaging him...it could be dangerous.

I WOULD IMMEDIATELY lookup the law and any other information concerning hostile workplaces and take it all to HR... You have a RIGHT and your employer has a legal responsibility to supply as peaceful and non-hostile a working environment as is possible to provide.

[deadmessengers]

78. I wouldn't even begin to engage him

I'm not going to roll around in the mud with this little skidmark. But, as others have pointed out, HR's job is to eliminate wavemakers. I'm more afraid of losing my job for complaining than I am him coming in here and shooting up the place. I think my best bet is to suck it up and wait for the '08 elections. Maybe he'll have a stroke when a Dem wins on Election day.

[Initech]

71. Man, that guy is frightening.

Of course, I wouldn't take any listener of Rush or Boortz seriously, but still, he's the type that should be placed under close watch. :scared:

[RedStateShame]

72. He's a bully. Stand up to him. Watch him fall.

[MindPilot]

74. DON'T go to HR or management -- they cannot be trusted.

Depending on your manager's affiliations you may end up getting yourself fired. HR's job is to make sure no waves are made so their standard response is to remove the wave-maker.

This is one you'll have to handle yourself; several people have made some good suggestions. Were it me, I would begin by sabotaging his radio.

[CK_John]

75. He is still in that office because you enable him to be there. Will

you go to HR? Will That cause discomfort and maybe your job or cost you a promotion? Probably. Is he the kind of guy that will always hate you or come back and shot up the office? Maybe.

Sadly these are the things that need to be considered in *'s world.

Update your resume and weight your choices. You have to make the decision.

[deadmessengers]

80. I'm not going to go to HR.

I think this pipsqueak talks a good game, but when it comes down to it, he's harmless. I don't perceive him as a real physical threat to me or any other Democrat - he just likes to rant and be heard. He's not worth jeopardizing my job.

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

76. His radio wouldn't make it out alive

with one shift with me. First I'd ask him to turn it off, then I'd tell him to turn it off, then I just know I'd kill the radio. I don't work, can you tell?:rofl:
You must have the patience of a Saint.O8)

[Missy Vixen]

79. Please go to HR

That is a threat of bodily harm, especially if he knew anyone in earshot is a Democrat.

Julie

[deadmessengers]

81. I think he genuinely believes that no one is

We're in a pretty red area. Democrats are few and far between around here.

[Strelnikov_]

90. Headphones, AAR & NovaM podcasts n/t

[MadHound]

95. Why are you remaining silent?

You can stand up to this guy. Do so with facts, figures and do so calmly but firmly, even in the face of his blustering bullshit that surely will follow.

Sorry, but you never know whose mind you might influence and whose opinion you will change. I live in a very conservative part of the country, and deal with raving RW nutters all the time. When they start spewing bullshit, I call them on it in a firm, polite and factual manner. This has actually been fairly successful.

Free speech is for all. Letting these fools blather their bullshit while you're afraid of confrontation is simply allowing this BS to continue to circulate. Speak up, speak the facts and help put a stop to the insanity.

[illinoisprogressive]

96. If you say you don't agree and are a liberal dem,. he will crawl in a corner embarassed. Really

Protype bully but, when someone stands up and says, hey, guess what. I am one of those liberals. Well he knows you and he will get flustered, embarassed and sit in a corner all quiet.
I've seen this happen. If you said something he wouldn't make those comments anymore.