IRS Office treated for blood-sucking parasite infestation

[n2doc]

By VANESSA HO, SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF
Published 09:34 p.m., Monday, November 28, 2011

The Internal Revenue Service office in Seattle is investigating an infestation of possible blood-sucking parasites -- bedbugs -- in its downtown office, after an employee complained of insect bites at work, federal officials said Monday.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said an IRS employee had complained of being bitten by bedbugs on two floors occupied by the agency in the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building on Second Avenue.
"It is alleged (that) management has known of the presence of these parasites for several weeks and has taken no action to remedy the situation," OSHA said in a letter to the IRS dated Nov. 18.
David Mahlum, a deputy regional administrator for OSHA, told seattlepi.com that the IRS had received employee complaints about bug bites since at least the summer. But it was unknown Monday if those bites stemmed from bedbugs, or from other pests in the building.


Read more: http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Seattle-IRS-office-alleged-to-have-bed-bugs-2297649.php

[HopeHoops]

1. And here I thought this was going to be about the employees.

[meow2u3]

2. I have your blood-sucking parasite right here

[LiberalEsto]

5. +100

:rofl:

Where's the bug spray?

[rug]

3. Your headline is much better.

:rofl:

[izquierdista]

4. Lloyd Blankfein?

Jamie Dimon? :shrug:

[Newest Reality]

6. Bedbugs?

Wall Street? I see a strong comparison.

The exception is that the parasites on Wall Street seem to be much harder to eradicate and affect far more people and with far-reaching, long-term results.

[hedgehog]

7. I know this is meant in jest, but I think we should be more aware of the

harm done by jokes like this. It really is a kinder, friendlier version of Grover Norquist's "government small enough to drown in a bath tub". An honest, fair system of taxation is a vital part of a modern democracy. Calling the people at the IRS blood suckers suggests that they are the enemy instead of our employees. I'm not saying our tax system is perfect; far from it. But take a look at countries such as Italy, Greece and Russia where tax evasion is the norm.

[n2doc]

10. I think we would have a better view of the IRS if they spent more time going after rich people

and less time going after small time cheats, pot growers, people who have lost their houses and the like.

[hedgehog]

11. The IRS should be an apolitical group, but over the years, Republicans

have tinkered with the IRS budget to cut back its ability to audit the rich. I wish some Democratic lawmakers would call them on this. To put it plainly, Republicans tied the hands of law enforcement going after wealthy scofflaws!

Edit: jokes such as this provide cover for Republicans to cut the IRS budget!

[elleng]

12. Yes. My dealings with IRS personnel have been quite pleasant,

they are helpful and friendly, and appreciate 'thanks.'
(I've had to deal with them concerning a number of tax years, due to domestic matters, so have a fair amount of experience with them.)

[Odin2005]

8. Those little bastards give me nightmares.

[begin_within]

9. Now what about the ones on Wall Street and K Street?