Having seen it for myself, I enjoy unearthing these federal workplace oddities. Have fun with these stories and thanks for spreading the word, but I just wanted to let you know that there’s no “woe is me” in this story. If anything, there’s “woe is America,” and “what else can you do but laugh.”

Take care, and I hope the rest of your extended week is enjoyable.

Charlotte corrected by statistics in the above blog entry. Here is the full text of her correction, sent to me by email:

The 15/67 was the number of judges that had issued any judgment in favor of the appellant at all. Most judges issue more than a dozen in a quarter, so if you can imagine that the 67 is really a thousand cases. . . and the fifteen is – well — probably fifteen.

Anyhow, here’s a link to a post with broad statistical numbers.

http://www.fedhallofshame.com/?p=299

Only 13 percent of cases are decided at all. Twenty-nine percent are settled, and the rest are thrown out for various reasons. Of the 13 percent decided, 82 percent are decided in favor of the Agency. From the total number of cases submitted, the percent decided in favor of the appellant is 2.4 percent.

I love this story — it fits right in with the theme of how I tell the Department of Labor that my boss is obsessed and delusional, and he goes and tells them that I’m “attracted to [him], her supervisor.”

Guess what DOL does next? They investigate whether I’m attracted to him. It’s true. And they even waste your taxpayer money hiring a contract firm to continue it after I’ve quit, because people who are attracted to someone demonstrate their attraction to someone by running away from them.

I guess me and this plumber and Socrates will get the last laugh however — at least according to your theory.

Thanks for your lovely note.

I am through the worst of it and on a much more positive path toward the same goal that you desire — a more useful and realistic form of journalism that helps us run our lives and our country, and understand our world. It is so uplifting to hear from you because I *know:* there must be many, many people who desire exactly what you expressed. And to hear even your one voice reinforces my conviction and resolve to work, patiently but persistently, to bring into being a more participatory form of media.

Thank you and God bless you!
Tom Abate

Not a journalist. We raise super nice puppies, one breed being the poodle - so that’s how I got here. have to leave my comment, welcome or not.
I’m just a regular person here, living in middle America. We do not watch TV, do not watch the news. It is so one-sided, it is sickening. Not sure what kind of stuff you write, you are the same age as my husband and I.
I’d like to see True Journalism. Also, I’d like to see more positive reports of news items. Is it any wonder that we have all this horrible stuff going on?, when that is what gets attention for the last too many years. The trend needs to STOP. Talk about good things, leave the murders, the rapes, the awful things done to children right where they belong - in the police stations and courtrooms. Report about something good every day. I’m sure I am not the only one with that opinion.
I love my ‘job’. I get so much positive feedback, people love getting our puppies. They stay in touch, send me pictures. It is sharing love with others.
Sorry to hear you are having it rough.
Mary Ann
http://www.hearthsidefamilypets.net

Thanks! — Rob

http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=a8b68840da&attid=0.1&disp=inline&view=att&th=11ab56c3dc7f6be6