Is this what the 21st Century really looks like?

Recently, I was researching my former employer, 21st Century Systems, Inc., on the worldwide web. I had heard that there was much information in the public domain which disputed my favorable view of the corporation; so, I decided to investigate what my friends, colleagues and others were talking about.

Now, I had heard the chatter from my colleagues about "the woman" who had been hired and then fired... then re-hired (after negotiations from her discrimination lawsuit)... then re-fired... this among an office (in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri) of 10 men...

And I had heard the Office Administrator speak of how women "could never" do certain jobs because they were simply incapable of the strength required to do them...

And I had heard Warren Noll -- the office administrator -- state (when he returned from another base, in Arizona, I believe) how crazy it was on that base... how one "lesbo" had a poster of a bikini-clad woman over her desk and how it would have caused problems if one of the men had had a similar poster...

And I was shocked when, after inviting me (along with 2 other co-horts) to join him for a telephone interview with a female, this same "manager" of 21CSI loudly proclaimed, "That's my quota for the year!" when it was revealed that this particular candidate was not qualified.

And I was saddened when I heard him call the next candidate "George" repeatedly, even though his name was clearly not "George." Then I was angered when the event rolled around the office even to the point that a Korean-American exclaimed, "I'm calling him 'George', because this is America!"

So, somehow I was not surprised to learn (from the Seattle Times) how 21CSI has earned earmarks seemingly in direct response to their consistent depositing of federal dollars back into the pockets of politicians.

But I am more amazed at the wording on its "careers" page of its website which reads:

"21CSI has a strong commitment to diversity and is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer."

I know, from direct, first-hand experience that this is the most inaccurate statement that could be made by this company about itself!

When I filed formal complaints about the lack of professional demeanor in the Fort Leonard Wood Office and was sent a reply stating that a "thorough investigation" had been conducted and my claims were unsubstantiated... and further stating that it had brought to their attention that additional training *was* needed on the topic of conducting a non-hostile office... I recalled that, when I had spoken informally about similar incidents weeks before, I was told exactly the same thing...

So, it is clear... that is one company which is "perpetually" stepping up to the plate to train its managers and its employees how to conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner... as long as "it is going to happen sooner than later," it can always rely on the same defense... year after year... harassment after harassment...

Is this the way of legally defending against harassment? After 13 years in business, one would think that this company would have addressed this issues at least a decade ago, no?

Oh well... the best thing that I can say is... thank God for gall bladder surgeries which provide a reasonable excuse to be terminated...