Lawyers, Shmlawyers!

Like most of the American public, I have no affinity for having to resolve issues through lawyers. Recently, however, my employer, 21st Century Systems, Inc., issued me a letter letting me know that it had terminated my employment due to my failure to get Security Clearance.

The interesting thing is that I had been prevented from submitting my application to get the clearance. The very person who blocked me was the person who sent the letter/email which terminated me. Sound confusing? It was to me as well.

Let me explain. I spent a few weeks going through all the forms for preparing my application for Security Clearance. This, despite the fact that the Office Administrator for the Fort Leonard Wood office advised that we had no security documents at our site.

Anyway, when I was finally prepared to submit, I went through the online application with a fine-toothed comb. On the very first page (the page that 21CSI's so-called Security Officer initiated), my birthplace was listed as UNKNOWN. However, I had submitted my birth certificate to Mr. Morse. So, the best answer (per the instructions for filling out the form) would have been to put the data which was on my birth certificate.

Further, the instructions (either on this very screen or the preceeding screen) had suggested that the applicant is to contact the agency requesting the security clearance for any information on this page which was incorrect; only the requesting agency (21CSI in this case) COULD change the data inputted on this screen.

What did I do? Well, I followed the directions. I emailed Mr. Morse... and I called him to discuss the discrepancy between having UNKNOWN and having Williamson, W.V. (which is my place of birth). He shrugged it off. This occurred somewhere between the end of April and the beginning of May...

So, I thought that I was awaiting his action on that form. What else should I think?

Most of my readers know that I went to have a gall-bladder-ectomy on May 22 which resulted in this and additional surgical procedures which left me unable to return to work (until even this very day)... So, I was shocked when, on July 9, I received a letter sent via FedEx (with backup email sent to my personal email account) explaining that my position had been terminated effective July 8!

Well, it doesn't surprise me... after joining 21CSI, I learned (through colleagues) how we had had several incidences over the past 18 months about official impropriety... one of which concerned having the close relative of an elected Federal official on staff... another which acknowledged that 21CSI had failed an "audit" conducted by the government and required of all contractors with the federal government...

Normally, those would be reasons to begin looking for a new employer... but I had resisted, thinking that I would give this company the benefit of the doubt.

Today, I called the H.R. Workhorse, Marcia, to ask her about information for wrapping up this nightmare... and she provided me with the information for the company's attorney who is based in Colorado Springs...

What a small world! My attorney is also based in the Springs... I wonder whether I should seek another counselor? I trust my attorney very much. He has done excellent work in the past (not directly on my behalf; but I am aware of the quality of his work)...

However, others have advised me that you want an attorney who does not belong to the same Bar Association... So, I will ponder this... and seek more advice on the matter.

For those of you who have expressed concern for me over the past several weeks, be assured that I am getting the best medical attention... and now, I shall seek the best legal advice as well...

The main thing? Please do not waste your time worrying for my sake. I am capable of taking care of myself in whatever ways that I need to. Thanks for your love, however... It is greatly appreciated!

p.s.
Houston says "Woof!" Some of you can translate this... others, just know that he is keeping me very good company! LOL