Interesting article at NPR, Justice Rehires Attorney Fired Amid Gay Rumor, that tells about how, under the Bush administration, Leslie Hagen was improperly dismissed from her job at the Department of Justice (DOJ), by the senior council, Monica Goodling. The Obama administration has now rehired Hagen to fill her old job.
This is an amazing story, but the evidence seems clear that Goodling dismissed Hagen because she believed Hagen to be a lesbian. That this blatant act of discrimination happened at the DOJ is amazing, well beyond the capacity of my irony meter.
Here are some comments at NPR I found interesting:
Mark Richard, said, “Goodling was targeted by the press because she was a conservative from a Christian-fundamentalist school. I could practically write the numb, predictable script myself. Hagen went to NPR’s reporter because she knew that NPR editors would give this story big big play for its core urban/liberal audience. That’s how Democratic DC really journalism really works.”
Suzanne Greene said, “Goodling wasn’t targeted by anyone until a congressional investigation revealed that she had engaged in illegal activities while serving in the DOJ. In fact, prior to testifying under subpoena, she took the Fifth Amendment — which means that she KNEW that she had violated the law. Apparently, her Christian-fundamentalist law school taught neither Christianity nor law.”
Alecia Ramiba said, “Conservative Christians are the western equivalent of the Taliban in Afghanistan. What Ms. Goodling did was profane, whether she is ‘Christian’ or not. No evidence of ‘following Christ’ is evident in her blatant discrimination against a neighbor. The Church ought to weed this cancer out- while not agreeing with SIN in any form, the Church’s job is not to condemn man, but to call to repentance. Firing someone from a job in this discriminatory way does not encourage anything but hatred.”
Christopher Thompson said, “I knew that Goodling was not an ethical person, but this is deplorable. I know she’s out of the department now, but the entire Department of Justice should still publicly post a formal apology to Hagen, they should pay any of her legal fees and lost pay, and the bill should be sent directly to Monica Goodling. I don’t understand why Goodling is not in jail right now. She broke so many laws; the firings for political reasons were bad enough, but to fire someone because of who he/she is??? This is absolutely reprehensible. Why is this ‘woman’ allowed to walk free when she has ruined so many lives? My tax dollars paid Goodling’s salary for the time she was working in the DOJ. She should be paying it all back with interest.”
Annette Lando said, “This is the last straw with the Bush justice dept. The Obama adm. MUST take action against Monica Goodling, Gonzalez, and anyone else who violated the law. I know Obama said he wants to look forward, but crimes like these cannot go unpunished.”
Evan Summers said, “Monica Goodling may have received immunity from Congress and DOJ for her testimony but she didn’t receive immunity from civil suit. Perhaps Ms. Hagan can recover her expenses and justice delayed through that means.”
A pretty sorry story. Why do people need to treat someone like a non-person? There’s certainly nothing Christian about it. And just based on rumors? What’s Christian about that? Read in the Bible about false witness and justice.
Then there is the person who blames the messenger for reporting the story, as abusing the firing superior for being from a Christian fundamentalist school. “I could practically write the numb, predictable script myself.” Namecalling with “core urban liberal” not far behind.
People feel abused and disrespected, and seem to really need someone to abuse and disrespect in return. Nothing Christian about that either. Perhaps the key to this is the way society makes people feel abused and disrespected, so they get in this emotional place.