So obviously there are many ways in which you could lose your job, but this one probably is rather absurd and harsh. Deep down I think it’s a good thing because it’s a terrible habit. What am I talking about? Smoking. That’s right…a Florida company has dictated that it has the legal right (and apparently their lawyers feel the same way) that they can refuse to hire someone and/or fire someone simply because they smoke. Not just during the work place and on the job, but in their private lives. So if you’re a smoker, don’t even think about applying for a job at this place. Is there actual case law on whether this is true discrimination? I think that there may not be…would it be considered as sexual discrimination? Age discrimination? Gender? Sexual orientation? Racial? I don’t think that there is a legitimate policy in any state or federal government that requires companies to hire folks even if they smoke.
I think that everyone has the right to work and do what they want. Personally I hate smokers…they stink and frankly I don’t want them to help contribute to my demise…I can take care of that myself, thank you very much. But what’s weird is that they won’t even provide any services to help these people quit smoking. They won’t even give them a chance to go into any tobacco cessation programs - you’re either hired or fired is what it comes down to. They were talking about this on the radio on my drive into work today and one of the DJs brought up the point about where will it end? Will it continue with those individuals who are overweight/obese? Will it bring up the whole point about profiling about who you really want to work in your office? Blond hair and blue eyes?
Apparently this Florida company isn’t the only one to do this as if you go online and Google “smoking discrimination jobs” as your keywords, there are some stories that could show up that shows it happens around the world, not just in the United States. Makes you kinda think twice about what you’re doing in the privacy of your house, huh?
Popularity: 36% [?]
Jobs, Offbeat News
Discrimination, Florida, Privacy, Smoking, Tobacco
A young nine-year-old boy from Iowa apparently kept forgetting to put the toilet seat down when he was done so this talented & gifted kid came up with the “Privy Prop” for the toilet. Interestingly, the whole concept is designed based on the trash cans with the step that you press to open the trash can lid and release to close it. I think this is an interesting thing, but are we, as Americans, THAT lazy that we need a non-autonomous device to help us put the toilet seat down? I think the kid is a genius for thinking about this, but if it goes into mass production, why would anyone buy it? To make your life THAT much easier and to help trim the amount of seconds in the day you spend putting the toilet seat down? It just takes 1 second to put the toilet seat down!
Okay, before I make this a blanket statement, let me be clear that I understand that there may be those with special needs that this invention would be great for. The kid has possibly helped paraplegics or those with other disabilities and that is truly commendable. But for us regular folks who are just too lazy to do something, this might be a little bit ridiculous…
Popularity: 23% [?]
Offbeat News
Privy Prop, Toilet Seat
So usually I leave work around 5pm daily, but alas, today was not to be the case. I don’t know what was in the water, but today was just weird. First I head to work and park at the Metro station only to realize that I drove 30 minutes without my SmarTrip card. So the dilemma then was whether I wanted to drive back home another 30 minutes, pick up my SmarTrip card and return to the Metro station, thereby wasting at least a hour just to get something I stupidly forgot. Moreover, I would have wasted so much gas! Or…did I want to just stay and catch the next train and pay $10 to get a SmarTrip card from the station and just use that? Well ultimately I just paid the $10 and headed into work.
The adventure continued with the train being rather packed around 7:30 in the morning. Why is that? That’s not supposed to happen…that never happens. One of my co-workers said that it was probably due to the rain, but I don’t think it really makes that big of a difference, but like I said, there’s something in the water today…
So the day goes by pretty smoothly until we hit 5pm and there’s some problems on the Metro and apparently shuts down the Pentagon metro station on the Yellow line which apparently affects the other trains on different lines. Why? I have no idea, but it does. So we’re waiting probably about 15 minutes for 2 trains to finally arrive. The first one is packed so we catch the next one and THAT takes us close to 45 minutes to get back to the train station. Oh but wait, there’s more! The parking lot is PACKED and jammed with cars trying to leave so that effort in-of-itself takes around 30-45 more minutes.
Bottom line is that there’s way too much traffic on the road. People need to learn how to be patient and get out of my way! 
Popularity: 20% [?]
Uncategorized
I happened to be on Apple’s website checking out the latest movie trailers and to my surprise, there’s a movie supposedly to be released on October 2007 (maybe it’s 2008) called “Mr. Untouchable” and it’s actually a real-life documentary of Nicky Barnes. Now…if you’ve seen “American Gangster”, that name will be familiar to you as that character was played by Cuba Gooding, Jr. and was a competitor/associate of former drug dealer-turned informant, Frank Lucas. Nevertheless, it’s interesting that this movie is out in time for “American Gangster” similar to when “300″ came out in theatres and all the relevant cable channels decided to get on it and broadcast historical documentaries about the 300 Spartan warriors fighting Xerxes, etc. and the same went with “National Treasure” and will most undoubtedly happen with the next installment of “National Treasure: Book of Secrets“.
Popularity: 17% [?]
Movies
American Gangster, Frank Lucas, Movies, Sequels
If you’re looking for something great to do during the upcoming holiday season, be sure to check out the Washington, DC’s Holiday Homecoming campaign. With hotel packages starting as low as $99/night, this deal can’t be beat. With tons of things to do this Christmas, why not do it in DC and spend it through New Years in our nation’s capital with theatre shows, music, and fun filled family-friendly events throughout the city.
Now don’t get me wrong, you won’t be limited just to Christmas. Think long-term…like New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, President’s Day, or even Valentine’s Day. Washington DC is a romantic city after all. See some of the best parades in the Mid-Atlantic region, savor some great holiday cuisine and hang around for Restaurant Week - seven delicious days of scrumptious food at over a hundred of DC’s finest dining establishments (lunch: $20.08 and dinner: $30.08…check site for updated pricing).
Check it out. Spend some dough. See the sites. Catch the holiday spirit in DC!
Popularity: 27% [?]
Internet, Sightseeing, Travel
Holiday Homecoming, Restaurant Week, Washington DC
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