IWA Special For Monday, February 19, 2007

Hey folks,

Yes it’s Monday. I just got back into town and came right here to the OPN office. We’ll get back to the normal stuff tomorrow. I feel so out of touch. I’ve been internet and news free for the past three days. But fret not, tomorrow will begin another week of logic, sanity, and truth, in the insanity and looniness that surrounds us on a daily bases.

Now I have heard of disease after disease, disorder after disorder, being named by those in the Psycho-Babble crowd. I have heard of all kinds of "It’s not my fault" garbage. I have even written articles in the past about self responsibility. But this guy?

Turns out that James Pacenza, 58, of Montgomery NY, {Not too far from my old stomping grounds} has a problem. Turns out he likes adult web sites. He liked to visit them while on the clock for IBM. IBM decided that they didn’t like him visiting these sites while he was being PAID to do a job, so he got fired. So what is the problem? "It’s not his fault."

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) — A man who was fired by IBM for visiting an adult chat room at work is suing the company for $5 million, claiming he is an Internet addict who deserves treatment and sympathy rather than dismissal.

James Pacenza, 58, of Montgomery, says he visits chat rooms to treat traumatic stress incurred in 1969 when he saw his best friend killed during an Army patrol in Vietnam.

In papers filed in federal court in White Plains, Pacenza said the stress caused him to become "a sex addict, and with the development of the Internet, an Internet addict." He claimed protection under the American with Disabilities Act.

Did a "Doctor" actually prescribe porn for this guy? I doubt it. Now although him and his lawyer denies it,

"Plaintiff was discharged by IBM because he visited an Internet chat room for a sexual experience during work after he had been previously warned," the company said.

IBM also said sexual behavior disorders are specifically excluded from the ADA and denied any age discrimination.

If it goes to trial, the case could affect how employers regulate Internet use that is not work-related, or how Internet overuse is categorized medically. Stanford University issued a nationwide study last year that found that up to 14% of computer users reported neglecting work, school, families, food and sleep to use the Internet.

Yes folks, he may ACTUALLY have a case. "Internet Addition." I guess that would be IA? Look for the Psycho-Babble, and drug crowds to jump all of this one. {I’ve actually been accused of having IA myself. Hey, maybe it not my fault {Smile}}

Several times during the day, machine operators are idle for five to 10 minutes as the tool measures the thickness of silicon wafers.

It was during such down time on May 28, 2003, that Pacenza logged onto a chat room from a computer at his work station.

Diederich says Pacenza had returned that day from visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington and logged onto a site called ChatAvenue and then to an adult chat room.

Pacenza, who has a wife and two children, said using the Internet at work was encouraged by IBM and served as "a form of self-medication" for post-traumatic stress disorder. He said he tried to stay away from chat rooms at work, but that day, "I felt I needed the interactive engagement of chat talk to divert my attention from my thoughts of Vietnam and death."

"I was tempting myself to perhaps become involved in some titillating conversation," he said in court papers.

Pacenza said he was called away before he got involved in any online conversation. But he apparently did not log off, and when another worker went to Pacenza's station, he saw some chat entries, including a vulgar reference to a sexual act.

He reported his discovery to his boss, who fired Pacenza the next day.

So he violates company policy, uses company computers for porn, get’s fired, and wants 5 million dollars because he is "sick?"

Your right Mr. Pacenza, your sick. But you DESERVED to be fired. You deserve NOTHING from IBM. If you really think that you have a "Medical Condition," then go get help. But you claiming that this is somehow IBM’s responsibility, makes you the Idiot of the Week. Congratulations. Now log off and spend time with your family.
Peter

Source:
USA TODAY- NY man who was fired for visiting adult chat room at work sues IBM for $5 million