Subject: Release: John Rocker Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2000 20:50:32 -0800 From: announce@lp.org To: announce@lp.org (Libertarian Party announcements list)

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======================================= NEWS FROM THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Suite 100 Washington DC 20037 World Wide Web: http://www.LP.org ======================================= For release: February 3, 2000 ======================================= For additional information: George Getz, Press Secretary Phone: (202) 333-0008 Ext. 222 E-Mail: 76214.3676@Compuserve.com =======================================

Did baseball break anti-discrimination law by suspending racist John Rocker?

WASHINGTON, DC -- Major League Baseball may have violated federal law by suspending John Rocker -- because if the loudmouth pitcher's bigoted opinions are caused by a "mental illness," then he's protected by the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Libertarian Party noted today.

"It sounds crazy, but if John Rocker is a crazy bigot, then it's a federal crime to discriminate against him in any way," said Steve Dasbach, the party's national director.

"Even more amazing, if John Rocker is crazy, then Major League Baseball must make 'reasonable accommodations' for his prejudices -- which could include keeping foreigners and homosexuals away from him -- so he can continue to pitch."

On Monday, baseball commissioner Bud Selig announced that Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker will be suspended until May 1, fined $20,000, and ordered to attend sensitivity training.

Rocker sparked a firestorm of controversy in December when he was quoted in Sports Illustrated criticizing homosexuals, foreigners who don't speak English, people with "purple hair," Asian women drivers, toll booths, criminals, and young mothers with many children.

Although he promptly apologized, Rocker was ordered to undergo psychological testing -- and that's where the League got into trouble, said Dasbach.

"As long as John Rocker was just an ordinary bigot, then the League can discipline him as it sees fit -- within the limits of his contract, of course," said Dasbach. "And that makes sense: As a business that relies on the goodwill of the public, professional baseball should be able to set standards of conduct for its employees.

"But the federal government doesn't agree. Thanks to the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), you can fire a sane bigot -- but it's illegal to discriminate against a crazy bigot. So, if those psychological tests determine that John Rocker's bigotry is caused by mental illness, then he will be protected by the full power and might of the federal government."

Sounds too preposterous to be true? It's not. In March 1997, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued a ruling to protect "mentally ill or emotionally unstable" employees from discrimination.

The EEOC's guidelines could have had Rocker in mind, said Dasbach: Employees may be mentally ill or emotionally unstable if they display, for example, "consistently high levels of hostility," rude behavior, or chronically bad judgment, according to the government.

"Under those guidelines, John Rocker appears to have hit a home run: He's hostile, rude, and he displays poor judgment," said Dasbach. "Thanks to the EEOC, he should qualify for maximum job protection."

And Major League Baseball may qualify for a maximum lawsuit: Not only is it illegal to discriminate against crazy people, it's also illegal to require them to take tests to find out if they are mentally ill, or to ask them if they are mentally ill -- even if the employee is visibly disturbed.

So what should employers do when they have a John Rocker-type person on the payroll? Make "reasonable accommodations" for them, says the EEOC.

In its 1997 ruling, the EEOC said government-mandated accommodations for mentally ill people might include barriers to protect "distracted" employees from noise, or reassigning co-workers away from a "paranoid" person.

"Under these guidelines, if Mr. Rocker is crazy, baseball has to make sure that he can continue to practice his federally protected bigotry, free from interference," said Dasbach. "Perhaps the League could start by banning homosexuals, foreigners, people with purple hair, Asian women, criminals, and young mothers from his games?"

And more good news for John Rocker: If found guilty of an ADA violation, Major League Baseball could be forced to pay up to $300,000 in damages -- and still be liable for millions in civil lawsuits.

"Thanks to the federal government, being a crazy bigot could turn out to be more lucrative for Mr. Rocker than playing professional baseball," said Dasbach. "Given all the advantages of being crazy, he'd have to be crazy not to be crazy."

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-- Common Man (me@libertytree.xcom), February 04, 2000

Answers

Maybe the ultimate Catch 22?

"If you say your crazy then your not but if you say your sane and love this stuff then you must be crazy but we need crazy people so we won't give you a discharge." or something like that.

-- Mark Hillyard (foster@inreach.com), February 04, 2000.

The Libertarian Party and the EEOC are off their Rocker!

-- Sorry, but (couldn't@resist.that1), February 04, 2000.

My son works in the Braves front office. There was a big meeting yesterday of the Braves managment and 6 or 8 black leaders. They wanted Rocker's head. They forget that over half the pro athelete's have a rap sheet and mostly black. They overlook that alarge percentenge don't pass the drug test. Under new contracts- the results can't be published. It'all about politics and power. Screw them. Don't ever attend another pro sports event.

-- goldenokie (garland@clnk.com), February 04, 2000.

>>>Does anyone have a link or copy of John Rocker's original comments? Thank you.

-- Dee (T1Colt556@aol.com), February 04, 2000.

Infuriating.

But someone, somewhere, must think this is just fine. Some congressman, some senator felt the majority of his state wanted these kinds of laws. Why do I feel we have no voice of sanity in our own government anymore? Perhaps THAT is who the law is meant to protect??

Rocker annoys me (which made it all the more fun to beat him), but then so does Jesse Ventura. Both have a right to speak their mind, but both could have used a bit more descrection. As far as black political leaders wanting his head, hey, at least they have an organized voice, something WHITE men just don't seem to have anymore.

-- kritter (kritter@adelphia.net), February 04, 2000.

What did Rocker say that was NOT true?

-- rocketman (rocketman@uranus.com), February 04, 2000.

My comment was aimed at the Disabilities Act, Rocketman. Not at Rocker.

As far as his comments, they can be dead on, but how would you feel if you had an ugly daughter, and Rocker said to the press "Hey, Rocketman's daughter sure is ugly!". Freedom of speach, and he's not saying something that isn't true, sure. Your daughter is hurt and that hurts you. Don't you see where discretion falls into play here? He's the kind of guy who LIKES to provoke. He's "not a nice guy".

-- kritter (kritter@adelphia.net), February 04, 2000.

I did not realize I am protected under the Federal Disability Law,c'mon.It's about time us "Nuts"and "Bigots" get some Protection.

-- Hope (aahhhh@niceDay.right?), February 04, 2000.

ok, let me put it this way. what did rocker say that was NOT fact?

-- rocketman (rocketman@uranus.com), February 04, 2000.

For those who may have been somewhere else (or who may just want to pick up some pointers), here's a brief overview from CNN/SI:

http:// cnnsi.com/features/cover/news/1999/12/22/rocker/

-- I'm Here, I'm There (I'm Everywhere@so.beware), February 04, 2000.

Also, a suspension with pay is called a vacation and $20,000 bucks is no big deal to him. Looks like he got the "thumbs up" and a "high five" from the Head Nutz.

-- rocketman (rocketman@uranus.com), February 04, 2000.

LOL, Common Man, the funny thing is that this is only the tip of the iceburg. Thanks for the post.

-- Hokie (Hokie_@hotmail.com), February 04, 2000.

That means nutty people like LadyLogic and Y2kPro cannot be discriminated against on this board?? Are we as Doomers classified as crazy - can the gov't discriminate against us and take our beans???

-- Laurane (familyties@rttinc.com), February 04, 2000.

Rocketboy:

Rocker is a bigot from Macon GA, you know, where they think the movie Deliverance is a love story...

-- Proud Polly (Proud2b@polly.net), February 04, 2000.

...In passing, he calls an overweight black teammate "a fat monkey." Asked if he feels any bond with New York Knicks guard Latrell Sprewell, notorious for choking coach P.J. Carlesimo two years ago, Rocker lets out a snarl of disgust. "That guy should've been arrested, and instead he's playing basketball," he says. "Why do you think that is? Do you think if he was Keith Van Horn -- if he was white -- they'd let him back? No way." Rocker is rarely tongue-tied when it comes to bashing those of a race or sexual orientation different from his. "I'm not a racist or prejudiced person," he says with apparent conviction. "But certain people bother me."

THIS is what everyone's up in arms about? This rant is what has all these "opinion leaders" in such a lather? "Ya little monkey" has been a common epithet and/or term of affection (yeah, guys are weird, so sue me!) on the East Coast since the 1930's. They probably call each other much, much worse in the locker room.

Does anyone think that, if Van Horn had indeed attacked Carlesimo (or worse, someone like Flip Saunders of the T'Wolves), he would have been allowed to stay in the NBA? Please.

What Rocker said was poorly-thought-out and more than a little foolish, but hardly seems the basis for the sort of cause celebre that I've seen in the media of late. Ted Turner called Christianity a "religion for losers". Anyone even suggest that he give up his ownership of the Braves for such "hate speech"? Yeah, right.

Rocker's been pilloried for months now. He knows what he did was stupid and he has apologized as much and as sincerely as Teddy did. Let's move on.

-- DeeEmBee (macbeth1@pacbell.net), February 04, 2000.

Answer the question.

-- rocketman (rocketman@uranus.com), February 04, 2000.

Sysop Request: For me@libertytree.com Please Dont Use Someone Elses Domain Name For Your Handle

Weve had a complaint from the owner of the libertytree.com domain.

He asks, rather heatedly and rudely, that you not use his e- mail address, since hes receiving all your comments.

Other posters... please watch your handles and make sure you own the domain if youre using an anon name.

And please dont use .com, .net or .org in your name if its NOT real.

Thanks.

Diane
A TBY2K Sysop

-- Diane J. Squire (y2ktimebomb2000@yahoo.com), February 05, 2000.