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Reader: The Threat of Losing a Job for Reporting Bad Behavior Is Alive and Well

"Cruising for a Bruising," Patricia Calhoun, January 22 Bike to the Future I would like to see someone challenge Mayor Michael Hancock as much as anyone, but if Brad Evans is the best we can do, we might as well say the election is over.Sally RiceDenver "Jingo Unchained," Amy Nicholson,...
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"Cruising for a Bruising," Patricia Calhoun, January 22

Bike to the Future

I would like to see someone challenge Mayor Michael Hancock as much as anyone, but if Brad Evans is the best we can do, we might as well say the election is over.
Sally Rice
Denver

"Jingo Unchained," Amy Nicholson, January 15

Taking Aim

What is your problem with American Sniper? It is not supposed to be a documentary. Chris Kyle is a hero. He served this country with honor. He saved lives. You are disrespectful. Look at your job!! Ha ha, all you do is watch movies and complain. The film is about Kyle's family and his Navy career. Why would Clint Eastwood include every detail about him in the film? How long did you want the movie to be?

I suggest you be more careful when you critique important people like Chris Kyle. You are a nobody. I'm sure you've made mistakes in your life. How about you share some of them with us in your super-popular Westword?
Zach Johnson
Denver

"Tell No One," Alan Prendergast, January 15

Harass Is on the Line

Don't get me started about sexual harassment in the workplace. "Tell No One" revealed that the perp was of a grandfatherly age, a throwback to an earlier era. I, too, was hit on by men of grandfatherly ages. The first time it happened, I abruptly quit a job I loved. The second time, I stayed and fought back, for two years — and the man lost his job.

The story showed that Andrea Carter made one fatal mistake, the same one I had made: She reduced her case to "she said/he said," or allegations. I stumbled on an effective strategy: When he unthinkingly harassed me in front of a reliable witness, I went to the police with my story. That worked!
Cheryl Murphy
Commerce City

With regard to sexual harassment, racist comments, harassment and bullying (in the name of fun), the threat of losing one's job for reporting any of this type of conduct is alive and well. We don't have to go find a time machine and set it at "a trucking company office circa 1964" to witness the circus that is part of management today. I have seen human-relations departments and managers go after hourly workers harassing other hourly workers with a vengeance and a little glee. But when it is a manager and an hourly employee, the little guy will lose.

I suggest that the government, hospitals and American business in general stop spending money on seminars and educating staff on the evils of any sort of harassment, and spend the money on furnishing management offices circa 1964. That was a vintage year for harassing.

Freedom of speech in this comment may be frowned upon at my gig, so name withheld.
Name withheld on request

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