General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFlorida employee "punished for using phrase 'climate change'"| Senior Land Manager Barton Bibler Files Legal Complaint
OP Part 1
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/mar/19/florida-employee-forced-on-leave-climate-change
State PEER Director Calls For Full Investigation of Scott "Executive Memo"*
"Bibler was instructed to stay away from the office for two days and told he could return to work only after a mental health evaluation from his doctor verified his fitness for duty, the complaint said.
In the letter to Floridas inspector general, Candie Fuller, the states Peer director calls for a full investigation to the matter.
In a complaint against the state, worker says he was accused of violating policy and instructed to get a mental health evaluation after mentioning climate change.
Bibler told the Miami Herald that he didnt get the memo about the gag order, so when he introduced himself by congratulating other officials on the call for the exciting work they were doing to address climate change, the reaction was mostly shock.
News of the governors ban on the phrases first surfaced in early March, when the Florida Center for Investigative Reporting found that the ban came from the top after Scott took office and appointed Herschel Vinyard Jr as DEP director.
Guardian requests for comment from Scott, the Florida inspector general and the environmental protection department were not immediately returned on Thursday, but representatives from his office have ardently denied such a policy exists."
*On 9 March, Bibler received a formal reprimand for misrepresenting that the official meeting agenda included climate change, according to a statement from Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (Peer), a nationwide non-profit that champions public employees rights and providers resources and guidance to whistleblowers using its network of members across the country.
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OP Part 2
"Through The Looking Glass"
"Bibler currently serves as Land Management Plan Coordinator in DEP Division of State Lands.
On February 27, Bibler attended a Florida Coastal Managers Forum, where a number of attendees discussed climate change and sea-level rise, among other environmental topics.
Biblers official notes reported all of that conversation.
DEP superiors directed Bibler to remove any hot button issues, such as explicit references to climate change. The letter of reprimand, dated March 9, accused Bibler of misrepresenting the official meeting agenda (so it) included climate change.
Bibler was instructed to take two days off, which was charged against his personal leave time. He later received a Medical Release Form requiring his doctor to provide the agency an evaluation of unspecified medical condition and behavior before being allowed to return to work.
Bart Bibler has fallen through a professional looking glass in a Florida where the words climate change may not be uttered, or even worse, written down, said Florida PEER Director Jerry Phillips, a former DEP attorney.
Phillips pointed out that Bibler currently has no idea whether he will ever be allowed to return to work.
If anyone needs mental health screening it is Governor Rick Scott, he added, and other officials telling state workers to pretend that climate change and sea-level rise do not exist.
http://www.saintpetersblog.com/archives/185247
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More info., related: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026392855
Sienna86
(2,149 posts)Xipe Totec
(43,890 posts)The Blue Flower
(5,442 posts)This is institutionalized insanity.
malaise
(268,998 posts)Rec
Baitball Blogger
(46,709 posts)The rest is stuff made up by a good ole boy culture that wants everyone to die with the lie.
Triana
(22,666 posts)Nuclear Unicorn
(19,497 posts)SwissTony
(2,560 posts)Some politico decides mentioning "climate change" is a reason for someone to undergo a mental health exam???
Why the fuck is the medical profession not up in arms over this?
PowerToThePeople
(9,610 posts)Florida Republicans are insane.
randr
(12,412 posts)un-fuck-in believable.
The people who ordered this are the ones needing psychiatric evaluation.