First they came for your pension, then your jobs, now the FL Gov wants your PISS

[nashville_brook]

First, the Koch-funded Rick Scott came for your pension. Then he took your jobs. Anyone who is left in public service will now submit to frequent, random drug testing. Make no mistake people, this about DEHUMANIZING anyone who might still have the energy and will to stand up to this carpet-bagging dictator.

Our state is supposedly broke, but Rick Scott has miraculously found the money to search into your bloodstream at any given time. It's not like drug use is a problem -- this is about Rick Scott making sure that teachers and anyone with a stake in community-based employment has the frequent experience of having to open up their body for a full search and seizure. The message is RICK SCOTT OWNS YOUR ASS, b/c if he were at all concerned about drug use, he'd wouldn't be using political capital to protect oxycontin pill mills and drug dealers from public scrutiny. Rick Scott doesn't give a shit about drugs -- he wants us to know that your "resistance" will be met with ruin. "You want to protest us stealing your pension? Well guess what -- we're going to drug test you, and who knows...we might just find something."

And, how much do you want to bet that his very own Solantic clinics will be the ones getting the contract work?

Disgusting.

And -- lets be 100% clear on why Scott is governor. Blame Citizens United. This reptile isn't in office b/c of a weak Democratic Party in Florida. He won b/c there's no way not to win when you have unlimited cash from the Koch Brothers.


http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-rick-scott-drug-testing-state-work20110322,0,2418005.story

Florida Gov. Rick Scott orders random drug testing of state employees (teachers/etc)
Gov. Rick Scott's executive order requires quarterly drug tests; ACLU says courts have already found similar attempts unconstitutional


TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Rick Scott signed an executive order Tuesday that will require random drug testing of many current state employees as well as pre-hire testing for applicants.

"Floridians deserve to know that those in public service, whose salaries are paid with taxpayer dollars, are part of a drug-free workplace," Scott said. "Just as it is appropriate to screen those seeking taxpayer assistance, it is also appropriate to screen government employees."

The reference to taxpayer assistance referred to a push by Scott and legislative Republicans to require those who apply for state benefits under the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program to submit to a drug test before getting benefits. That proposal (SB 556) was approved unanimously Tuesday by the Senate Criminal Justice Committee. It has another stop before the Senate floor.

Under Scott's order, current employees in agencies that answer to the governor, would be subject to periodic random screening. The executive order signed by Scott says the tests would require testing of each employee "at least quarterly." The random testing of current employees will begin in 60 days under the order.

[Brickbat]

1. Him first. Whenever any citizen of Florida demands it.

[nashville_brook]

23. seriously!

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

115. The sample will be taken in public, of course.

Televised as Scott whips it out on the Statehouse steps.

[Bake]

140. He IS a state employee, isn't he?

Start with that fucker.

Bake

[jmowreader]

143. That would certainly solve the Scott Problem...

because it's going to be hard to fuck up the state any more than he already has if he's in the bathroom 24/7 peeing in cups.

[hobbit709]

2. Then he should set the example by publicly pissing in a cup every month.

[Cid_B]

135. I've got no problem with the drug tests....

... but he should do it as well as the top of that particular food chain...

[Earth_First]

3. Florida legislators are first, right...

right?

:crickets:

[inademv]

4. I'm going to piss on Scott

If I ever see him in public.

[nashville_brook]

22. i think all teachers should bring their piss to tallahassee -- deliver it in person!

perhaps in balloons dropped from airplanes trailing banners that say "PISS OFF"

[inademv]

45. Therein lies the core of a great potential protest

Imagine thousands of teachers showing up at the capital with filled piss jars in hand, delivering them in person to the office of Rick Scott.

[Pacifist Patriot]

50. I'd be happy to donate some of my urine to anyone who runs dry.

[WingDinger]

92. In dixie cups.

[WingDinger]

94. Yeah, wasnt the woman with 51 bucks, cocaine and odd trinkets stashed from Florida?

[nashville_brook]

110. free Asparagus and Beer for all participants!!

[anneboleyn]

56. snort. Best post today!

[Ian David]

5. I'm in favor of it if it includes elected and appointed state officials. n/t

[malaise]

6. Trickle down means

pissing on you by any means necessary - ask Reagan's goons. :evilgrin:

[rubberducky]

9. + 1

[Johonny]

38. trickle?

I think they use Flomax. Cause it feels like it is raining on me these days.

[Enthusiast]

7. I'm the seventh poster.

Why are there only four recommendations? I suspect we are being inundated by right wing DUers.

[hobbit709]

8. Looks like you're number 7, and not everyone recommends on all posts.

[cali]

12. Why jump to that conclusion?

I doubt very, very much that this has gotten unrecs.

[Enthusiast]

33. I am the suspicious kind.

I try to remain objective at all times but like many I fall far short of my goal.

[demwing]

35. And another thread gets diverted by a rec count...

GRRR!

[littlewolf]

10. actually I don't have a problem with it ...

when I worked for the state .... we were subject to random drug tests ....
my current job as a contractor w/ the gov't requires me to random drug tests ...

[cali]

13. well aren't you a good little soldier, following meekly along

it's disgusting. and I think it's sick shit.

[joeglow3]

17. I have bigger fish to fry.

Hell, I'll shit in a box once a month if you really want. This far down on my list of important issues to expend my limited energy on.

[DirkGently]

27. "Carpet-bagging dictator." Best description of Scott I've seen so far. Although

"Governonr Skeletor" has a certain resonance as well.

Jesus.

[awoke_in_2003]

123. personal privacy...

is one of the biggest "fish to fry" in this country. If I do something at home which, in no way, affects you or anyone around me- then what the hell is it anyone's business.

[Courtesy Flush]

69. What kinds of jobs do you guys have?

Drug testing in the workplace is common. Where I live, anyone who works in a casino, or many offshore jobs, are subject to drug screens. I'm a state employee, and have been told since day one that they can piss test me ant time they want.

[Courtesy Flush]

71. Did they piss test the Wall Street guys before they gave them federal money? nt

[Mojeoux]

127. I was thinking that.

Drug tests are common for job seekers now. But those dick heads who scammed all that money, whether they have re-paid or not, should be the first in line. :eyes:

[awoke_in_2003]

124. "Drug testing in the workplace is common"...

and that is so because Americans are weak little sheep who are brainwashed to believe that authority is good, and unions are bad. Just keep bowing down- pretty soon our bedroom activities will be regulated (oh, but if you are gay, they already are).

[Mojorabbit]

70. THis is why I find it so scary

When I was coming up it would have been huge but little by little over the years they have eroded privacy till it gets nothing buy a yawn from people

[Wednesdays]

112. "Cavity search? No problem, guv. Please, sir, may I have another?"

nt

[krabigirl]

119. frightening

[awoke_in_2003]

121. what you do in the privacy...

of your home is your affair. The whole "you shouldn't be worried if you aren't doing anything wrong" is a construct of conservatives.

[cali]

11. can he just do this via executive order? unfuckingbelievable.

sue the shit stain.

[MikeW]

63. I havent seen their union contract but if its in there he can use it

[HockeyMom]

14. We the workers will pay for it

They will just deduct it from our paychecks. I would not put it past Tricky Ricky. After all, I had to pay for my own pre-employment physical, fingerprinting, and TB testing. When I went to work for a non-profit agency for the disabled, I didn't pay a dime for any of those things. No, they didn't test for drugs there.

I could kick myself now that I turned down a job with an agency to work for the schools. All this crap just isn't worth the couple of dollars an hour more that I make.

[ck4829]

15. I thought Florida was broke, how are they able to afford this?

[Lochloosa]

16. Florida is not broke. We have a revenue problem and Tricky Ricky is trying to make it worse.

[DirkGently]

28. It's the old Republican theme of "Gov't is awful. Elect US, and we'll prove it to you."

[nashville_brook]

20. the state is actually one of the more fiscally sound...it's Shock Doctrine (tax cut for rich)

maddow has been doing a good job of showing the exact amounts of Corporate Tax Cuts he wants $1.6 BILLION, vs the amount of cuts from education $1.7 BILLION. we are not broke...

he sees our treasury as a pinata that he's breaking open for his paymasters (Kock and company).

[QC]

18. I'll take a drug test if Scott will take a lie detector test. n/t

[SpiralHawk]

19. The Master Class (R) putting the proles in their place

[nashville_brook]

21. great graphic. people need to start taking this shit personal -- it's a master/slave dynamic

and the sooner people understand this, the better.

[DirkGently]

31. It is personal. It's an attack designed to intimidate.

[nashville_brook]

46. INTIMIDATE -- that's the word i was looking for!

[awoke_in_2003]

125. unfortunately, the people...

are too busy being entertained with Dancing with the Stars.

[Bobbie Jo]

24. When you put R's in office, this is what you get.

Elections have consequences.

For the "I'm staying home" crowd. I've bookmarked at least 10 such declarations.

[awoke_in_2003]

126. and when you put D's in office...

this is also what you get. One party that goes by two different names.

[Bobbie Jo]

137. You're wrong, of course....

These events are a direct result of R's in control. Period.

[The Straight Story]

25. We should all send jars of our piss to em

:rofl:

[Lochloosa]

34. I like it. I have some old mason jars lying around somewhere.

I just hope he doesn't have it tested.:evilgrin:

[DirkGently]

36. Kind of a Piss De Resistance?

[nashville_brook]

37. DUzy!

[DirkGently]

39. Thank you. I'll be here all week. 8)

[nashville_brook]

41. "these are the jokes" -- :)

[DirkGently]

42. Is this thing on?

[Pacifist Patriot]

51. Brilliant, simply brilliant!

[Dappleganger]

52. Brilliant!

:yourock: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Pacifist Patriot]

53. Ha! Beat you to it.

[Courtesy Flush]

72. Zinnnng! nt

[DinahMoeHum]

77. A present to the Big Dope in Tallahassee. . .

:evilgrin:

[Fuzz]

26. Yay for small government.

[The Backlash Cometh]

29. I have always felt that undercurrent in this State that people weld the power of their positions

like a weapon. It's never more obvious than the way that public workers have to be willing to do crooked things in order to keep their jobs. And now it looks like Scott is making a strategic move to keep them from organizing to change the system.

[Historic NY]

30. Will his appointed lackeys have to also?

[Auntie Bush]

32. Every time he finds a positive case...they will get fired and then they'll

loose their pensions! I wonder if the tests will be random or targeted toward those with large pensions and those they want to get rid of...like Democrats. Good way to get around tenure.

[Pacifist Patriot]

55. I was wondering how random was being defined in the GOP universe.

Considering most words fail the dictionary test when they use them.

[BlueIris]

40. The unlawful search aspect is bad enough, but the expense is unjustifiable. nt

[lutefisk]

43. Cruel bastards: going after the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program

They are denying children in need assistance with this bullshit. Just unreal.

I suppose this, too, will make the rounds of states with Republican rulers.

[lutefisk]

44. Here's a pdf of the Executive Order:

http://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/03.22.2011-Drug-Testing.pdf

[sellitman]

47. Big fucking deal

I took a drug test when I was hired. It didn't bother me. Why should it bother others? If I didn't want the job I didn't have to take the test. I wasn't forced to work for the company. If they don't like it do something else.

[yewberry]

48. It's not just for new hires.

It's quarterly for all public employees.

It's also incredibly demoralizing and expensive for the state.

[Pacifist Patriot]

54. Huge deal

Especially when it, oh, I don't know -- violates your fourth amendment rights. Costs the state money that supposedly is having a budget crisis (kind of like Wisconsin is having a budget crisis).

[MikeW]

61. except it doesn't

To work for the Feds with a clearance you sign on the dotted line.

They can look at your credit card purchases, bank accounts and take your pee for testing

anytime they choose to.

It would depend on what Fl has in their working contract. If drug testing is in their contract then its policy.

[Pacifist Patriot]

74. We're talking about state employees, not "work for the feds"

If the governor has to issue an order for this than obviously it's something new and not part of standard expectations for current employees.

Now tell me why a governor who slashed our education budget (among other things) can find the money to have state employees piss in a cup? It's intimidation plain and simple.

[liberation]

58. Indeed! Personal privacy is for uppity entitled un-American people who refuse to be team players

... besides the constitution is just a piece of paper. So what's the big deal, you don't give a shit about your rights. Why should other people, no?

And don't get me started with child labor, if some kids want to build up their character and work, who are we to stop them?

Etc, etc, etc, etc...

[MikeW]

62. your employeer can tell you you are free to work somewhere else

[liberation]

81. ... if the employer is the state, however, they are not free to ignore the US constitution

it being the law of the land and all.

Why do so many conservatives have such a tough time reading and comprehending a short and concise document like the US Constitution? It boggles the mind sometimes.

[MikeW]

83. the SC disagrees with you

Drug testing has been tested in court before.

The opinion focused on safety and security and they considered it allowable under those circumstances.

Now, the argument could be made that safety and security MIGHT not apply here but that would depend on the duties and responsibilities of the position.

[liberation]

87. Care to provide a reference to the SCOTUS rulings regarding state employers and urine testing?

Spanx

Edit: *crickets* and *tumble weeds* I see...

[MikeW]

105. go read

Skinner v. Railway Labor Executives Assoc

Natl. Treasury Employees Union v. Von Raab

These are still used today.

[liberation]

120. Those rulings dealt with very specific employment positions

I was requesting general rulings for state employers.

A more pertinent case would be Wenzel vs. The Florida Dept of Juvenile Justice, for example, which already dismissed drug testing of state employees w/o compelling interest or warrants as being unconstitutional.

So yes, this is a big deal because what Scott is proposing is unconstitutional, even if you already don't care about your rights it does not mean other people are willing to relinquish theirs. BTW, there is also the "minor" detail of Scott being vested in drug testing clinics, but what is such a fragrant conflict of interests when totally trashing the constitution?

[nashville_brook]

136. huzzah! well said.

[frylock]

79. well good for you!

[nashville_brook]

100. it's unconstitutional: "“FL cannot force people to surrender their constitutional rights..."

Statement from Howard Simon, Executive Director, ACLU of Florida:

“I’m not sure why Governor Scott does not know that the policy he recreated by Executive Order today has already been declared unconstitutional.

“The state of Florida cannot force people to surrender their constitutional rights in order to work for the state. Absent any evidence of illegal drug use, or assigned a safety-sensitive job, people have a right to be left alone.

[Uncle Joe]

49. That should be Koch puppet; Scott's incestuous theme song, "Urine the Money"

Thanks for the thread, nashville_brook.

[AllTooEasy]

57. Best DU Headline Ever!

[B Calm]

59. Hell I been getting randomly drug tested for over 15 years. It's still bullshit!

[BlueJac]

65. total BS..

like it always has been...........just another crony business

[Pacifist Patriot]

76. You raise an interesting point. Follow the money trail.

Which one of Scott's campaign contributors is going to make money on these tests?

[B Calm]

138. They been drug testing commercial truck drivers for some time now.

[ZombieHorde]

60. Anytime any Republican mentions "small government," call them out on their bullshit.

The Dems favor a smaller government than the republicans.

[BlueJac]

64. Rick Scott sucks assholes in Florida.........

the man is a criminal.

[crazyjoe]

66. so what, as a truck driver i get random tests at least twice a year.

[Pacifist Patriot]

75. I was going to respond...

but then realized I'm at an absolute loss for words. Whatever.

[crazyjoe]

91. yet you responded anyway, with nothing. I guess you have nothing better to do :-)

[quaker bill]

82. So do state employees, those who drive trucks

This is actually already a requirement for "safety sensitive positions", pilots, truck drivers, heavy equipment operators....

Just an FYI

[Irritable Liberal]

67. Scott is a hypocritical shit on drug use

Florida is the go to state for painkillers like Oxycontin because the state doesn't have a medical prescription database so people flock to the state to access 'pill doctors' to fill multiple prescriptions for dealers and users in other states. Gov. Crist had proposed instituting a database to track prescriptions and stop the abuse but Scott has killed it. Governors in surrounding states have pleaded with him to reconsider but to no avail. The growth of prescription drug abuse is far outstripping the growth of 'illegal' drugs such as marijuana and Scott is quite happy to aid and abet that. Effing lying hypocrite.

[Canuckistanian]

68. Governors are public servants too.

Maybe he can have a PR event to fill the first cup. With a pretty nurse to take his sample.

It'll be a media hit!

[ooglymoogly]

129. As long as the pretty nurse doesn't mistake it for a ribbon cutting

ceremony, clip, clip.

[Canuckistanian]

142. Not a chance

She'd need a scalpel and a microscope.

[Brigid]

73. Sure, Gov, you can have mine . . .

But only if I can dump it on your head.

[DinahMoeHum]

78. Here's some inspiration from Mojo Nixon. . .

I Ain't Gonna Piss In No Jar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-TB-qTaXSM

:evilgrin:

[muntrv]

80. Can I piss on Scottie?

[AnneD]

97. This is one of the few times....

I regret being a woman.

[liberation]

84. I assume the governor, and the members of the State Congress and Senate will set the example

by being the first to pee in the cup, and making their records public every few weeks.

Them being state employees and all, right?

[quaker bill]

85. This sort of program was struck down in FL

as unconstitutional by the Fl Supreme Court in 2004. Scott's legal advisers are doing a really poor job. ACLU has already volunteered to defend the first state employee that resists. The needed briefs and pleadings have already been written and ruled on. It is fascinating that his wife's company offers this service...

[nashville_brook]

99. here's the ACLU statement...it's really good!

Statement from Howard Simon, Executive Director, ACLU of Florida:

“I’m not sure why Governor Scott does not know that the policy he recreated by Executive Order today has already been declared unconstitutional.

“The state of Florida cannot force people to surrender their constitutional rights in order to work for the state. Absent any evidence of illegal drug use, or assigned a safety-sensitive job, people have a right to be left alone.

“Coming from a Governor who promised to protect our freedoms by limiting the intrusive reach of government into our personal lives, this massive expansion of government power at the expense of basic rights is stunning and exposes the state to serious future legal liability.

“Since we have already succeeded once in overturning this unconstitutional expansion of government power, the ACLU of Florida is willing to represent any state employee or association of state employees who will have their rights infringed upon if the announced policy takes effect.“

[quaker bill]

103. as someone who might have to fill the cup

this is a particularly nice read. I have often been glad that Quakers helped start the ACLU.

[nashville_brook]

108. i did not know that about the Quakers, but it makes sense.

:)

[quaker bill]

131. Quakers and Methodists

Some Quakers and Methodist ministers were given 15 year prison sentences and $10,000 fines for speaking out and writing againt US involvement in World War I under the Alien and Sedition Act. They got together with some folks at the YMCA (then the Young Mens Christian Association) and formed the American Civil Liberties Union. Eventually they got the convitions overturned. The ACLU has been independent now for a long time, as the founders intended when they set it up.

[SHRED]

86. Is Rick Scott and his cronies being tested?

[Taverner]

88. There is absolutely nothing legal nor constitutional in this action

You earn your pension - it is not a privilege that can be revoked. It is YOUR money.

No matter what you do - the pension fund is there

[seabeyond]

89. we need to ignore them. quit putting them on the news. quit talking about them

ignore, forget them

[liberation]

93. Yeah, let's ignore the infection...

... best way to deal with a disease bar none!

[seabeyond]

96. oh, ya... uh hu. and this putting them on the news and interviews are hurting them how?

going to court and proving their constitutional ability to continue cuts out the infection .... how? anonymous taking down web site and telling the world then putting it back up telling the world they dont have right to do that to them cures the infection.... how?

tell me.... how all htis attention as CURED the fuckin infection... or spread it and made it stronger.

[liberation]

122. No, you're right...

5 decades of looking the other way totally deflated and neutralized the conservative political machine.

Whatever.

[seabeyond]

132. i thought we were talking phelps going to taylors funeral. i couldnt figure how we went from phelps

to "5 decades of looking the other way totally deflated and neutralized the conservative political machine. "

my bad

[Initech]

90. Rick Scott recall in 3... 2.... 1...

I cant wait until we tell the teabaggers to go fuck themselves.

[WingDinger]

95. Yeah, wasnt the woman with 51 bucks, cocaine and odd trinkets stashed from Florida?

[Obamanaut]

107. No. PA Link ->

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=720876&mesg_id=720876

[RoccoR5955]

98. Here's an idea... Everyone mail a baggie of piss to him!

Send it by the slowest means possible. If you know someone on the other end of the planet, have them send some too. By the time it gets to him, it'll stink so much, he'll regret he made this decision. People in the Armed Forces overseas come to mind. Just make sure that you "accidentally" tape the baggie of pee, to the box, in such a way that when someone opens the box, the baggie develops a large hole.

[Ilsa]

111. I'd love to send him some random baggies of piss! nt

[Tripod]

101. k&r

[Obamanaut]

102. I was subjected to random testing while in the Navy. Also while working

as a correctional officer with the Department of Corrections.

I never saw it as a big deal.

[nashville_brook]

106. what's a little unconstitutional search and seizure between unequals?

[Obamanaut]

109. They tell you before hire that random tests are done. If you don't want

to participate, don't work there.

Or, don't put stuff in your body.

[slay]

114. I can tell you've been in the military

not just cause you said it, but because you will bow down and do what authority tells you - even though it is degrading, dehumanizing, an invasion of privacy, and presumes guilt - you have to prove yourself innocent. what fucking business of theirs is it if i want to smoke a joint on the weekend? NONE. so they have a right to tell us how to live our P R I V A T E lives too? but that's all fine and dandy with you right? Ugh.

Will you let them tell you what you can and can't eat too? How bout a War On Fat? this is wrong, and you know it, and if you don't, that's fucking sad bro. fucking sad.

[Fuddnik]

116. Or stand up for your rights.

But that would be too inconvenient.

Why do people meekly go along with violations of privacy? Why do you have to prove yourself innocent before being accused of anything?

[underpants]

104. I can't get to FLA but peeing on the capital would be a great show

[slay]

113. This is why we MUST legalize marijuana

(and preferably end this whole ridiculous un-winnable "drug war".) how many wars does that make NOW?

these fuckers NEVER stop. if we had a decent supreme court they never would have allowed piss tests to be legal for the following reasons, just to name a few:

1. It presumes guilt - you have to prove yourself innocent.
2. It is degrading and humiliating.
3. It is an invasion of privacy.
4. What if you take prescribed anti-anxiety medication. Then you have to explain the reason why - information which should be confidential between a person and their doctor.
5. It is totally unfair - how is testing positive for smoking a joint on the weekend equal to using coke on a daily basis?

This is SO wrong - what the fuck will it take for people to stand up and say ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!

We are so far down the path of being corporate slaves I just can't believe people won't fight back. :banghead:

[rhett o rick]

117. We arent far from the tipping point. The sad thing is that the Democratic Machine

is against us.

[LynneSin]

118. can florida recall their governor

becuase this one needs it

[nashville_brook]

134. there's no legal provision to recall the governor in FL -- he has to commit a crime

which is not unlikely.

[sabrina 1]

128. Rick Scott is a State Employee. I presume he will be drug-tested

frequently. There is every reason to believe that that maniac is on something. And in the position he is in, it is far more important that we know what is in his bloodstream.

Random drug-testing has always been a huge violation of the 4th Amendment. But I blame the American people. Teachers as a matter of fact, were the first to fight this kind of government harassment when drug testing was first being pushed. But people in general submitted and gave away all of our rights because they did not want to risk their jobs. I really wish that generation had stood up before it became so routine people don't even realizy how their rights are being violated.

I want Rick Scott drug tested. He is a public employee and I imagine subject to his own order?

I bet he has buddies who own the drug testing business also.

[B Calm]

139. It's only right he set the example that he wants everyone else to follow!

[sabrina 1]

141. Yes, but I would think he would be subject to the law as a

public employee, I don't see how he could be exempt from it.

[tomp]

130. many? not all? what's up with that? nt

[quaker bill]

133. Some state employees answer to the Attorney General n/t.