Okay, I am not saying that my letter was even read by the IUPAT, but I will share it with you, and the response just published by the IUPAT General President... click through for more details...

My letter to IUPAT General President James Williams:

Dear President Williams,

Regarding the IUPAT member who threatened 3 year old Sophia Parlock: I would appreciate a public statement disavowing the actions of your members in this incident. I want to hear that there will be consequences for this individual.

If you do issue a statement, please send me the link and I will publish it on my weblog along with the articles I have already written about this.

Thank you for your time and effort in bringing this ruffian to justice and distancing your Union from his actions.

Very Respectfully,

Michael E. Cummins
http://www.i-magery.com
mailto:michael@i-magery.com

This letter was just released by the IUPAT General President

The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades believes in the fundamental right for civil discourse, freedom of speech and activism to support our candidates and issues.

What happened in Huntington, West Virginia yesterday is an affront to everything we, as a union, pride ourselves to represent. We extend our apologies to the Parlock family, especially Sophia, for the distress one of our overzealous members caused them.

I have personally taken steps to address this issue internally, and will take immediate disciplinary action to the fullest extent allowed under U.S. Department of Labor regulations and the constitution of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades.

It is my hope that this incident reminds all of our members that every last citizen in this country has the right to express his or herself freely. Not one single one of us has the right to tell them otherwise.

General President James A. Williams
The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades

I still despise the act, but that statement was the right thing to do , and I am no longer angry with the Union itself.

How about you?

Posted by Michael at September 17, 2004 02:18 PM