Decaying American Morals: The Victim Culture and Attorneys

Dateline: East Fishkill, NY

James Pacenza was fired back in 2003 from IBM for allegedly using a work computer to visit sex-related internet chat rooms on multiple occasions. According to IBM, Pascenza, 55 at the time, was terminated for “violating IBM’s business conduct guidelines” and “misuse of IBM property”. Pacenza fired back with a lawsuit claiming that he’s been suffering from post traumatic stress disorder since he served in Vietnam in the late 60’s (yep, that Vietnam- almost 40 years ago).

Pacenza and his attorney are also claiming shelter under the Americans with Disabilities Act stating that Mr. Pacenza is an internet addict. I’m a little fuzzy on the chronology of a.) the Vietnam War, b.) when Al Gore invented the internet, and c.) when exactly the plaintiff became addicted to the aforementioned internet. Maybe the attorneys can help clear that timing up in court. In filed court papers, Mr. P also said “I was tempting myself to perhaps become involved in some titillating conversation”. At work. The nerve of IBM to fire that guy.

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061219/BUSINESS01/612190318/1012

Wait, it gets better. At the time of his termination, the Plaintiff was receiving approximately $65,000 a year. Pacenza is suing IBM for $5 million. That’s 76.9 years of salary, unadjusted for inflation. Apparently the internet addiction would have enabled Mr. Pacenza to work until the age of 132.

Mr. Pacenza- take your internet and go home. You are not a victim- you are part of the problem. You’ve joined the hundreds of thousands of people who spin reality through their own sense of entitlement. Most Americans would be delighted to get $65,000 a year to look at silicon wafers all day. You should have been using the internet to research better ways to build silicon chips, or enjoy your retirement- titillate yourself with that.

You’re welcome.