Justice in flyball

I just read about a business owner in Michigan who is taking his fight against the abuses by government over masks, shots, restrictions, closures, etc., further through the courts.  He started his quest in 2020.  Three years later, he is still moving forward and has taken additional action in 2023.

In my view, he is very fortunate to have the money to keep going and help make things right again for all the people in his state.  I am thankful for him and what he is doing.

He said he is doing this not just for himself and his business, but for everyone who was affected by a corrupt government and the subsequent interferences and retaliations against him.  So many innocent people were abused.  He wants it to never happen again to anyone.  

I totally understand and, honestly, it was exactly what I was thinking when I began my endeavor against the same type of interference, retaliation and abuse in flyball.  

He also said he does not want people 'to forget the abuse'.  My thoughts, exactly.

Kudos to him and his legal team.  Here's his recent explanation:  

Michigan restaurant owner not forgetting pandemic lockdowns. He is suing his local health dept. - YouTube

With respect to my case of interference, retaliation and abuse by a flyball organization, I hope more flyballers will become aware of what happened and will never forget.  I, too, hope it will never happen again.  

One not so great aspect of both our pursuits for justice...it can take years.  In the meantime, further abuses can occur (and have) and many more people can be affected (and have).

In his case, many Michigan businesses closed for good.  The state has lost thousands of residents.  In flyball, one of the organizations has been operating 'in the red' for the last few years according to published information.  The other organization does not publish its information, but their website statistics reveal an overall lack of participation for the past three years.  I know many flyballers who completely left the sport and others whose teams completely folded up.   

If you read my previous posts from this year, most of the abuses that happened are spelled out.  You can read and see for yourself.  I don't know if I've explained it well enough.  I tried to.  I also realize it is hard to believe an organization would permanently revoke my participation forevermore because I have a disability that prevents me from being able to wear a mask.

A mask.

It is still astonishing to me.  

It is a good feeling to finally get this out in public.  After nearly three years of dealing with lies followed by spiteful, vengeful, abusive actions against me, I want this type of thing never to happen again to anyone.

Just like the business owner.  

And for myself, maybe one day I'll be able to play flyball again in that organization.

I truly hope justice is served.

  

 

Truth or Lies - which do you choose?

For this post, I am going to quote a recent article discussing the recent American experience in general with respect to truth and lies.  I hope you'll see the correlation to flyball; and I hope you'll choose truth over the lies and the liars.

"...Once foreign to the “American mind,” dishonor and deceit are essential “harmonizing sentiments” in totalitarian societies. In a society controlled by force, lying is a way of life..."

"...the cure to overcoming the totalitarian harmonizing sentiment of deceit:

When people renounce lies, lies simply cease to exist."

"...During COVID, particularly in the early days of the pandemic, the public was frightened. Many preferred to get with the program and eschew responsibility for their often difficult health decisions. They wanted no interruptions to their fantasy that their preferred choice was an easy decision. Yet life is messy; there are few one-size-fits-all answers. Unwilling to tolerate the inherent ambiguity in life, they willingly forfeited their freedom."

"Streams of orchestrated, hateful propaganda were directed against those who made different medical choices. These relentless attacks were designed to stir up an agitated population easily gulled into supporting attacks..."

"The result was predictable. As (Aldous Huxley wrote), “The surest way to work up a crusade in favor of some good cause is to promise people they will have a chance of maltreating someone."

"To be able to destroy with good conscience, to be able to behave badly and call your bad behavior ‘righteous indignation’ — this is the height of psychological luxury, the most delicious of moral treats.” Righteous indignation may be another prevailing sentiment in the American mind.."

"...One of the purposes of free speech is to allow discussion about various topics so the public may make informed decisions… Without a free debate about these issues [vaccines, masks, closures etc.], each person is unable to decide for himself or herself the proper decision regarding their health.”

Were you able to decide for yourself during the 'virus'?

Were some people denied free speech in flyball?

Were some attacked and maltreated?

Were some slandered and forced out of flyball?

Did some go along with it all?

If you are reading this post and the recent preceding ones, now you know someone who was denied, attacked, maltreated, slandered and forced out of flyball in one of the organizations.

Now you know the truth.  I hope you'll embrace it and give up the lies and liars.

Matthew 18:4 John 8:44 Romans 2:11 Amen

(source of quotes:  If We Live by Lies, We Will Demand Deceitful Politicians  | AIER )

 

Proving the Liars and Bullies

As a follow-up to my April, 2023 blog post, the Michigan Department of Civil Rights agrees with me and have found my claim meets the following elements:

Element - claimant meets definition of person with a disability to the Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act and/or the Americans with Disability Act.

Element - yes, claimant requested an accommodation that enabled her to utilize and benefit from the public service or public accommodation.

Element - there was no contention between claimant and respondent the request was reasonable.

What will come next will be the proof of attempted coercion, interference, intimidation and retaliation against me.

All of these actions are against the law.  Specifically, US 42 Chapter 126 Section 12203.

(quote):

(a)Retaliation

No person shall discriminate against any individual because such individual has opposed any act or practice made unlawful by this chapter or because such individual made a charge, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this chapter.

(b)Interference, coercion, or intimidation

It shall be unlawful to coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with any individual in the exercise or enjoyment of, or on account of his or her having exercised or enjoyed, or on account of his or her having aided or encouraged any other individual in the exercise or enjoyment of, any right granted or protected by this chapter.

  

 

Phony police tactics and harassment

In my last post I mentioned some of the threats I received by the flyball organization.

  

What follows are a few details regarding one specific threat I received from an out of State law enforcement officer.  

The threats came via a phone call to me in my home.  Interesting the officer said he was in a different State than where I lived. Huh? How would this officer know me and how did he get my phone number?

I'd never even been in the State he said he was calling from. 

  

The Sargeant identified himself and told me he was 'representing CS and the flyball organization'.  I know who CS is; in fact CS and I are from the same State.  

But, why on earth was the out of state sargeant involved?

During our phone conversation, he went on to say I 'would be arrested'.  How, I asked him, since I wasn't even in his State?  Did he witness something I did that warranted an arrest?  I truly wanted to understand what was happening.

When I mentioned the laws he became antagonistic, rude and sarcastic.  I wondered why he was treating me with such disrespect so afterward I contacted his Police Chief directly.

The Police Chief asked me if I wanted to file a complaint.  Yes, I did.

The Police Captain who handled the complaint was in the direct chain of command for the Sargeant.  He confirmed the threats toward me were the result of a specific request from the event host and coordinator (CS and the flyball organization as the Sgt. specifically named).  He also confirmed there could be a 'civil issue' as result of the organization's behavior toward me.  

Needless to say, I was blown away by the behavior of the flyball organization.  I believe it is why (because they were unsuccessful in their unwarranted harassment and intimidation tactics) the organization's CEO developed the process for suspension of participant status and at the same time pursued permanent revocation against me.      

What reason for permanent revocation was given?  Masks.

Is a person who cannot wear a mask a criminal?  No.

Is a person who cannot wear a mask one who should never be permitted to play flyball? No.

Is there more to come?  Yes.

 

Liars and Bullies

You may be wondering how the title of this post applies to flyball.  

The second to last sentence of my previous article, Phony Suspension - Part 3, is:

"Question remains how is someone with a disability wanting to continue playing the sport considered a valid reason for permanent termination?"

Exactly.

Liars and bullies in flyball is an answer.

In addition to the quotes in my last article, here are a few of the more absurd attempted lies and bullying a 20+ year flyball veteran with a spotless flyball tenure received during the time period 2020 and 2021.

(quotes from CEO complaint, August 2021):

- "...is a current...Participant who is not currently in good standing..."

- "...requested an exemption...from the...requirement that "masks are required..."

- "...engaged in communications with...representatives..."

- "...In response...eligibility to participate...was conditioned upon...signed...affirmative written statement..."

- "...has not met those conditions..."

- "...continues to contact...representatives and...host club representatives..."

- "...communications contain misrepresentations..."

- "...email regarding...representative...stating...direction...what type document...would accept before...allowed to participate..."

- "...emails to...attorney...that his communications were...unethical...attempts to slander...to intimidate...as well as retaliate against...on behalf of..."

- "...email...stating...request...has neither been addressed, nor denied..."

- "...social media message...responds to...host club..."

- "...email to...representatives...from host club...stating that 'the wearing of masks and ...request for ADA public accommodation was the only reason...instructed some clubs to refuse...entries..."

- "... inappropriate communications with...and host clubs...causing strain...in the community and is negatively impacting...relationships...venues..."

- "...communications fail to exhibit good sportsmanship..."

- "As as result...believes that...Participant status should be terminated permanently."

Again, I must ask, how is someone with a disability wanting to continue playing the sport considered a valid reason for permanent termination?

Even the American Association for Disabled Persons, the CDC and the Governor's Executive Orders make it clear a person with a disability is exempt from wearing a mask.

For example:

"From: Maria Town <mtown@aapd.com>

To: 

Sent: ...2021

Subject: Information Regarding Face Masks and People with Disabilities

Dear  

Thank you for reaching out to the American Association of People with Disabilities regarding people with non-apparent disabilities who may have difficulty wearing masks during the pandemic. 

There are a few resources on this topic, some of which AAPD has contributed to. Many people with disabilities, both non-apparent and apparent, have difficulties wearing masks, and guidance has been developed to make sure that  these individuals can still get their needs meet and engage in community life without being stigmatized for not wearing a mask. 

Most importantly, the Centers for Disease Control has said that people with disabilities "who cannot wear a mask, or cannot safely wear a mask, for reasons related to the disability" are exempt from wearing a mask...

Please let me know if this is helpful. Thank you for reaching out. 

Maria 

Maria Town

President and CEO

American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)"

Next time, I'll share with you the call I received from an out of state police sargeant threatening me on behalf of...

 

Phony Suspension - Part 3

In my two previous posts, I described the background for this.

Today, I was again inspired to continue 'going public'.  What follows are some of the threats, harassment, attempts to intimidate, slander and the permanent revocation of participation.

I must add that the laws in our State, other States, and our Nation provide for protection against these things and those that committed them have broken several laws.

First I want to share a pretty good article pointing to one step in the remedy and healing process.  It's called:  

"It's Time For The Scientific Community To Admit We Were Wrong About COVID & It Cost Lives"

The link is:  "It's Time For The Scientific Community To Admit We Were Wrong About COVID & It Cost Lives" | ZeroHedge

Without further ado, here are a few of the flyball organization officers and other representatives attempts to intimidate, slander and retaliate.  All are quoted:

(2020)

Mid year:  "...I am (expletive) sick of hearing...that some people will not wear them..."

"...don't ruin it...end of discussion..."

"...thought we could work it out...we cannot...do not contact again..."

 

(2021)

"...let you know that some of your comments...will be deleted...block you from our group."

"...If you continue...I will cancel the tournament...and no one will play."

"...I trust I have made myself clear..."

"...deeming your presence a trespass...and contacting the police..." 

"...no choice but to seek relief in court..."

(above list not all inclusive)

During this time in 2021, all participation entries were initially accepted and then all revoked.

  

During this time, attorney harassment against participant was ongoing.

During this time, the organization created and instituted a NEW policy whereby the CEO may submit requests to the Board to terminate a participant's good standing.

  

Funny thing, the rules say it must be for a reason.

 

This was anything but.

Question remains how is someone with a disability wanting to continue playing the sport considered a valid reason for permanent termination?

One answer might be...ONLY IF THEY ARE ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH IT.

 

 

   

 

Be Inspired

Inspiration can come from unexpected sources.

That's what happened to me this morning.

Someone I've met but don't know that well is being harassed and threatened with phony legal tactics.  Sounds familiar.

This person explained how they are also being retaliated against because they spoke up, spoke truth and tried to assert their rights.

Again, sounds familiar.

This inspirational person went on to say they will not be bullied and they will go public.

I've already done the 'I will not be bullied' thing.

If you read my last post called "Phony Suspension", I think you'll understand what follows.

The phony legal tactic.

  

(quote from attorney letter):

“…informed you that you are not a participant in good standing and will not be a participant in good standing unless and until you satisfy the conditions for participation...

...to return to the status of participant in good standing, you must submit the following:..your affirmative written statement that you will …without limitation wearing a mask..."

(end quote from attorney letter) 

Legitimately ordered by a court?  No

Legal?  No.  On many fronts.

Retaliation against an individual for asserting rights under the laws?  Yes.

I wonder what will happen in the long run.

Phony Suspension

Looking back to my last post, in 2015, I was on to something.  Little did I know, it would be as bad, and worse, going forward.

Coming full circle, almost seven years later, another suspension takes place.  Different issue entirely.

But, same, in some ways.  Let me explain.

The issue in 2015 was animal abuse and a participant's status in various dog sports. Flyball was partly emulating the well-known AKC with it's policies.  Both flyball organizations took action to suspend the participant convicted of animal abuse.  

You can read the post from 2015 for more details.

Now, comes another suspension.  Well, actually a permanent revocation of participant status.  Different participant.  Different issue entirely.  And, this go around, only one flyball organization took action.

Can you guess which one?

Can you guess what it was for?

Want a hint?

It wasn't anything to do with dogs or playing the sport or personal behavior that hurt anyone or (not) even unsportsmanship.  It wasn't anything to do with the sport at all.

It was, however, about abuse.  Abuse by the flyball organization and it's host clubs.

The events that led up to one flyball organization taking action were strictly personal in nature.  And, they promulgated their abuse by bullying host clubs into compliance with their actions.

Actions against one person.

Actions against a 20-year+ veteran of the sport.  Against a person who had not done anything remotely wrong.  Nor, remotely against the sport.  Or, remotely against a dog or another participant.  None of the things you'd expect a person to be permanently suspended for.

It was, by all the facts, a personal vendetta by one or more of the flyball organization officers.  Against only one person.

This person was censored online, kicked out of flyball groups, blocked from flyball groups, and harassed and retaliated against in many forms for many months.  Including, get this, coercion using phony legal and law enforcement tactics.  One even occurred via an out of state resource.  

Again, for what?

Did you guess correctly?

That's right.  Masks.

Does this sound ok to you?

The truth matters and it will be brought to light one day soon.