Question of the Day | 08/24/2009 11:00 pm

What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?

This was originally published on wOw in April ‘08.

328 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

I always wanted to be a race car driver. I didn’t actually do that, but did become a driver who tested top end speeds of cars. This was years ago so back then, the average regular car top end speed was about 140-150 miles per hour. Scares me now to think I everyday used to jump in, take off without a care in the world. Now Nascar racers go much faster than that. SCCCCCCCCCCCCARY!

By doll lady on 04/11/2008 5:36 am

e-mail alert

I climbed 1000’ TV towers with my job! Due to an accident on a tower one day, I no longer climb… but am really glad I had the opportunity to do it. I saw things from “up there” that I never would have seen if I had never climbed-up.

By Kellie Kanuit on 04/11/2008 5:39 am

e-mail alert

Sued my employer (while still employed there) for gender bias, glass ceiling and unequal pay and retaliation for participating in a protected action that they then stripped me of my Director level position. Four years later I am still there -in cold storage- and in the circuit court of appeals. I knew the risks I was up against- a very vindictive CEO with very deep pockets and I knew other co-worker female support would be none existant for “fear of being retaliated against also”. Armed with boxes of evidence and company documents - the republican judges so far have dismissed the evidence although they state that evidence of sex discrimination at this company does exist. Let’s see what the rulings of the of the 6th circuit court are - ignore the law to fall into the Republican Pro-Business agenda? Meanwhile I have had my salary cut 40$, have gained 30 pounds, had all of my personal information from medical records from all doctors to my joint tax filings, my siblings health and education, my divorce, my father’s relationship who has been dead since 1985 and 30 years of employement history scrutinized and broadcasted to my management - all because I accused my employer of unfair labor practices.

By Kay Sara on 04/11/2008 6:10 am

e-mail alert

You are very brave. On behalf of every woman who has felt too baten down to do this, thankyou.

By Tiara Summer on 04/11/2008 1:48 pm

e-mail alert

I totally agree. Your courage makes tears come to my eyes. Thank you.

By Mugsy Peabody on 04/11/2008 3:16 pm

e-mail alert

Tiara and Mugsy, Thank you - you have no idea how much a few words of support helps me get through another day. Especially when my employer and their vicious lying attorneys are doing everything to destroy my 30 years of work, education and principaled choices ( I was an overachiever, graduated in top of my classes from undergrad and MBA and graduated in 3 years from HS and college and worked full time getting my MBA, the youngest buyer at a major Big 3 company in 1979, on every high potential list and they portray me as a piece of @#$%> . Sometimes, many times, I am so alone and attacked so vicously that it is only by a fingertip grasp to remind myself that I AM doing the right thing. But my motto - We live not in time, but in eternity helps me get up another morning and head into that office for another day . I will do whatever I have to do. Talking to you brilliant women during these long lonely days is a true Godsend. I shudder to think how their attorneys will use my time on this site against me (my every move is monitored). But for 4 years I have been excluded from any co-workerswho have been instructed to not have anything to do with me, my work emails go unanswered, I have been cut from all meetings and responsiblities, never introduced to any new hires … it’s okay. I think of Nelson Mandela spending 20 years in prison. My husband says I am a tripel A type personality so I have learned sooo very much. Thank you wonderful fantastic ladies for helping me fill my long work days with interesting mind stimulating dialog. Bless you all- You are all so very worth fighting for. How much contribution and potential has this world been denied by the squashing of female contribution??? Now that makes me cry. Truly- exposure to your intellects and wit and guts and accomplishments - WHAT A CRIME THAT WE ARE HELD BACK! I love you all and I am so VERY PROUD of our gender because of who you all are as thinking, feeling , principled human beings. I may not win this lawsuit, but there will be documents on record for future generations of what we have had to endure at the hands of white male CEOs and their corporations.

By Kay Sara on 04/12/2008 7:17 am

e-mail alert

The hands of white male CEOs and their corporations are able crush and conquer many. They are not humans and they walk around with no conscious. They are the most dangerous to confront. Your amazing

By Jackie Blue on 04/12/2008 9:52 am

e-mail alert

Thank you Jackie. I knew what I was getting into, but I didn’t know it would drag on as long as it has. The power and win at any cost of this white male CEO is astounding. I pity his soul.

By Kay Sara on 04/14/2008 6:25 am

e-mail alert

The Charlize Theron North Country (based on true story) movie is something you’ve probably already seen, but if not, rent it. Corragio!

By Mugsy Peabody on 04/13/2008 9:16 pm

e-mail alert

Mugsy, it was very painful for me to watch that movie. It is so true to what I have experienced. I only wish more women went to see it to undrestand how enslaved and powerless the white corporate world keeps us- as long as we don’t support each other.

By Kay Sara on 04/14/2008 6:28 am

e-mail alert

Mugsy, just like in that movie- what really hurts is the younger female 2nd chair attorney hired by my employer who is working to perpetuate lies to discredit me. I also know the evidence she has seen and is overlooking - shame on her- she wouldn’t be where she is if it wasn’t for women who have gone up against such discrimination before her. If she has any integrity she would back off on this case - there is no justification “entitled to a good defense” does not justify her actions and denial of the truth.

By Kay Sara on 04/14/2008 6:32 am

e-mail alert

Kay Sara, God bless you!!!

By J Holmes on 08/25/2009 8:12 pm

e-mail alert

Thank you, thak you, J. Holmes. Prayers and blessings are all that I really trust to get me through this.

By Kay Sara on 08/26/2009 5:10 am

e-mail alert

Suzanne Conti you have my sympathies. Your piece was like readin’ my own bio. What hurt the most was the betrayal by a Government I’d spent so much of my life believin’ in and the betrayal of my own gender. I basically lost everything I needed to retire on. My employer was so big I couldn’t get a lawyer to handle it and the free services are backed up for years in my area. But, I had already had a situation where I’d built a smokin’ gun case for a person going for his family ‘political asylum’. This was federal court. He was denied asylum had to run to another country, not his own, with his wife and son. An economist. The experience was so bad for the son he shot himself at 16. Couldn’t speak the language. It was another dictator regime. Hard to run anyplace when you have no papers to or from anywhere. Grew up here. Right in the head. It was a 1000 hrs. of gratis work on my part and pullin’ all the smokin’ gun official papers outta the offendin’ country. Federal Judge didn’t give a damn and just denied because he had the power. And the reason he had the power was because of the deals our country made with the totalitarian govt. and their in ground goodies and munitions opportunities. That’s what political asylum means. I learned the Law wasn’t intended for me or those like me. I learned that those who have ‘charge’ of the law are incapable of bein’ human, in fact, they’d see it as a weakness. How ‘d it get like this? Or has it always been this way? I think betrayal is the worst of sins, —and isn’t it happenin’ all around us? Good luck. Gawd!

By The Ole Crone The Ole Crone on 04/13/2008 3:57 pm

e-mail alert

Ole Crone - my heart goes out to you. I am being wiped out financially too. We really need to somehow get focus on these lazy arrogant judges. Corruption is the result of such “job for life” and absolute power. If the courts are the method to correct wrongs and the courts are more full of wrongs than the rest of the society- where does that leave us to find justice? I would advise people based on my experience- avoid the court system at all costs. Recently heard that the U.S. judical system is the one government branch that can totally destroy citizens. My experience is also with Federal judges, Ole Crone. I thought we may get a fairer judge not having them be subject to re-election campaign inluence of contributions from rich CEOs. The number of incompetent Federal judge appointments as a result of favors for those helping Senators and presidents get elected leads to a bunch of “Brownie’s” filling these crucial all powerful positions in our courts- for life. The betrayal of our own gender is tough to take. I try to appreciate the fear they have but to see them shun me, and then buy into the lies my corporation is passing around about me when they know damn well what this company has done to them personally and what their own personal experience has been with me - OUCH! To me- it is the ENFORCEMENT of the laws we have that is the problem - if we could get justice with the existing laws on the books we would be so much better off- but it is nearly impossible to get the laws enforced. Corpoation destroyed evidence, dis not turn over evidence, tampered with evidence and unless women will be witnesses - forget it. Fortunately I was high up enough to have access to a lot of documents - the CEO even wrote a damaging book spouting his discriminatory white supremist Nazi monolithic militaristic views -. My CEO even went so far as to say in his book that equal employment laws were counter to business success. Judge disregarded that, too. God help us, it is in His hands.

By Kay Sara on 04/14/2008 6:52 am