The Special Theory of Relativity

Before you Wal-Mart opponents sharpen your pencils to write in letters to the editor about Wal-Mart's recent settlement with the Department of Labor regarding its overtime labor practices, read this story first:

After working eight years at Starbucks' roasting plant in Kent, Mark Tutalo left in 2005, the last among a group of workers who had loudly supported a union there.

Now Tutalo is suing Starbucks, alleging it kept him on late shifts to retaliate for his union activity and despite a documented case of post-traumatic stress disorder that made it difficult for him to sleep.

In Wal-Mart's case, the overtime issues were payroll oversights that were voluntarily reported and no fines or penalties were assessed.

Also, before you are too quick to write about the Lewiston Wal-Mart settling a racial harassment and retaliation lawsuit brought by an African-American night maintenance supervisor, consider these stories:

The man who plays the character Beast of "Beauty and the Beast" at Disney's Magic Kingdom has been arrested and charged with 51 counts of child pornography.

A NASA astronaut accused of trying to kidnap a romantic rival for a space shuttle pilot's affections was charged with attempted first-degree murder Tuesday as her lawyer sparred with prosecutors to effort her release.

You see, no person and no corporation is perfect. And there are rotten apples/creepy/stupid people everywhere. Spare us your selective outrage.

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