WATCH

NIL CARBORUNDUM
by Ed Magnuson

The learned Alfred North Whitehead once said, "The doctrines which best repay critical examination are those which for the longest period remain unquestioned." And although it has been an accepted medical fact for some time that a small amount of stress can serve as a healthy motivator, but that too much stress or distress can lead to serious emotional or physical illness, the DEA hierarchy continues to subject its agents and their families to miseries associated with stress, anxiety and depression.

The Update on Human Behavior (Vol.11, No. 4) put it more clearly, "We know that stress weakens the immune system, increasing vulnerability to colds, infections and even cancer... stress is a major contributor to heart disease, a leading cause of death in this country... not many people are surprised to learn that illness often follows a traumatic or difficult event."

Another health publication, DEA's own Physical Fitness Flyer (Feb-93), said the same thind: "If a stressful situation goes on for too long without any relief, you might experience diseases and disorders, such as colds, ulcers, asthma, heart attack or stroke."

If one looks closely at what is going on in DEA today, it would appear that the administration has little regard for the health of its employees. The amount of unwarranted investigation of agents and in some cases their families, i.e., Peter Probst, is unprecedented. The amount of MSPB appeals, EEO claims, and court actions are also unprecedented.

Something is obviously wrong with an agency which knows that it is endangering the health of its loyal employees and continues to do so. Administrator Constantine's unnecessary and draconian program is just a 'cop out', a self-serving program designed to enhance the reputation of an ambitious bureaucrat at the expense of his agents.

However, Administrator Constantine should not be solely held responsible, he is just the cause. All those that contribute to and support his insidious style and injurious philosophy are just as culpable to varying degrees. The "I was just following orders defense" holds no water since the International Military Tribunals of the mid 1940's.

Although many agents would point a finger at former Deputy Administrator Stephen Greene as a prime example, he was, in fact, creating undue stress in the agency long before the crowning of Emperor Constantine. The Greene Career Board will long be remembered as a committee of senior executives who lacked free will and let the biased and debased positions of its Chairman rule supreme. A harsh statement to say the least, but as many know, I have first hand experience to base my opinion on.

For three years, I did battle with Mr. Greene and his board to gain relocation due to the serious illness of my wife and the deterioration of our family. I tried to a work within the system, submitting Hardship Petition after Hardship Petition only to have Greene prejudice his board and be lied to in order to cover up errors and fraudulent positions. The almost unbearable stress which was allowed to be placed on my wife destroyed the health of a loyal and devoted wife and mother who wanted nothing more than the opportunity to care for her seriously ill parents and child. A tragic flaw in the eyes of Greene and his lackey Career Board!

I have been told that retired Special agent Tony Silya once had a similar problem and successfully took it to court. In the early 1970's Tony was seriously wounded in a gun battle in Mexico but dispatched a "bad guy" with a sawed off shotgun that he was not supposed to have. Although a hero, Tony and his family were stressed out for years due to DEA's internal investigation of the unauthorized weapon. when Tony's wife subsequently became seriously ill, Tony sued and won.

The best advice I can give to agents and family members who are presently being subjected to the enormous stress that bureaucrats are so good at exerting is NIL CARBORUNDUM. A favorite Latin expression which I translate I as, "Don't let the b*****ds get you down!" A piece of advise easier said than done, but you have your family to think of.