Cancer patient told to remove hat

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

The Seattle Times

13 January 2008

Quote:

Judge's strict no-hat rule upsets cancer patient

By John Trumbo

Bev Williams of Richland wears a knitted beanie cap to cover her hairless head everywhere she goes, but not in Judge Holly Hollenbeck's courtroom.

The District Court judge told Williams, 43, to take her cap off or leave his court in the Benton County Justice Center on Friday morning.

"I was embarrassed. It made me cry," said Williams, who recently underwent six months of chemotherapy for cancer.

Williams said she wouldn't remove the cap as Hollenbeck instructed and left the courtroom, but she believes he could have made an exception when he learned why she wears a cap in public.

Hollenbeck said Williams was one of several people in his packed courtroom on Friday who were told to remove their hats or caps. All complied but Williams, he said.

Hollenbeck said each judge is different in how the no-hat rule is enforced.

"I ask everybody to remove hats," he said, noting the only reason he has allowed one — once — was for a religious reason.

Hollenbeck said, "I am very understanding with people who battle with cancer. My own mother died from cancer. I've had hundreds of cancer victims come through my court, and I've never had one not remove their hat, ever."

He added, "Refusal to remove shows contempt for the court and for the judge."

But Williams didn't see it that way. "It was rude and uncalled for," she said.

Williams said she was in court as moral support for her daughter, who was facing a misdemeanor charge.

[Woody]

Interesting that she couldn't find the courage to expose her bald head even in the face of her daughter needing her support. It says a lot. I've seen many cancer patients and noncancer people showing their bald heads. It is actually an acceptable fashion. So, I don't see the big issue here. I just think it speaks volumes about this particular mother.

[cricket]

I must disagree with you, Redwood. For some cancer survivors/strugglers, wearing a hat or scarf is a medical necessity and is not a mere matter of vanity. This article does not clearly define her reasons for refusal to remove her headdress; it is presumptuous to assume she did it for fashion's sake.

[Liz]

Sounds like the judge was on a power trip to me. I thought that it was proper for a lady to wear a hat no matter what the occasion. Men are suppose to remove their hats, entering a building, at the table, during a prayer, the raising or lowering of our flag or while saluting it. A lady is supposed to be able to wear her hat during each of the aforementioned events. People are supposed to stand when the judge enters the courtroom. Therefore I think he was on a power trip.

[olger]

Agreed.

[Woody]

Ok Olger who are you agreeing with. I've converted and joined the other side. Call me a flip flopper if you want. lol

[Guest charis]

I hereby award Redwood the National C/A Congressional Medal of Backpedaling:

[Woody]

Thank you Charis. I am most honored. But I don't feel worthy of such an honor. I was just afraid that I might be on the same side as Olger ...

And THAT frightened me.

[Guest charis]

if Olger meets the same requirements, he too can own one of these medals. I don't give them out indiscriminately

[Woody]

Pam ... I will point out that for Ellen White believers ... a woman should not be in public unless her head is totally covered as should her face be ...

Quote:

"I WAS SHOWN that the people of God should not imitate the fashions of the world. Some have done this and are fast losing the peculiar, holy character which should distingush them as God' people. I WAS POINTED BACK TO GOD'S ANCIENT PEOPLE, and was led to compare their apparel with the mode of dress in these last days. What a difference! What a change! Then the women were not so bold as now. WHEN THEY WENT IN PUBLIC, THEY COVERED THEIR FACES WITH A VAIL. In these last days, fashions are shameful and immodest... The small bonnets, exposing the face and head, show a lack of modesty ...The inhabitants are growing more and more corrupt..." (Testimonies, vol. 1, pp. 188,189)

[Guest charis]

rofl

[bonnie]

What is an EW believer??

[aldona]

What is an EW believer??

One who looks at anything that might even slightly be fun, and immediately says, "EWwwwww...."

[bonnie]

Thanks,Just curious as to what she may have to do with the decision of this judge or this particular topic.

Or if she has tainted all so the least opportunity that presents itself is seen as an invitation to "gently ridicule"

[Amelia]

Things really are changing. I don't think we can even talk about the manners of society. They don't exsist except for boomers and older. I bet most young people today don't know they are supposed to remove their headgear during the National Anthem.

Personally I feel the judge was in error. BUT, judges are little kings of their kingdoms and can require anything they want for their courts.

[bonnie]

In such a "do not judge" atmosphere it is surprising at the swiftness of judgement either of the cancer patient or the judge.

Obviously this judge honored one refusal on religious grounds. It does not say but more than likely it would have been a muslim or similar faith. Yet the not so subtle jab at EW instead of a jab at the other faiths that currently require such.

If something looks like judgemnt or an unkind remark concerning another faith is seen the trouncing is usually swift. SDA's are quite good at eating their own and do not consider it rude or judgemental when ridiculing the church they have chosen for their affliation

I would not want to be in that woman's position, but yet have no way of knowing if sheer vanity,a desire to flaunt the rules, or probably the more obvious one that it made her very uncomfortable was the reason. Nor is there much concerning the background and what may have gone into the judge's decision.

How can it be said that the refusal of the cancer patient said much about her? How do we know the real reason for the judge was a petty power trip?

[cricket]

Agreed, Bonnie. There is too little information to make any sort of judgment on either the woman or the judge.

[Beryl]

Quote:

I thought that it was proper for a lady to wear a hat no matter what the occasion.

Well, I don't know about other countries, but I have had occasion to accompany persons to court on several occasions, and the person at the door asked people to remove hats (and switch off the mobiles) as they came in. However I do remember being in one court, and a lady was permitted to leave her beanie on. Maybe she was a cancer patient. I think there should always be an exception to the rules -- provided that the reason was legitimate.

Beryl

[Liz]

Agreed, Bonnie. There is too little information to make any sort of judgment on either the woman or the judge.

At the risk of sticking my neck out, and having my head chopped off. I disagree. When a fellow human being irregardless of his status in life, finds out that another human being is going through a major life crisis and still insists on making this human being even more uncomfortable. I think we have plenty to go on to make a judgment call.

It was within this judges power to let this lady keep her hat on, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to look at a woman's thinning or bald head and know that something is probably wrong with her.

The fact that other people can rip off their hats and expose themselves to the world makes no difference. Everyone responds differently to their change in physical appearance. Just because you have the power to humiliate someone else, doesn't make it right.

Alright off my soapbox now, let me get my rubber suit on, so that all the rotten tomatoes will wash right off.

[cricket]

I'm not one to chop another's head off, nor throw rotten tomatoes. My apologies if you've ever formed that opinion of me.

I'm simply not prepared to judge this judge on the basis of this article; nor am I prepared to judge the woman's motives either.

Be at ease.