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Here is a full PDF file of SeaWorlds Official Complaint.

Also A statement by Jim Atchison:

February 27, 2014

To All SeaWorld Entertainment Team Members

Today we filed a complaint with the federal government about what appears to be significant misconduct by Lara Padgett, the lead compliance officer for OSHA in the agency's examination of the circumstances of Dawn Brancheau's death four years ago. That complaint is today the subject of a lengthy feature in the New York Times, which you can read on the paper's website. The complaint and the Times' story on it may result in extended media coverage over the next three or four days.

SeaWorld Entertainment supports OSHA's mission, "to assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance." Evidence compiled over the past year suggests that Ms. Padgett may have acted with a different agenda, one that is sympathetic to animal rights activism. We are confident that the federal government, the Department of Labor and OSHA will properly investigate this matter and handle it appropriately.

I will close by reinforcing that for us there are no higher priorities than the safety of our team members and the welfare of our animals. I hope you take pride in the fact that our commitment to both has never wavered.

NEW YORK TIMES STORY:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/28/business/media/seaworld-questions-ethics-of-blackfish-investigator.html?src=busln&_r=0

COMPLAINT LETTER:
Attached

Thank you.

Jim Atchison
 
Evidence compiled over the past year suggests that Ms. Padgett may have acted with a different agenda, one that is sympathetic to animal rights activism.

What a strange way to phrase that.  I can't believe they sent that to press with such wording without thinking it would cause some serious negative ramifications in the media.  This makes SeaWorld sound opposed to animal rights, which is not true.  It is true according to Blackfish, though.  They just painted themselves in some really bad light. Why in the world would they said that?
 
OSHA protect the health and safety of 'Men and Women'...It would be against their rules, regulations, and organizational parameters to to act on the health and safety of 'animals'. This is what Sea World is accusing them of.
 
I understand what they actually mean, but surely you must agree that it sounds bad at first. Blackfish has proven that most of our nation lacks serious critical thinking skills, and most people won't read that sentence and think about the true meaning, they'll see "SeaWorld loves animals" and get upset.

As a company undergoing a trial by fire for accusations of treating animals poorly, you can't afford to word things like this.  It will just make it look like the accusations against you are true to many people, which is not what they need.
 
I think it just goes to show how people care more about animals just because they think their cute, weak, and need our help. I really feel like the way they worded it is the straight truth with no deception, but because people care more about animals than themselves they see it as a problem.
 
I disagree. I think it is just bad writing, and even worse editing.

I think what they meant was that her actions were neither dispassionate nor objective, and demonstrated a sympathy towards the views and political agendas of activist groups that claim to work for "animal rights."
 
Yes Franco. I agree it could easily be taken out of context. By many 'common' people. The letter was not written for people that dont know or understand what is going on. It was written for team members of Seaworld. They probably dont care much about how commoners interpret the letter.
 
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First rule we learn where I work: everything you write will be taken out of context and published on the front page of the Washington Post. Everything must stand alone up to media, public, and governmental scrutiny.

No responsible editor would have let that section go forward, especially in the media climate SWO is currently enduring.
 
Mazakman said:
It was written for team members of Seaworld.

No actually the PDF file was the actual written complaint submitted to the government agency. The actual statement made in my post was all that was really meant for team members.
 
Okie dokey. I should have clarified 'that section' of the letter instead of just writing 'letter'. Meep Meep. Poof.
 
A recent bill has been introduced in California banning all Orcas from performing in shows, captive breeding, and the import/export of orcas. The lawmaker said he was inspired by the film Blackfish. However, Orcas can still be kept in tanks on display and then when possible retire to sea pens. Full Article Here

If this thing makes it alive, SeaWorld San Diego is screwed. It may possibly be the start of something bigger to. Hopefully this just blows over.
 
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I have a bad feeling this thing may have a good chance of passing, from what I know about California.
 
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Having them on display will make the orcas really feel neglected, and in-active. They won't really be able to interact with trainers, and they won't be able to excercise in a display case, and I can only imagine how much smaller the display space will be compared to the tanks currently there. I don't see how this helps the orcas at all...
 
This is what happens with people who do not research or understand animals tries to "save them" based on an emotional and half-truth movie.
 
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So I just found this gem

TMZ Story

I doubt this will happen. She isn't actually a part of any team right now. And 115k is a lot of money for one race. Another thing is this really isn't NASCAR racing. It's another stock car series and not many people watch it. She's using this as a way to gain attention to her racing career. I work in this sport so I know how these things go.
 

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James said:
So I just found this gem

TMZ Story

I doubt this will happen. She isn't actually a part of any team right now. And 115k is a lot of money for one race. Another thing is this really isn't NASCAR racing. It's another stock car series and not many people watch it. She's using this as a way to gain attention to her racing career. I work in this sport so I know how these things go.

Really is annoying to see that. I have close ties to her. That race is going to be televised for ARCA which is why that was the one picked. ARCA races draw highest audiences on the Superspeedways. It is also the weekend of NASCAR running at 'Dega which will assist in views.

Lastly, it would be a WASTE marketing to a racing audience. Big business rules NASCAR alongside the working man.
 
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