Monthly Archives: November 2023

Symbols are important, especially in our digital, inter-connected, high-tech civilization.

Although knowledge is supposedly at our fingertips, a motley convergence of negativism based on ignorance, intolerance, and reactionary politics, and positivism motivated by neo-puritanism, identity politics and political correctness wants to erase, destroy, and censor everything deemed controversial. To make things worse, the algorithmic, consumer-based logic governing the a-/social media helps polarize people by spreading the malevolent prejudices of partisan politics or the absolutist judgements of nave progressivism. Both force their black-and-white conclusions on an already confused public.

But sometimes, reason prevails, as the recent UMs swastika issue illustrates (Left-facing swastika symbols to remain on UM building for education, Missoulian Nov. 7). The decision to de-construct (Derridas meaning) the swastika by adding an interpretative sign next to it for those who ignore religious symbolism makes sense.

The swastika goes back to time immemorial, long before recorded Western history. Tibetan, Hinduist (God Ganesh), Persian, Basque, North American (Hopi, Navajo), and Meso-American cultures, to name only a few, used the swastika. They are literally everywhere in different forms: pictographs, pottery design, friezes, weaving patterns. Most are square and geometric; others are rounded and wave-like. Some archeologists even claim that they were Atlantis sign. Galactical symbolization, cosmic allegory, labyrinthine metaphor, life/death cycle representationWho knows?

Two kinds exist. One clockwise (swastika) symbolizing death; the other counterclockwise (sauwastika) symbolized life good fortune in Sanskrit and Japanese. Both signs had nothing to do with Nazism. Then why did Hitler choose it in 1920 as a Nazi symbol ruining its mystery for everybody? Some historians established that a strange relationship existed between Nazi ideology and European occultism. Nazis fantasized that the swastika was an Aryan symbol, sign of racial supremacy.

The right thing to do is to reclaim the sign from Nazi abuse and defacement. People who want to erase the swastikas on UM buildings mean well, but they are motivated by misguided and simplistic emotions.

During World War II, the French flag, an emblem of national unity and rallying symbol, was used both by French fascists/Nazi-collaborators and by anti-Nazi rsistants. Should the French flag then, be jettisoned? Both Neo-Nazis and Socialist Democrats fly the American flag. Should a new flag be designed? The Torah, the Bible, and the Koran are both used/abused by fundamentalist Jews, Christians and Muslims to fuel hatred. Should one ban these books?

By the same token, some Nazis loved classical music. Should it be banned? Or preceded by interpretative messages? Many great writers had fascist tendencies. Should they be banned? Remember the Heidegger controversy.

Decades ago, Rabelais, a giant of European literature, was banned from the UM Freshmen Humanities Program because Gargantuas Panurge wanted to fortify Paris medieval walls with callibistrys (vulvas). We could go on and on Everybody has reasons to be unreasonable, intolerant, irrational, and to censor (of course) the other.

Man is neither angel nor beast, and the misfortune is that he who would act the angel acts the beast. Pascal.

One really disturbing thing though, in this entire well-meaning brouhaha. Not one religious leader, faculty member, or student, ever protested, or even mentioned the demise of the Humanities (philosophy/history/foreign languages /English/religions/sociology/mathematics) at UM.

What about a plaque cemented on the brand-new Art Museum explaining what UM used to be 12 years ago, and what it has now become, after the great re-alignment/re-prioritizing complete and replete with the number of Humanities professors gone?

Lux et Veritas has become Obscuritas et Machinatio.

Michel Valentin is a retired UM professors/EPIS researcher/writer.

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Michel Valentin: Political correctness and swastikas - Missoulian

Choose wisely

Congratulations to Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker. I am not a political science major, however, I believe she won the race to become Philadelphias 100th mayor based on her determination to combat the daily violence that plagues the city. Selecting the new police commissioner will be her most difficult decision. Checking off political correctness boxes must be part of the choice. She must look for someone who brings a crime-fighting strategy to the table. Someone who can work with the Fraternal Order of Police. Someone who can connect with the men and women who actually do the job, the street cops. Probably most important of all, someone who can repair the damaged morale within the Police Department, including the top brass. Unlike her predecessor, Parker must choose someone who is capable and can meet these challenges. She owes it to the people who voted for her.

William D. Markert Jr., retired, Philadelphia police captain, Warminster

An Associated Press article published by The Inquirer notes that the Group of Seven called for the unimpeded delivery of food, water, medicine, and fuel to Gazans. Such calls are invariably directed at Israel. Somehow, nobody mentions the extensive stockpiles of those very items in the terror tunnels that Hamas likely built using previous humanitarian aid extended by the West. The G7 should demand the release of the hostages, as well as the hostage supplies that Hamas is keeping for itself. Hamas is responsible for all the suffering in Gaza. It must be held accountable by the West.

Kenneth Gorelick, Wayne

We all want the bombing of Gaza to stop, but it isnt just Israel that is involved in this war. Hamas has responsibilities and choices, too. It has started a war that it cannot win. Heres a solution: Hamas surrenders. Lays down all its arms. Turns over all its war criminals all of them to the International Criminal Court, rather than to Israel. The ICC doesnt assign the death penalty, just some term of imprisonment in a European prison. The accused get taken to the Netherlands and are held while their cases are investigated and tried. There is heaps of video evidence of who did what.

The United Nations could propose this, and Hamas could accept out of humanitarian concern for the people of Gaza. Hamas isnt like ISIS. It didnt recruit from all over the Muslim world. The people in Gaza are, after all, the families, friends, and neighbors of the Hamas soldiers. Israel would stop bombing. What the U.N. and the European Union and U.S. media all refer to as innocent civilians would no longer suffer loss of life and limb, house and home. So both sides could demonstrate the depths of their humanity by ending the war.

John S. Hill, Easton, Pa.

Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 150 words and include home address and day and evening phone number. Letters run in The Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online.

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Letters to the Editor | Nov. 12, 2023 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Free societies can thrive by rediscovering and acting on their strengths. Values, including those of personal responsibility, must be at the core of a revival.

After Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, it appeared that the United States and Europe had one clear policy toward Russia. NATO was again united and strong. Although military supplies for Kyiv were initially lackluster, unity prevailed on sanctions and support. The Ukrainians were defending themselves bravely and Russia faced a military and propaganda disaster. A Russian defeat was considered probable.

There was hope for improvement in the Middle East and the Abraham Accords allowed a rapprochement between Israel and the Arab world, starting with the United Arab Emirates and recently joined by Saudi Arabia.

Turkey brokered a grain export deal for Ukraine, normalized its relationship with Israel and worked toward resolving conflicts in the Caucasus and Caspian regions.

Although the theocratic regime in Iran brutally crushes any internal opposition, the mullahs managed to demonstrate a semblance of softer policy toward their enemy, Saudi Arabia, brokered by China.

These developments provided pleasant illusions of a West united against Russian expansionism, a more moderate Iranian regional policy and a silver lining of peace in the Middle East. But China and Russia remained elephants in the room. A utopian hope prevailed in Washington and the European capitals that a Sino-Russian alliance could be torpedoed and that third countries such as India and others mainly in the southern hemisphere could be convinced to take a stand, primarily against Russia. A victorious alliance of good democracies against evil autocracies was proclaimed. The G7 was revitalized to lead this crusade.

The Western response started promisingly. U.S. President Joe Biden and his European allies saw themselves as the saviors of liberal democracy and good in the world. Obviously, free and independent countries must fight to remain that way. Freedom is not granted, nor is the self-determination of countries. We must strongly support the independence of nations challenged by Russian imperialism and Chinese nationalism. It is also clear that we must resist the brutal systems prevailing in Iran, Russia and China.

But is the West willing and able to fight? In theory, the ability exists.

The beautiful but somewhat naive illusions nurtured over the last two years are starting to crack. The present crisis in the Middle East is a striking example. It is not only a regional conflict but also involves the major powers. This leads to patterns that mirror other existing or developing conflicts, such as Russia on Central Europe and the Indo-Pacific arena.

Geopolitically, we do not just have a conflict between free countries and aggressive tyrannies, as we had during the Cold War. We have increasingly assertive new and important players, not fitting any categories of the prevailing narrative of authoritarian vs. democracies. But this must not be the main problem.

The West must recognize its internal weaknesses. There is first a certain arrogance and hypocrisy in the lecturing of Western values. It tends to ignore other cultures while condemning its colonial past. Ironically, this paternalism is frequently considered a new form of colonialism.

Worse still is the increasing denial of the cultural and traditional foundations of Europe. These are based on Judeo-Christian values framed by Greco-Roman philosophy and law. It is also true that these notions were and are misused. But they were the basis that allowed the development from the Renaissance through the Enlightenment to achieve todays free societies. These traditions and developments allowed liberalism, democracy, separation of religion and state as well as the rule of law. The notion of personal responsibility was at its core. Freedom can only exist based on personal responsibility (a very strong notion in Christian teaching, however, one that is frequently ignored by churches and governments) and sheltered by the rule of law.

Mainly in Europe, this important basis is increasingly denied. Any mention of God or Christianity is abhorred in politics, as we have learned in numerous debates, including those on the acts of the European Union.

This loss of real values (not the prevailing political mantraof values) and personal responsibility reveals itself as a major weakness and threat to freedom, democracy and the rule of law. It is a political and institutional cancer. This loss of principles leads to overpowering technocratic structures. Institutions become ends in themselves. Political parties look for votes, rather than strive for the good of theres publica. The citizen becomes the subject of such institutions. Freedom is exchanged for an illusion of security.

The West is no longer persuasive.

The consequences are manifold. Advantageous standards that allowed the U.S. and Europe to become free and successful are overlooked. Other countries observe the decline. The West is not persuasive anymore. The biggest power, the U.S., is not able to put forth valid and convincing candidates for its highest office, while the situation in Europe is depressing and distressing. The political discussion becomes increasingly ideological as opposed to a positive debate of facts. It is also limited by the new creed of exaggerated political correctness, which, instead of avoiding hate speech, goes further and eliminates even the facts. This is a challenge to the freedom of expression. But itsecuresthe success of new parties, frequently branded as populists. They are generally marginalized by the established parties, who should instead be seriously trying to understand why large parts of the population vote for these so-called populists. In general, most voters do not participate in elections, a bad sign for the political class.

Politics has become a profession. This leads to an increasing distance between the ruling class and the people. A better exchange between politics and other professions should be achieved. The real concern is that it is mainly career politicians who sit in parliaments. They are nominated by their parties and become dependent on them. Their livelihood depends on reelection and allegiance to party doctrine. This limits their independence. Here a system of citizen-legislators would be advantageous.

To prevail, the present political system relies on a strong technocratic basis. The consequence is an oversized state that claims increasing accountability from its citizens. Excessive control and a stifling regulatory framework are dangerous steps. In this situation, the democratic system is somewhat analogous to autocratic systems. (Fortunately, in Western democracies, we can still criticize without going to jail.)

We must hope that the regenerative potential of freedom will grow in its crisis.

But what is the result when looking at the geopolitical situation and the position of the West? It really shows two spectrums: weak leadership and populism, as reelection becomes more important than accomplishment.

This is the real dilemma. The West loses its ability to be an example to the developing world. And this is the real challenge. Certainly, most countries such as India and other, mainly southern nations do not want to become dependent on Chinese Marxism. However, the West no longer presents a credible alternative with its value proposals. Demographic trends mainly favor the Global South. It would be good to support prosperous development without trying to enforce changes in culture and tradition.

Lets just take another example: the situation of Ukraine. This nation is fighting and suffering a huge toll in lives to preserve its self-determination. Rightfully, it is supported by NATO and the EU. The biggest risk for Kyiv, however, is to lose Western support. The possibility exists that weariness will grow, and weak Western leadership will feel compelled to force Ukraine into a dangerous cease-fire.

These weaknesses could result in a global loss of freedom. Autocracies and technocracies would rule globally.The Occidental culture has, however, outlived many challenges. We must hope that the regenerative potential of freedom will grow in its crisis.

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How the free world can prevail - Geopolitical Intelligence Services AG

While you can debate all you want about whether 1988sDie Hardis a Christmas movie (it is dont fight us on this point), you cant disagree with the fact that the movie depicts one of the all-time most memorable office holiday parties in cinematic history. A band of thieves posing as terrorists crash the Christmas Eve party on the 30th floor of Los Angeles new Nakatomi Plaza to rob millions in negotiable bearer bonds, only to be thwarted by party guest and New York City cop John McClain (played by a very young Bruce Willis). Besides being eminently re-watchable, the movie also provides valuable instruction on how to throw a proper office holiday party.

The folks at the Nakatomi Corporation did some things right and some things wrong when it comes to hosting annual holiday festivities. If you learn from their example this year, youll enjoy the holidays knowing that your office party wont lead to any human resources disasters or lawsuits.

Can I Get You Anything? Food? Cake? Some Watered-Down Champagne?

Any discussion of office holiday parties has to start with a discussion about alcohol the cause of many an HR headache. The alcohol was certainly flowing at the Nakatomi party: the moment McClain stepped into the office, a roving bartender offered him a glass of mystery punch. While theres nothing inherently wrong with having alcohol available at a holiday party, there are some established best practices when you throw adult beverages into the mix.

First, lets look at two of the things that Nakatomi did that you should emulate.

But there is a long list of things that Nakatomi could have done to handle its liquor better, so to speak. We have no idea if they offerednon-alcoholic alternativesto the guests. In fact, manager Holly Gennaro encourages her very-pregnant assistant Ginny to have some champagne, which is one of the more cringe-worthy moments of the movie. They also serve amystery punchto their guests, which (like spiked eggnog) is never a good idea. If your guests dont know what theyre drinking or how much alcohol they are consuming, they are more likely to become inebriated. Along those lines, shots are a bad choice nearly 100% of the time.

Another problem: the liquor flows freely with no oversight or limitations. In contrast, you might consider establishing adrink ticket systemso that your guests are limited in their alcohol consumption, are less likely to become drunk, and more likely to leave the party with their dignity fully intact. Moreover, you should aska few managersto forego drinking for the night. They can spot problems before they get out of hand, and hang out near the exit doors to prevent people from driving home if they walk out of the party more lit than the holiday tree.

We never find out if Nakatomi planned toclose the bar earlybefore the end of the party (as, alas, their party ended prematurely when Gruber and his boys roll up), but you should shut down access to alcohol about an hour before the end of the festivities to help your guests sober up so that they leave filled with holiday spirit, not alcohol and spirits. You can even hold an awards ceremony, make special announcements, or give away door prizes near the end of the evening to keep people sticking around.

Mr. Mystery Guest Are You Still There?

Guests at the office holiday party are a mixed bag our job is to let the good ones in and keep the bad ones out. Nakatomi Corporation made one smart move in this regard: theyinvited spouses and significant others to attend(well, at least one spouse that we know of).

Employees significant others do some of the babysitting for you, as their attendance will reduce the chances of crude and unprofessional behavior among your workforce. People tend to make more scrupulous choices when they are in the presence of loved ones. Likewise, those loved ones are likely to pressure their counterparts to act right.

At the same time, you should do your best toprevent unwanted gatecrashersfrom attending. It is doubtful that a band of well-armed European safe-crackers will crash your party, but it is possible that your employees friends might decide to stop in for the fun if nobody is guarding the door. That can be a recipe for trouble. Nakatomi stationed a building security guard in the lobby to admit known guests. Likewise, you should have someone make sure that the only people who are enjoying your party are invited guests.

Welcome To The Party, Pal!

Attendance at your party should bevoluntary, not mandatory. After all, you might have some employees whose religious beliefs prevent them from celebrating holidays. Or you might have those in recovery who would prefer not to be in the presence of liquor. Nakatomi violates this rule by holding the party at the office at the end of a workday (Christmas Eve, no less!), so if you do the same, make sure you let your employees know they dont have to stick around if they dont want to.

At the same time, dont be a Scrooge and make your employeeswork during the party. At the beginning of the movie, the party is already in full swing, and Gennaros assistant Ginny is still hard at work finishing up some paperwork while everyone else is having a good time. Besides being a possible wage and hour problem, this approach will surely kill everyones holiday vibe. If you want loyal employees with good morale, dont make them work late and miss the party.

Yippee-Ki-Yay, #$@&%*!

The whole point of hosting a holiday party is so that you can thank your employees and collectively have a good time with them. And while you dont want to be a party pooper, you also dont want the party to be so wild that it later becomes the festive centerpiece of a lawsuit. You should send a communication to all of your employees in advance of the party reminding them to keep it classy, aswork rules still applyduring the festivities.

This means that you should not tolerate untoward humor, illegal drug use (as demonstrated by the smarmy coworker Harry Ellis in someone elses office), sexual innuendos or misconduct (such as the amorous couple spending time in the private office), or any other unprofessional behavior. Let your employees know that they are still subject to your regular policies and that violations could lead to disciplinary consequences.

Im ArgyleIm Your Limo Driver

Another solid move by Nakatomi was hiring a private driver for their guests (or at least for McClain). Argyle the limo driver picked McClain up from the airport and was on standby to drive him wherever he needed to go after the party was over.

Were not saying you need to rent a fleet of limousines to chauffeur your guests around, but you shouldoffer rides to all attendees who are departing the party. You can pay for taxis or set up ride-share cars via a corporate account to make payment easy and rest easy knowing that you wont be held responsible for any injuries or deaths caused by drunk drivers. This extra expense is the best insurance to keep your employees and the general public safe and spare you from costly liability claims.

Now I Have A Machine Gun. Ho Ho Ho

The most memorable holiday decoration in the film was the plain, grey sweatshirt worn by one of the criminals, which McClain transformed post-mortem into a classic ugly Christmas sweater with a red Sharpie marker. But keen observers of the film will also note that Nakatomi also set up a few tastefully appointed Christmas trees around the office. Should you be worried if you want to set outholiday decorationsat your office party?

Although you may be concerned about political correctness run amok, you will be happy to hear that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has said that typical Christmas decorations wreaths, trees, holiday lights, Santa and reindeer, etc. are secular symbols and do not automatically create a religious discrimination situation in your private workplace. However, the EEOCs words of caution from its Compliance Manual are worth noting: As a best practice, all employers may find that sensitivity to the diversity of their workplace promotes positive employee relations. In other words, take the specific dynamics of your workplace into account before decorating for the holidays.

Regardless of your office dynamics, the cardinal rule of office holiday decorating isno mistletoe. Careful viewers will see that Nakatomi followed this rule: although they might have a legacy of greed around the globe, at least they knew well enough not to hang what amounts to an invitation for a sexual harassment lawsuit in the office. Avoid the mistletoe and avoid the problems it will inevitably create.

Nice Suit. John Phillips London. I Have Two Myself.

Certainly every workplace varies in its location on the style spectrum. Some offices embrace a more business casual, John-McClain-like approach with simple slacks and plaid button-ups. Others are more formal and favor black on black and expensive suits (perfectly coordinated with Heckler & Koch HK94 machine guns, which should be unwelcome at your holiday party and every other day at your office).

Regardless of your companys normal style, you should still maintain some semblance of a dress code, and your employees should stick with outfits that they would normally wear to work. You should communicate to your employees that they should dress appropriately since it is a work-related event. Revealing clothing is for the night club. Bloody, white muscle tanks are for fighting German terrorists. Neither of those styles have a place at the office holiday party.

Its Just A Small Token of Appreciation . . . Its A Rolex

Maybe youre thinking that all of this holiday party business sounds more like an obstacle course where you have to outmaneuver employees who are ready to hit you with a lawsuit. If you have an antisocial or poorly behaved workforce, it may be better to show your appreciation in a different way. Holly Gennaro was rewarded for her hard work for the year with a Rolex, for example. Your budget may not contemplate your employees walking out of the office dripping in company-gifted diamonds, but there are alternatives.

Some employees might prefer to take the time that would be otherwise spent at the party as PTO. You could also take the money that you would normally spend on the party and issue bonuses, gift cards, or other treats. Just remember that if you go this nontraditional route, any tangible gifts you offer up should be treated as supplemental wages subject to payroll and income tax.

Conclusion

Please contact your Fisher Phillips attorney with any questions about throwing this years company holiday party. We will continue to monitor the latest developments and provide updates as warranted, so you should ensure you are subscribed toFisher Phillips Insight Systemto gather the most up-to-date information.

The author would like to point out that, to the extent you arent convinced thatDie Hardis a Christmas movie, one of the main characters of the film is named Holly a clear reference to the prickly, green Christmas shrub.

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The Die Hard Survival Guide To This Year's Office Holiday Party - Fisher Phillips