Happy Kyoto Day

SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE - Recently, I completed our corporate-required sensitivity training regarding sexual harassment in the workplace. One of the lessons they taught us was that women may feel uncomfortable or threatened (and hence, "harassed") if, when being addressed, one does not maintain eye contact but instead allows one's gaze to wander over their bodies.

Okay, fair enough. Let's look at some examples, shall we? Below, we see a picture of Hugo Chavez, the president of Venezuela, meeting with his countrypersons. See how Chavez maintains eye contact with the woman he's addressing? See how he's not distracted? Granted, he's using a hand on her shoulder to keep himself focused, but one has to admire his self-control.

Now, look at the bodyguard standing behind him. Look where his gaze is falling. That is why Hugo Chavez, a great Venezuelan, is the President of his country and the bodyguard is, well, only a bodyguard.



Now below, I offer you George W. Bush, who amazingly enough, was recently elected President of the United States after already serving one term. Notice Mr. Bush's lack of concentration. Notice his lack of discipline. See how he's so easily distracted? See how he cannot maintain eye contact?



If this were Venezuela, Mr. Bush would be only a bodyguard . . . .