[JohnDenver]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Raxozanne', 'I') expect that you are frustrated beyond words.
Just as I am when I try to explain Peak Oil to my family.

They just reject the idea, as if they won't even let it infiltrate their brains for a second. Its my opinion that deep down they are scared shitless, they are scared because peak oil means the end of their way of life and frankly they know that if their way of life changed they might die or at least lose the power they currently whield.

[ArimoDave]

pea-jay,

I'm glad I don't work where you do. I would have done the presentation anyway -- I also would not have sought permission. No wonder I can't work in a large corporate environment.

I think that you should go over the "boss'" head. But, if your peace of mind rests in keeping good relations with those in "superior" positions than you may want to disregard my advice.

ArimoDave

[Raxozanne]

Why dont you define for me the term 'rough' in 'rough decades'. What would this be for Africa? What would this be for Germany? A few people killed in rioting? A few people starving? Well it might be rough for the majority but for a few it would be a tragedy.

[Whitecrab]

That was an amazing reaction. Maybe you should ask about it some time later, or even "apologize" (despite having done NOTHING wrong), to see what your supervisor was so upset about. Or maybe just stay out of his way...damn.

If you get a chance later, and you have to pass things by the same supervisor, you can try to tweak your presentation to get past him. Reframe the problem as something that will increase prices, and cause investments in alternative energy, which you can off-the-cuff remark have some weaknesses. Anything to pass on the issue; then people may research it further if you can hint there's a problem.

[gg3]

DO NOT read this while at work or on a computer at the workplace!!!

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer, this is not legal advice. If you have legal questions, check with a lawyer.

First, do NOT apologize. First of all, it would be a lie. Second, it would give him positive reinforcement for acting unreasonably.

Also, consider that the guy probably recognizes at some level that what you say is true, and it probably has him scared in a deep way inside, and he is probably reacting out of denial. For those reasons, treat him with some degree of sympathy (but don't expose the situation by saying "I know this stuff scares you and you're in denial" because that kind of metaprocess causes most people to get angry as a further defense).

Here's what I suggest:

Send him a memo that goes something like this:

Dear (name): Based on our conversations of the past few (days/weeks), my understanding of your policies, and therefore the official policies of this department, regarding energy issues, is as follows:

1) Issues related to the possibility of energy shortages will not be discussed or included in planning documents or public presentations produced by our department.

2) Issues related to development of non-petroleum energy sources will not be discussed or included in planning documents or public presentations produced by our department.

3) Discussion, documents, and presentations to the public, regarding issues related to energy, will be limited to the question of providing additional transmission capacity (including pipelines etc.) to/from presently-existing energy sources and supplies.

4) As you have indicated, I should in my professional duties and capacity as an employee of this department, act only in accordance with the above policies, rather than acting on my previously-presented opinions and information to the contrary.

I respectfully ask for your confirmation or otherwise of the above points in writing, so that there will be no further misunderstandings and I may continue to serve our (county, city, whatever) in the manner that you expect of me.

Sincerely,

(signed, dated).


NOTE: Certain key words and phrases in the above are critically important:

"presently-existing energy sources and supplies" specifies that no new energy sources are to be considered by the department. This means literally that the department will not consider items that are presently part of President Bush's energy policy. That implication will not be immediately apparent, but may become useful in the future, particularly if your city/county is heavily Republican. In that event, your boss would have to back down slightly and agree to consideration of items that arise as a direct result of the Bush energy program, e.g. a nuclear reactor or biofuels plant nearby.

"in my professional duties and capacity as an employee of this department" is specifically intended to preclude the possibility that your boss would try to prevent you speaking out as a private citizen. The phrase circumscribes your boss' authority: while he can tell you what you can do on the job, he won't be able to tell you what you can do and say off the job, AS LONG AS you preface any off-job remarks with the phrase "speaking purely as a private citizen..."

"rather than acting on my previously-presented opinions and information to the contrary" is intended to convey on the surface that you will not be promoting your own personal opinions. However, the word "information" is soft-speak for "evidence," and I would suggest that the word "evidence" is too strong for this document. If your boss challenges you on this one, you can say in a polite tone that you were letting him know explicitly that you will be "following (his) instructions about not promoting your contrary opinions and information on the job." Stick to that line and repeat it, don't get backed into a corner about the difference between opinions and information. More about this below.

The last sentence is where the rubber meets the road:

"I respectfully ask for..." is intended to convey a tone of subordination.

"...your confirmation or otherwise of the above points..." the word "otherwise" is soft-speak for denial, i.e. you want him to confirm or deny, but don't use the phrase "confirm or deny" because that would sound somewhat confrontational, as in "do you deny the earth is spherical?".

"in writing" gives you EVIDENCE in case the shit hits the fan and it's time to overthrow the boss at the polls or whatever.

"...so that there will be no further misunderstandings..." This is the surface-level rationale for your asking him for the stuff in writing. You are being a good subordinate and attempting to avoid misunderstandings.

"and I may continue to serve our (county, city, whatever) in the manner that you expect of me. " That part ties into the previous phrase by once again emphasizing the tone of subordination without prostituting yourself. The surface level is that it has to do with your serving your employer in the manner he expects. He has every reason to feel satisfied with that and no reason to object. And that tone should also imply a sense of subordination about the rest of what's in the memo.

However, the deep structure of this is, it attempts to get his position on the table and in writing: if he really believes it, he should have no problem signing off on it. And if events prove you were correct, you will have these memos as evidence of the point. For example if you run for a higher elected office, or go to the press, or whatever.

Before you send this, keep multiple copies of this and get one notarized. Whatever he sends you, keep multiple copies, and get one notarized. Keep the correspondence in a place that's known safe, with other important documents. Do not let him know that you have kept copies or gotten them notarized.


IF he tries to make you write or sign something recanting your previously-expressed opinions, tell him this:

"I've already given you my word that I intend to abide by your policies here in no uncertain terms. I intend to maintain the proper professional separation between my personal beliefs, and my role as an employee of this department. I will gladly sign something to that effect. However I can't sign something claiming I believe something that I don't actually believe, because that would be lying."

keyphrase: "given you my word..." This puts it on your honor, which makes it difficult for him to challenge further.

keyphrase: "abide by your policies here," key word "here." You'll follow his orders on the job, but not when you're off the job speaking purely as a private citizen.

key concept: You won't lie in writing. Then if he challenges that on the basis that it leaves open written dissent in policy documents, you can say "In those documents, I'll use language such as 'It is the policy of this department...' etc., which is truthful."

Keep in mind that all of this has to be done in a polite tone of voice, with an attitude of professional detachment.

If you do it right, the result will be that you can maintain the integrity of your own views, and he will believe that you have conceded.

Then after that, do the same thing that conscientious intelligence analysts are doing about the Iraq war: keep your head down until the undeniable facts prove you right, and know that this administration too shall pass and the truth will come out thereafter.

If he gives you an opportunity to express your feelings about him or the process here, you could say something like this: "I've studied this material in detail. I believe I understand the facts, but I could be mistaken. Either of us could be correct or could be mistaken, but we're both rational and reasonable people, and in the meantime, whatever else happens, we both have a job to do."

What that's intended to do: It very politely says he could be wrong too. But it doesn't use the word "wrong," it uses the word "mistaken" which does not carry a strong judgemental feeling. But it also puts you and he on the same side: either of you could be mistaken, both of you are rational people, and both of you have a job to do. Therefore, by implication, if he attempts to retaliate against you, he would be admitting to acting irrationally and unreasonably.

And again, for emphasis: speak with a polite tone, even try to empathize with the guy (after all, he's still convinced the earth is flat, poor chap!), and know that your integrity is intact in any case.

Keep us posted, and feel free to send me private messages about this stuff if you like.

[Whitecrab]

I meant "apologize" as in saying "I'm sorry if I said something to upset you, I'm not sure what it is..." as a way of fishing for info.

gg3's advice is really interesting. Really. I like it. Reminds me though: you might want to delete this thread and your blog entry later, just to be safe.