Grace<P>I do apologize for any frustration on my part being taken in a "frightening" manner. Throughout the web, this issues has been treated, IMHO, in a most one sided manner. Michael Goldbarth, for example, identifies himself (in a most toungue in cheek way, I think) as correspondent to critical dance, yet has painted Kudelka as the black knight. I do not mean to single anyone out, b/c the points on one side of the argument have been exhaustively discussed yet I am the only one who seems to give two hoots about the damage cause by the perverbial inmates running the aslym.<P>Here are my basic points:<P>Kudelka, unlike Martin, does not have an established "style" that must be adheared to. He is tasked with creating his own "vision"/personality etc. The pressure is increased in such a high profile company.<P>_I_ beleive, and I know its just my opinion (I had no idea just how singular it was), that an Artistic Director has the right to choose his/her dancers. As offensive as it is, many artistic directors steer away from dancers of colour b/c it does not fit their vision. I think this limits their boundaries and their work, but even this is arguably permissable.<P>I beleive thatr an employer has a right to release any employee for any reason as long as the employee is not be sent out b/c they are a member of a protected class. That is not the case w/ NBoC, but I thought you should know my opinion on this as it may offend some who are not employers or who are used to being in a country with, IMHO, extreme labour laws.<P>What I meant by "bare essence of his [Kudelka's] points" was that at the heart of his stupid comments was that fact that he is held accountable for the product and he should have ultimate control. It is butt on the line and he must be allowed to pick the colours he paints with.<P>Re: the Glasco site, she seems to be more involved than at a cursory level. Furthermore, her own letters to NBoC, I find, tragic and transparent.<P>I do think Dirks point about "straw man" may be a correct one, however I do not believe that it can be tagged on the "Kudelka camp". Frankly, I don't think a Kudelka camo exists. Kudelka is sticking up for himself, poorly at times, and the NBoC is covering its own backside. They choose which side best suited them and I am sure a lengthy discussion of "the best thing for the company" was had at the Bd level before the final position was taken. The assumption on this and other discussion groups seems to imply that Kudelka painted them into a corner. While not being in the room at the time, it is unimaginable that this Bd. is a puppet to its artistic director.<P>The statement regarding "fired for the wrong reasons" is much too braod and I think peoples views regarding how much an employee ABSENT AN EXISTING CONTRACT is to be protected and the legal implication. I happen to think the labour laws on my home country coddle way too much. That is my opinion and relates to all employment, not just dance. It pervades my opinions on this matter and in some peoples minds, may make my opinions biased beyond the point of consideration.<P>The big point of Dirk's last point that is flat out wrong is this statement:<P>"Neither Kudelka nor his supporters seem to understand that times have changed, and this sort of behavior, like sexual harassment or starvation wages, no longer cuts it."<P>To cut to the chase: sexual harassment is wrong, starvation wagaes, as he calls it, are not. Period. The element of choice makes the difference as a matter of law. I hate to say it, but morality and loyalty do not play any part in the analysis. If Glasco did not get rehired (and that's what we are talking about) at 100k b/c she was difficult, devisive, old or Kudelka just didn't like her, that's permissable. If he fired solely for her role DURING Bd. meetings as a rep., then the retaliatory nature of it ARGUABLY makes it impermissable.<P>Re: employability, Dirk is correct that money is a factor in any AD position, but any press is good press for smaller companies and I guarantee Kudelka would find work somewhere. We need to look no further than Fernando Bujones being hired as AD of Southern Ballet Thaetre in Orlando as proof. He has never distinguished himself as an AD or Chor, despite many attempts post performing, yet his name and the press surrounding this fantastic dancer has given him work despite past letdowns, difficulties etc.<P>On the Kain issue, I think we should agree to disagree. Kain was and will always be the first lady of Canadian dance. Any AD for NBoC would have done the exact same thing and to taint her opinions in this matter implies she is a robot, which she has never been. She owes no one in Canada the way that they owe her and if she thought that Glasco had been done a disservice, she would have said so and Glasco, I assure you, would have been rehired.<P>
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