Monthly Archives: August 2011

“Suffice it to say that this is not two or three rogue employees at the customer service level doing this on their own. This was a corporate decision to engage in this conduct. Larry Page knew what was going on.”

Rhode Island U.S. Attorney Peter Neronha, who led the probe that led to Google paying a $500 million fine and admitting that it had accepted advertising revenues from Canadian pharmacy websites illegally selling prescription drugs in the United States. Mr. … Continue reading

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Perfection, Praise, and Those Who Are Human

In between the editorials and reports on Steve Jobs walking away from Apple on water, there was another story that caught the Barometer’s eye, a story that shares a common thread with the all-Apple, all-the-time coverage. Only Irene has enjoyed … Continue reading

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“It becomes a complicated issue, because so many of the decisions being made are about money. Yet the theme of the whole concept is not about money: It’s sort of a two-sided issue where you’re talking out of two sides of your mouth. You’re trying to make it about money, but you’re trying to make it not about money.”

Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins addressing what the NCAA should do about the Miami situation and others involving student-athletes. Is it any wonder these kids take money from hangers-on? The signals from te adults on money and syntax are about … Continue reading

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“If something is broken, we will fix it. I believe and predict that the difficulties that have plagued teams in the past are history.”

Edward Tad Foote, former president of the University of Miami, in 1995, when misconduct in the school’s football program prompted the Sports Illustrated cover, “Why the University of Miami Should Drop Football.” The NCAA has concluded a five-month investigation and … Continue reading

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“I wish sometimes the ability to be smart and to be righteous overwhelmed our ability to hide and be in fear and be stupid. In that particular moment, it didn’t. It was one of the most revolutionary dumb, stupid and the only illegal thing that I’ve ever done in my life.”

Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, just released from a Michigan prison after serving 14 months for probation violations. The probation was for his perjury related to an affair with his former chief of staff. He faces a trial next year … Continue reading

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It Depends on the Meaning of the Word “Partner”

The American Lawyer publishes its annual “profits per partner” on the top 100 law firms in the United States. Because law firms are privately held, the disclosure of the revenues and financial health is not required. However, the firms do … Continue reading

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The Nuclear Navy Cheating Scandal: Pressure Trumps Honor

“Use your time wisely.” So went the counsel from Navy officers to submariners who were on breaks during their exams. Translation according to crew members: Go look up the answers you don’t know. Other submariners were e-mailed answer keys and … Continue reading

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“Anyone who looks at the situation is going to conclude that things aren’t working, that there are fundamental problems that have to get fixed.”

NCAA President, Mark Emmert, on illicit gifts, money and sex parties allegedly bestowed upon University of Miami football players by former investment company owner and now incarcerated booster, Nevin Shapiro. Yes, there is something wrong. Lack of enforcement by the … Continue reading

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Tampa Area Housing Authority and Overtime for Sex at the Office

You might have crossed a few ethical lines if you fire an employee who reports to city authorities that you are paying employees overtime for having sex with you at the office – sometimes as much as 26 extra hours … Continue reading

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“In this risk-free ground of moral neutrality there are no bad choices, just different lifestyles. ‘Live and let live’ becomes ‘Do what you please.’ “

British Prime Minister David Cameron addressing the issue of youth riots in UK.

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The Breakdown of Laws, Rules, and the Mother Country

Oh, the insurrection of hungry, unemployed, and restless youth. What they won’t do for food. Except that the youth riots in Great Britain didn’t find the huddled and hungry masses with a powerful yearning for gruel, but rather for designer … Continue reading

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“No Child Left Behind has made more cheaters than golf.”

National Review, August 1, 2011, in describing the extent of the Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal that has felled 178 teachers and principals who changed students’ answers on exams and used other “test clean-up” strategies in order to improve scores … Continue reading

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“There are some questionable things that they have done in this financial crisis. And I’m a client of Goldman.”

George J. Collins, former CEO of T. Rowe Price Group. “Questionable” is charitable.

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Ethics and Retractions of Published Research

The Wall Street Journal reported this week on an alarming increase in the number of retractions of published research by scientific journals. Charitably titled, “Mistakes in Scientific Studies Surge,” the article probably should have worked in the word “fraud” somewhere … Continue reading

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