Monthly Archives: November 2012

The Puzzling 10% Drop in Cheating

The magnificent Josephson Institute released the results of its bi-annual survey on the ethics of high school students.  An exemplary study that has helped guide us since 1992, Josephson’s work has been tireless and helpful.  However, this year’s results are puzzling.  … Continue reading

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Defense Secretary Orders Military Ethics Review

Oh, dear Secretary Panetta, save your money!  Three words for your generals:  David and Bathsheba.  Read the story.  Understand the story.  Hubris, power, and women.  If you have the first two, stay clear of the third.

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Criminal Charges Are Unlikely for MF Global

The House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations has finished its report and concluded that MF Global executives, including former CEO John Corzine, created a chaotic atmosphere with lax controls.  In short, this firm was a financial mess, but … Continue reading

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“He is a letter of recommendation for me. That’s bad.”

University of Maryland, senior engineering major, Samer Alhawamdeh, in response to the news that his engineering professor, Manoj K. Jha, was indicted for defrauding the National Science Foundation of hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant funding. Yes, Professor Jha … Continue reading

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“That picture was sent years before Ms. Kelley contacted him about this, and it was sent as part of a larger context of what I would call social relations in which the families would exchange numerous photos of each other.”

Lawrence Berger, lawyer for Frederick Humphries, the FBI agent who found the Petraeus/Broadwell e-mails and sent a shirtless photo of himself to Jill Kelley, Tampa socialite/ambassador/friend to Petraeus family/e-mail correspondent to General Allen/ general groupie/nemesis of Paula Broadwell. Yes, how … Continue reading

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The Call a Parent Really Dreads: Don’t Send Your Child to School – It’s Test Day!

There is no limit to the imaginations of teachers and principals when it comes to reaching goals on test scores. El Paso is grappling with a cheating scandal that is far more creative than the folks in the Atlanta public … Continue reading

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O Tempora! O Morés! Chess Cheaters!

Professional chess is having difficulties finding corporate sponsors for its champion matches because of cheating.  Bathroom breaks and smart phones appear to be at the heart of the matter.  Chess players are using both to check resources for their next … Continue reading

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“I want to grate on their minds. I want to grate on their conscience.”

John Silber, president of Boston University, from 1971-1996 and a Kant scholar. By all accounts, he did so.  He understood teaching and ethics.  He put the two together, and his students were the better for that combo plate. He has … Continue reading

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“The birds always sing after the storm.”

Former, and now imprisoned former governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich.  Spoken like a true Chicago political machinist.  All you Illinois politicos, beware.  The fluffy-haired one may be making good on his promise to snitch.

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A Headline We’d Like to Finish

“Corzine Searches For What’s Next,” Wall Street Journal, October 30, 2012, p. C1 Corzine is, of course, Jon Corzine, the man who shepherded MF Global through a $1.6 billion loss of customer funds and into bankruptcy.  The headline finishes the … Continue reading

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In the under-the-bus department. . . Edith O-Brien and MF Global

Edith O’Brien (Edie), the former assistant treasurer at the former MF Global Holdings Ltd. The bankrupt firm, was run into the ground by former senator, governor, and Goldman Sachs chair, Jon Corzine.  Ms. Bryant is an interesting soul.  She has … Continue reading

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In the “Could you be any more shallow?” department

New York City canceled its annual marathon after Mayor Bloomberg’s determination to sally forth in the days following Hurricane Sandy, despite millions of New Yorkers without power, tens of thousands without homes, and many without food.  When the bone-headed decision … Continue reading

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In the feet-of-clay department and its division of denials: Former Penn State Pres

Former Penn State University Graham Spanier was charged with five criminal counts in connection with his response to allegations that former assistant football coach, Jerry Sandusky’s conduct on campus. Mr. Sandusky was convicted of 45 counts of child abuse and … Continue reading

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