Monthly Archives: December 2012

“Get Yourself Fired — You’ll Make More Money!”

The Barometer was strolling through the home section of a major department store.  Tempted by  Christmas potholders at 50% off, the Barometer stopped and soon planted feet firm to continue listening as three employees of this fine establishment conversed about their futures.  … Continue reading

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“I hope no one is taping this.”

Amgen manager at a sale meeting in 2005.  Someone was taping it — for the Department of Health and Human Services, which was notified by an Amgen sales rep about Amgen’s violations of marketing rules. Amgen has agreed to pay … Continue reading

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Ethics and Newtown

It is, quite simply, too soon for anyone to propose remedies, laws, or operational changes based on the tragedy at Newtown, save one.  The media are a mess. Their competitive search for continuing sensationalism as they hover over grieving parents is stunning and crass. … Continue reading

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The Student Loan Fraud Rings — Staggering Stats

Since 2009, the Apollo Group (corporation that runs the University of Phoenix) has referred 850 potential fraud schemes to the Department of Education because of its suspicions that the “students” receiving the federal funding did not really exist or had … Continue reading

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“House Ethics Office May Face End.” Oh, the irony!

That’s a USA Today headline.  Turns out that unless Congress acts to appoint new members, the Office of Congressional Ethics will simply go away.  Talk about your sunset programs.  Let’s see, we had the Congressional Black Caucus seek to take … Continue reading

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“It’s not really the culture of the NFL. Things like this happen every day. It just happened to Jovan, somebody we knew. That’s why we’re having this discussion. But it goes on in society all the time. It’s about what’s going on in society.”

Out of the mouths of wide receivers — from Flaxico Burress, Pittsburgh Steelers, who was reflecting on the deaths of Kansas City Chiefs linebacker, Jovan Belcher, who shot and killed himself after he shot and killed his girlfriend, who was … Continue reading

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Watch Your Contractors!

IKEA has apologized upon its discovery that it profited from the use of East German prison laborers. The problem was uncovered by Ernst & Young following a request from IKEA that the audit firm conduct an investigation into the labor … Continue reading

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The Folks You Hire to Cheat May Not Be Smart Enough to Pull It Off

Federal prosecutors have uncovered a test-cheating ring in Memphis.  Clarence Mumford has been indicted for mail, wire, and Social Security fraud as well as identity theft for hiring folks to take Praxis exams for teachers who sought additional credentials for … Continue reading

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