Monthly Archives: November 2017

Students in Massachusetts Who Were Paid For Correct Answers on Standardized Tests Had Higher Scores

The National Bureau of Economic Research has a paper that reflects a study by economists that concludes that paying students in the United States for correct answers on standardized tests nets higher scores than those of students who were not … Continue reading

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Wells Fargo and the Currency Traders: Another Incentive Plan Gone Amok

The Wall Street Journal has reported on yet another incentive mishap at Wells Fargo. This time, the bank, which had to let 5300 employees go for creating false or unauthorized accounts in order to earn incentives in the retail side, … Continue reading

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Pennsylvania Congressman Alleged to Have Paid Primary Opponent $90,000 to Get Out of Congressional Race

Robert A. Brady is the Congressman. Jimmie Moore was his rival in the 2012 primary contest. Mr. Moore is cooperating with the FBI, and court documents alleged that the money was funneled to him in exchange for polling services. Mr. … Continue reading

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It’s All in the Meaning of “Lost” Baggage Reports

Airlines are required to file reports with the U.S. Department of Transportation that disclose the number of lost baggage reports that their customers file. However, American Airlines rolled out a system that notifies passengers when their bags do not make … Continue reading

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Another Day . . . Another Member of Congress, Hollywood’s Elite, the Media, Silicon Valley Bites the Dust

In 2015, Representative John Conyers, 88, settled a sexual harassment complaint by a former employee who said that she was fired because she would not submit to his sexual advances. At 88 years of age the ranking Democrat on the … Continue reading

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The FIFA Trial: Defendants Making Throat-Slitting Gestures at Witnesses?

Soccer is a rugged game. Soccer fans are a rough sort. And defendants at soccer corruption trials, well, a U.S. federal district judge is about to hear testimony about the throat-slashing gestures one of the defendants is alleged to have … Continue reading

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Looks Like Menendez Will Walk: Jurors Can’t Bring Themselves to Convict

The creep factor has been out and about as often as Harvey Weinstein is in and out of whatever Arizona rehab facility banishes him for cell phone use as he seeks to recover from his addiction to starlets. Oddly missing … Continue reading

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Tech Firms and the Baltimore County Public School System: Donations and Quid Pro Quo

Silicon Valley wants to sell computers to school systems. Get the young ‘uns using your computers at an early age and they are hooked for life. Apple built its market through the school systems. But, competition is now more fierce, … Continue reading

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“The culture went wrong, the governance went wrong, the board went in a very bad direction. I think winning gives some excuses for bad behavior.”

New CEO of Uber, Dara Khosrowshahi, in an interview with Andrew Ross Sorkin of the New York Times. I should say. Here’s an astute CEO: Employees were quitting in droves, the board of directors suffered from infighting, there were five … Continue reading

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Chief of FBI’s International Terrorism Section Rolled in Charlotte, NC Westin: His Glock, $6,000 Rolex, and $60 Stolen

The police report indicates that agent Robert Manson met an exotic dancer in a hotel bar and took her back to his room when the bar closed at 2:00 AM. The Charlotte police took information for their report from other … Continue reading

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The “Situation” With the UCLA Basketball Players in China

UCLA officials released a statement explaining that it was “aware” of a “situation” involving UCLA basketball players in Shanghai. Coach Steve Alford announced that several players were being benched before an exhibition game in China sans explanation. Turns out that … Continue reading

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“The confinement of the princes, said to be in the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh, could be a particularly strange experience for Prince Alwaleed, who owns stakes in a number of Four Seasons hotels.”

The New York Times on the round-up and arrests of 11 Saudi princes. “Confinement” and “Ritz-Carlton” are two terms one does not usually see in the same sentence. However, under Saudi standards, this combo means that they are getting serious … Continue reading

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The Ethicist at the New York Times: Priorities on Tattling

In the Sunday, November 5, 2017 “The Ethicist” feature of the New York Times, writer Anthony Appiah revealed a bias that afflicts society: the unwillingness to tell those in charge about bad acts or dangerous activity. A mother of a … Continue reading

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The Bathsheba Syndrome, Jeffrey Immelt, and Why GE Is In Trouble

By now, the story of Jeffrey Immelt, former GE CEO, traveling with, not one, but two corporate jets so that he always had back-up has made the rounds. The Board is outraged and sent out an explanation befitting of a … Continue reading

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