Monthly Archives: May 2019

Milton Friedman and Georgia’s New Abortion Law

Disney, NBCUniversal, and WarnerMedia announced that they either will no longer continue filming or be strongly affected in their decision process on filming in Georgia should that state carry out its highly restrictive abortion law. Economist Milton Friedman wrote about … Continue reading

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Uber Passengers and Bad Ratings

Uber permits banishment of passengers from the kingdom of ride-sharing. What gets passengers on the list of exiles? Leaving litter in the car. Rudeness. And asking the driver to exceed the speed limit. Manners and ethics — all you need … Continue reading

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McKinsey Handbook on Conflicts: Textbook vs. Real Life

From McKinsey’s 57-page handbook entitled, “Bankruptcy 101,” we have the following: “In representing a bankrupt company, we must avoid conflicts of interest and the appearance of conflicts of interest.” . . . Failure to adequately disclose material connections may result … Continue reading

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Decoration Day: Memorial Day

The Barometer’s grandmother, born 1890, always called it Decoration Day — the Monday in May when we traveled as a family to many cemeteries throughout Cambria County, Pennsylvania. We trimmed the grass, spiffed up the headstones, painted the Veterans’ stars … Continue reading

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Task Forces Dedicated to Detecting Dummies: HOV Gamers

The Wall Street Journal reports that cheating in order to use the HOV lane has reached epidemic proportions. Yes, folks are using “Carpool Kenny” in order to hop into the fast lane, make their commutes shorter, and all without the … Continue reading

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Walmart: From Minimum Wage to $175,000 Per Year

Walmart is often a punching bag for the social responsibility crowd, but the company’s latest annual report includes an Environmental, Social & Governance Report. That report takes an interesting turn as it highlights a company that deserves attention for its … Continue reading

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The SAT’s New Metrics

The SAT is computing an “adversity score” for college applicants. Using crime rates, property prices, poverty rates, and whether there is a “Checks Cashed for Less” in your neighborhood, the SAT will assign each applicant an adversity score. This new … Continue reading

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Doctors’ Conflicts Are Not “Thorny Ethical Issues”

Today, the New York Times has an article about a Cancun weekend for doctors that was sponsored by Evolus, the maker of Jeuveau, touted as “#Newtox,” a competitor for Botox. Over twelve doctors described the Cancun weekend and the new … Continue reading

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Tim Conway: Self-Deprecation and the Nonlinear Life

Tim Conway, Ernest Borgnine’s nemesis in McHale’s Navy, foil for Harvey Korman’s straight man, and a bumbling charmer never had a hit series. He tried it twice, a decade apart, and was quickly canceled. He once got himself a vanity … Continue reading

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The NRA’s CEO and Spending: Too Frequent a Problem for Leaders

Someone leaked some NRA internal documents that explain Oliver North’s concerns about Wayne LaPierre’s spending as CEO at the NRA. The following expenses were billed to the NRA’s ad agency, Ackerman McQueen, Inc. –$39,000 for one day of shopping at … Continue reading

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“We own it.” It’s just that it’s someone else’s fault. The Boeing Way

An article in the New York Times on May 9, 2019 indicates the Boeing is aware that it needs to rebuild trust because its communications following the two crashes of the 737 Max 8 planes was poor. Boeing’s CEO, Dennis … Continue reading

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Insys, Opioids, and Racketeering

The founder and four former executives of Insys Therapeutics were convicted of racketeering for their sales methodologies of the company’s fentanyl painkiller, Subsys. The evidence at the 10-week trial revealed that sales representatives bribed doctors to choose the more expensive … Continue reading

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Let’s Get Real About Those Implants

The Barometer lived through the silicone and saline implants suits, depositions, illnesses, and tragedies. The lessons were not taken to heart by women, physicians, and manufacturers. Things just kept going, and now even silicone implants are back, with the same … Continue reading

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About That Kentucky Derby

The debate rages on — a 65 to1 horse was declared the winner after the physical winner was disqualified. Here’s the rule: “A leading horse when clear is entitled to any part of the track,” the rule states. “Except in … Continue reading

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