Category Archives: News and Events

Putting political leanings aside — the State of the Union provided a tapestry of profiles in courage that brought tears, and, at once, feelings of awe and shame. Awe for the heroic acts and commitment to values, jobs, service, and … Continue reading →

In order to establish that diesel emissions were not harmful, Volkswagen got a lab in Albuquerque, put 10 monkeys in airtight chambers (with cartoons playing to entertain them), and then pumped in emissions from a VW Beetle. The goal was … Continue reading →

You know them — they board Southwest Airlines flights — the airline with no assigned seats. Then, they save seats for their friends who are coming on later because they have a lower number or a different boarding group. And, … Continue reading →

Professor Peter Henning, Wayne State University and former federal prosecutor. The Barometer realizes that prosecutors develop a certain cynicism over the years. However, the good professor is just wrong. Even if we accept his premise that you cannot train people … Continue reading →

Dr. Christian Miller, a professor of philosophy at Wake Forest University has a new book, “The Character Gap: How Good Are We?” The book tackles the testy issue of getting ourselves to behave better in many situations, including those in … Continue reading →

In his book “The Ethics of the Dust,” John Ruskin has a series of essays that consist of a teacher’s discussions with school girls about ethics. In the essay entitled, “Crystal Virtues,” one of the young women asks, “Well, but … Continue reading →

Jeffrey Thomas, in his first year as a special ed teacher in Indianapolis, was taken aback when he saw some of his students wearing only a sweatshirt in freezing Indianapolis weather. Some men see things and ask why. Other men, … Continue reading →

Front page — Wall Street Journal (December 23 2017) — Michael Milken, he of the 1980’s junk bond wave fame and resulting reduced federal prison time for becoming a cooperating witness against his fellow junkers — has proved to have … Continue reading →

The past few days have not been kind to government leaders: Peru’s president is facing impeachment over graft charges. Ethics Commissioner finds, in a 66-page report, that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau broke ethics laws by accepting a vacation on … Continue reading →

Actress Rose McGowan took Meryl Streep to task for remaining silent about the Harvey Weinstein revelations. Ms. Streep assured us that she does not “tacitly approve of rape” and that she does not “like young women being assaulted.” She repeats … Continue reading →

The Barometer will simply recite the facts from a New York Times “Ethicist” column (November 19, 2017, p. 30) and end with one comment: A 60-something husband’s wife is in ill health. The ill wife has given her 60-something husband … Continue reading →

Social psychologist Brian Wasnick has had his work referred to by Nobel economist Richard Thaler as “masterpieces.” However, social psychology has had its reputation tattered a bit. In 2015, the Center for Open Science (COS), located in Charlottesville, Virginia, began … Continue reading →

Mr. Schmidt explained at his sentencing, “A script or talking points, I was directed to follow for that meeting [with the California Air Resources Board] was approved by management level supervisors at VW, including a high-ranking in-house lawyer, Regrettably, I … Continue reading →

John Conyers, leaving the House for various reasons (all denied), endorsed his son, John Conyers III (just like Britain), to succeed him. Then, the above headline appeared in the New York Times. John Conyers’s III (27) side of the story:”She … Continue reading →