Category Archives: News and Events

Describes new books, articles, and upcoming speeches.

Wow! Blagojevich!

Here’s a safety tip:  When the guy you replaced as governor is in prison, you may want to rethink using your predecessor’s strategies on governing.  Here’s another safety tip:  When the Feds tell you that you are under investigation, assume a … Continue reading

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The Cleveland Clinic Shows Ethical Leadership

Making a change that The Barometer has asked of docs and pharmas for over a decade, the Cleveland Clinic will require its 1,800 staff doctors and scientists to disclose to patients their financial relationships with pharmas and medical device manufacturers.  … Continue reading

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Josephson “Character Counts” 2008 Is Out

The fine bi-annual survey of the Josephson Institute on youth character is now available at www.josephsoninstitute.org. Conducted every other year since 1992, the survey of 30,000 high school students at 100 schools nationwide, grades 9-12, reveals that 64% have cheated … Continue reading

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90% Cheating Rate Among High School Students, But We Can Teach Them Better

Suppose that copying test answers, using crib sheets, copying someone else’s homework, plagiarism, and teaming up on work when you should be flying solo are included in the definition of cheating. In this day and age, one must define cheating because to some … Continue reading

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A Golfer and a Gentleman and a Man of Integrity

J.P. Hayes was playing the Q school (for you non-golfers (and the Barometer is in that crowd), that’s pro golf’s qualifying school, a series of games in which players compete for the top 25 slots, a position that allows them … Continue reading

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The Freeloading Downloaders File Suit Against a Cheating Detection Company for . . . Downloading Without Paying

There is a bit of a problem with students cheating in high school, in college, and now right on into graduate school – something that cannot be good for those of us counting on our doctors having memorized body parts … Continue reading

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On Caring, Graciousness, and Apologies to Nancy Reagan

The late scholar, Robert Solomon, had a list of 33 admirable characteristics of those who are really trying to live the ethical way, or as it was known in days of yore, the examined life.  The list was published in his book, A … Continue reading

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Ferreting Out Fraud

The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners has given us some insight into uncovering fraud in companies.  First factoid:  Nearly one-half of the fraud cases were uncovered purely serendipitously.  Second factoid: Another 46% were uncovered by tips from employees.  So much … Continue reading

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Where There’s Sizzle . . .

A few weeks ago I was giving a speech and had included in my materials a slide that listed the companies that have suffered financially because of ethical lapses.  I explained that I was missing Bear Stearns and Lehman’s because … Continue reading

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Martha Stewart Should Have Kept the Stock

ImClone was the company in which Martha Stewart owned stock that she unloaded the day before its CEO (her friend) announced that FDA approval for the company’s anti-cancer drug, Erbitux, would be delayed which led federal investigators to Martha’s door … Continue reading

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Absolute Truth Found in Texting

Texters, e-mailers, Blackberryites, and iPhone users – Beware!  We can tell what you were doing and when you did it. First, there is the sad tale of the texting engineer.  Just seconds before the fatal collision of a Los Angeles … Continue reading

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That “Tone At the Top” Thing: Fuld, AIG and St. Regis

As a firm believer in shareholder activism’s ability to bring about governance reforms, I am loathe to admit that government intervention may be necessary in certain circumstances.  But, when I am right, I say so.  When I am wrong, I also … Continue reading

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A Conflicts Is a Conflict Is a Conflict . . . Gwen Ifill

PBS journalist Gwen Ifill is scheduled to moderate tonight’s vice presidential debate.  Yesterday, news broke that Ms. Ifill has a book scheduled for release on Inauguration Day.  The title of the book is “The Breakthrough:  Politics and Race in the … Continue reading

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The Dangers of Mixing Business, Government, and Good Intentions: Remembering Uncle Milton

Milton Friedman is mocked in the world of ethics for his unwavering conviction that the primary responsibility of business is to make money. Mix good intentions, i.e., social responsibility, with profit motives, Dr. Friedman warned, and you tinker with market … Continue reading

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