Look at the fourth name on the right.
(Click on the picture, its expands.)
I don’t feel the need for any comment.
James Pilant
Category: ethics
Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords Shot By Gunman (Gunman’s Manifesto Included)
Anti Government to the max. Terrorism, property owners, treasonous government, it’s all there.
This is some kind of manifesto from the shooter.
My new information is that she is in surgery.
From NPR –
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head by a gunman at a public event in Tucson on Saturday. There are conflicting reports about whether she was killed.
The Pima County, Ariz., sheriff’s office told member station KJZZ the 40-year-old Democrat was killed. At least nine other people, including members of her staff, were injured.
Giffords, who was re-elected to a third term in November, was hosting a “Congress on Your Corner” event at a Safeway in northwest Tucson when a gunman ran up and started shooting, according to Peter Michaels, news director of Arizona Public Media.
Wasn’t this inevitable? The language thrown around in the last election was irrational and foolish. Isn’t this the state where Sharon Angle said that we may have to resort to 2nd Amendment solutions? Well, problem solved.
Who’s going to die next?
Are we going to hear the usual explanations about all this talk being just entertainment? Are the books, the radio programs, the television shows, the internet posts, all going to be dismissed? Better yet, will they say the left does the same thing? Will they suddenly discover that there an equality between the two sides? How about an everybody does it argument and the crazy talkers are just being picked out and victimized?
That’s it. That’s the ticket. All these people who said all these things are victims. They are unfairly singled out by the media. They should be apologized to. They’ve only committed wrongs in the minds of the liberal press. It’s unfortunate that there are crazy people but they aren’t to blame, right?
I’m waiting for the manifesto, the television interview, where the gunman talks about the American way of life, the 2nd Amendment, Socialism, Communism, Obama, Obamacare, death panels, the deficit, giant international conspiracies.
Now, you might argue, “James, we don’t know anything yet. The gunman could be a terrorist, an old boyfriend. Don’t talk like that, James. You’re cruelly abusing innocent radio hosts.”
Okay, here’s my argument. This took place in Arizona, a state noted for its interesting beliefs. The discussions there have bordered on violence for some time. There are heavily armed groups that “help” law enforcement patrol the border. Terrorists generally operate in metropolitan areas where they can blend in, have the best chance of escape and get maximum publicity. This leads me to believe we are dealing with a domestic terrorist.
If I am wrong, I will sincerely apologize.
Watch for it – if I’m wrong.
James Pilant
What “Star Wars” can teach my son about life (via Salon)
This blog deals in many ways with ethics. So, I pursue topics along those lines. When I saw this article in Salon I was intrigued. David Sirota is an author whose work I appreciate. He’s done a nice job on this one. He wasn’t just content to write a good article, he salted it with clips from various films illustrating his points.
Sirota is clearly having fun with his topic. But that’s okay, he’s invited us along.
Wherever you stand in the debate about what the Empire metaphorically represents — a huge corporation, your faceless county government, the vast military-industrial complex — it’s undoubtedly the kind of place in which many of us now toil: namely, inside a bureaucracy that has lots of worker-bee drones and a very clear management hierarchy. In the age of mass layoffs, de-unionization, the shredding of labor regulations, and a general desperation to hold onto a job, the “Star Wars” trilogy — and specifically, senior corporate executive Darth Vader — prepares kids for how that modern workplace operates.
Read this gem where Sirota reflects on the lessons of ET.
In their civics class, kids will almost definitely be told about the virtues of our Fourth Amendment — the one that’s supposed to protect their privacy. Most likely, though, they won’t be told about stuff that has destroyed those sacred safeguards — stuff like the Patriot Act, warrantless wiretapping, Facebook cyber-tracking, and the like. To prevent kids from being confused by this paradoxical conflict between constitutional principle and the real world practices of the National Security State, Spielberg gives them “E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial,” whose most frightening scene tells us how little privacy they can expect. After extensively surveilling Elliot’s family (ostensibly without warrant) via kidnapper van, the faceless government lunges into his home zombie-style — arms rigidly extended, fists tearing through walls/windows, and no warrant in sight, even as Elliot’s mom shrieks that “This is my home!” Welcome, kids, to 21st century “privacy” — expect nothing but a space-suit-clad federal agent at your door.
This is my favorite paragraph.
At some point, my son Isaac and children his age are going to want to know about the economy and the tough times of their youth. And at some point, they’ll probably hear about the housing crisis from some TV charlatan who tells them that it wasn’t really about big megabanks and shady schemes — it was really all about poor, lazy selfish minorities who were irresponsible and therefore deserved to be thrown out of their homes. But by the time they hear that factually unsubstantiated tripe, we should make sure our kids have already seen “The Goonies.”
There are many more gems like this one in the article. Please read it. We can all use a post holiday laugh tempered with a satirical edge.
James Pilant
Buying Your Child Into A College!
Dr. Michael Bardwil donated $40,000 to his alma mater, a Jesuit school in Houston, Texas, after a school administrator advised it would guarantee his son admission. So when his son was rejected earlier this year, Bardwil was upset.
ABC reports that a school administrator asked that Bardwil donate $100,000 to the school, and in return the prestigious college preparatory would offer admission to his son. When Bardwil pledged $50,000 over a five year period, he assumed it was a sure thing.
The elite colleges and universities admit about 1/3 of their students based on parental giving, another 1/3 based on legacy enrollments (their parents went there) and the last 1/3 on merit. This is one of the most significant reasons that the upper classes have solidified. It’s very difficult to move up in the world without going to one of these school. With only 1/3 of the enrollment based on merit, your children and mine have little chance of getting in. The open spots are so few, a student can’t get in on high scores but only with almost superhuman scores. That’s not fair.
We like to think this country is a meritocracy where you get ahead becaue you’re smart or hard working. But most of us understand the truth and that truth is that having good contacts, going to good schools and having upper class mannerisms are the basic requirements for success. These people live in a bubble world where no amount of incompetence, poor conduct or even criminal acts can knock them down. Now, I’m sure you can remind me of Madoff or some other corporate malefactor. But let me remind you that the world economy was savaged by the geniuses on Wall Street back in 2007 and not one has paid any penalty for their criminal acts or simple incompetence.
The middle class lives in a world where any failure can doom your career. They live in a world where you can do everything, absolutely everything they taught you in high school or college would gurantee you success and still everything can be taken from them, their jobs, their homes, their insurance, their benefits, their pensions, their investments – everything. The children of the middle class are thrown out into a world of diminishing opportunity and low paying jobs.
Let me repeat, one of the key factors is the difficulty of the children of the middle class to get into prestigious schools.
I see nothing on the horizon that will change those rules.
You see this is the hardcore, the never changing affirmative action, the big quota system. The guaranteed access to the best spots to those who already have money or status is a vicious assault on the concept of merit.
It is astonishing considering the amount of federal aid these institutions gobble up that they are not required to admit based on merit.
James Pilant
Second Chances? Barack Obama to Michael Vick – Have We become a Compassionless Country? (via Motivational Speaker – Chuck Gallagher Business Ethics and Choices Expert)
I don’t follow any sports whatever but I do follow crime stories. Thus, I am aware of Michael Vick. I did not like what he did. Nevertheless, he paid the penalty and should be judged by his actions now. I teach my class that America is the land of the second chance. Apparently Chuck Gallagher shares my opinion. I hope others see the world the way I do in this respect. After all, a nation that imprisons such an enormous part of its population might need to find some mercy and compassion to make these people part of society once again.
James Pilant
via Motivational Speaker – Chuck Gallagher Business Ethics and Choices Expert
Business Ethics Roundup 1/1/11!
Let’s start with a small disclaimer here. I have 42 business ethics web sites (by my definition which is broad) listed on my favorites in that single category. I have 56 business ethics “related” sites on my favorites. So, I ‘m never going to to get more that a partial glimpse at what’s going on. With that out of the way, let’s start the new year rolling!
The Crane and Matten Blog explain why business ethics is more significant culturally than CSR.
Here’s a quote – CSR is also, as might be expected, a lot more business-friendly than business ethics. In fact, people often tend to use CSR when they’re talking about the good things companies are doing, and business ethics (or a lack of them) when talking about the bad things they do.
The Ruder Finn Ethics Blog discusses ethics and giving while providing some fascinating statistics.
Here’s a quote – We give for many different reasons. We may give as an expression of friendship and love or just reciprocate. Retailers, economists and Wall Street eagerly all hope that people will spend much this year are and thus sustain the slow recovery of our economy. The National Retail Federation expects an increase in 2010 Holiday sales of 2.3% to $447.1 billion. (Gifts from the rich to the rich.)
From the web blog, Business Ethics Training, we have a review of the book, Ship of Fools: How Corruption and Stupidity Sank the Celtic Tiger.
Here’s a quote – With all the talk of toxic assets (real estate) and the resulting fallout in the States – its easy to overlook what happened in Ireland. Particularly the situation with NAMA (National Asset Management Agency), that holds the toxic assets.
From the web site, Ethix: Business Technology Ethics, we have a book review of After the Fall: Saving Capitalism From Wall Street—and Washington by Nicole Gelinas
Here’s a quote – Gelinas key message is that capitalism needs clear rules in order to flourish, and that must include allowing bad businesses to fail. Bail outs only encourage further bad behavior, and what we have seen in the recent financial meltdown is simply a lesson forgotten from what happened in the 1920s and ’30s.
David Yamada’s Minding the Workplace has several posts. I recommend you read his year end closing, but the one I discussing is the next to the last. He explains what one should do if bullied at work.
Here’s a quote – There’s a lot of cheap and sometimes dangerous “one size fits all” advice out there on how to handle workplace bullying situations, especially in newspaper work advice columns. These resources are no substitute for understanding the dynamics of workplace bullying and how they relate to one’s specific circumstances.
Good Business Ethics (via Technologies For Business)
Technologies for Business presents its concept of business ethics, which I am happy to call your attention to. (I ask you to please click on the link and read the whole article.)
James Pilant
Let’s Make The Armed Forces Eat Gulf Seafood!
This is from Washington’s Blog. The original title is Secretary of the Navy Hatches Brilliant Plan to Sell More Gulf Seafood and Transport Oil to the War Zone.
From the Times-Picayune –
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, who doubles as President Barack Obama’s point man on Gulf Coast oil spill recovery, is pressing America’s armed services to consume as much Gulf seafood as possible.
Navy Capt. Beci Brenton said Monday that Mabus has talked with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and the secretaries of the Air Force and Army, and his staff has talked to the Defense Commissary Agency, which operates a worldwide chain of stores for military personnel, making the point “that we should be buying Gulf Coast seafood.”
In a meeting Monday with Ewell Smith, executive director of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, Mabus reaffirmed his commitment to using the tools at his disposal to help the Gulf seafood industry recover from the damage the BP oil spill has done in reality and perception. The board is gearing up for a large-scale national marketing campaign, with $30 million in BP money and millions more in federal dollars, to reassure restaurants and markets across the country that Gulf seafood is safe.
Okay, they are having trouble selling seafood that may be (or is) contaminated with oil or chemical dispersant and the armed services are being pressured to buy some. Since the fellow in question is Secretary of the Navy, we should probably put the word, pressured, in quotation marks and note that the armed services (at least the navy) are going to buy gulf coast sea food.
Is this wise?
In about twenty years, when we can get some good data on the long term health effects, we will have a clear picture of whether or not this was a good idea.
In my mind, if there is choice between seafood from the gulf and somewhere else, that really isn’t a choice. I don’t like oil in my food. I’m just weird that way.
Thanks to the anonymous guys at Washington’s Blog for bringing this to my attention.
James Pilant
More Americans Are Vacationing In Drug War Plagued Mexico?
From Yahoo News:
Here’s the headline –
Mexico tourism sees increase despite drug violence
Mexico is experiencing its bloodiest year of drug violence yet, but that’s not stopping domestic and international vacationers alike from flocking to Cancun.
The resort city on the Mexican Caribbean coast, the Riviera Maya coastline below it and the Pacific coast resort of Puerto Vallarta will be named top destinations this year by Orbitz travel website, based on flights and hotel bookings, said spokeswoman Marita Hudson Thomas.
On the Pacific coast, Acapulco Mayor Jose Luis Avila Sanchez is predicting a huge turnout of Mexican travelers, with hotels expected to be nearly full for Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Tourism officials in Mexico and the U.S. say holiday travel to Mexico is up from a year ago as vacationers cash in on low-cost tropical holidays.
Tourism revenue is up 7.1 percent in the first 10 months of 2010, compared to the same months of 2009, with visitors spending $9.8 billion, according to the Mexican Tourism Ministry.
Wait a minute!
These Americans are willing to go to a country which at the very least is in a pre-revolution.
Yet, here in the United States we subject ourselves to invasive searches and surveillance of our e-mails and finances. So, we can be safe.
Apparently, some Americans are pretty gutsy.
You know what? That’s true and it’s always been true ever since the founding of the United States, this has been a courageous people. But over and over again we have been told we have to give up rights to be safe.
I have a question for you. Would you rather board a plane full of gutsy Americans or one of the ones where everybody submitted to full body scans and intimate searches? Which group is likely to overpower a terroist? Which group is likely to fight for its survival?
You won’t to lay down with the lambs? What’s your preference?
James Pilant
P.S. I was admiring the Mexican Flag just now. I have seen a lot of flags. Some look like poorly made bed sheets (and no, I’m not naming them). But the Mexican Flag is a work of art and it speaks to you. I’m going to use it in some more posts. jp
Police Unions And Pension Funds
Back in the 1990’s police unions negotiated for benefits likes salaries, health insurance and pensions. During the early years of the first decade of the 21st Century, investment banking and, in fact, often regular banking left its conservative investment moorings and struck out into mortgage “securities” and other strange ideas of what an “investment” might be.
Cities and States (even universities) got caught up in the lure of easy investment profits. Pensions suffered when these “investments” disentegrated.
And this is one of the results – from the Baltimore Sun:
Union leaders, who stress the dangerous and grueling nature of police and fire work, have resisted the pension changes that the city has proposed, saying they constitute a violation of their contract.
“Some in city government are portraying this as a crisis,” said Bob Sledgeski, president of the firefighters union. “This has been long, ongoing neglect on the part of the city to follow their own experts’ advice. That’s not an accident, and 10 years does not a crisis make.”
City Council members, led by Helen L. Holton, chairwoman of the taxation and finance committee, have been scrambling for a solution to the pension problem before the fiscal year ends June 30.
Scores of police and firefighters have threatened to resign or retire if their benefits are significantly diminished. But city officials, grappling with a $121 million overall budget shortfall, say they cannot pay much more than the currently allotted $101 million pension contribution, although the city’s required obligations would be about $166 million if no changes are made in the way benefits are calculated.
I might have been more sympathetic to the city’s financial plight if they hadn’t played with the money.
That money was not a pile of gambling chips. It was a contractual promise.
These people being penalized are not wealthy entrepeneurs, they are the police and firefighters of the city.
Everyone talks about their sacrifice and bravery right up until it comes time to write the pension checks.
And then it looks like, well, it wasn’t really a promise. Apparently they only meant it if they could play with the money and not lose it.
And they lost it.
James Pilant
Pilant's Business Ethics Blog 
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