Before  The E.T. goes on vacation, a few words. It’s Snowden in Russia – NSA leaker Edward Snowden finally comes out from a cold… Moscow transit lounge, but don’t get rid of the snow clothes yet, Ed! Let’s see if a year in this country will change his outlook on government intrusion on privacy. Feel free to speak out on government oppression....

You are an ER doctor at a hospital who has just admitted a motorcyclist in his thirties who has sustained serious, but not life threatening, injuries due to drinking. You are scheduled to attend the patient who’s described as a “mean drunk.” This is what Dr. Pauline Chen faced while treating a patient. “I’m sure it freaked him out to...

The E.T. examines the few, the questionable and the outrageous who refuse to take the road less traveled. Rolling Stone – Several chain stores, including pharmacy brand CVS will not sell copies of the latest issue of Rolling Stone magazine to their customers in the New England area. Fire and Police associations are boycotting the magazine as well because this month’s cover features...

The fallout for former Food Network star Paula Deen continues to grow. After learning, through a recent court deposition, that she had used racial slurs and jokes that disparage blacks, the network announced that it would not renew Deen’s contract which expires at the end of this month. Now, Smithfield Foods announced that it was taking similar action. “Smithfield condemns the use...

Friday’s news carried two business-related stories that, on the surface, may not seem similar but really demonstrate a double standard when it comes to guilt. Paul Deen took to YouTube Friday to apologize for using the “n” word. In part, Deen said, “I want to apologize to everybody for the wrong that I’ve done. I want to learn and grow...

Each month I take a look at several issues that have received attention in the news. Let’s start with the easy stuff, first. The Supremes Have Spoken – In a 7-2 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Arizona’s new voter law which would have added a “proof-of-citizenship requirement to a federal voter registration form…” The Wall Street Journal reported (June...

Among the papers I received from my New Hampshire students, this touching essay was written by a daughter about her father. Her paper reminds us that sometimes the “everyday” moments in life can have the greatest impact. Today, I was asked to write a paper on “the most ethical person I know,” and explain why. “In my 33 years of...

Whenever we get fussed-up by the trials, tribulations, wants, needs, hopes, dreams, frustrations, tragedies, challenges, the President, Congress, Fox News, MSNBC, (fill in your own blank), not to mention our own egos, we should all take a moment to step back and get a little perspective. The following poem comes from my own ethics teacher, Michael Josephson, who offers some...

Lots to discuss, so let’s get to it. The Straight Dope – Years ago, I was given a book with that title by a close friend. It offered straight-forward answers to straight-forward questions. Based on the recent release of e-mails between the White House, CIA and State Department, it’s abundantly clear that we need that straight dope more than ever....

I’ve written before how, in an effort to be first, some journalists will report on a story without thoroughly checking a number of source points. However, when the story is reported live, in the middle of an ongoing crisis, the consequences to one’s credibility can be harsh. CNN National Correspondent John King’s credibility came into question when he was one of...