Watching the various Occupy protests around the country caused me to take another look at my Honesty and Trust report from 2006. I found this conclusion from Jamie O’Boyle of The Center for Cultural Studies and Analysis: “Most Americans have moved beyond thinking of violations of honesty and trust as the problem of a few ‘rotten apples,’ but instead view our major institutions as a...

“I place but little dependence on the honesty and truthfulness of a large portion of the Senators. A majority of them are small lights, mentally weak, and wholly unfit to be Senators. Some are vulgar demagogues… some are men of wealth who have purchased their position… [some are] men of narrow intellect, limited comprehension, and low partisan prejudice…”– unknown Washington...

Costello: Well then who’s on first? Abbott: Yes. Costello: I mean the fellow’s name. Abbott: Who. Costello: The guy on first. Abbott: Who. Costello: The first baseman. Abbott: Who. Costello: The guy playing… Abbott: WHO is on first! Costello: I’m asking YOU who’s on first. Abbott: That’s the man’s name. Costello: That’s who’s name? Abbott: Yes! Given the variety of...

Scanning the papers, I’m passing along stories that could use your ethical input. Front page of the NY Times, Ex-Teammate to Confront Clemens at Trial has former NY Yankees pitcher Andy Pettite testifying against friend and former teammate Roger Clemens in a DC trial beginning today. Charges stem from Clemens alleged use of steroids and his subsequent testimony before Congress in March...

Continuing my month-long focus on positive stories, the following account is potent in its simplicity. Few of us will meet the kinds of ethical decisions faced by tobacco insider Jeff Wigand or WorldCom Executive Cynthia Cooper. However, all of us will face choices that will test who we are and what we stand for. Michael Braunstein is a professional trainer...

Reading some after-talk comment cards, I came across a note which read: “Nice talk, but how about using a personal story or two to make your point?” Okay. Being trustworthy requires more than being honest. It requires us to make reasonable efforts to keep promises and obligations, and carry out the necessary integrity to resist temptations and pressures and do...

Jeffrey Wigand, former executive at tobacco giant Brown & Williamson, becomes a celebrity after appearing on 60 Minutes telling how big tobacco lied for decades to millions about the facts of cigarettes and smoking. Hollywood makes a major motion picture about his ethical stand and hires Russell Crowe to play him. Result: Jeff becomes an even bigger celebrity. Cynthia Cooper, former internal auditor...

The Dilemma is a comedy about honesty, or rather about how dishonesty contributes to a loss of trust. The film follows best buddies and hi-tech business partners Vince Vaughn and Kevin James at work and play. Ronny (Vaughn) is a 40-year-old former gambling addict and bachelor who exudes so much self-confidence about his product (an electric car engine that sounds and...

Q: What two things do the following athletes have in common? A-Rod, Chris Benoit, Barry Bonds, Jose Canseco, Jason Giambi, Marion Jones, Ben Johnson, Mark McGuire, Rafael Palmeiro, Andy Pettite… (and I could go on). A: Yes, they all used steroids and the second thing… they all denied it to the end. According to teammate Tyler Hamilton, seven-time Tour de...

May is shaping up to be an incredible month for sex scandals, and we’re only half way through the month! No sooner did we learn that Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, had been pulled off a plane minutes before departing for France due to an alleged sexual attack against a hotel maid, than reports began to surface that...