Monthly Archives: March 2009

“They don’t know right from wrong.”

Posted on March 17, 2009 by mmjdiary

On Monday morning, March 16, 2009, the Barometer was sitting in a waiting room with three other women who were also there for the annual face-off with GE torture racks that are gender-specific. Sitting in our pink gowns that open … Continue reading →

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“You might have crossed a few ethical lines if you plan to dole out $100 million in bonuses whilst on the government dole.”

Posted on March 16, 2009 by mmjdiary

The Barometer supposes that the fear is palpable, that if you withheld $100 million in bonuses from these crackerjack AIG executives that they would hit the road in response to the job offers at their fingertips.

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You might have crossed a few ethical lines if you are a member of the House from New York and claim Maryland residency . . .

Posted on March 14, 2009 by mmjdiary

Rep. Eliot Engel (D. Bronx) has been elected to the House from the state of New York five times.  During that ten-year span of public service, Mr. Engel and his wife, who have been lifelong residents of the Bronx, listed their primary residence on … Continue reading →

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The Invoice Mistakes

Posted on March 14, 2009 by mmjdiary

The small business owner realized that one of his vendors had made underbilling errors totaling $10,000.  “Probably no way they would ever catch them — too big, too busy, but me, well, those are big dollars for me!”  To tell … Continue reading →

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“I cannot adequately express how sorry I am for what I have done.”

Posted on March 14, 2009 by mmjdiary

Bernie Madoff, on entering a guilty plea to 11 counts of securities fraud, mail fraud, investment adviser fraud, wire fraud, flora fraud, fauna fraud, and perjury.  Sir, you said it.

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Jack Welch: The Father of Shareholder Value Admits It Was “The Dumbest Idea in the World”

Posted on March 14, 2009 by mmjdiary

In an interview with The Financial Times, Jack Welch, the former CEO of GE and the father of shareholder value, said, “On the face of it, shareholder value is the dumbest idea in the world.  Shareholder value is a result, not … Continue reading →

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The New York City Lawyer Who Threw a Case

Posted on March 13, 2009 by mmjdiary

Daniel L. Bibb, a former assistant district attorney in New York City, told a newspaper last year that he deliberately lost a rehearing on the evidence in the murder convictions of two men for killing a bouncer outside a New … Continue reading →

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“It has been very successful — very strong. In fact, it’s off-the-charts good.” Stanford L. Kurland, former CEO of Countrywide, now CEO of PennyMac.

Posted on March 13, 2009 by mmjdiary

PennyMac buys delinquent home mortgages from the federal government for about 38 cents on the dollar and then offers the borrowers mortgages at better terms.  Ironically, Mr. Kurland is buying up mortgages Countrywide originally made.  He has cut interest rates on … Continue reading →

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“There’s this automatic assumption that if you make money from a drug company, you must be corrupt.”

Posted on March 13, 2009 by mmjdiary

So said Dr. Richard Grimm, a Minnesota researcher who accepted $798,000 or so from drug companies between 1997 and 2005.  No, Dr. Grimm, no one assumes any such thing.  It’s the disclosure that matters.  Lewis Morris, the general counsel for … Continue reading →

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The Eaves Damage to the U-Haul Truck

Posted on March 8, 2009 by mmjdiary

A delightful friend rented a truck to help his aunt with her move.  He did not take the insurance coverage for the truck because, as he said, “I know how to drive!”  Safety tip for renting moving trucks:  Your auto … Continue reading →

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The Snaggle-Toothed Vet on a Bike

Posted on March 7, 2009 by mmjdiary

The Barometer was leaving a church meeting when a bearded, hard-looking, rail-thin, snaggle-toothed man approached on a bicycle.  He dismounted his bike so quickly that he had to run with it until he eventually brought it to a halt.  He said, “I’m … Continue reading →

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Ethical Leadership: First-Year Harvard Med Students

Posted on March 3, 2009 by mmjdiary

What a day the Barometer is having!  Ethical leadership from the mouths of babes.  They look as if they are 12, those first-year Harvard medical students on the cover of the Business Section of the March 3, 2009 New York … Continue reading →

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Governor Pat Quinn: Ethical Leadership

Posted on March 3, 2009 by mmjdiary

The Barometer doesn’t see it too often.  The Barometer hopes for it.  The Barometer cajoles others to just do it.  “It” is ethical leadership.  Folks pretty much understand when they have crossed an ethical line.  The courage to do the … Continue reading →

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The Rangel Round-Up: Another Nominee and Back-Taxes

Posted on March 3, 2009 by mmjdiary

Former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk is the third nominee in the queue for Commerce Secretary.  New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson withdrew his name because of an ongoing investigation into contracts the state awarded to various companies that donated funds to … Continue reading →

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