Now and then a new book comes along in which nearly every sentence deserves underlining. Such books are short, essential, and wise. Pursuing a single bright line of clear argument, they depend less on footnoted research than on the author's credibility. They don't come along often because they take a lifetime to write. "Profit with Honor" is such a book....
"The message of this verdict is clear: in answering questions posed by Congress and by federal agencies, public officials have the same obligation as does the public for which they serve -- to tell the truth."
-- U.S. assistant attorney general Alice Fisher, head of the Justice Department's criminal division, announcing last week's conviction of former White House aide David Safavian. Safavian, who resigned last September, was found guilty of four counts of obstruction of justice and lying to federal investigators looking into his dealings with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff....
WASHINGTON
Shortly after the attacks of 9/11, the Bush administration began secretly using a Belgium-based banking database to monitor financial transactions that may lead to terrorist activity, according to press reports last week....
WASHINGTON
In a precedent-setting case on workplace discrimination law, the U.S. Supreme Court last week effectively made it easier for workers to sue employers who retaliate after a discrimination claim is lodged....
WASHINGTON
Police union officials, outraged that a Georgia congresswoman who struck a Capitol Police officer was not indicted on assault charges by a grand jury, have demanded that the House ethics committee probe her conduct....
LONDON
British doctors are expected to seek approval for a full face transplant from a London hospital's ethics board this week, an action likely to prompt a vigorous debate over the scientific, psychological, and moral implications of the procedure....
XINZHENG, China
In one of the more unusual education-ethics stories in recent memory, a Chinese college has been torn by riots after students learned that their diplomas would identify the fact that they graduated from a satellite school of a highly regarded national university, rather than listing only the national university....
OTTAWA
Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper last week offered a formal, unreserved apology for his country's past treatment of immigrant Chinese and proposed a compensation package that includes millions of dollars for anti-racism education....
LONDON
British Airways, Europe's third-largest airline, is under investigation by British and U.S. authorities over allegations the firm conspired to fix prices, according to press reports....
