NYT columnist's conflict of interest

lilpup · May-13-09, 08:43 PM

Most Detroit auto insiders know that NY Times auto reporter Micheline Maynard wrote a book touting "The End of Detroit" and used her high profile nationwide bully pulpit pretty consistently to bash the US auto companies.

Now another weasel can be added to the list:

Most reporters would love to make $75,000. In a year.

So it set my eyes to blinking when I read that New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman got paid that much for a single speech, sponsored last week by the San Francisco Bay Area's clean air district.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment...1226938.column

**ghettopalmetto** · May-13-09, 08:57 PM

How does Micheline Maynard fit into Friedman's speech? I don't see the conflict of interest you claim.

lilpup · May-14-09, 01:08 AM

You don't see a link between Friedman getting $75K from an environmental lobbying group [[violating NY Times ethics policy) and his ivory tower bashing of the US auto industry?

You don't see any parallel to the NY Times writer who behaves similarly by writing a book for personal gain will supposedly remaining an objective reporter covering the industry?

**otter** · May-14-09, 04:42 AM

No, not really.

O.

**otter** · May-14-09, 04:47 AM

No, not really.

O.

**rb336** · May-14-09, 07:15 AM

Using something one person does that is unethical to bash someone else is irrational

lilpup · May-14-09, 03:55 PM

BOTH are unethical!!

lilpup · May-19-09, 09:09 AM

Please learn:

http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp

**ghettopalmetto** · May-19-09, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by lilpup

Please learn:

http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp

So which part of the Code of Ethics is Ms. Maynard violating?

lilpup · May-19-09, 03:37 PM

the "Act Independently" section

**ghettopalmetto** · May-19-09, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by lilpup

the "Act Independently" section

Nice circular logic.

Do your homework the next time you decide to toss around wild allegations without anything other than your opinion to back it up.

lilpup · May-19-09, 03:51 PM

Not circular at all - you just have no concept of ethics.

**ghettopalmetto** · May-19-09, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by lilpup

Not circular at all - you just have no concept of ethics.

Excuse me. I'm a licensed Professional Engineer. I know a LOT about ethics. It's my JOB to know about ethics, so you can just fuck right off.

Your "argument" goes something like this:

1. It's a conflict of interest because she violated the Code of Ethics.
2. The violation of the Code of Ethics was that she created a conflict of interest.

No examples. No specific language. Nothing concrete. Nothing. Just pure and utter bullshit out of your ass.

F