"Despite all the mean things the blogosphere is saying about me, I'm putting on a happy face."That's congressional wannabe Sam Bennett, who's come up with the perfect solution to her financial woes. After being forced to "request" a fifty per cent paycut at Properties of Merit, she's starting a new nonprofit - Bridges of Merit.
"I thought this one up all by myself," she beamed while talking about her new venture. She plans on travelling to the 15th Pa. congressional district's bridges, where she will hand out tubes of Sam's crazy glue, Bennett for Congress duct tape and life preservers at different bridges. "I'm giving citizens the opportunity to easily become stakeholders without an undue investment of time or money, so we can enhance those bridges."
"She's my gal," exclaimed Governor Ed Rendell, who has already awarded her nonprofit a $200,000 annual grant. Over her strenuous objections, the board has already set aside $110,000 as Bennett's salary.
This winter, Bennett is planning on a third nonprofit - Highways of Merit. Although still in development, the general idea is to hand out snow shovels and toilet paper to motorists stranded along I-78.
"She's my gal," exclaimed Governor Ed Rendell, who was about to award her another $100,000 until he was informed that nonprofit is not yet up and running.
"You gotta admit the TP is a nice touch," Rendell insisted. "No wonder she's running for Congress!"
Blogger's Note: I plagiarized this idea from one of my commenters yesterday. Sue me!
26 comments:
Gotta admit though... would probably do more than POM, lol.
A Bloggers' Code of Ethics
Some bloggers recently have been debating what, if any, ethics the Weblog community should follow. Since not all bloggers are journalists and the Weblog form is more casual, they argue they shouldn't be expected to follow the same ethics codes journalists are. But responsible bloggers should recognize that they are publishing words publicly, and therefore have certain ethical obligations to their readers, the people they write about, and society in general.
CyberJournalist.net has created a model Bloggers' Code of Ethics, by modifying the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics for the Weblog world. These are just guidelines -- in the end it is up to individual bloggers to choose their own best practices. CyberJournalist.net follows this code and urges other Weblogs to adopt this one or similar practices.
Integrity is the cornerstone of credibility. Bloggers who adopt this code of principles and these standards of practice not only practice ethical publishing, but convey to their readers that they can be trusted.
A BLOGGERS' CODE OF ETHICS
Be Honest and Fair
Bloggers should be honest and fair in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.
Bloggers should:
• Never plagiarize.
• Identify and link to sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources' reliability.
• Make certain that Weblog entries, quotations, headlines, photos and all other content do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context.
• Never distort the content of photos without disclosing what has been changed. Image enhancement is only acceptable for for technical clarity. Label montages and photo illustrations.
• Never publish information they know is inaccurate -- and if publishing questionable information, make it clear it's in doubt.
• Distinguish between advocacy, commentary and factual information. Even advocacy writing and commentary should not misrepresent fact or context.
• Distinguish factual information and commentary from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two.
Minimize Harm
Ethical bloggers treat sources and subjects as human beings deserving of respect.
Bloggers should:
• Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by Weblog content. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects.
• Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief.
• Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of information is not a license for arrogance.
• Recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than do public officials and others who seek power, influence or attention. Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone's privacy.
• Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity.
Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects, victims of sex crimes and criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges.
Be Accountable
Bloggers should:
• Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.
• Explain each Weblog's mission and invite dialogue with the public over its content and the bloggers' conduct.
• Disclose conflicts of interest, affiliations, activities and personal agendas.
• Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence content. When exceptions are made, disclose them fully to readers.
• Be wary of sources offering information for favors. When accepting such information, disclose the favors.
• Expose unethical practices of other bloggers.
• Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.
That should be posted on Phyrillas' blog, not here.
While your over there, post a Journalist's 'code of ethics' as well.
OK,
This is not a personal attack on Ms. Bennet, I am merely giving my personal subjective opinion of her qualifications as a candidate for Congress. I think she is a poor candidate. I like Mr Dent but would support a Democratic candidate against him. I am a Democrat and want a candidate that strikes me as sincere. I want a candidate that will work with the new Democratic president to end for profit medicine and create a single payer model. I wnat a candidate that believes in the social compact between government and the people. I want a candidate who understands that working for the common good is not the same as socialism. I want a cnadidate who believes we are only as strong as our weakest citizens and is not afraid of Republican buzzwords. I want a candidate who is aware that all of the above may mean a short political career but follows through anyway.
I'm just an old former officeholder who enjoys the annonymity of private life. I am not familiar with the bloggers code, but I believe Bernie allows private citizens to express their opinions.
An old Politico
Old Politico,
You're certainly allowed to express your views here. That "code of ethics" was intended for moi, not you.
Anon 12:41, Rather than doing a cut and paste job that you fail to attribute to its source, please explain what is unethical about this post. This one was obviously humor. If I'm doing something wrong I'll correct it. But I suspect I'm doing everythjing right and you just don't like seeing Sam criticized.
Wow, This "code of ethics" has been plastered over three posts.
I wonder if someone's trying to tell me something?!?
Nah!
A few weeks ago, Bennett synciophant George Speros Maniatty was posting Molchany's positive op-ed about Sam Bennett anywhere he could, including here. He posted the same op-ed on about three or four separate posts. It was a word for word cut and paste job, like this, with no independent thought. It was lengthy, like this. It was anonymous, like this. He finally had to ID himself when he did it on Varkony's blog.
I was already getting a much needed giggle from the original post only to break out in full laughter at the comments!
When will Anon break out the ruler? Hide your knuckles, Bernie.
Old Politico,
I suspect that "code of ethics" was primarily directed at me. But after your comment, I wonder whether it was also inserted here precisely for the purpose of discouraging the overwhelmingly negative reaction to Bennett. In effect, it may be intended to chill free and open exchange.
I am glad it failed to scare you off. My posts tell only part of the story. The comments are actually more useful, and I've learned from them.
Naturally, there will be times when people say things that are inappropriate, although it doesn't happen very often. I think most of us are big boys and girls and can distinuish the wheat from the chaff.
I do have a code of ethics for blogging, and I try to follow it. The anonymous post was not intended to encourage ethis, but to discourage comment about Bennett.
Anne,
I've been a baaaad boy.
anon 12:41 I fart in your general direction
I'm thinking we need to have a little contest on who can come up with the craziest yet somewhat plausable idea for a non-profit. I'm thinking along the lines of "Abandoned Properties of Merit" or maybe, "Brownfields of Merit!" Whaddaya say, Bohare'?!
The Possibilities are pretty much endless. "floodplains of Merit?" "Sinkholes of Merit?"
After reading annon 12:41 and the respnse of 'Old Politico', maybe Old Politicco should come out of retirement and run. They sounded liked some pretty good ideas and sincere.
I agree Brnie, I believe annon 12:41 is meant to conjure up images of lawyers chasing bloggers. Ohhhh are you scared yet.
Meritorious McMansions of Merit?
How about:
POLITICIANS OF MERIT!
The best part is you'd get to keep practically all of the money.
I'm coming clean. I'm the ethics hall monitor for the world wide interblogweb. I've recently been victimized, and am putting on a happy face. This internet thing is really catching on, a real untapped resource, and I believe this blog requires an ombudsman. Keep it ethical. I'm going skateboarding.
Earl Keller ...
It's okay, I have a hall pass :)
Pirates of Merit-Arrrr!
Prisoners of Merit-I was framed, I tell ya!
Pachyderms of Merit-must be thick skinned
Pagans of Merit-I bless me
I'm sorry, I'll stop now.
Bernie,
You truely are a miserable bastard. How many other politicos are involved with properties of merit? Maybe you can a least break away from Sam for a few post and clue us in. I think its important to learn the individuals that she interacts with.
Anon 10:14,
Hey, it's not easy being a miserable bastard. Thanks for noticing. I did post about the other politicos involved in Properties of Merit. In addition to the Guv, we had Lehigh County exec Don Cunningham($20k), Lehigh County DCED($20k), state senator Lisa Boscola($20k) and even state senator Pat Browne ($10k).
We know that Cunningham has suspended LC's participation, and Browne has asked the Guv to hold up on that $100k grant.
Lisa Boscola was quoted as making this endorsement.
POM has had a wonderful impact on neighborhoods in Allentown where property owners have taken a greater interest in their own properties. POM is a community development program that will yield great results that improve the quality of life for the residents of the communities that have joined. Congratulations to all who have worked so hard to make this expansion possible!
Guess what?
That testimonial has disappeared from the POM site!
Poof!
Hey Mr, Mayor, aka Earl Keller,
You better lay off that 'bopasrd or Bowers will lay the smack down on you!
How can I get one of those free $1000 rakes from POM ?
The perfect non-profit fot the Sprawl lovers in the valley:
Black topped farms of Merit!
Sorry... but you knew I would suggest it sooner or later:
Douche Bags of Merit
Providing stupidity to the Lehigh Valley at $300k each year!
I wonder if the POM winners this year will be the High Bidders in the "flim flam Sam" political campain contributor contest, living in their million dollar mcmansions and having a landscaping crew of illegal immigrants stopping by twice a week.
"Anonymous said...
A Bloggers' Code of Ethics
Some bloggers recently have been debating what, if any, ethics the Weblog community should follow. Since not all bloggers are journalists and the Weblog form is more casual, they argue they shouldn't be expected to follow the same ethics codes journalists are ""
Anyone with a violation concern of the Blogger Code Of Ethics can call their toll free hotline. please dial 1-800-EAT-SHIT
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