Was Mars Inc.'s Decision Ethical?

Mars Incorporated, the owner of Skittles, was put into an ethical dilemma during the Trayvon Martin case. As most of us know, Skittles became a very popular item over these last few months. The rainbow colored candy was what Trayvon Martin was holding as he was fatally shot in Sanford, Florida. Protest and rallies have used bags of skittles in multiple ways to represent racial injustice, giving Mars Incorporated a steady increase in profit through out the media boom. 


However, the increase in profit hasn't gone over as smoothly as most companies would hope for. Mars Inc. has never received multiple social media hits telling the company they should feel obligated to donate proceeds that have profited from the increase in Skittles sales in order to give back to the Martin family and help them through this loss. Mars Inc. stayed quiet until Facebook wall posts started appearing on their company's wall. The company made one statement saying, "we are deeply saddened by the news of Trayvon Martin’s death and express our sincere condolences to his family and friends. We also respect their privacy and feel it inappropriate to get involved or comment further as we would never wish for our actions to be perceived as an attempt of commercial gain following this tragedy.” Since the statement, Mars Inc. has remained quiet and has slowly flown under the radar from the media, hopefully leading the media to focus on the real issue, finding justice in this case. I think the company made the right decision in that this case needs to focus on the real issue, not whether or not a brand of candy should be involved. What do you think?

Truth vs. Harmony

I'm sure we have all been in a situation where not telling the full truth has bettered the situation in many ways, but does this policy always work? What do you think is more important, focusing on always telling the truth or keeping peace and harmony during a situation?

When thinking about truth vs. harmony, a few public outbreaks come to my mind, the first being Enron. Enron is a scandal that will be discussed for many years to come. As we all know, a lot was going on behind the scenes of the company, a lot that was very illegal. When this information came out, Enron found themselves trapped, they were in so deep it was far too late to try and find harmony with in the company and the situation. Wouldn't it have been better for the company to come forward the minute they knew they were bound to be caught, rather than still trying to cover it up and having everything become worse. Another example that comes to mind is the Penn State scandal, like Enron the school continued to try and cover everything up rather than coming forward with the information they had after the first incident. By the time information had gotten out, it was too late for harmony. After looking at situations like these I can conclude that when a company or university represents such a large crowd, hiding the truth is never a good idea, because at some point or another it will come out and it will be much worse than if they would have just come out with the truth in the first place. However, there is still the idea with everyday issues that keeping harmony can be better than telling the full truth, it all just depends on the situation.

Planned Parenthood Controversy Doesn't Slow Komen Race Down

As most of us recall, a few weeks back the Susan G. Komen organization stopped all funding for Planned Parenthood due to information that linked Planned Parenthood's funds going toward abortions rather than mammograms. Planned Parenthood was extremely opposed to the loss of funding, and fired back immediately after the news was released. We all saw the controversy break as Komen continued to receive criticism and hate mail, leading to eventually revoking their decision and re-funding Planned Parenthood. Through out the arguments and negativity, the public seemed to lose focus on the importance of both organizations. Both organizations were created to help better and save lives of women, not to create controversy and hatred towards each other. While people choose to no longer support one or the other, I couldn't help but think aren't they missing the main point? We need to overlook problems like this and stand by our organizations that make a difference for thousands of people across the nation.

Recently, I came across an article that I was very pleased to read. The Komen organization hosted their annual Race for the Cure just a few days ago and they were happy to see a solid group of supporters. Before the race there was talk about the event not being as successful due to the recent controversy, however, I'm delighted to see that true supporters were able to overlook the minor mishaps and focus on the meaning of the organization. This year Race for the Cure had close to 11,000 attendees and raised more than $400,000, just around 2,500 attendees down from last year. The Komen organization was grateful for all their supporters and hope to continue to succeed in the future.

To read the full story click here.

Should Employers No Longer Hire Smokers?

Just recently an article came out discussing whether or not Fort Worth should ban tobacco completely for new city employees, debating on whether or not they will continue to hire smokers. For some, this idea is a great way to establish a healthier work environment, hopefully leading to a healthier city and in the long run cutting costs down for healthcare. For others, it is taking away our rights to make choices about our own lifestyle. So what's more important, creating a healthier and more cost efficient lifestyle for our community, or allowing the public to continue to make their own personal decisions?

Being a non-smoker, this debate doesn't have quite the same effect on me since I wouldn't have to make any adjustments to quit smoking. However, it does bring up a very important point of the ethical controversy in this decision. If the city is able to pass something where employers have the right to no longer hire smokers, what will be the next thing they will ban? I fear that if this does pass, then when will it ever stop?

In order to please both parties, I do think there are postitive alternatives to the situation. Many companies across the nation have incorporated health programs that promote special benefits for their employees who go the extra mile to maintain their health. One in particular that I can think of has a deal with all  employees that they test their health every month by a set of guidelines. Some of those guidelines include maintaining a constant weight level, exercising a certain amount of time every week, focusing on nutritional facts and food, and last but not least staying away from tobacco. If their employees don't smoke, it gives them an opportunity to increase their overall health rating. However, it is up to the employee to make the decision on how well they want to do. Employees with higher health checks will ultimately receive better bonuses. I think this is a great idea that many companies can become involved with because it is an incentive for all employees to maintain a healthy lifestyle but still gives them the chance to make their own decisions.

To read the fully article click here.

To Eat or Not To Eat Meat

The debate on whether or not eating meat is right will forever be a controversial topic. I've heard both spectrums of the debate and can't say either side is wrong. There are those who think it is cruel to kill and eat animals and there are those who think it is perfectly natural to continue the eating of animals. Whether or not someone decides it is unethical or ethical, I don't think we will ever come to a conclusion of what is right or wrong.

There is so much that goes beyond the simple decision of why one side might be right or wrong that many people don't think about. For example, living in Texas I can think of several families whose lives depend on their cattle ranch. Ranching cattle is a living for them and has been for several generations, it is their way of life. When they sell their cattle to eventually be killed, they don't see it as cruel punishment, they see it as their cattle having been treated properly and well and it is now time for their next step. There is also the argument that meat is bad for us and contains steroids and antibiotics that are potentially harmful for our bodies, what about the pesticides and fertilizers that are sprayed all over plants to grow vegetables, are those just as potentially dangerous for our bodies? Overall, I think just about everything can some way be bad for us. Hopefully, with future tests and statistics we will all find out the truth to the harmful risks of meat and vegetables, but when we do I still believe it will be a long process to change certain ways of living.

Apple's Ethics

As Apple makes it into the headlines more and more, the company is receiving a heavy amount of questioning and criticism. When news came out that Apple's factories in China  have horrible working conditions, the company went into defense mode. Reports and mission statements came out with numbers showing that they do indeed abide by the working regulations, however, those working regulations aren't much. I'm curious to find out as this news continues to spread if Apple will lose consumers or if people will continue to buy products that are made by women in children in horrible working conditions for less than $1 an hour.

Sadly, even though this is a terrible situation and has had a fair amount of coverage, I think Americans will continue to purchase these high technology gadgets. We live in a world surrounded by greed, many people don't think twice about where their products come from. If you found out a child had worked a 12 hour day to make the iphone you use every day, would you give it up? As much as I would like to see consumers opinions change towards Apple, I don't know if they ever will. 

To read more about the working conditions for Apple factories in China click here.

Exactly How Much is Your Apple Product Worth?

Last month Apple made the headlines for a reason that shocked many consumers. Rather than anticipating the release of the next upgraded version of one of their sleek products, the public saw a much different side of the multi-billion dollar company. CNN News reported that many of Apple's factory suppliers, particularly located in China, have extremely poor working conditions, so bad that while we are paying hundreds for an ipad, workers are making less than $1 a day to make them. A Foxconn worker, one of Apple's largest supplying companies, released a statement saying, "they use women as men and they use men as machines, I almost feel like an animal."The worker was then asked why Foxconn uses their human workers for these jobs and the worker stated, "well, humans are cheaper."(read full article)

When I think of Apple, I think of shiny, high technology, sleek products that can do just about anything, at times, they might be smarter than most humans. What I didn't think about, until I read this article, was the dark side of the company. Apple comes across as a company that creates all their products in order to greater benefit their consumers lives, not as a company that uses the cheapest most unethical labor values in order to come up with these "top shelf" products. After the news came out, a petition was created asking Apple to change their labor values. As of February, the petition had around 250,000 signatures. Shortly after the news broke, Apple released a statement saying, "We care about every worker in our worldwide supply chain. We insist that our suppliers provide safe working conditions, treat workers with dignity and respect, and use environmentally responsible manufacturing processes wherever Apple products are made." I am curious to find out if the company really does make a change in their labor ways or if it is just pushed under the table like most other large companies do. 

Are you an ethical person?

I came across an interesting article that brings up the point of whether or not you're an ethical person. This article came out not long after the Enron collapse, as we all saw how many unethical decisions were the cause of that crash. So start out by asking yourself what do you value in life? Do you value honesty, respect and hard work? Or do you focus more on harmony, balance and mutuality? Everyones values differ and one can't argue that one has wrong values, because we all look at situations differently. So how do you know if you actually promote your values through out life? Take a minute to sit down and think about how you use your values in everyday life, whether it's at home, work, school or even just by yourself. For some, this can be a very difficult task because though many of us may think we have values, do we actually have principles for those values?

Today, ethics are a large part of our society, especially with the advancements of technology. Technology has given us the options to cheat our way out of things and very easily hurt others. Technology has also given us the ability to respond to situations as quickly as 30 seconds after the incident occurred. We are able to see how technology has changed the way the media works through social media such as Twitter and Facebook, because of these advancements we face ethical decisions every day. So I hope everyone will sit down and think about what values they represent and how they display those values.

Kony 2012

Tuesday night a video was sent out virally that has sparked an on going debate across the nation in less than 24 hours. As most of us have seen or at least heard of the Kony 2012 video, we became aware or more aware of a very sad situation. The video addresses the public of an organization called Invisible Children. Invisible Children is an organization created to help and raise awareness for Children who are forced into organizations such as the Lords Resistance Army (LRA). Invisible Children first started eight years ago and have since done a tremendous job in raising awareness about the problems in Uganada, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic and South Sudan. Their biggest fight being against Joseph Kony, leader of the LRA.

With the launch of the video, people were able to see not only how the organization works but what type of life Kony forces these children into, hoping to put a stop to Kony. After watching this video, it truly leaves an immediate effect on you. Personally, I have never seen something spread information and awareness so quickly. I haven't talked to a single person that hasn't seen or heard of what is going on. After hearing about this situation, you realize how quickly something can spread and leave such a big impact on the public after just one video.

The Murdoch Tower Comes Crumbling Down

Recent news suggests the Murdoch hierarchy may finally be coming to an end. As we have witnessed over the years, Rupert Murdoch’s media conglomerates have taken a big toll after the allegations that one of the worlds largest media outlets was hacking into celebrity’s, royal’s and public figure’s private cell phone accounts to publicize personal information. After years of investigations and resignations, James Murdoch, son of Rupert Murdoch, has stepped down from his position as executive chairman of News International, the British arm of News Corp. Though Rupert Murdoch made a statement that his son will continue to work with a variety of “essential corporate leadership mandates,” I have to think otherwise.

James Murdoch is the last Murdoch to run the Murdoch media world, however; with the allegations and pressure he has received about knowing of the several scandals, he may have no choice but to eventually resign, as did his father. I’m glad to see that the media is not able to get away with anything, because at times, I have my doubts. It brings on a slight aspect of comfort that there are boundaries and when those boundaries are crossed, there are consequences, even for the most powerful people. I will be curious though to see how the transferring of James Murdoch has an effect on this large corporation.

Media in Other Countries

As most of us have heard, yesterday afternoon a train crashed in Buenos Aires, Argentina, killing a total of 50 people and injuring around 700. This was the worst train crash they have seen since the 1940s. As far we know the crash was caused by a random brake or driver error. After reading several articles about the crash, I found it very interesting to see how the media in other countries handles crisis. From what I have read and found, a few fingers have been pointed at who to blame for the crash but I have yet to see one apology or sympathy article. If this accident had happened in the United States, I feel it would be handled very differently.

It's interesting to see just how different the media acts in certain countries. One thing I know is that when a crises happens in the U.S., if the organization or person responsible for it does not come out with an apology within 24 hours, their reputation will be affected for years, sometimes forever. As we saw with the Komen incident, they lost hundreds of supporters simply because they kept quiet for too long. As I follow the Buenos Aires accident, I will be curious to see how it turns out and who takes the blame.

The Media's Powerful Twist

After discussing examples of leadership that have lead to ethical results, I found this unfortunate situation to be a perfect example. As most of us have been informed by now,  TCU has had 17 students arrested in the past 12 hours for dealing drugs, four of those 17 being very talented football players. This was a devastating occurrence for TCU, putting quite the mark on the school's reputation. Chancellor Boschini addressed the issue promptly and respectfully. He informed the public of the schools goals and ethical values, he was saddened to report the incident. He clearly stated what TCU is about and kept his statement brief and to the point. He informed not only all the students but also the student's parents about the situation, letting everyone have a clear understanding of the circumstances.

Situations like this are never good to witness, they affect people everywhere. I feel Chancellor Boschini did an excellent job at handling the incident. Unfortunately, I feel the media has twisted into something it shouldn't be. Instead of focusing on the real problem, as to why so many more students have gotten involved with drugs, the media focused on the fact that four out of the 17 students were football players. This created unnecessary attention for TCU across the nation. I have a hard time believing TCU is the only college that has had multiple drug related arrests, however, if they don't involve a well known group or person we don't hear about them. I'm saddened to see the that the real issue still awaits its answer while the media continues to focus on what our football team will be like for next season.

Susan G Komen vs. Planned Parenthood

As most of us know, Susan G. Komen has reversed their decision to not support Planned Parent. A few days ago, Komen stated they would continue to raise funds and donate to the organization. The controversy has made the headlines everyday since it started. It has caused protests, rallies and petitions on just about every social media site. After watching and hearing the news I realized just how unfortunate this situation is. Being on the outside, the public may not know what truly caused Komen to stop their funding, but what we do know is that Komen's main goal is to help women. Unfortunately, the media is able to twist a story into such a different perspective Komen came out of this story looking like a terrible organization.

After watching statement after statement on the news and all over Twitter,  I realized just how big of an effect the media has on us. Obviously both organizations are aiming for the same goal, they want to provide women with a healthy life and keep them safe. But ever since the issue became political it seemed the organizations were completely against each other and the public almost forgot the main reason why we have organizations like this. The battle has turned into a political controversy rather than sorting out the issues and finding a resolution that is best for both.

The Golden Mean

Finding the perfect "in-between" for just about anything in life is much easier said then done. Everyday we are faced with decisions, and hopefully, we try to make a choice that is best for both ourself and everyone around us. After researching about Aristotle's mean, also known as the golden mean, I realized more people should practice his way of thinking, not only with difficult decisions but with everyday decisions.

Aristotle believes when faced with a decision in life it is best to find "the desirable middle between two extremes, one of excess and the other of deficiency."What first came to my mind after reading this theory was the scandal at Penn State. It was clear that several administrators at Penn State knew about the problems going on but failed to report them. They chose to save the schools reputation rather than make the right decision. When these administrators were put in the position of deciding whether or not to do the right thing and turn the coach in, they found themselves in a difficult position. Their decision had to very different options, instead of turning in the man who was at wrong and moving on, they continued to stay quiet which eventually led to a much bigger problem at the school. This scandal will continue to be one of the most talked about scandals in history, all because a few people decided to make the wrong decision.

Today's Leisure Time

Before technology took over our society, leisure time was a way of clearing our heads. It allowed us to separate ourselves from the world and take a break. Today, leisure time isn't quite the same. In chapter six of Hamlet's Blackberry the author discusses how his leisure time has evolved into him watching filmed concerts on his computer, rather than taking a walk outside or doing any sort of physical activity. After reading this, I thought about how not that long ago people didn't have the option to spend their leisure time with their eyes glued to a screen. Everything in life was simple.

Simplicity is a rare thing to find in today's society. We are consistently surrounded by technology, even if we attempt to escape it. Clearing our heads is nearly impossible with out being distracted. One thing I have always thought to be a way to clear my head is going for a jog. When I get ready to go on a run the first thing I do is update my playlist on my iphone. I then set up my nike gps app so I can calculate how far I've run. Every mile my app will tell me my pace and a few other statistics. Usually through out my run I'll get a few text messages and usually some emails. Until I read this chapter, I never realized just how much distraction I have during what I think is my leisure time. I never thought twice about running with out music or my phone. It made me realize my generation and the younger ones probably don't know what true leisure time is. What we think is leisure time is simply us using less of our technology for a short period of time.

The Joy of Quiet – The New York Times

The article, The Joy of Quiet, discusses a very noticeable change in today’s society. Today, our lives are surrounded by technology; almost everything we do is based around some sort of electronic. Instead of going outside to play a sports game, younger generations are choosing to sit inside and play a game online or watch television. Our minds are wrapped up in this technological world and we easily forget the important things in life.

Through this article we are able to understand that as technology improves, so does advertising and marketing. Everyday we are thrown into a world of advertising. We may not notice it all the time because of how use to it we have become. Just walking down the sidewalk people may find advertisements painted into the cement or coupons hanging from the handle of front doors. In order to escape our technological world we have to eliminate ourselves completely from society. When we are able to remove ourselves, we begin to realize and understand the important things in life.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/opinion/sunday/the-joy-of-quiet.html?pagewanted=all?src=tp