Stephen McGee: The New Real Deal

As many of you know, I am an Aggie Football fanatic and one of their biggest critics. In my final blog, I find it only pertinent to comment on the Aggies' performance against TU. I was the proudest that I have been all season for the Ags. Hands down, they showed up to compete. I saw a football team unite under the leadership of a red-shirt freshman and hang for four quarters with one of the best football teams in the country. Stephen McGee played disciplined football and peformed as he was coached to do. This kid was thrown into the lion's den, having not started a game in his career and having limited experience on the field in the first place. He ran the football with authority and exactly as he was instructed, attacking the line of scrimmage and the defensive ends. I will admit that his passing game was lacking, but his inexperience must account for this. Additionally, the Aggie receiving corps has not performed all season, and this game was no different. The Aggies can now look forward to a constructive off-season, complete with a general that is willing to put everything on the line for his team. I saw a team that did not give up, exemplifying the true Aggie Spirit. Reggie McNeal better have taken some notes from his young successor because I saw more guts in one game from Stephen McGee than I did in three and half seasons from "The Real Deal."

Radio-Television News Directors Association Code of Ethics

The news is constantly scrutinized by the public, and people obviously have their preference when it comes to which source(s) they choose to believe. The fact is that the news is business, and success is measured by the amount of people that choose a particular source. These two websites have two different attitudes and approaches to the news because they are trying to appeal to opposing audiences; however, some people do prefer to watch news that conflicts with their personal views. The sources are able to choose which stories they report and how they report. As long as they report factual data, the code of ethics is not violated. Consider the latest reports about the Saddam Hussein trial. Democracy Now! reports how his defense team walked out as the headline. On the other hand, Fox News reports how the trial was adjourned until next week in addition to the leaving of his lawyers. Democracy Now! is trying to emphasize the turmoil going on in Iraq, and Fox News stresses a little more positive aspects. Nothing suggests that one is false, just that they choose to report a different side of the story. This element may offend a group of people that disagree with the actions portrayed in the news, or it may coincide with the views another group of people. These news sources are trying to get people to read their material, and as long as people are doing so, they are getting the intended reaction from the public. In my opinion, these tactics do not violate the impartiality portion of the ethics code because a person is free to make their own choice of where he or she receives the news. He or she can then draw conclusions based on those sources. These news sources do not try to sway people into sharing the same ideals. The World Wide Web is a form of written communication just like any other publication, so the standards set by this code of ethics easily apply electron mediums, such as email, websites, and electronic advertising.

Defining Days

People just know when life-changing days take place. A certain feeling comes over people, and they know that what they are seeing or experiencing is going to be remembered, by few or by many. Days like that make people notice little things. For instance, on the day that Confederate leaders were forced to leave their capital city, the people of Richmond remembered how "warm" the day was "with a mild breeze stirring the early blossoms on the capitol grounds" (Catton 444). With the "approaching catastrophe," the affected people took notice of the intrinsic elements that made their city a place to call home (Catton 445). Days like this and people's impressions leave lasting marks in the sands of history.

Works Cited

Catton, Bruce. Never Call Retreat. Double Day and Company, Inc. Garden City, New York. (1865): 444-445.

Can tu do it this year?

I want it to be known that I am the biggest Aggie supporter, which gives me the right to be critical of Aggie Football. However, every week the boys from Austin seem to be getting better, and I cannot help but hope that the Longhorns meet USC in the national championship. I love to watch good football, and that is the match-up the entire country is waiting to see. USC is the team everyone loves to hate, myself included. Texas has always been the team that just one win away from making the big show. Well, I have news for you Ags. Texas is not only going to make the Rose Bowl for a second year, they are going to take it all. USC is still a talented program hands down, but Texas has all the tools needed to take it to the Trojans. One thing is standing in the Horns way, and that is themselves. Mack Brown and his team always seem to have a brain lapse once during a season, other than the usual loss at the Red River Shootout against OU. Well, that did not happen this year. All the Longhorns have to do is keep playing their game, keep relying on the strong arm and quick feet of Vincent Young, and make sure that they do not have a brain lapse against USC. This is the Longhorns' year, and as much as I hate to see the Aggies lose to them, their victory will make the Big XII look like a much stronger conference. Also, a bowl victory will bring in more revenue for Texas A&M. For those who do not know, after any bowl appearance, the school's conference gets the money, which is divided evenly among all the schools within the conference. Basically, TU does all the work, and the Aggies get the same pay check. I am sure Coach Fran would not mind. Conclusively, I am going to pull for the Horns, except for the day after Thanksgiving of course.

"Computing Code of Ethics"

This code of ethics has the potential to solve many problems and to create them as well. This code protects individuals and the public from specific infractions. By telling people what they cannot do, TAMU-Qatar prevents certain behaviors that can harm or wrong students, faculty, etc. The code does not restrict freedom because anything done that violates this code is done with malicious or illegal implications. The code does not violate the users' rights. Actually, the rules protect the users from potential threats. Every single rule is designated for a specific reason and serves the public welfare. The rules are detailed, clear and specific; however, even though the code seems comprehensive, some situation will always arise that does not fall under the set rules. This happens with laws and institutional guidelines alike. This is the reason why I would suggest stating in the code that the rules should not be limited what is listed and that the code or policy can always be amended. This would make the code even more enforceable but allowing administrators to set precedence with new infringements not discussed in the code. This computing code of ethics should be easy to enforce with the proper technology and monitoring capabilities.

SOS: Calling Charlie Weiss!

I am not one to gloat about being right; however, nobody can disagree about my remarks in a previous blog about Coach Fran and the current state of Aggie Football. In the 56-17 second half annihilation by Tortilla Tech, I have never seen such a lack of fundamentals and discipline in all my years of playing, coaching, and observing football at all levels. Up to this point, Reggie has not learned any touch with the football, the offensive linemen and running-backs cannot manage to pick up simple blitz packages, the defensive line gets absolutely no pressure off the line of scrimmage, the linebacking corps is non-existent, and the secondary looks like a junior-high squad playing sandlot football. Playing one of the highest grossing offenses in the country, the so-called Wrecking Crew gave quarterback Cody Hodges enough time to run to Starbucks for a cappuccino and make it back before a defender broke their o-line. I would consider this to be a deadly mistake when facing an offensive genius like head coach Mike Leech. College football teams do not have a “rebuilding” season for three years in a row, and much of the blame can be attributed to a lack of discipline and leadership. For instance, the Aggies could work on the fundamentals of tackling because nobody seemed to have that essential element of the game. Bringing me to my next point, Coach Fran still has not made any effort to improve the Aggies’ status as a “one-half football team.” They actually produced a descent first half against the Red Raiders, despite not having a developed passing game. However, they never cease to amaze me when they just gave up in the second half. The lack of leadership and imagination from the coach staff has produced a team uninspired to win. The team needs a chief on the field that will pick up his teammates, and a coach that will use a 265-pound fullback on fourth and inches instead of going into shotgun and attempting to pass. Yes, I disagree on the some of Fran’s play-calling. Bottom-line, I am tire of people talking about next year. Right now is last year’s next year, so Fran needs to inspire or expire. A&M could then hire a coach like Charlie Weiss to take the Aggies back to the promised-land in the “W” column.

Can Ethics exist in Global Business?

If someone runs a legitimate business, then passing products through customs and/or acquiring licenses should not be issues. However, foreign countries use unfair policies and tactics to extort money from businesses and individuals alike. When starting a new company in a notoriously corrupt country, businessmen have to make a decision between using unethical methods like bribery or giving up on the new business. I had a friend of the family get arrested for crossing an “invisible” fence into someone else’s land in while hunting in Mexico. The Mexican Police demand $13,000 in cash and obtained his brand new $45,000 truck as payment for his release. If he had followed an ethical approach, he should have stood trial and pleaded his case. Since he knew that the Mexican courts would not give him a fair trial, he decided to pay off the police so that he would not go jail indefinitely. People make their own rules in their own country, so I do not see how the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act could have any jurisdiction over American owned international businesses. These businesses cannot beat foreign courts or policies because they want something in return for letting American companies into their backyard. Unfortunately, companies that get caught up in these scandals make international news and ruin relations with global communities, but the media cannot address the number of companies who do not get caught. Bribery violates every ethical code in business because most of the time it is associated with lying, extortion, and other “under the table” dealings. If companies start using these practices, foreign governments will receive a negative reputation with the rest of the world, harming future investments and possibly potential ventures with other neighboring countries that may not use unethical practices. Giving into these local practices does not mean respect for these cultures; instead, it allows these foreign governments to continue bullying investment businesses. A company’s decision to participate in these practices should be dependent on its need for the potential revenue and the CEO’s feelings on using unethical methods. As for business in the USA, the government should not allow these dealings as normal practices, and the people should hold American ethics to be higher than the rest of the world. Other than establishing business agreements and government treaties, very little can be done in order to prevent international companies from going to these extreme measures.

Not getting your money's worth out of your Education?

I am having an ongoing problem with teaching assistants (TAs). I have a science-dominated major, and all of my labs and recitations have been instructed by TAs. I am aware that a person must be intelligent and experienced in his/her respective field in order to be accepted in to such a program and position; however, subject intelligence does not mean that the person can teach the subject or is a good person for that matter. Currently, one of my TAs, who will remain nameless, is a superb example. Her classroom and human ethics are tremendously lacking. She is rude and inconsiderate to all of the students, shows up late to a fifty-minute class, accuses the class of asking too many questions which run into the quiz time, and ultimately, does not teach the relevant subject matter until the quizzes and homework assignments have been taken. The professor relies on these TAs to teach the students how work out the problems because he does not have time in class to do so, and what little she does teach is not inclusive of all the subject material, so my tuition is paying for this person NOT to teach me. As a result, my grades are suffering tremendously. Complaints to the professor have been ignored because he thinks that her knowledge of the subject means that she can teach, and he is sorely mistaken. I also have one more element to consider. In no way am I a racist or prejudice person, but since communication is essential for teaching, people who cannot speak the native language of the country in which they teach should not be allowed to hold teaching or instructing positions. For example, Americans living in foreign countries should not attempt to teach students who cannot speak English. Even though this is not the case of my current TA, he/she is still an ineffective instructor.

Racism in Mass Electronic Communication

Emails similar to this could adversely affect many parts within a company. If no course of action is taken, one may think the firm to be intolerant, or this behavior could affect the workers' morale and indirectly affect production. Also, this behavior could result could lead to lawsuits, division within the company, and/or terminations. As human being, we all have an obligation to address such an issue. Nobody has the right to judge anyone else, especially when it involves ethnicity or race. The greatest tragedy in a situation like this is the indifference of good people, who should say something because it opposes ethics and moral values. Personally, my morals as a Christian would not let this situation go unattended. If I received this email, I would approach both JJ and Steph in a non-formal, relaxed setting and inform them of their potentially insulting remarks; additionally, I would politely request that this type of behavior be eliminated from all business activity. I am a people-person, and since I am not a declared superior in this hypothetical situation, I believe that I could delicately bring up the subject in casual conversation and point out their mistakes without making it seem like a reprimand. I also feel that I could handle the situation without taking it to a higher authority, but someone else in the office may take offense and inform their superior. I could not control such an act. In the event that behavior did not stop, I would be forced to inform higher management of the conduct and request that a disciplinary action be taken.

Stay off the Grass

I am a bus driver for Texas A&M transit, and I am seeing an increasing problem as I make stops at the MSC. On a daily basis, I see students totally disregard a long-time Aggie tradition and walk on the grass. I find this to be totally disrespectful of the Aggies who gave their lives for this country. I understand that people are sometimes in a hurry and forget, but I have seen people standing on the grass like it is no big deal. Well, it is a big deal, and I hate to see an Aggie tradition die because people fail to read the huge sign asking people to stay off the grass. On day, fish camp counselors will tell the incoming freshmen that staying off the grass at the MSC is something Aggies used to do, but no really follows the rule anymore. That is a tragedy. People should honor the bravery and selfless acts of America's soldiers and take part in this great tradition. Staying off the grass is not a hard concept to grasp, but people still manage to get it wrong.

Ethics of Forwarding Email in the Workplace

In response to the question regarding case A, I believe that the client should expect some degree of confidentiality from his/her account representative. Anyone who handles a person's personal information is obligated to abide by ethical standards, and even though the information was shared with a supervisor in case A, the representative should have consulted the client before forwarding the email. A real risk is associated with sending any information electronically, for a hacker could intercept and abuse this information. Consulting the client is the ethical thing to do. Case A is similar to case B in that both deal with the ethics of electronic communication and confidentiality issues. In case B, the reply function could publically reveal some feelings or thoughts about a coworker, and this poses a threat to the coworker's feelings. Someone's comments could jepordize a business relationship, but the comments could devastate a personal relationship as well. Both the reply and forward functions pose threats to people's personal information and the ethics associated with written communication. Firms should enforce policies that forbid the transfer of confidential information without the consent of the client and limit comments on replied messages to constructive criticism, supportive suggestions, and factual data.

Fran Struggles within Big XII

Firstly, I want to make it clear that I am not on the Coach Fran bandwagon. I am an apiring football coach, so I am very familiar with the sport of football, so much that most people find me annoying or humorous during Aggie football games. Fran has managed to put up the first losing season for the Aggies in more than a decade and to give Baylor their second Big XII win ever. EVER. His second season, although over .500, cannot be considered a success. The BCS practically gave A&M the Cotton bowl by picking TU over Cal for the Rose Bowl. Of the five losses on that season, three of them were lost after the Aggies were leading at halftime, and of the five wins, two were won in overtime. The team seems to have no consistency, discipline, fundamental skills, or any knowledge of the opposing team's game play. They play like they have never seen a scouting report. I blame no one other than Coach Fran. Opposing teams WANT to beat A&M, and with the lack of leadership on the Aggie team, nobody appears to have any desire to win except the 12^th man. Through twenty-six games under Fran, the Aggies have yet to play a complete game. They are a one-half football team, either playing catch-up or fighting to keep the lead. Fran should give up the "business" routine during football games and inspire the players to perform. Reggie McNeal is not doing his part as the general of the team either. I could go into the “x’s and o’s” of the sport and why certain do not belong on Kyle Field, but the main point is that somebody, either a coach or player, needs to step, lead the Aggies, and make them play together.

The Ethics of Blogging

I understand that blogging about the workplace can be a sensitive issue for a number of reasons; however, every situation in which blogging hurt someone's feelings or caused bad publicity for a company is different from every other situation. Setting firm guidelines is a difficult thing to do for the blogosphere; yet, there are some ethical standards that can be defined. For example, libel, slander in written form, should not be tolerated on anyone's personal blog. This definitely does not comply with a firm's mission and values. Additionally, naming specific individuals for any reason shows a lack of respect and integrity. On the other hand, personal blogs can be a very constructive source for venting one's emotions and frustrations if done in a tactful and classy way. I believe that constructively using a blog to criticize one' company and point out areas that need improvement to be a very good alternative of conveying one's opinions. Most people are intimidated or fearful of confronting their superiors with management issues. Suggestions can be worded so that they do not come across as "this is being done wrong." Instead, one can state, "This is an area which needs some work." No company can say that this kind of suggestion does not comply with its mission, for they are trying to improve the quality of the company. People get off track when they let their emotions get the best of them and start bashing their bosses because of a particular incident. Precedent is hard to set for these blogging controversies because one incident can be very different from another. So rather than discourage all blogging about the workplace, companies should encourage constructive suggestions without the threat of termination or reprimand.