Mpls. Star and Tribune Reporter Dan Browning captured my attention with his May 9, 2011, article titled “Ex-cons make a killing selling coins”. Apparently, the theme of his article is that the precious metals investment industry is rife with unsavory characters who, while selling gold coins , have engaged in unethical practices.
Mr. Browning’s investigation into this wide-open industry exposes some shortcomings that seem to be typical of most businesses. The article is peppered with such terms and phrases as “convictions,” “criminal records.” Reference to U.S. Rep.A.Weiner, D-N.Y., who has previously introduced legislation to rein in this industry seems plausible.
Transparency is important. But how far does it get us?
Two days after Mr. Browning’s article appeared, I read in the New York Times the explosive story of billionaire Raj Rajaratnam, the manager of Galleon Group hedge fund with 7 billion in assets, who was found guilty of numerous counts of fraud.
What would transparency have told us about Mr. Rajaratnam? That he was a graduate of the prestigious Warton School at the University of Pennsylvania and an accomplished invester and trader. How would the investors in his hedge fund been put on notice that he was engaging in unethical practices?
The point is that regulation of an industry does not assure the average consumer that he/she will be insulated from exploitation. But the bigger issue for me is that Mr. Browning takes a broad swipe at one of the most maligned and easily exploited groups in society: convicted felons. Surprisingly, working for one of the most progressive newspapers in the country, Mr. Browning defines this group by historical reference to where some had been in life: prison.
How does defining these employees by their past move the discussion forward regarding protecting the public? Maybe we can protect the public by marginalizing convicted felons and restrict even more their employment. Hell, they don’t need to have lawful, gainful employment. They have a family- children-to provide for? Their street skills should allow for a steady income for the necessities of life.
Unless, of course, we acknowledge that no matter how flawed, these “ex-cons” are like the rest of us. I’d go so far as to say that one major difference between “ex-cons” and others working in many of our loftier professions is that the “ex-cons” have been caught. What was Bernie Madoff’s criminal background before he was brought to justice?
Quite simply, until we move beyond this label of “ex-con,” any dialogue regarding protecting unsuspecting investors and allowing for fair employment is meaningless.
I mean, if this country can look past Pres. Obama’s associations that would have undoubtedly prevented him from clearing a background check to be an FBI agent, and yet be elected president of the United States, then we can surely look past a felon’s transgressions and allow him/her be a contributing member of society.
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It’s pretty interesting that the mainstream media has changed the way it looks at this recently dont you think? What once seemed like a never discussed issue has become more prevelant. It’s that time to chagnge our stance on this though.
There are certain fundamental, inalienable rights. One of these rights is the pursuit of happiness. Another is the god-given right to pursue your dreams, including providing a comfortable life for you and your family. How can you live out your dtreams, desires if artificial roadblocks are placed in your way? I say artificial because many of the constraints, restrictions are not necessary for many types of employment.
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It’s very fascinating the fact that the core mass media has transformed the manner in which it looks at this in recent times dont you think so? What in the past seemed like a hardly ever mentioned issue is now a lot more prevelant. It’s time to alter our stand about this though.
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Yes.
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Is it okay to post part of this on my page if I post a reference to this webpage?
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Honestly i am in two minds on whether to take stand for or against. you are simply sharing your own point,i appreciate it. For some it will ring true for others it may not resemble their experience at all. I’m simply encouraging dialogue in the hope others will get the support they need.
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That’s not even 10 minteus well spent!
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Maybe you’ve ever thought about as to who publishes a part of this stuff that you just encounter? The on-line world never was in the past that way, just lately although it has changed. What is your opinion?
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Great points altogether, personally I’m gonna have to bookmark this and come back to it. I’m curious if you have any follow ups to this post?
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If you really want you can look the other way and not talk about it.but you talked.thanls.Don’t give up your morals for anything. This will lead to a sad and unfulfilling life.
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Not a bad post,in fact really fine.but I really miss that you didn’t express your opinion in detail, but its ok you just have different approach to writing.
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Important point you make there. but i actually do not fully agree with you on this. also things are a bit evolved nowadays.
No BS and well written, tyvm for the information
my feelings on this topic vary from you.its fine that you brought this up on your blog,it was a nice debatable go through.
this post was written some time ago and many prospects have changed since then.nevertheless thanks for bringing up this topic on your blog.
Have you ever wondered who posts some of this stuff that you come across? The internet never used to be like that, recently though it has turned around. What do you think?
Right on-this hpeled me sort things right out.
It’s pretty interesting that the mainstream media has changed the way it looks at this recently dont you think? What once seemed like a never discussed issue has become more prevelant. It’s that time to chagnge our stance on this though.
hello!a bit offtopic but can you tell how much does it cost to setup a blog?not a expensive and good looking one like yours,but a small normal one?
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i had to go through it again since i could not grab the entire escence of the post in one go.That was a very articulate and logical point you make there.I appreciate you letting me know your thinking on this.
i had to go through it again since i could not grab the entire escence of the post in one go.That was a very articulate and logical point you make there.I appreciate you letting me know your thinking on this.
my feelings on this topic vary from you.its fine that you brought this up on your blog,it was a nice debatable go through.
as you may know very well than me these days blogs are cropping up all over the place.most people starting such blogs think,they can write anyway and anything on there blog which is definately not true.but your blog solely stands out for your writing style,it is actually quite engrossing.keep at it.
I actually had to read it again to completely understand it. Your viewpoint on the topic is very outright and convincing.
Have you ever wondered who posts some of this stuff that you come across? The internet never used to be like that, recently though it has turned around. What do you think?
actually this is not what i needed when i searched on google which routed me here.but actually i needed more information on this topic for my neice as she had asked.
If you really want you can look the other way and not talk about it.but you talked.thanls.Don’t give up your morals for anything. This will lead to a sad and unfulfilling life.
A fine post by every standards, but i had exptected a more personal interaction on your part, as in where you express your detailed opinion as well, but each person has a different style of expressing,hence its fine.
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Important point you make there. but i actually do not fully agree with you on this. also things are a bit evolved nowadays.
my thought processes on this subject vary from you.its fine that you brought this up on your weblog,it was a great debatable understand.
No BS and well written, tyvm for the information
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Is it okay to post part of this on my page if I post a reference to this webpage?
Very good suggestions, you just gained a brand new reader. I’m curious if you have any follow ups to this post?
TYVM you’ve svoled all my problems
Outstanding! When something works, just reinforce it,right? Point out how well everything went when they chose a certain action and how if they choose that again they can have a similar result. but i dont understand why the viewpoint changed drastically.
Usually i dont provide feedback to sites, but yours has some rare content hence wanted to thank you.
Time to face the music armed with this great ifnormation.
I’d venture that this ariltce has saved me more time than any other.
i still dont know whether i agree with you on this one or not. but its good arumentative post.
Very good suggestions, you just gained a brand new reader. I’m curious if you have any follow ups to this post?
Is it okay to post part of this on my page if I post a reference to this webpage?
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a good discussion can be started on this post,as i do not fully agree with you,but nevertheless,good post.
Straight to the point and well written, tyvm for the information
Gracias!good quality points you high light in this article. I’m not in its entirety together with you, though enjoyed to learn your view point on this subject.
A good discussion can be started on this post,as I do not fully agree with you, but nevertheless,good post.
i have been reading your blog from sometime and i must say you always maintain good consistency,hence i always enjoy reading your blog.
Hello, I accidentaly found your blog!I am trying to get ideas for proper writting style for my own website and what you write definitely gave me some ideas. You have a cool website so keep up the good work!
Straight to the point and well written, tyvm for the information
No BS and well written, tyvm for the information
so you think this way on this topic. i am not sure whether i am with you or against you on this.
No BS and well written, tyvm for the information
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Important point you make there. but i actually do not fully agree with you on this. also things are a bit evolved nowadays.
Important point you make there. but i actually do not fully agree with you on this. also things are a bit evolved nowadays.
Gracias!good quality points you high light in this article. I’m not in its entirety together with you, though enjoyed to learn your view point on this subject.
I actually had to read it again to completely understand it. Your viewpoint on the topic is very outright and convincing.
i tried adding your post to my digg account as i liked it,but seems someone has already submitted this to digg,hence i just voted it. i found it very interesting because of your perception on the subject.
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i tried adding your post to my digg account as i liked it,but seems someone has already submitted this to digg,hence i just voted it. i found it very interesting because of your perception on the subject.
i tried adding your post to my digg account as i liked it,but seems someone has already submitted this to digg,hence i just voted it. i found it very interesting because of your perception on the subject.
you know actually i got on this blog by an accident,didnt mean to search this.but still this post was a good read but surely agruable one.
my feelings on this topic vary from you.its fine that you brought this up on your blog,it was a nice debatable go through.
Straight to the point and well written, tyvm for the information
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Do you care if I put part of this on my site if I post a link to this site?
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