(Report from Tuesday, December 22, 2009) LINK
Textbook - Business Ethics: Case Studies and Selected Readings
By Marianne Moody Jennings
Unit 10 "Business and Government"
Case 10.15 "Taser and Stunning Behavior"
The narrative describes how Taser International essentially infiltrated [my choice of word] police departments and used TASR stock options to buy access to decision makers. The textbook then asks four potentially-awkward questions that many eight year olds would be able to answer correctly.
When 'a certain company' literally (!) becomes a case study in business ethics, it's really time for governments at all levels to start backing away.
You really couldn't make this sh_t up.
Seriously, Taser International is literally a case study in business ethics.
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3 comments:
In the very early days of the stun gun industry around Phoenix AZ, there were reports that the officers currently in charge of the company, performed their own animal experiments with stun guns, in their family home or garage. This can't be confirmed, but the following article from 2005, detailing "illegal" animal experiments in 2002, much closer in the time-line, might lend some credibility to the rumors around Scottsdale Arizona of "certain company founders" killing and torturing defenseless animals to "tweak" their stun gun technology:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ingrid-newkirk/do-dastardly-deeds-at-the_b_5938.html
Although you point to the "business ethics" case, it is more accurately called "A TOTAL LACK OF ANY ETHICS", business, medical or otherwise.
I very personally believe the principals at "that certain company" are what I would call "Moral Vacuums/Moral Zeros".
Have fun with the above linked story!
PETA Calls on USDA to Investigate, File Charges
For Immediate Release: June 22, 2005
Phoenix — PETA has uncovered disturbing evidence that two top-level officials of the Phoenix-based stun-gun manufacturer Taser International have violated the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA) by conducting illegal experiments on animals. PETA is asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to investigate the charges and, if they are confirmed, to prosecute those responsible.
Taser Research and Development Vice President Max Nerheim testified in a sworn deposition in a case in Arizona Superior Court last month that he and Taser International’s CEO, Rick Smith, shocked live pigs with Taser stun guns in "secret" tests on two separate occasions in 2002. Mr. Nerheim stated that the first occurrence took place during the fall of 2002 in his home garage and that the second took place several months later at an unnamed "horse facility" in Phoenix. In both cases, the pigs were repeatedly stunned with electric currents over several days. PETA believes that these tests may violate the AWA, since it appears that no approval was obtained from the USDA to conduct the experiments.
...
http://www.peta.org/MC/NewsItem.asp?id=6633
I guess nothing came of it.
I wonder why?
I wanted to feed you that 2005 Huff Post story, because there is tons of interesting stuff contained therein.
Knowing your style and research abilities, I suspect you will have "tons of fun" with the other information in that story.
Tasers Kill, and it seems that top officers at "that certain company" have no scruples that would prevent them from using stun-gun torture on defenseless animals. It is that "mindset" which troubles me most. Once you are willing to torture animals, it isn't a giant leap to rationalize homicide or murder.
The comparison I draw, is to the Tobacco Litigation drama, where the CEO's of several Major Corporations **knew** their products could result in severe health risks, including death. It took decades to determine and define the truth about tobacco, as it will take some more time to define The Truth About Tasers.
Good luck!
BTW, does "h/t" stand for "hearty thanks"?
If so ..... H/T for your Blog and your efforts!
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