Ramblings

Bloviating: to you, from me. Chide me if you will. algot@runeman.org

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Sun, 15 Nov 2009

Plagiarism

One of the many "sins" of students is plagiarism. In the papers students write, their own statements and opinions need to stand on their own. Any words that came from others are to be attributed, preferably with a clear reference to the source and an in-text acknowledgement of the original writer.

Teachers have taught the lessons. Teachers have enforced the rules by lowering grades. Teachers have done their part.

It would seem that some segments of our population have chosen to ignore the training that they did receive. While lobbyists don't seem to mind that they get quoted without attribution (and without quotation marks, either), it is clear that congressional staffers and perhaps even the congress members themselves don't remember the "Do Not Plagiarize" lecture from elementary, middle, secondary and college classes they took. I wonder if law school has a "Go Ahead, It's Really Okay" plagiarism lecture?

Statements by more than a dozen lawmakers were ghostwritten, in whole or in part, by Washington lobbyists working for Genentech, one of the world's largest biotechnology companies.
...
In separate statements using language suggested by the lobbyists, Representatives Blaine Luetkemeyer of Missouri and Joe Wilson of South Carolina, both Republicans, said: "One of the reasons I have long supported the U.S. biotechnology industry is that it is a homegrown success story that has been an engine of job creation in this country. Unfortunately, many of the largest companies that would seek to enter the biosimilar market have made their money by outsourcing their research to foreign countries like India."

I happen to agree with the sentiment expressed. In general, it seems wise to keep as many jobs in the U.S. as possible. It doesn't surprise me that the representatives mentioned in the quote agree with the jobs-for-Americans sentiment. Democrats as well as Republicans were supplied and apparently used lobbyist statements, according to the article. So what's the problem?

Well, at a minimum, I would hope that neither of these congressmen ever, with plagiarism of a lobbyist or not, ever reiterate the phrase "Our public schools and teachers have failed". It is clearly not the failure of education, but rather the failure of individuals to do the right thing. Every member of Congress has had a quality education, some from public schools, but also some getting education from high priced private schools. Each and every one of them was given the "Do Not Plagiarize" lecture many, many times. Choosing to ignore the lecture is a personal decision. It is not a wise decision. The lecture was given repeatedly because the principle of self expression is important.

Fortunately for most members of Congress, the majority of the public they serve don't read the Congressional Record, and reports abound that fewer Americans are reading the news, and this blog...well, sure!

posted at: 10:28 | path: | permanent link to this entry