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    <title><![CDATA[Discussion on Why I passed on a free 32-inch LCD/Plasma TV ]]></title>
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        <title><![CDATA[No, he made the right decision]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2619436]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Not only is he not an idiot but he did the right thing for his own reputation, that of the organization sponsoring the event and his employer.  All three might have suffered adversely from a &quot;perceived conflict of interest.&quot;  A 32 inch TV is not worth the cost.  In hingsight he might have made two better choices.  One, as he said, would have been to decline the ticket when offered.   The second choice would have been to not say anything when his ticket was drawn.  He could have sat their quietly and let the MC draw another ticket.  But, the surprise of actually winning and having to make a split second decision probably puth him off balance.  Yet he made a good decision and avoided the perception of a conflict.]]></description>
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        <dc:creator><![CDATA[jon_saxon@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Fri, 17 Oct 2008 07:23:49 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[RE: Why I passed on a free 32-inch LCD/Plasma TV]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2578493]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[No offence intended here but I really think you were foolish to turn down that prize. You did win it fair and square and nobody can prove otherwise!Malicious tongues will always wag, for one reason or another, no matter what you do to avoid it and adopting the attitude that &quot;I won't do anything unless my ass is completely covered by a 6&quot; thick steel plate&quot; not only makes you miss opportunities but also makes you ineffective at what you do.Ultimately, I think, the choice you have to make is whether you want to have your life controlled by others or not.Personally, given that my conscience was clear, I would have taken the TV and sent pictures of it in my living room to every envious bastard who alleged that the draw was fixed so that he/she could see just exactly how good it looked!]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2578493]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[terence.scott@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:45:33 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Agreed!]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2577600]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I would have done the same thing in a similar circumstance. I can relate, too, I never think I will win anything and I am usually right! And I know that I would be wrong just when I actually won something ultra cool that it's hard to decline...but I would have declined, too, in a situation like this.Not that it's likely to happen!]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2577600]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[bamyclouse@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:28:46 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Noblesse Oblige]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2576940]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Noblesse Oblige is usually only felt by those who are truly noble.The Dictionnaire de l???Acad??mie fran??aise defines Noblesse Oblige:    1. Whoever claims to be noble must conduct himself nobly.    2. (Figuratively) One must act in a fashion that conforms with one's position, and with the reputation that one has earned.The Oxford English Dictionary says that the term &quot;suggests noble ancestry constrains to honourable behavior; privilege entails to responsibility.&quot; Being a noble meant that you had responsibilities to lead.Leadership involves sacrifice far more often than it the colorful &quot;Follow Me&quot; attitude.You gave up that TV for the same reason that Privates eat before Corporals and Corporals eat before Sergeants; all the way up the line.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2576940]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[escher@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Sat, 23 Aug 2008 06:16:18 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Am I an idiot?]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2576786]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I have just sat and read 80 posts full of would've, could've, should've. Does that make me an idiot?Of course not (before you start), because the important thing is not to deride or hail the actions taken in a split second, but to try and take a little learning from the authors experience. Had Mr Padilla not been so sharp at the end of what may have been a long (tiring) event, he could've (see) found himself writing &quot;Why I should've passed on a free 32-inch LCD/Plasma TV&quot;The learning I will take from this is if I ever organise, or assist with such an event, I will make sure there is a way of allowing people to predetermine that the prize, if they win it, should be donated to the company's or their own charity, that way the winner can get a little recognition (reward is important) for doing the right thing, and more importantly, a good cause will most likely benefit.Best regards to all readers.p.s. TR, is it you or Microsoft that is telling me I am spelling my own language incorrectly? grr!]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2576786]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[craig.barratt]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:41:42 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Couldv'e donated it]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2575165]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Rather than redrawing, you could have donated it to the organization or some other worthy entity.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2575165]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Joe-Swanson]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:32:19 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[That's another way to see it]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2574827]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Obviously you haven't been in a similar situation. I have and sometimes half of you wants the prize and half thinks it would rise some eyebrows. And the excitement of winning something is there, regardless of your interest in the prize. And when you make a decision like refusing the award you always feel that you may did a stupid thing and need some feedback on it, thus this post. Don't think that everything is that simple there is more than meets the eye.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2574827]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[informatica@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:09:23 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Where is Diogenes when we need him?]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2574754]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Why does doing the right thing seem to bring mockery on the head of the doer?  We certainly are quick to spot moral lapses in others and I have yet to hear a chorus of people praising - say John Edwards for his choices.  Make the right call and keep on going - you never know what effect your actions will have on others.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2574754]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[lthorn@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Thu, 21 Aug 2008 07:20:34 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[The host can't accept his own door prize!!]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2574741]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[As the host of this gala event YOU are &quot;giving&quot; out the prizes.  Your mistake was not setting the rules up front to ensure that the board and staff of the event cannot participate.  Then the issue wouldn't have a chance for impropriety and you wouldn't have an opportunity for faux altruism.  You second mistake is telling everyone.  The correct response is, &quot;I am not eligible - draw again.&quot;  Not, &quot;I am so honest I can't stand it.&quot;]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2574741]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[db8abl]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Thu, 21 Aug 2008 07:12:10 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Not an ethical decision]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2574623]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[If you won it legitamately there is no ethical issue only a perception issue.You are not trying to avoid something unethical only something that could potentially look inappropriate.Keeping that in mind it may be the wise choice.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2574623]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[WilliamVolterman@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Thu, 21 Aug 2008 06:18:31 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Microsoft's CIO, Pepsi sweepstakes, and Ramon's good judgment]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2357623]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Just to throw some interesting spin on this:Microsoft recently canned its CIO for an apparent conflict of interest situation.I'm with Ramon on this one -- he found himself in circumstances where not only did it appear there might be a conflict of interest, but there very well may have been one at some level, even if it was not at his level specifically.  Frankly, it's not just a matter of whether a member of the board should have turned down the ticket -- it's also a matter of whether members of the board should have been on a no-ticket list in the first place.There's a reason that Pepsi employees -- even the lowest-order rank and file employees -- are not allowed to collect prizes when Pepsi has some kind of sweepstakes going on.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2357623]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[apotheon]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Thu, 08 Nov 2007 10:59:15 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Hey... look how great I am!]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2341924]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Perhaps you are right... but he states: &quot;Having worked in the public sector the majority of my life, I?ve seen some very messy consequences of conflicts of interest. I tend to try to learn from the mistakes of others rather than have to experience them for myself.&quot;  He is well aware of the conflicts of interest.  I would think immediately when his number was called the red flag would go up.  But I suppose you actually need to be in the situation to know how you would react. It's alot like giving to charity.  Some people just do it, don't brag about it and have that warm feeling inside from helping someone else.  Others, feel they must brag about it to get something out of it.  Hey, look at me, I'm such a great person giving money to charity!]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2341924]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[rkendsley]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:57:00 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Don't think the author is an idiot but....]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2341527]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Ok.  I don't think the author is an idiot.  I don't think I would have thought of all of the consequences in that short of time frame.  But here is my view.  To some I can see where this would have been considered grandstanding and maybe done to latter benefit him in a tangible way.  If he really felt this way and ethics/morality/perception is that important to him then he would have refused the ticket when it was handed to him even though &quot;I never win anything&quot;.  I really think that most moral/ethical choices can be avoided by not placing yourself in a position where you are forced to make a choice.  For instance I have been invited to paid vendor functions before.  Even though some of my colleagues attended the functions I usually decline since it removes all question of future improprieties.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2341527]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[ke_gordon]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Thu, 18 Oct 2007 08:18:05 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[RE: Why I passed on a free 32-inch LCD/Plasma TV]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2340766]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Sobering education in morals. Ouch, but kudos.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2340766]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jumbo Potsked]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:08:44 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[To me it sounded as if]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2340706]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[he passed on the prize, after all he was probably shocked to have won already.  Then in trying to define why, this is what he came up with.  There are many ways it could have been handled, but as stated, he didnt refuse the ticket, and then won.  In this situation, e made up for it quickly by declining.  Yes, I think that he made a few points, and also benefited from it, but I doubt this was the initial reaction that he had in the spur of the moment.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2340706]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[w2ktechman]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 17 Oct 2007 10:51:10 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[The real reason for your choice.]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2340645]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I would say that you still are not completely honorable.  Why didn't you just pass on standing up and then telling everyone you had the ticket?  You could have easily sat there and not said a word to anyone.  In the normal course of events, when no winner is available, another ticket is drawn and someone else would have won the prize.No, you stood up, told everyone you had the winning ticket and then proceeded to 'pass' on the prize. And even here in this blog you are boasting about it.  You wanted the recognition and even state in your blog ???many of whom I have work related interactions with, will either consider me a fool or my credibility with them went up a few points. I hope it is the latter.???.  So you still wanted something and you 'GOT' something out of the deal, whether it was admiration from some or scorn from others.  Your ego got in the way.  So, where you REALLY honorable or did you take still take advantage of the situation?  I think you still took advantage of the situation.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2340645]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[rkendsley]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 17 Oct 2007 09:34:38 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Impressed]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2340551]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I'm very impressed, you had a split second to make the decision.  Now, when will this conference be held again and which table will you be at?  ]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2340551]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[dl8453@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 17 Oct 2007 08:36:14 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[RE: Why I passed on a free 32-inch LCD/Plasma TV]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2340515]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Accountability of the heart is between you and God and by the overwhelming responses that agree with the on-the-spot decision you made, I believe you will find confirmation of your actions. Hats off to you!]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2340515]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[glenn_mizuno@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 17 Oct 2007 08:22:14 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[That was the right thing to do.]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2340313]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[You made the right call. It's nice to see that there are people with integrity. Hats off.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2340313]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[hus34tb@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 17 Oct 2007 05:34:45 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[RE: Why I passed on a free 32-inch LCD/Plasma TV]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2340268]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I AGREE WITH YOUR ACTIONS WELL DONE]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-239979-2340268]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[grahamelaas@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 17 Oct 2007 03:46:21 -0700</pubDate>
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