June 6, 2007

WHICH IS WHY SERPICO IS THE ONLY GREAT MOVIE OF THE '70S:

Ethics of the Snitch (Clarence Page, 6/06/07, Real Clear Politics)

Can snitching be ethical? The question has troubled me ever since I was a little-bitty boy. I ratted out my neighborhood friend Andrew. He had brazenly filched a couple of cookies out of his nice mother's cookie jar after she had told us not to. When I snitched, Drew was ticked off at me. But his mom let him off the hook. She even gave each of us a cookie. Years later, sadly, Andrew would go to prison on much more serious charges. I would pursue a career in journalism. As the twig is bent, so grows the tree.

What a diabolically stupid question. In fact, it is the failure to snitch that is unethical, because only evildoers need to keep their actions secret.

Posted by Orrin Judd at June 6, 2007 7:36 AM
Comments

"All that is needed for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke Now all we need to do is to find some good men.

Posted by: erp at June 6, 2007 8:02 AM

"WHICH IS WHY SERPICO IS THE ONLY GREAT MOVIE OF THE '70S"

Is it possible that you are unaware of "Every Which Way But Loose?"

Posted by: Bryan at June 6, 2007 9:36 AM

First talk to the wrongdoer in private and try to convince him to mend his ways. If he won't listen, bring one or two others and try again. If he still won't listen, bust him. Matt 18:15-17.

Posted by: Gideon at June 6, 2007 10:16 AM

Snitching?

The proper term is "speaking truth to power."

Posted by: Joseph Hertzlinger at June 6, 2007 11:27 AM

Snitching people out for "possession" crimes is unethical.

Posted by: Pete at June 6, 2007 9:33 PM

It's not an ethics worthy of the name that lets you cover for the friend who "merely possesses" child porn or meth or whatever.

Posted by: oj at June 6, 2007 10:00 PM

"whatever"'s a broad term. I'd never turn in someone for drug possession or any firearms violation. If he had genuine child porn, beating him to within an inch of his life would be more appropriate.

Posted by: Pete at June 11, 2007 10:34 PM

And so we establish that yours isn't an ethical position, just a matter of personal taste. Well suited to a self-important age.

Posted by: oj at June 11, 2007 10:46 PM
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