wastebook2014

WASTEBOOK 201419 $41,000Disgraced in the wake of the revelation that a Penn State assistant organization,”football coach had been sexually abusing children for years, and the coverup that ensued, Penn State is turning its public shame into public subsidies.Former football coaching assistant Jerry Sandusky has beenconvicted of sexually abusing ten boys and the former school president,vice president and athletic director are awaiting trial for allegedlyattempting to cover-up the scandal. 306The National Collegiate Athletic Association levied a $60 millionpenalty against Penn State to fund “programs preventing child sexualabuse or assisting victims.” 307The school is also sponsoring a study—this one funded by thefederal government—to determine how to “protect employee well-beingin organizational settings where, too often, there is negative media andscandal.” 308 Using the scandal as the basis for the study, a $41,000 grantfrom the National Science Foundation is paying to examine “how to protectemployee well-being” in organizations “when pride becomes shame.” 309“Employees vary in their organizational identification, the extentthey view themselves as personally connected to and part of their workPenn State Shame Study Asks How ToBoost Morale After Scandalthe researchers note. “When the organization is doingwell, such identification can benefit self-concept, motivational energy,and health, which is especially beneficial for front-line employeesbecause they actually feel the enthusiasm and pride they need toexpress to potential clients or donors. Paradoxically, organizationalidentification can become a liability if the organization becomesassociated with scandal or stigma, such that one’s pride-by-associationturns to feelings of shame and betrayal. In such cases, those who arethe most motivated become those who are most threatened; how dosuch employees respond, and how does this affect their health andperformance? To answer these questions, a current real-life event,the scandal at Pennsylvania State University, provides a unique timesensitivecontext.” 310While it is a good thing for everyone to learn from the school’smistakes and to protect students and employees who are notresponsible for the inappropriate actions or inactions of others withinan organization, taxpayers should not have to subsidize the school’sself-reflection in scandal and shame.20The State Department spent taxpayer Heredollars to dispel the perceptions of Pakistanijournalists that Americans are not all “fat,rude, and cold.” 311“I thought you would be fat because Ihave read that Americans are fat,” said one ofthe participating journalists. 312In total, the State Department spends$90 million annually on cultural exchangeprograms. These exchange programs are intendedto increase understanding betweenthe U.S. and “the people of other countries bymeans of educational and cultural exchangethat assist in the development of peaceful relations,”that are intended to “build cross-culturalbridges across the313 314globe.Promoting U.S. Culture Aroundthe Globe with Nose Flutists,State Department Idol$90 millionare more examples of how theState Department spends $90 million tobridge the gap between the U.S. and otherthe rest of the world.Department Of State Idol - Given thesuccess of music reality shows, the StateDepartment organizes a $1.5 million dollarcultural musical exchange program “includingpublic concerts, interactive performanceswith local traditional musicians, lecturedemonstrations, workshops, jam sessions andmedia interviews and performances.” 315 Manyapply for the opportunity to tour the world onthe taxpayer dime, and the grant recipientselects ten bands on the basis of “musicaltalent” and “strong educational programs,aptitude in arranging music from around theworld and for their capacity to conduct effectivecultural diplomacy programs.” 316 TheState Department directly participates in theselection of bands and a government officialserved as a judge for this year’s program. 317The judges went to three live auditions heldin New York City, St. Louis and San Franciscoall at taxpayer’s expense. 318One of last year’s participants was a noseflutist, or more appropriately, a “snoutist,” 319This year, a rapper will be touring the worldwho recently released a song titled “DemShawts,” which includes the following colorfullyrics: I can’t help but stare when you’rewalking past though/Yo I can’t lie—y’all gotsome ass though/If you don’t want me looking,what the hell you wear ‘em for? 320 Hisrecent album also features cover art wherea woman is aiming a shotgun at the artist’shead. 32120