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May 29, 2005
"5/28/05 Was this Times editorial by Craig Becker plagiarized by Jim Brexler? You decide."
In a Times editorial, 5/28/05 pg. B6, by Craig Becker, President and CEO of Tennessee Hospital Association, we read these words. Let us merely observe the opening and closing sentences.
(Opening sentence by Craig Becker.)
“Governor Phil Bredesen is leading an effort to add back 97,000 medically needy Tennesseans to the TennCare program by crafting an agreement among many TennCare stakeholders to modify a previous ruling in the Grier legal proceeding.”
(Closing sentence by Craig Becker.)
“It is time for all Tennesseans to join with the governor to regain control of TennCare and provide care for as many Tennesseans as possible.”
Now, let us observe the Letter to the Editor by Mr. Jim Brexler, President and CEO, Erlanger Health System.
(Opening sentence by Jim Brexler, Times, 5/28/05 pg. B7, title “TennCare reform vital to its survival.”)
“Gov. Bredesen is leading an effort to add back 97,000 medically needy Tennesseans to the TennCare program by crafting an agreement to modify a previous ruling in the Grier legal proceeding.”
(Closing sentence by Jim Brexler.)
“It is time for all Tennesseans to join with the governor to regain control of TennCare and provide care for as many as possible.”
(In the interest of saving the reader some time, I have made the similar phrases appear in bold type.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are my questions.
“Did these two men write this letter together?
Did some sub-editor merely transcribe one man’s words for the other?
Did Mr. Becker plagiarize Mr. Brexler?
Did Mr. Brexler plagiarize Mr. Becker?
Or, Are Mr. Becker and Mr. Brexler the same person?"
Is something amiss? I don’t know. You decide. It seems to me however, that the Times should not care for people plagiarizing their editorials, if this is an example of such. For this author, being merely a plumber, can neither affirm nor deny what is the significance of these two compositions.
Ok, ok.
Carl
*NOTE:
Links and pictures in "continue reading" section.
http://epaper.ardemgaz.com/Default/Client.asp?Enter=true&skin=Chattanooga&Daily=ChatTFPress&GZ=T&AW=1117344596932
http://epaper.ardemgaz.com/Default/Scripting/ArchiveView.asp?BaseHref=ChatTFPress%2F2005%2F05%2F28&GZ=T&PageSize=2&skin=Chattanooga&CurrentPage=17&Page=16
(Becker’s letter.)
http://epaper.ardemgaz.com/Default/Client.asp?Enter=true&skin=Chattanooga&Daily=ChatTFPress&GZ=T&AW=1117344596932
http://epaper.ardemgaz.com/Default/Scripting/ArchiveView.asp?BaseHref=ChatTFPress%2F2005%2F05%2F28&GZ=T&PageSize=2&skin=Chattanooga&CurrentPage=16&Page=17
(Brexler’s letter.)
Posted by plumberman029 at May 29, 2005 02:45 AM
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Comments
My guess is some lobbying agency who works with both people sent the letter out and asked them to modify it if they want and then send it in to their local newspapers. Standard practice.
Posted by: JosiahQ at May 29, 2005 10:07 AM
I'll pass this along to my former co-workers there, to find out.
Posted by: Mike at May 29, 2005 08:56 PM
Josiah/Mike,
Josiah, It may be 'standard practice,' but when two people claim identical wording in a composition, it smacks very much of 'plagiarizing' to me.
Mike,
Thanks. I'm just curious why both men claim the exact same words as their own. I emailed Griscom, who I have corresponded with before. Very interested in what he thinks.
Carl
Posted by: Carl at May 30, 2005 12:23 AM
In the latest news, Jim Brexler has waived his incentive pay for the past year. He was eligible to recieve 108000.00. HE TURNED DOWN OVER ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS! He goes on to say if employees are denied raises, he shouldn't get on either. I work for this guy, met him, and listened to his thoughts on Erlanger. I have as much respect for him as anyone in my own family. Frankly, I could not care any less if he quoted the Bible and claimed it as his own. Have YOU heard of any CEO's turning down a bonus lately?
Posted by: Jason at August 11, 2005 01:02 PM