If you missed it, last week (Jan. 26, 2012) in the Peoria Journal Star, a letter to the editor had plagiarized material. Bruce Eades of East Peoria wrote to the Journal Star regarding the story of Marines "misconduct." Unfortunately, Mr. Eades used a part of U.S. Representative Allen West's comments on the incident. Then, on Friday, January 27, the very next day, another letter to the editor appeared from Dana Arnold busting Mr. Eades for his plagiarized commentary. The Journal Star included an editor's note confirming the plagiarism.
Plagiarism is normally seen as an academic or professional infraction that leads to penalties on grades or demotions or firings at work. Here is an incident, whether intended or not, that is in the public forum outside of a professional realm of work or academia. So, with no official consequence, most would at least put this incident in nothing less than the realm of embarrassing and it would seem Mr. Eades loses a significant amount of credibility in general.
Lesson to students: Plagiarism is just plain wrong no matter where it happens. Be sure to always cite your souces and take ownership of your own ideas.
No comments:
Post a Comment