"Should a financially struggling individual get the job over a more-qualified person?"

Returning to your ethical questions...

Scott asks...

 "I have a friend (call him Joe) that is in charge of HR at a company around here. Another guy in our group is really struggling financially (Mike), and Joe thinks he should hire Mike rather than someone more qualified. Thoughts?"

Poor Fredo... He was looked over too.

Hi Scott,
Thanks for reading and asking your question. Now, are you talking about not hiring someone more qualified from within the company or outside the company?

If the person purportedly more qualified is from outside the company, then I think it makes his decision a lot easier to promote Mike, who knows how the company works from the inside more than an outsider, and has been a loyal employee for some time. It is normal to reward loyalty and membership with the trust of promotion to an opening position.

If the person who is supposedly more qualified is also an employee of this company, like Mike, then it makes the question a little more difficult. Now, to be clear, it is always a nice, positive thing to do to help someone who is struggling financially. So, in that case already, Joe is doing a good thing. Now, does Mike deserve it? Maybe not over this other, more qualified gentleman. But, what makes him more qualified? Is the difference in experience/skills that considerable? These can be important questions.

All in all, it is Joe's job in HR to appoint people to positions as he sees fits (or, so it seems based on what you have said). So, if Mike will not be up to par in this position, Joe may take heat for it. In either case, it is his call, and somehow he earned the trust of your company to make that call. So, in that sense, I respect Joe's choice, especially since it seems to be for benevolent reasons.

If there is more important information that I am not considering, please let me know and I will further address the situation. Thanks again for reading, and readers, you may leave more questions if you have them!

I have the honor to be your humble servant,
Publius

9/11/01 Memories... Where were you on that day, and how did you and your community react?

Here are several pieces of live footage from various news networks showing the 2nd plane crashing into the South Tower of the World Trade Center and live footage of both towers collapsing, with the corresponding  journalist's shocked reactions. They serve as a powerful reminder of the atrocities committed that morning. Watching them again rejuvenated my rage and sadness on that fateful day:

The purpose of this post is to get feedback from all of my readers, whether a U.S. citizen, or a citizen of any  country outside of the United States . These are my questions...

Question #1: Where were you on 9/11/01?
 
I was in my senior year of high school in Spanish class. Got sent home early. Spent the rest of the day watching CNN and talking to people. People in the States were clearly very angry, upset and patriotically-unified following these surprise terrorist attacks.

I, myself, knew that we had, by far, the most powerful military in the world, and I was eagerly-awaiting a swift and comprehensive retaliation for these reprehensible attacks that happened only an hour's drive away from my home. This knee-jerk, emotional reaction was probably shared by many Americans, which made it so easy for President Bush to get Americans to give our full support to a war in Iraq, unfortunately.

Question #2: For people outside of the United States during 9/11/01... How was the news received in your particular country? Were you or your community affected emotionally? Please explain in the comment section.

I'm sure that some of the responses on here might vary. Please be very honest, as I'd like an accurate reading of your nation's initial reactions. Please identify the country/community you are reporting from as well. I very much look forward to hearing from you all.

In remembrance of those who lost their lives as a result of the 9/11 attacks, and all the brave individuals who risked their lives to help their fellow man... I am affectionately and respectfully your humble servant,
  Publius

9/11 Memorial Scheduled to Open at Ground Zero this Monday, September 12th

Swiftly approaching the 10-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the long-awaited 9/11 Memorial is about to be available for public viewing. The key feature of this tribute will be cascading waterfalls peacefully pouring down the two reflecting pools found inside the original "footprints" of the Twin Towers, with each footprint surrounded by 2,983 names of the victims of the attacks, engraved on bronze panels.

A artists rendition of how the "footprints" will look

More details/footage about the memorial can be explored by viewing the video/article found on this page:

http://origin.ny1.com/content/911_tenth_anniversary/911_top_stories/146403/wtc-memorial-ready-for-public-unveiling

You need passes reserved in advance to view the 9/11 memorial at Ground Zero, which can be secured online at 911memorial.org. The passes are free, and over 300,000 people from every state of the Union, as well as visitors from 65 different countries have already reserved their tickets. It is interesting to me that this memorial is such a draw globally, especially living so near NYC.

Also, I advise everyone to be safe and vigilant this weekend as "credible" terrorist threats to New York City and Washington D.C. have been reported and seriously considered by the highest levels of the U.S. Government. Please, report any suspicious activities to authorities.

With that said, do enjoy your weekend, from wherever it is you are reading.

I am affectionately and respectfully your humble servant,
  Publius