Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/09/26
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]In a message dated 9/26/02 6:23:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time, msmall@infi.net writes: > Ethics work on two levels: actual conflict-of-interest and apparent > conflict-of-interest. Let us not confuse the two. Glad someone noticed. > Erwin's statements in the past that he was > independent of Leica at the time were true at the time they were made. Alright, I've read enough of this stuff. Now tell us Marc, upon what is your assertion based? Apart from Erwin's own claim of independence. You have always demanded of others documentation or substantiation of some kind. One does not have to be paid hard cash to feel beholden to another. It is utterly beyond question that Erwin has had access to Solms equipment and processes and documentation that is denied to anyone else outside the Company. And that access is very valuable to Erwin; it has enabled him to become an expert in Leica optics to an extent denied to anyone else and has earned him some money, for his sake I hope a lot, because he has certainly worked hard on his book and othe writings. Please don't insult our LUG readers by answering that that is not sufficient incentive for him to wish to keep Solms happy and continuing to get that access and special treatment. And mind you, I am not saying that it is wrong; it is not! But in order for Erwin's reader to assess the extent to which his tests and evaluations are truly objective and the extent to which that reader wishes to rely on them when deciding to lay out big money for Leica gear, Erwin should long ago have disclosed the nature and extent of his relationship with Solms. Now I'm off to Portland for LHSA. I'm looking forward to seeing some of you there. Seth LaK 9 - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html