James Madison, Fourth President of the United States
As Tim Myers predicted in the comments on yesterday’s post on the Lynn Vakay plagiarism controversy, the Signal swiftly issued an apology and retraction for printing what a noted USC professor characterized as “improper.”
Key developments cited in the Signal article:
- The Signal issues an apology, bans past and future Vakay content.
- Vakay admits no wrongdoing, lashes out at her accuser.
- Dr. Wolfram says he gave Vakay permission to use the ideas from his article.
- Bob Hauter, local Republican committee pres and deputy chief of staff for Congressman Howard “Buck” McKeon, defends Vakay.
- BlazingMonk revealed as Signal letter-writer and Newhall resident Nathan Imhoff.
Since there is obvious politicizing in the comments, let me get this out of the way: Those who have read my comments on this blog know that I am a fiscal conservative. At age 32, I have voted in nearly every election but I have yet to vote for a Democrat for federal office.
What Vakay did, her obvious plagiarizing of Wolfram’s article, was wrong. Her response in the Signal and lack of apology are wrong.
The interesting point (that is completely irrelevant, if not puzzling) is the angle that Dr. Wolfram “doesn’t mind” that Ms. Vakay “borrowed his ideas” (quotes from the Signal article).
1) Plagiarism is not defined by the source giving permission to have material/ideas regurgitated. In fact, most articles that cite sources rarely, if ever, obtain permission to do so.
2) In evaluating a plagiarism case, is “permission to plagiarize” from the source ever a factor in the charge? i.e. if one student gave another a copy of her research paper with the specific consent that it could be used by requesting student, does that make the plagiarism OK ?
3) The fact that Ms. Vakay appears to presently be both an educator and a Master’s College student (as stated in her LinkedIn profile), and that she is plagiarizing a university professor makes the situation even more peculiar.
4) If this isn’t plagiarism, what is?
It’s a shame this debacle has taken center stage versus having a genuine debate about something obviously more important: health care policy. Ms. Vakay, by her actions, distracted the conversation. She could have added to it (in a profound way, IMO) by simply submitting Dr. Wolfram’s article to the Signal with a short introduction.
As James Madison (the prominent subject in Dr. Wolfram’s article) said, “conscience is the most sacred of all property.” Ms. Vakay would do well to issue a clear and focused apology; it would be the right thing do do, “right now!”
What Vakay did, her obvious plagiarizing of Wolfram’s article, was wrong. Her response in the Signal and lack of apology are wrong.
Seeing that I am one of the “politicizers” in the comments, let me be the first to say amen and amen.
Fred, I checking by drawers and I don’t own a brush as wide as yours. So for the record, I think plagiarism is a problem common among plagiarizers. You see egregious examples like this every once in a blue moon and I’ve never noticed a pattern in the ideology of the offenders. I don’t think Vakay’s actions reflect poorly on anyone but her and those that defend her. Now Fred, it took a few swings at the ball, but on the third pitch you got it right.
All:
Vakay will not have very many Repub defenders. In fact, Bob Haueter was just kneejerk defensive and may be regretting that today. This may not be over. This has been fed “up the chain” to other media sources and it won’t die because Vakay will not admit doing anything wrong.
I don’t equate cut and paste to just Republicans, since what motivated the whole discovery was blazingmonk seeking to compare Vakay’s work with the most recent cut and past job by Carole Luteness on the other side.
Plagiarism proves that one is lazy, and isn’t sloth one of the seven deadly sins?
is there more than meets the eye to Vakay/Hauter? I hope someone will ask Buck if he supports Vakay as well.
Of course there is more than meets the eye as far as vakay/haueter are concerned. Why would a deputy chief of staff to a powerful congressman defend an unpaid, twice-monthly columnist (and a poor one at that) writing for a tiny newspaper?
Me thinks it’s not business, it’s personal
Fred… This wasn’t an “attack” on the right. It was an “attack” on an individual with serious character flaws. I find it highly suspect that they automatically assumed I was democrat and out to get her because she was a woman.
You won’t find me throwing either side under the bus with accusations. I also try my best not to be sucked in to the outrage from a sensationalist yellow journalism type media personality. I think liberals are stupid for manufacturing outrage at everything Glenn Beck says… I am honest enough to admit I did in the first few months but I wised up… I also am not a big fan of Keith Olbermann’s Worse and Worser crap. I think it just pushes the Us vs Them and the problem of seeing only the bad in your opponents.
I truly believe Americans need to work together to make America great… it requires us to work a bit and put on our thinking caps. Fire every politician that isn’t doing what is best… if they voted for the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999. I am looking at you BUCK MCKEON… I know you sold out Santa Clarita and I will make sure everyone else knows it!
Right don’t have the answer but neither do Lefts. Let’s be honest to admit it! Have enough humility to say we don’t know and learn or at very least be open to new solutions and ideas. What do think made America Great? Playing it safe? National anthem says home of the brave… not land of the cowards.
We need to man up and stop letting pride and “brunt” cave man like thinking cloud the issue.
I believe America is still Great… and we have great potential.
Nite MONK
Oh Yeah Avatar was a FUN movie… Check it out.
It seems to me that Vakay is now an obvious choice for an Obama cabinet position. I know that Plagiarist BIDEN will not step down so maybe Attorney General?
It would be a shame if the only position a plagiarist can get is VP
How Clever… In twenty years she may have learned her lesson like perhaps Biden did.
Pretty Lame to take a swipe at the Obama white house in this situation. Wanna blame clinton for 9/11 too?
What makes you believe Biden has learned his lesson?
Just one example will do. Like 2 straight years without lying…GONG! sorry How about a year without bending the truth……GONG! Sorry
Ok you tell us that shining example that has proven to you he has learned his lesson.
Oh, I am on the edge of my seat!
@john_ram What makes you think he hasn’t? “W” was a drunk and coke head you think he changed? So quick to forgive a republican aren’t we?
There is a difference between talking about ones desires and ideals which need more then just them to accomplish and guys like Bill Clinton lying about getting a BJ, although everyone lies about sex.
Seriously Biden was wrong but after 2 decades he never plagiarized again.
Since you were a big pussy and blocked me I think we are done here
So no examples. So earlier when you said he had learned his lesson you were once again talking out your ass. You have no idea whether he has or not. Just another example of “Wanting” it to be true. Just like “Hope and Change” LOL
No I just don’t care enough to argue with a Republican Slave. Nothing you have said proves much of anything, except you are a tool of a political party. How foolish and pathetic.
“Right don’t have the answer but neither do Lefts.”
“I truly believe Americans need to work together to make America great…”
“We need to man up and stop letting pride and “brunt” cave man like thinking cloud the issue.”
“I believe America is still Great… and we have great potential.”
I read those statements and thought, ‘right-on!’. I agree whole heartedly. Unfortunately, when we keep going back and forth (as with the above dialog between John Adams and blazingmonk) I worry that we may never ‘work together’.
It’s a shame, because this is a great country! However, one side feels the other is bringing it down, when it’s both that are doing just that.
It’s a shame we must bring up the ‘other’ guys. It doesn’t even seem to matter when the other guy screwed up, it’s fair game to some in order to make a point; which they aren’t because it usually has nothing to do with the topic being discussed, eh?
It’s a shame…..
Ivogel It was on topic!
Nathan wrote this; This wasn’t an “attack” on the right. It was an “attack” on an individual with serious character flaws.
Now anyone would assume that what he is saying is: A person who plagiarizes has SERIOUS CHARACTER FLAWS.
Do you agree with that assumption?
Or is he saying republicans that plagiarize have serious character flaws and liberals don’t?
My point was simply that we have a VP that is a plagiarist. A master liar and truth bender. Does he have serious character flaws?
If so? Why is he VP and what idiot would appoint him to that position?
But then again we have a SOS that had to dodge incoming bullets to save her own life.
It wasn’t on topic… it was doing the same thing Vakay and her posse did. @john_ram is attempting to turn this into an attack on Joe Biden which is pathetic. I am not offering excuses for Biden, but this is about Vakay… the self righteous religious nut that believes her excrement is sanctified and has no odor.
I would have done the exact same thing regardless of their political stance. Grow up @john_ram aka [john adams] What balls it takes use the name of a founding father…
So did you say she had serious character flaws?
Honest qusetion
You claim that you were taking the high road and not throwing any side under the bus. (None of us are buying it, because it sounded like mental masterbation)
I just want clarification.
Is it all plagiarist or just the right leaning ones that have serious character flaws?
You made the comment big man! Now back it up
This is like shooting fish in a barrel
Anyone who commits writer’s fraud have serious character flaws… do you disagree?
Yes I agree! ANYONE that commits plagiarism should be nowhere near the top of any organization or government. That we can agree on!
Just the Top? Seems like they shouldn’t be involved in any part of Government?
You may be right there? But how do people with serious character flaws keep getting elected?
Civic laziness?
Come to think of it, civic indifference, actually.
Maybe right? Because of Party Loyalties.
When will people wise up?
I think plagiarism is a problem common among plagiarizers.
I agree. However, plagiarism is in its essence a form of dishonest and deceit.
adding to that,
Fred… This wasn’t an “attack” on the right. It was an “attack” on an individual with serious character flaws. I find it highly suspect that they automatically assumed I was democrat and out to get her because she was a woman.
I never said it was an attack on the right. I could care less about your political affiliations, and I certainly never even considered the fact you were slamming a woman.
What I merely did was point out what I think is a virulent inconsistency. This blog brags of its self as being an unapologetic or unashamedly liberal blog. The good majority of folks who comment here think the current push for health care legislation will be one of the greatest advances for all of mankind. Those of us who see it as ruinous for our country and livelihood are scoffed at as being dinosaurish, if not worse, stupid. Yet the means by which the bill is being pushed through is much more dishonest and deceitful as some local political hack cutting and pasting from someone’s written work attempting to argue against the health care bill. I am expected to be morally outraged at the plagiarist, yet accept those in Washington as just playing politics.
Perhaps you see it as painting with a broad brush or throwing people under a bus or whatever, I just find it humorously ironic
Excellent points Fred!!
We are talking about a group of people that in one breath will tell you Obama won in a landslide!(52%)
Then in the next breath they will tell you that the over 60% of people that are opposed to healthcare are just stupid or uninformed and their majority does not matter!!!!!!!!
There is a special lunitic around here that keeps saying that 40 million people are uninsured. How many if you take away illegal aliens?
Now we are told that even after this wonderfull healthcare bill (THat will do nothing to lower the cost of healthcare) some 20 million will still not be insured. How much is it going to cost to cover 20 million?
And where exactly does it lower costs?
Hope & Change LOL who is still buying that line!
John Adams aka @john_ram got any new to say? because I can’t respect someone that makes excuses for Plagiarism.
You have displayed intellectual dishonesty time and time again. So much so that you couldn’t stand being called on it that you blocked me like a big panty waist. You drove so hard to hoop on pulling down the VP of you country then gave some whimpy answer in terms to the situation at hand. Vakay does matter because she part of the group that has gotten all our reps elected.
Your comments never have any substance they are just rhetoric. Get real and stop “drinking the koolaid”
Were did I ever give an excuse for plagiarism? Once again back up your words son.
Infact I agreed with you when you said they should not be in government. Waiting for you to show me where I gave plagiarism a pass.
Shooting fish in a barrel!
Man if this gets any more fun Jeff is going to start charging me! WAIT!!! He already tried that!
You are such a brunt tool… you keep saying shooting fish in a barrel… you might want to slow down and respect you opponents for once because last time you ran away crying. I guess I could say like shooting fish in a barrel.
Perhaps you didn’t make excuses but you didn’t condemn Vakay either, you took the opportunity to attack the other side essentially exploiting the situation to push your ideology. Bravo and Classy Move. You drove hard to the hoop pushing because you thought I would make excuses for Biden… Lesson 1 about me I don’t excuse douche bags regardless of their politics. I also personally don’t give a rat’s ass about Biden although he is 1000x better then Cheney… I will take a plagiarist over a defender of torture.
Still Like Shooting Fish in Barrel?
So you made it up!
OK just so you know I feel the same way about plagiarists as I do about people on message boards that claim people say things they never said and then run away from the claim by calling people childish names.
But that is the way you play isn’t it? a modicum of research on any of your twitter accounts shows that is e3xactly how you operate. Anyone on here with a quarter ounce of honesty and knowledge of your accounts will verify that.
The best part is your girlfriend is worse. A match made in HEAVEN
LOL
SFIAB
Oh now just John not comparing yourself to a found father… I was about to change my name to George Washington.
Made what up…. You just talk. You don’t even stay in the same zip code as the topic. No wonder you believe you are kicking everyones ass or shooting fish ing barrel.. they get so lost trying to follow you down the rabbit hole that is most conservative mindsets, you think you have accomplished something. I really believe you are mentally handicapped… or having some kind of learning disability or perhaps a personality disorder. Because you have no principles and believe that conservatives say they believe rather then looking at the proof in the pudding and that applies to the democrats. You try to win argument based on your crazy terms and logic.
You have never provided one source for anything you have said. and 140 Character isn’t much room to cite my sources for a cheeky douche bag on twitter with a joker obama avatar or a obama as a witch doctor or obama having his pants down showing his ass to the constitution. Very American and you should be proud…
What girlfriend are you talking about… because I have no idea who you are referring to.
Climbing up the rabbit hole.
Please tell me what source I have not provided? I will be happy to provide it.
Hot tip…..
You may want to stay away from the twitter reference because past posts are easily linked to anyone that has a twitter account.
Or are you saying you dont call anyone names you don’t agree with?
In any event, I am waiting for the source you want.
Provide a reputable source which mean a study not a blog that puts the uninsured in this country under 40 million.
You can link whatever you want… I don’t care to get into a pissing contest with you.
That is what I thought.
You wont post my response.
Stick to debating 5th graders at the worst you will last 30 minutes instead of 3.
Yeah OK Here is a link from the CBO (is that reputable enough for you?)
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/014227.html
It states the uninsured rate amound illegal aliens at 45+%
Now you will have to do a bit of research yourself here and find out how many illegals that are estimated to be in the US right now (11+ milion). But guess what? I am right!
Now you can show what type of person you really are. Do you admit I was right? or do you just go back to name calling? (I noticed you backed away from my name calling claim)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124579852347944191.html
LOL
SFIAB!
Holy Shit… I just asked you to provide a reputable source which mean a study not a blog that puts the uninsured in this country under 40 million
you come back with this?
December 21, 2009 at 8:40 pm
That is what I thought.
You wont post my response.
Stick to debating 5th graders at the worst you will last 30 minutes instead of 3.
What the does that even mean? Keep living in wonderland alice. Let me know when you want to provide sources for your claims.
Yeah sorry but I did post a response and it says “awaiting moderation”
Not sure why? Sorry I blamed you!
But the CBO has published the number of uninsured illegals. I posted a link. If it is approved you will see it. LOL
if you google CBO and number of uninsured you will find it. you will have to scroll down to number of illegals. I guess when you post a link it has to be moderated?
You said YOU would provide the link… now do so.
31.1 million American are Uninsured for the entire year
40 million American are uninsured at a specific point during the year
57 million american are uninsured at any time during the year.
Is this acceptable?
Lynn Vakay “Yes, I plagiarized”
http://www.the-signal.com/news/article/22428/
“Your comment is awaiting moderation”
For some reason my post is being held up
Nathan my son, how many are illegal? Post a credible source not a blog or whatever else you said. HOW MANY US CITIZENS ARE WITHOUT INSURANCE? HOW MANY WILL BE WITHOUT AFTER THIS HORRIBLE BILL?
COME ON KID YOU CAN DO IT
Don’t patronize me with that son shit…
I did not think you would want to answer that one son. More lessons later! Time for some golf
Pingback: SCVTalk.com » Blog Archive » Vakaygate – “No Excuses”
I am laughing so hard. Here is a post blazingmonk made to mike about the Vakay apology.
@mic_dee Yes. Best strategy, also shut all here crazy defenders up.
So if you defend a plagiarist you are crazy to the Bazingmonk! You know what I agree!
But I want EVERYONE to read the posts above.
Guess who is the only person that defended a plagiarist?
YEP!!!! if you said BLAZINGMONK
YOU ARE A WINNER !!!!!!
He defended Biden and said poor joe had learned his lesson (without any proof to back it up)
I may start paying. This is way to much fun
The biggest problem I have with you is you are a tool bag. You have no respect for you fellow man and talk down to everyone that doesn’t share you ideology. No where did I ever defend Biden. What I said is…
“December 20, 2009 at 10:20 am
How Clever… In twenty years she may have learned her lesson like perhaps Biden did.”
That is hardly a defense. In twenty-two years Biden has not been caught plagiarizing again, so PERHAPS he did learn his lesson. Maybe he hasn’t learned his lesson but he has never been accused of plagiarism again so… My point was you are bringing up the douche bags on left expecting excuses. I have said over and over and over that Biden is without excuse. Because he is VP doesn’t suddenly make Plagiarism OK. It is still writer’s fraud and despicable.
In short, You are a liar and a distorter of facts to fit your viewpoint. In fact where you read that I said this in response to MIke
“I didn’t really know about the Biden incident before this weekend, but there is no excuse for him. Most people play by the rules, I don’t like people that get ahead by cheating! I have a problem with people in leadership that steal someone else’s thoughts. My questions is do they not think for themselves? Or are they just lazy? Either isn’t a good quality in a leader.”
As to your Son comment… You need to learn some respect. I challenged you to defend you statement. Your defense was to have me speculate on how many illegals got counted in the 1998 data. Who can know that… I know you can’t know with any certainty how many if any of those were illegals.
You also claimed that it stated how many illegals were counted on the website and that was another lie.
Frankly you are dishonest and distracting from real debate. You believe people don’t want to talk to you because you are just so smart and savvy and they just can hold up. But it really comes down to you being unreasonably, disrespectful, your behavior takes away from your point and detracts from overall debate.
Like I said before… you try to bring people down the rabbit hole with you so they have to abide by some crazy alice in wonderland type reasoning.
I began following this blog a few months back. Very quickly I was attacked, called names and the sort because I didn’t agree with the other followers. As a conservative I find it very important to research both sides of issues and not just stick with “FoxNews” etc.
But honestly? This is one of the most hostle message boards I’ve ever read. I’ve stop reccomended it to friends.
BlazingMonk: I think people with serious chacter flaws plagerize. I ALSO think people that call others vulgar, obscene and innappropiate names also have major character flaws. If you read this entire conversation you don’t sound very rational. Take a breath and relax a bit before you start launching such obscene comments.
SCVFan… Really Vulgar, Obscene and Inappropriate? If you don’t like my style you don’t have to read but I hardly think those words describe anything I said in this post. Cheeky, Sarcastic, even snarky perhaps…
So I guess you feel Dick Cheney has some “MAJOR Character Flaws” since he told Senator Leahy to go F@&K Himself…. I personally thought it was funny. I don’t like Cheney at all., but I don’t think that comment has much reflection on his Character. I think the other thing Cheney did and put into motion have more real reflection on his character.
Thanks for the comment.
SCVFan:
I haven’t come across a blog yet that doesn’t get hot/personal in a jiffy.
Even automobile blogs get personal and nasty.
Politics and religion are faux pas on first dates and dinner-at-the-in-laws for a reason.
I think the audience that reads this blog can separate legitimate discourse from petty banter. At this stage, I’ve mentally tuned out the name calling tennis match between these 2-3 folks.
I hope you will reconsider your feelings about the site and stick around to offer your perspective.
Dear Monk and John Adams,
You both know and I know, and you know that I know that the both of you can go too far, especially when the topic concerns the both of you, so for the rest of us, maybe a short nap?
Your friend,
Mike
BlazingMonk: Yes, I will stand my ground in saying that calling someone a p*ssy is vulgar and obscene in any converstation. In person or electronic for that matter.
And ditto Mike….ditto.
You are welcome to your opinion SCVFan, I am sure you feel the same about Cheney now don’t you. Since I noticed how hard you came down on “John Adams”. Oh wait right… that wasn’t you. I mistook you for someone that was fair and balanced.
Blazingmonk, at the risk of being called a whole bunch of names, I agree that your name calling is out of line. Especially since you use female anatomy, underwear, etc a lot to supposedly make your point. Out of line, vulgar and sexist. I’m not interested in your comebacks, just commenting that your point would be better served without the insults.
GOT IT BUT… I REALLY DON”T CARE
This fall from 15 seconds of fame has even Tiger Woods JEALOUS
John Adams, A guy that had the following avatars on his twitter
1. a picture of the president with his pants down showing his ass to the constitution,
2. picture of the president as the joker,
3. picture of the president as a witch doctor
Really doesn’t have much of anything to say to me. All of these are beyond distasteful and disrespectful.
Add that you don’t have the rocks to say this to my face “If that guy was half as smart as he thought he was he would be running the world. I know I should not pick on the challenged.” I had to go get it off you twitter page.
Yeah but all the outrage on calling you out for starting fights then blocking once you were beat. You really have no grasp on reality. I can’t stand someone that would rather see America burn then his political opponent be right about something. I don’t have any respect for anything you say because you lack the manners to have a respectful debate. Your hypocritical, unreasonable, condescending, and angry tone brings out the worst in me.
You give good, sensible conservatives a bad name.
YAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWNNNNNNNNN
I take that as a concession.
blasemonk is really a dick.
“Ms.” Vakay, is actually Mrs. Vakay she used to be a good Christian woman… well she’s divorcing her husband after 23 years & two kids, for this jamoke Haueter.
“Ms.” is completely acceptable in standard American English.
Ummm, not if you’re still married!!!
study up. “Ms.” is neutral, like Mr.. Mrs. means married and Miss means unmarried. Any woman, married or unmarried, can be properly referred to as “Ms.”.