Clothing retailers raise prices, cheapen clothing

Click on this link to read an article by Anne D'Innocenzio (AP/Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 8-20-11) about how clothing chains are increasing their profit margins by raising prices while using less material. In exchange, they are adding style features to try to hide the cheapening of the quality of their products. Is this a simply a financially-astute response to rising materials and labor costs, or a deliberate misleading of consumers? Perhaps both?

Dancing double sparks Hollywood controversy

Click on this link to read a Sarasota Herald-Tribune article (8-2--11) about Sarah Lane (see photo), a ballerina who did many of the dances in the film, "Black Swan." Natalie Portman's face was digitally pasted to Sarah's body in some shots, provoking speculation about which dances Natalie actually performed herself. When Sarah Lane was not thanked during the Oscar ceremony (Portman won best actress), Lane decided to go public with the fact that she had in fact danced in many of the scenes. In terms of the ethics of collaboration, what do you believe is owed Sarah Lane (besides her paycheck) to acknowledge the role she played in making the film?

State College of Florida to buy $71,000 Cadilac Escalade. Ringling on alert for drive-by.

As this article reports, the State College of Florida is in the process of purchasing a 2011 Cadillac Escalade SUV for use by top College officials. Apparently the 2008 Lexus SUV they have just doesn’t suit their needs any longer, so they are looking to upgrade. SCF officials have very specific tastes:

The bid specifications call for an exterior with “white diamond tricoat” finish, an interior color of “cashmere with cocoa accents,” and “power retractable assist steps.”

The timing and the largess of the purchase is curious. Enrollment at the College has decreased 15% in the last year and the Board of Trustees recently voted to increase tuition by over $3,000 a year.

Exactly why does a state college need a vehicle that has become synonymous with rappers and professional athletes? Do officials believe that driving the same car as Ludacris, Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott, Snoop Dawg, and LeBron James will help attract students? Or impress donors? Or is this the first shot in an East Coast-West Coast war with Broward Community College?