Patrick Field's blog

Timothy Geitner apologized in his confirmation hearing for his failure to report and pay past income and social security taxes. In light of the enormous financial challenges facing the country, it looks like Mr. Geitner will get a pass on his personal transgressions.

But we are also giving a free pass to the leaders, current and former, of the finance system and the government officials who supposedly worked to protect the public interest. That’s just not right. They owe us collectively—rich and poor, investors and tax payers—an apology.

In this episode, CBI's Managing Director Patrick Field talks to Noah Susskind about "public apologies"—apologies to the public on behalf of oneself or one's organization.

At the Consensus Building Institute, we’re engaged in ongoing research and advising on public apologies, and Eliot Spitzer has just provided the latest in a long list. Though appalled by his behavior, and depressed by his apparent efforts to wriggle out of taking full responsibility, I was struck by Spitzer’s resignation speech today.

In 1215, King John encoded juries into English common law by approving Article 39 of the Magna Carta, which ensures that "no freemen shall be taken or imprisoned…except by the lawful judgment