H/T to Andrew Coyne for setting the record straight today on the issue of Caterpillar’s alleged rape and pillage of intellectual property and tax breaks.  According to his research, the company (Electro-Motive Diesel or EMD) has always been owned by Americans, conducted all its design and engineering work at its long-standing plant in Illinois, and has never received a subsidy from the current government.

Therefore, although criticism of Caterpillar’s appalling labour relations is more than valid, accusations that it committed some form of national property theft do not pass muster.  Mr. Coyne deserves credit for upholding what should be a basic professional standard amongst journalists (not to mention others, including pundits, public servants and policy wonks) – validate the facts first, please.  

We are living in a world where it is getting harder and harder to know what to believe when we are constantly being fed half-truths or just plain lies. Why are we finding it more difficult to exercise integrity in our lives? I am grateful for people like Mr. Coyne who take the time to check the facts.