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Pete Buttigieg’s Stint at McKinsey: So What? Pete Buttigieg’s Stint at McKinsey: So What?
(about 5 hours later)
Editors’ Note: This letter has been updated to reflect developments.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “Buttigieg Bid for Transparency Derails at McKinsey” (news article, Dec. 8):Re “Buttigieg Bid for Transparency Derails at McKinsey” (news article, Dec. 8):
I am a retired biotechnology executive and an alum of McKinsey & Company, having worked there from 1990 to 1993. Despite having many issues with McKinsey’s recent choice of clients (ICE, Saudi Arabia, Purdue Pharma, etc.), I find the idea that Pete Buttigieg is hiding something nefarious about his time there ridiculous.I am a retired biotechnology executive and an alum of McKinsey & Company, having worked there from 1990 to 1993. Despite having many issues with McKinsey’s recent choice of clients (ICE, Saudi Arabia, Purdue Pharma, etc.), I find the idea that Pete Buttigieg is hiding something nefarious about his time there ridiculous.
Coming straight out of school with no prior business experience, he would have spent a couple of years as a glorified analyst, and maybe some time as a junior project manager. He would have had no decision-making authority about what he worked on, would not have been in any position to make policy and is truly not allowed to talk about his clients.Coming straight out of school with no prior business experience, he would have spent a couple of years as a glorified analyst, and maybe some time as a junior project manager. He would have had no decision-making authority about what he worked on, would not have been in any position to make policy and is truly not allowed to talk about his clients.
Most people running for president have confidential information in their past, whether as lawyers or as legislators or as businesspeople. That doesn’t mean that it’s sleazy — just that it’s a competitive world where organizations need to keep secrets from their competitors. I for one believe that it’s important for our leaders to understand and value the private sector.Most people running for president have confidential information in their past, whether as lawyers or as legislators or as businesspeople. That doesn’t mean that it’s sleazy — just that it’s a competitive world where organizations need to keep secrets from their competitors. I for one believe that it’s important for our leaders to understand and value the private sector.
McKinsey may or may not release Pete from his confidentiality agreement. That may depend on whether his specific clients agree to waive their confidentiality provisions. Either way, that shouldn’t be a reflection on Pete’s ethical standards. There is no sign that he wasn’t an ethical person during these years or any others. McKinsey has now released Pete from his confidentiality agreement after his clients agreed to waive their confidentiality provisions. The situation shouldn’t be a reflection on Pete’s ethical standards. There is no sign that he wasn’t an ethical person during these years or any others.
Steve BernitzEncinitas, Calif.Steve BernitzEncinitas, Calif.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “The End,” by Andrew Keh, with photographs and additional reporting by Lynsey Addario (Special report, Dec. 8):Re “The End,” by Andrew Keh, with photographs and additional reporting by Lynsey Addario (Special report, Dec. 8):
Thank you to Marieke Vervoort for allowing The New York Times to chronicle her journey through physician-assisted death. Until we can talk about death openly without fear, we will continue to live in a country that prioritizes quantity of days over quality of life.Thank you to Marieke Vervoort for allowing The New York Times to chronicle her journey through physician-assisted death. Until we can talk about death openly without fear, we will continue to live in a country that prioritizes quantity of days over quality of life.
Ms. Vervoort faced unenviable pain but was at least fortunate to live in a country, Belgium, that allowed her to face death on her own terms. This was excellent, heart-wrenching reporting.Ms. Vervoort faced unenviable pain but was at least fortunate to live in a country, Belgium, that allowed her to face death on her own terms. This was excellent, heart-wrenching reporting.
Elizabeth AbbeySpokane, Wash.Elizabeth AbbeySpokane, Wash.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “Our Schools Can’t Solve the Problems of Our Rigid Workweek,” by Gracy Olmstead (Op-Ed, nytimes.com, Nov. 14):Re “Our Schools Can’t Solve the Problems of Our Rigid Workweek,” by Gracy Olmstead (Op-Ed, nytimes.com, Nov. 14):
As a child of a full-time working mom, I have had my fair share of long after-school nights in some interesting places. (I’ll never forget dinner at the principal’s house.)As a child of a full-time working mom, I have had my fair share of long after-school nights in some interesting places. (I’ll never forget dinner at the principal’s house.)
Now as a college student, I have the luxury of “D.I.Y.-ing” my school schedule based on my desire to sleep in on Mondays and head out of school by noon on Fridays.Now as a college student, I have the luxury of “D.I.Y.-ing” my school schedule based on my desire to sleep in on Mondays and head out of school by noon on Fridays.
But more important, my nontraditional schedule makes space for my yoga and cooking classes, allowing me to pursue my passions and experience new things outside my comfort zone. This flexibility has given me the breathing space I need to experiment and invest in the things that matter to me as an individual and aspiring professional.But more important, my nontraditional schedule makes space for my yoga and cooking classes, allowing me to pursue my passions and experience new things outside my comfort zone. This flexibility has given me the breathing space I need to experiment and invest in the things that matter to me as an individual and aspiring professional.
While one can’t deny that the manner in which I process material and adopt learning skills has changed since my time as a young child in elementary school, what if they haven’t changed so much? What if we tried a 9-to-2 school day followed by an elongated version of the after-school experiences on the basketball court or on the theater stage that taught me about teamwork, problem solving and creativity?While one can’t deny that the manner in which I process material and adopt learning skills has changed since my time as a young child in elementary school, what if they haven’t changed so much? What if we tried a 9-to-2 school day followed by an elongated version of the after-school experiences on the basketball court or on the theater stage that taught me about teamwork, problem solving and creativity?
Perhaps the exploratory journey of who I am could have begun much sooner — perhaps on the playground or during volunteer work (but probably not at dinner with the principal and her family).Perhaps the exploratory journey of who I am could have begun much sooner — perhaps on the playground or during volunteer work (but probably not at dinner with the principal and her family).
Maya MalekianBostonMaya MalekianBoston