Dish it to Downing: Honesty Test

It's time to "Dish it to Downing," the only local television segment that invites, and encourages you to sound-off about things you see on television.

We are always looking for your input.

When you see something you like let us know, and when you see something you don't like, let us know too.

This week, we get some some feedback about our honesty test.

Here's how the test worked: we put five dollars in a purse and left it on the ground.

The question: what would people do?

Tom wrote us this email.

"Most professions consider it unethical to involve a person in a moral test of some sort, then "expose" them when they make a wrong moral choice. I am disappointed that KRBC would capitalize on the desperation that afflicts many people in the area by dropping money in front of them, then waiting to confront them, on video, if they make the wrong choice."

Tom, thank you for your comments.

The honesty test was designed to measure just what you're talking about: if the times we are in change the way people behave.

We were pleasantly surprised to find that it didn't.

Most people are honest, good times or bad, but it's not always the case.

Earlier in the week we had a story about thefts from the Goodwill drop-off points, and those thefts weren't people in need.

The store manager told us most of those thefts are by people planning to re-sell the donated items, cashing in on someone else's generosity.

In our honesty test, we found that most people simply left it there in case the owner returned looking for it.

A few turned it in after checking for identification.

In none of the cases, did anyone take the money.

Tom's email came in response to a promo he saw for last night's story.

After seeing the story, tom emailed us again.

He said, "The piece on honesty was well done and positive. I sent an earlier email with some concerns about it, based on the teaser that ran Thursday morning. My concerns were unfounded. I apologize for "jumping the gun."

Tom, thanks for the email and you certainly don't have to apologize.

We just appreciate you weighing in.

You gave us some things to think about.