Countrywide has an ad on the Tiger golf tournament, talking about how 'ethical' they are. The tag line is, "That was our story then, and that is our story now."

And in the back of my mind I hear, "And we're sticking to it."

Sort of like when someone says, "Trust me," watch out, someone telling you how ethical they are means theres a question.

More to the point, both honest and dishonest alike will insist they are honest and ethical. So it's a moot phrase.

When Linda and I were in credit counseling years ago, Capital One was the only card that wouldn't make any compromise or concession. The same company that has those ads with Pirates and Barbarians and such.

I know it doesn't need to be said, but advertising is meaningless.