You Know You're in Trouble When... Here's a true story told to me by an executive friend at a Fortune 500 company. Probably a Fortune 100 company, I think.

The company, which shall remain nameless, is planning an event in Massachusetts, and organizers were discussing speakers to invite to address the attendees. Larry Summers' name came up, and though there was some question about whether he'd be too controversial, still it was thought that he would certainly make an interesting speaker.

So the idea was circulated to a larger audience within the company, including the CEO. And word came back from the top to nix the plan: Having Larry Summers speak at a company function "would not reflect well" on the company....  ¶ 10:52 AM