Nickname: theMaven

Review: For anyone who actually watched the testimony with a critical eye, Hurd was a grand mix of Harry Truman ("The buck stops here") and Bart Simpson ("I didn't do it, nobody saw me, can't prove it"). Said Hurd, channeling Truman: "I'm responsible for HP," but the buck -- or the statement -- did not stop there. He then shifted blame, conjuring Bart: "Patti was the chairman. Responsibility goes across the entire company...including myself." Translation: "It was my fault except it was really Patti's fault and I guess I'm sort of kind of culpable along with the thousands of other people who work where I do."

Date reviewed: Oct 6, 2006 9:04 AM

Nickname: Jim C

Review: Mark Hurd has done an amazing job in a short time at HP, which was a hornets' nest when he came in. Many doubted he was capable of taking on the leadership challenge of such a large enterprise. He has proven himself to be a strong leader and very capable manager. Let's not give him more help than he needs...especially from politicians, who can't seem to get anything done other than blaming everyone else for our state of affairs and inaction. Mark Hurd clearly has no problem with accepting accountability. He should be advising congress on leadership and execution, not being challenged by them. People of his stature do not enter political life...or they try it and leave, like Colin Powell. Think about it. I trust Hurd's leadership, values and character to steer HP through this and do the right thing. Let's let him do it.

Date reviewed: Sep 30, 2006 4:03 AM

Nickname: LoyalHpEmployee

Review: When Mark says that this was not done by the people of HP, he is referring to the many thousands who work for HP every day. This should have been obvious to all. It is sad that people high up the chain failed to follow the standards that they set. When all is done, I believe that Mark will clean this mess up and move on to further improve this company. Those that don't agree probably own stock in Dell or IBM.

Date reviewed: Sep 29, 2006 9:05 PM

Nickname: exhp

Review: I agree with "anHPemployee." I was unethically fired to save money after 20 years at HP. Is it the merger, or the stock price or the market, or greed, I do not know. But I do know that the amazing strength HP had through its commitment to people and ethics is greatly dwindled, and this is just the first public proof point. Bill and Dave, God bless them, will be turning in their graves!

Date reviewed: Sep 27, 2006 5:16 PM

Nickname: Hewlett Packard

Review: I think the big picture that gets missed here is that the leak and the surrounding "drama" are tied largely to the board and those surrounding the investigation. As Mark indicates, the vast majority of the HP employee base had nothing to do with and no knowledge of these activities, and he does not want all of HP and its employees blackballed because of some people's inappropriate actions. Overall, HP has to pay a much larger price because a minority of people did something they should not have. As a current employee, I'm disappointed HP as a whole has to take this one on the chin, because a few made very poor decisions.

Date reviewed: Sep 27, 2006 5:05 PM

Nickname: EthicsHopeful

Review: This attention to HP's high ethical standards puts all other companies on notice for their own practices. Companies now know pretexting whistle blowers will be prosecuted.

Date reviewed: Sep 27, 2006 4:47 PM

Nickname: anHPemployee

Review: Much has been written about how unexpected this scandal is given HP's longstanding reputation as a highly ethical firm. That reputation was built by more than 60 years of ethical conduct by HP employees. Yet during the last five years, that ethical employee base has been significantly diluted by three factors: the merger with Compaq, the hiring of many senior managers from other firms (e.g. Dell, Wal-Mart) with very different values, and the elimination of many long term HP employees through layoffs and early retirement. I'm surprised the press hasn't picked up on this root cause. It's no longer the same employees, so why would you expect the same ethical behavior?

Date reviewed: Sep 27, 2006 3:51 PM

Nickname: Mike Retired HP

Review: Peter, Great insight and reporting. As usual. I've always loved your work, even when it hurt.

Date reviewed: Sep 27, 2006 3:19 PM

Nickname: Hokum Watch

Review: "The people of HP didn't do this." I was impressed with Mark Hurd's comments until I read this at the end. It was the people at HP who carried it out: HP Corporate Counsel Ann Baskins; HP senior counsel Kevin Hunsaker and Anthony Gentilucci, an HP global investigations manager in Boston. And, I suspect, others. Chairwoman Dunn might have re-established the investigation to prevent further leaks of the kind that had occurred previously, but the rest came from HP "people." Mark Hurd is responsible for what happened. He knew or should have known. Ignorance is no excuse in his position. That is why he's paid so much.

Date reviewed: Sep 27, 2006 2:28 PM

Nickname: Bill

Review: "It's a question about appropriateness, and we [at HP] have a different standard. We're not trying to straddle the legal line at every turn." Bravo Mark! As an old-time employee (retired after ~30 years), we were always told to avoid even the "appearance" of anything unethical, not just follow the letter of the law. I believe that concept is alive and well under your leadership.

Date reviewed: Sep 27, 2006 2:10 PM