This is a personal anecdote that I should relate before it is lost in the fog of memory.
Earlier this month I attended a major law school class reunion despite boycotting the previous one (as I discussed on EA) following Georgetown Law Center’s disgraceful handling of the Ilya Shapiro controversy. I showed up at the big, fancy dress, all-classes gala in D.C.’s impressive National Building Museum, and when I checked in, was sent to a special “problem” desk because my name wasn’t on The List.
There I was told that I had been registered for the evening’s festivities and dinner by “someone”—not me—but that the fee hadn’t been paid. I offered to pay it (I was told it was $225) but they were not equipped to take a credit card. “Why would they have pre-registered you?” I was asked.
Well, I explained, I am something of a celebrity in my class, having founded the school’s musical theater company as a student, and that group is still active and also celebrated a reunion just last month. And I was the law school’s first Director of Capitol Giving. “Ah!” the guy behind the desk said. “So you’re a VIP!” He whispered something to his colleague, who whispered something back, then he said, “You will sit at Table #2!”
“Really?” I replied. “What about the $225?” “Oh, you can take care of that later,” I was told. “You know, I’m an ethicist, and this kind of thing is called “The King’s Pass” on my list of rationalizations,” I said. “It’s when someone isn’t held to the same rules and standards that everyone else is because of his perceived value and importance. It’s very common, but an unethical practice.”
“That’s interesting!” he said, as he handed me my freshly printed badge with my class’s ribbon. And printed in block letters above my name was “The King’s Pass.”
I was never charged for the event.
How could I participate in the “No Kings” demonstrations after that?
Ethics Alarms 
I think there’s a difference between a well-deserved anonymous gift and the King’s Pass. Take it and say, “Thank you, whoever you are.”
my thought exactly.
guest of honor?
it is not a rationalization for unethical behavior. It is a gratuitous indulgence.
it is the ETHICAL equivalent of the King’s Pass.
-Jut
Gee, if I was a guest of honor, why did they keep it secret? Even from me!
Because they were also having fun pulling your leg. At some point, the culprit will be revealed.
Wait…no way this happened and you didn’t take a picture with the ribbon and moniker to share???
I had the same thought Tim LV! Surely you kept this treasure???
Nope. Never even occurred to me: that’s how alienated I am from cameras generally and smart phone cameras specifically. Always have been, and yes, this has cause problems for me, and regrets, many times.
Did someone read EA and decide to have fun with you?
That’s my guess.
I don’t know if it’s ethical or not, but it sure is funny.
Maybe the anonymous registerer paid only after you attended (just in case you couldn’t make it?)
Ah, well. It appears that all VIP’s everywhere have to grab their sackcloth and ashes, since by definition a VIP would be granted the “King’s Pass” at some level.
At least you have the distinction of earning it through prior actions rather than just being someone famous.
And as a side note, Shapiro’s first name is Ilya, not Ira. I note that you’ve had trouble with that name before, and as a former blogger I totally get it. There were several players I blogged about who’s name I consistently misspelled. It was frustrating that I couldn’t train my brain to get that right, but some words just seem to have it in for us.
UGH. At least the linked articles had it right. To make it worse. I get Ilya Shapiro mixed up with Illy Somin, another conservative. (Fixed.)