"The ends don't justify the means" is a cliche because the phrase is commonly used and accepted.

I thought we all decided to shut up about Mike Daisey already.

Also, lost in all this is the nuance that Foxconn is a Taiwanese company -- not mainland China.

Bullshit. Mike Daisey was far from the only (or most important) person drawing attention to Apple's manufacturing issues. He probably did more harm than good in the final accounting.

SHUT UP, VEGAN!

If it was Dick Cheney, Karl Rove, Rick Santorum, or some other GOP asshole making the claim, you hypocrites would be shitting all over yourselves trying to describe how horrible the act of deception was and how it threatened journalism.

A lie is still a lie, even if it means that it gets a progressive mayor elected, improves working conditions, or delights adorable and delicious puppies.