Explain

Following my recent grumble, you may notice there is actually a theme behind all this.

Let's go through the observations again:

1. Statistics is most often (mis)used to cover up data.
2. Ethical principles are largely used to justify unethical actions.

Yes, you are there: Good principles are often applied for sinister purpose. To go one step further, we should, and, usually only should, ring a bell and suspect something evil is behind the scene when the spokesman on the stage keeps emphasizing the good principles they are following.

For example, does the American government ever need to declare that they follow the law to arrest or kill anyone? Hardly - maybe only for Osama bin Laden. (Well, yes, for the invasion of Iraq.)

I won't cite examples from other countries.