Joe, I don't think "pocket listings" are a "touchy" subject. They are done all the time. I personally strive and advise my client the best way to get the highest amount of money is by exposing it to as many buyers as possible. "Pocket Listings" by themselves are NOT unethical but the ethics about how one handles a "pocket listing" are sometimes questionable. The commercial field is rife with pocket listings or as they are referred in the industry "exclusive listings" which don't neccessarily mean one needs to put them out there for all Realtors to sell.
The history of our MLS came about as many agents realized the "pocket listings" they had were simply "open listings" which the Seller would give to every Tom, Dick and Harry with no right of notification if it sold and no obligation to pay the agent for bringing an offer. This stopped agents from sharing the listing and some never got over the habit of hoarding their listings even after the MLS took form and was successful. Many a Seller who does not want to alert the community they are selling may opt to grant ONLY a pocket listing. I think this limits their marketing opportunities but they insist. They can list and become an "exclusive listing" with an exception to the MLS. It becames a "pocket listing" if one does not really HAVE a listing signed by the Seller. The MLS brought forth the "exclusive" listing with the obligation of the member office to place all of their listings into the MLS for all to sell with the assurance they would get compensated and noticed should the listing sell or the seller decide not to sell. It also created cooperation between offices and protection so they could go out and solicit business and share with all in the real estate community.

But usually today it is a listing which is NOT really an "exclusive" with the agent but a property he knows a Seller is willing to sell. We've heard it a thousand times, usually by For-Sale-By-Owners who tell you if you got a buyer bring them by. Now if the agent doesn't have a buyer s/he may mention to a fellow agent, "Hey, I've got this pocket listing. You got a buyer?" They then in turn go and list and then sell the property. It's not an "exclusive" and could be listed for that day just to show a paper trail for the agent's getting paid.
Now getting to your question--I know you just loved my MLS history lesson--I would NOT dare pull the scenario you laid out in your rather cynical, bitter post. Why would I risk alienating my Assett Manager and particular lender or third party resource by being the "unethical" agent you so demand? I know a colleague who just made a super connection with another third party resource company because the agent you so seek got bounced from this company for just the antics you so desire!
I had a property I sold which generated 7 "cash" offers and which another office purchased for one of their clients. We vetted it properly and the buyer feels they got a terrific deal. The sad thing about your post is not only your frustration but also your willingness to enter into a pre-medidated fraud against a lender by conspiring with an agent to knowingly break the law. You violate not only the community guidelines of Trulia but compromise your own ethics. This market generates all sorts of sharks swimming in these uncertain waters. I've seen your particular fin circling for many months. I hope you get the agent you deserve!