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Back
to Basics
by Monty
Rainey
January
3, 2003
On our way
home from Christmas vacation, my wife and I took time out to visit the
Texas Ranger Museum in Waco, TX. It’s a
worthwhile stop if you’re ever in the area. The
Texas Rangers have been an integral part of the rich history of Texas.
While
perusing the massive firearms collection, saddlery and other
memorabilia, I happened into a gallery dedicated to Hollywood’s pop
culture of the Rangers. There, I stumbled across
something I had not seen, or thought of, in years. Reading
over those profound words reminded me of what is, in no small part, a
portion of the problem with our society today.
How I long
for the days when American youth were openly taught such virtue.
These words are far too politically incorrect to ever be
uttered to our youth today. For those of you, who
recognize these words, enjoy. For those who do not,
don’t worry, I’ll tell you where these words came from.
"I
believe that to have a friend, a man must be one.
How many
times do we see someone in need and we fail to offer our help?
A friend doesn’t have to be someone you know. A
friend can be a complete stranger with a flat tire on the side of the
road. We all seem to have a lot of acquaintances
and few friends.
That
all men are created equal and that everyone
has within himself the power
to make this a better world.
Just
imagine a new generation of Americans who were taught that their
future is in their own hands, not the hands of government. The
knowledge that you cannot do everything, but you can do something. Imagine
the difference the feeling of personal empowerment could make in a
young life. After all, if they live in America that
empowerment is still a reality.
That
God put the firewood there but that every
man
must gather and light it himself.
What a
concept the author had of teaching children they are actually
responsible for their own welfare. Notice the author does not say the
firewood will be distributed equally, but rather that each person is
responsible for their own firewood. Self-reliance
seems to be a thing of the past, but together, we can change it.
Of course we can’t tell our children this today, at least not
without taking God’s name out of the equation.
In
being prepared physically, mentally, and morally to
fight when necessary for that which is right.
Okay, so
it’s obvious this was not written by a liberal. The
writer is actually telling us that sometimes, war is necessary!
Undoubtedly, this was written by some war mongering right wing
fanatic.
It’s
been said the World War II generation of Americans were the greatest
generation. When you look at all the things they accomplished for
America and the world, one can hardly dispute that claim. Perhaps
it is because they knew these words and believed in being prepared to
fight when necessary.
That
a man should make the most of
what equipment he has.
Does this
mean the government is not responsible for leveling the playing field
for everyone? Does the author actually think a
person should be able to overcome their circumstances, even if it
means they were born into poverty or an ethnic minority? And why does
the author address men only? Obviously written by a
chauvinist.
That
'This government, of the people, by the people
and
for the people' shall live always.
I think
this one refers back to the part about fighting when necessary. It
would seem that the message here is that our representative republic
form of government is worth protecting and preserving.
That
men should live by the rule of what is best for
the greatest number.
Ah, a
representative republic democracy! Even better!
Some examples here would be lowering the school standards to
meet the needs of the few, rather than upholding the standards for the
benefit of the greatest number. Or giving special
rights to gays or minorities because a few people are offended, to the
detriment of society as a whole.
That
sooner or later... somewhere...somehow...
we must settle with the world and
make payment for what we have taken.
The
concept of personal accountability. Can there be a
greater personal attribute that has been all but destroyed in our
society today? No one today is responsible for
their actions. Everyone is some kind of victim of
circumstance. Criminals are criminals not because
they broke the law, but because they had a crappy childhood.
Terrorists are terrorists not because they are misguided
zealots, but because the US has not given their country enough money.
Homeless bums are homeless bums not because they are drug
addicts who can’t hold a job, but because of a capitalist system
that expects results. Personal accountability would
go a long way towards correcting the problems of our nation today.
That
all things change but truth,
and that truth alone, lives on forever.
In my Creator, my country, my fellow man."
Truth.
Would that mean it doesn’t matter what the meaning of is is? Would
that mean we should actually expect our elected officials to have
honor and integrity? If so, we’ve made a marked
improvement, but still have a long way to go.
I’m sure
by now, some of you have figured out, this is the Lone Rangers Creed,
written by Fran Striker in 1933. Ah, Kemo Sabe, now
you remember! Two generations of Americans were
taught such simple virtues as these words, uttered by Clayton Moore.
Today, they may be seen as unrealistic, idealistic rubbish, but
those two generations learned a lot from Misters Moore and Silverheels.
We learned about friendship, we learned about life, we learned about
knowing and doing right from wrong. Maybe I’m
just a sentimental old fool, but I don’t see this as a bad thing.
I can’t
say for certain, but something tells me the children of today are not
being taught these virtues through popular programming. I
don’t believe the same messages are being passed around by the likes
of the Rugrats and Spongebob and I don’t believe their xbox games
are teaching them how to determine right from wrong.
For many
years, parents knew when their children were watching the Lone Ranger,
they were being taught that crime doesn’t pay. They
were being exposed to some of the harsh realities of life. Young boys
were taught to respect women. Perhaps by today’s standards, the Lone
Ranger and Tonto would be considered corn ball, but the message
written by Fran Striker over a half century ago is just as valuable
and needed in our society today as it was then.
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