TAKING A STAND
Does it matter?
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." ~
Martin Luther King, Jr.
It has been said by religious leaders, philosophers, barroom sermonizers and deep-thinkers ever since the dawn of deep thinking, that every new day we wake up, we are given a fresh start, a clean slate, a new opportunity to do the right thing, to make better choices, to take a stand for the things that matter. This is a simple concept, but human nature insures it is not an easy thing to put into practice. Meaningful change requires an admission of being wrong, misguided or duped. Who cares to admit that and more? Practically no one. Too often we have a considerable personal investment in past decisions that even Ray Charles could see were mistakes. For instance, take the elite liberal media and Barack Obama.
Those in the press who chose to put aside their objectivity, who shirked their responsibility incumbent in their 1st Amendment guarantees and protections, who decided to sacrifice their duty to the people as their government watchdog on the alter of Obama; those card-carrying members of the Fourth Estate have a new day, a new opportunity to change their ways and take a stand now, for something that matters. If not now, then when?
The road to recovery is long. The path to righteousness-doing the right thing-is narrow. The journey to redemption is fraught with hazards and temptations. It is not an easy thing to admit to yourself and your fellows that you bought a lemon.
Remember when journalist were trusted by the public?
The Society of Professional Journalists has a Code of Ethics. The Preamble reads:
Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility. Members of the Society share a dedication to ethical behavior and adopt this code to declare the Society's principles and standards of practice.
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Taking a stand for the truth is its own reward. Serving the public with thoroughness and honesty makes it easier to sleep well and to wake up each day with the promise of making a difference on things that matter.
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