I remember seeing the speeding story. It was great. I also remember feeling that the patrol commander took it well. Quite graciously and with humor, if I remember. It didn’t seem egregious at all — not a career killing “gotcha” moment, but as you say, an illustrative point well made.
Interesting that you remember the story, Wini. You’re right, they were gracious about it. The Iowa State Patrol is always great to work with. They are professional. They understand that reporters have a job to do. Whenever I showed up at an accident scene or tornado, if the patrol was there, I knew I would get what I needed without being hassled. All of which made it a little harder to decide to run this video. But it worked out okay.
Thank you for your article, Dave! Yes, this is the ethics I learned in Reporting 101. This President seems to have no ethics, or morals. Being in that influential role as leader of our country, young people have a low bar to look up to. These are very sad days in America.
We need more who think like you in those positions of power. I really admire the decisions you made, Dave. A good friend of mine, whose dad was a chamber of commerce exec in a large Midwestern city, would often quote his North Star: “Do the right things for the right reasons!”
Exactly! How can he be so blind to something so obvious? What he says, how he says it, all send signals. Usually, I’ve seen candidates grow into the office. Not this guy. He’s way too small of a man.
Thank you Dave. Afraid you won’t find any scintilla of ethics in this administration and possibly with any of our Republicans in Congress! They have traded being ethical for being transactional!
Thanks for the input, Michael. There’s no right or wrong answer. It’s a judgment call, which is the point of the column. The true test is not whether a leader makes ethical decisions one always agrees with, but whether the leader does it most of the time. Reasonable people can disagree on any one set of circumstances.
My thought on the state patrol story was that enough viewers might think, “If it can happen to that guy, it can happen to me. Better to pay attention and show down.” I respect your right to disagree.
Ethics -- or lack thereof -- is a poignant topic these days, and you've captured it well in your article. With partisan control over the DOJ, FBI, SCOTUS and our legal system in general, the message is loud and clear that CAN is preferred over SHOULD. Every day is another bad lesson for our kids. Get away with what you can. Take no responsibility.
You hit a home run with this article. In my previous life, prior to being in ministry, I was a middle school principal and I preached the message of doing what's right, not what you can get away with. I remember many office visits where a student thought it was appropriate to do something wrong because he saw someone else do it and get away with it even though the offending student knew it was wrong in the first place.
As usual, Dave, absolutely right. Too many leaders make decisions on one factor: what will make me look good and the hell with other people! I also remember the speeding incident and agree totally with your using that story. I hope the politicians and people in leadership return to doing what’s right and consider the consequences when people only care about themselves. Sad state of affairs right now.
It’s going to be hard to out the genie back in the bottle if and when this current crop leaves office. It’s like the redistricting battle in Texas. It’s so obviously wrong, but it forces the Democrats to stoop to their level to protect themselves. Maybe things will get so bad that a majority of voters will one day gravitate back to an ethical leader. Wishful thinking, I suppose. As Tom Petty sings, “Can I help it if I still dream time to time?”
Great column!
I remember seeing the speeding story. It was great. I also remember feeling that the patrol commander took it well. Quite graciously and with humor, if I remember. It didn’t seem egregious at all — not a career killing “gotcha” moment, but as you say, an illustrative point well made.
Interesting that you remember the story, Wini. You’re right, they were gracious about it. The Iowa State Patrol is always great to work with. They are professional. They understand that reporters have a job to do. Whenever I showed up at an accident scene or tornado, if the patrol was there, I knew I would get what I needed without being hassled. All of which made it a little harder to decide to run this video. But it worked out okay.
Very good, Dave.
Well written.
After writing a blog for 18 years I still can’t guess which posts will catch fire and get many more views than usual.
Thanks, Laura. Good to know I’m not the only one.
Ask any blogger. Same story.
Exactly!
Thank you for your article, Dave! Yes, this is the ethics I learned in Reporting 101. This President seems to have no ethics, or morals. Being in that influential role as leader of our country, young people have a low bar to look up to. These are very sad days in America.
We need more who think like you in those positions of power. I really admire the decisions you made, Dave. A good friend of mine, whose dad was a chamber of commerce exec in a large Midwestern city, would often quote his North Star: “Do the right things for the right reasons!”
Teri, my dad always said the right thing to do was usually the harder thing to do.
I’ve always thought that one of the most important roles as president is as a role model. But this president is anything but. Thanks for the article.
Exactly! How can he be so blind to something so obvious? What he says, how he says it, all send signals. Usually, I’ve seen candidates grow into the office. Not this guy. He’s way too small of a man.
As always Dave, thanks for your perspectives. And for running the cop video! 😁
Thank you Dave. Afraid you won’t find any scintilla of ethics in this administration and possibly with any of our Republicans in Congress! They have traded being ethical for being transactional!
I wouldn’t have gone with the speeding story. Why embarrass them like that over something so minor? Seems mean spirited.
Thanks for the input, Michael. There’s no right or wrong answer. It’s a judgment call, which is the point of the column. The true test is not whether a leader makes ethical decisions one always agrees with, but whether the leader does it most of the time. Reasonable people can disagree on any one set of circumstances.
My thought on the state patrol story was that enough viewers might think, “If it can happen to that guy, it can happen to me. Better to pay attention and show down.” I respect your right to disagree.
You’re right it’s a judgement call. Thanks for responding.
Ethics -- or lack thereof -- is a poignant topic these days, and you've captured it well in your article. With partisan control over the DOJ, FBI, SCOTUS and our legal system in general, the message is loud and clear that CAN is preferred over SHOULD. Every day is another bad lesson for our kids. Get away with what you can. Take no responsibility.
Sad but true.
You hit a home run with this article. In my previous life, prior to being in ministry, I was a middle school principal and I preached the message of doing what's right, not what you can get away with. I remember many office visits where a student thought it was appropriate to do something wrong because he saw someone else do it and get away with it even though the offending student knew it was wrong in the first place.
Denny, so good to hear from you. Not sure if we ever met in UMC circles but I know who you are. And I thank you for what you’ve stood for.
As usual, Dave, absolutely right. Too many leaders make decisions on one factor: what will make me look good and the hell with other people! I also remember the speeding incident and agree totally with your using that story. I hope the politicians and people in leadership return to doing what’s right and consider the consequences when people only care about themselves. Sad state of affairs right now.
It’s going to be hard to out the genie back in the bottle if and when this current crop leaves office. It’s like the redistricting battle in Texas. It’s so obviously wrong, but it forces the Democrats to stoop to their level to protect themselves. Maybe things will get so bad that a majority of voters will one day gravitate back to an ethical leader. Wishful thinking, I suppose. As Tom Petty sings, “Can I help it if I still dream time to time?”
I hope your “wishful thinking” becomes our new reality, Dave. Great quote from Tom Petty! All the best.
My husband always said,” that it shouldn’t be hard to do what’s right.”
True, but on a tough ethical call, my father always said the right thing is often the harder thing.