What you’re about to read I didn’t write, a friend of mine did. Ken is a proud American who’s taught me a great deal about American politics and he’s VERY opinionated and passionate about his views. I think that’s great! I have a great deal of respect for him and what he has to say. Here’s why:
Honor: What does it matter now?
It has become painfully obvious to me that "Honor" is a concept all but lost on our nation's "leadership" and equally amiss amongst at least half of our nation's general population. When the Secretary of State, in an investigation involving the needless death of four good men and asks "What does it matter now?" we can be sure that honor has become nothing but an empty word.
So I thought I would take a moment to try and explain what honor is. Pardon my impertinence.
In the movie "Rob Roy" there is a scene where Rob is explaining to his son what honor is and he says "Honor is the gift a man gives himself." For a long time, I thought this was a very apt and poetic way of describing it. Poetic it is, but it is a flawed statement.
Self Respect is the gift a man gives himself. Honor is how he earns it.
Honor is doing right even when no one will ever know.
Honor is doing right even when it will hurt you to do it.
Honor is doing right even when doing otherwise would be more profitable or pleasing.
Honor is not a garment to be donned and discarded when you find it expedient to do so. Honor must be served with every breath you take.
Honor is not a "secret password" to be bandied about in order to gain entrance to the company of those who truly hold honor as their highest virtue.
Occasionally, because none of us are as perfect as Jesus Christ, we will err. We will do the less than honorable thing. Perhaps even the dishonorable thing. Those without honor will try at that time, to convince you that honor is lost, that you should abandon your high and mighty principles and admit you are as shiftless and double-dealing as they are. This is a lie, never believe it.
Honor is sometimes doing the wrong thing and then, when you realize your error, paying the price without flinching. Accepting the shame you have earned, realizing it is your debt to carry that shame for the rest of your life, and then going forth and making every effort in your power to undo the damage of your ill-conceived actions.
In short, admitting you have failed and beginning anew, with greater determination than ever before, to work and attempt to regain enough of that honor that one day, you may look in the mirror and view the one you see there with some quantity of Self Respect, even if that respect is somewhat dimmed. As long as you are willing to pay the price though
The one thing Honor will never allow you to do, is to give up. Honor requires your lifetime commitment. Honor requires your unflinching and steadfast effort. Honor offers the reward of Self Respect, but it also offers the punishment of great shame.
Sadly, our "leaders" have lost the capacity for shame. They have so muddied their souls they are beyond redemption. There is no honor within them and they know it well. Their failure burns within their heart forever and they will hate and despise any who possess the slightest shred of honor or self respect.
This is why you are their prey.
Do not abandon that which makes you their better. Regardless of what degradations they heap upon you, never, ever, let them take your honor from you. For if you do, you will be no better than they.
And that is truly, a fate worse than death.
Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton, Eric Holder, Bill Ayers, and all your cronies and sycophants, I am your better. I always will be. And you know it.
Death before Dishonor.
Semper Fidelis
