Since first writing about the codes of behavior to which I vow to adhere, I’ve not had time to continue the theme.
Now though, we behold the ungodly, unamerican, and brutally inhumane all-time lows that congressional republicans are slithering and sinking into in order to enable Don The Con’s obstruction of the will of The People in a fair democratic election—the sanctified cornerstone of our Freedom.
This to where even the Pandemic Task Force—such as it is, led in name only by the feckless simpleton toady sleaze vp—is not permitted to conduct transition briefings to save American lives even as the country continues to be worst in the world in response and two thousand people like you and like me die daily.
America: Worst In The World.
There’s no worse example of more so-called Americans in gross violation of their oaths of office.
So we must take the time for a detour up the moral high ground.
A Long, Long Way From Washington
One deep, wrenching and lingering frustration of being a westerner, in addition to that of being a believer in our constitutional republic, is that the bought politicians who gain office through money, media influence and other rank factors that have nothing to do with fitness or experience, understand nothing about the west—nothing about the values of land.
You can’t be pro life and anti land. Incarnation doesn’t work that way.
So we are not only underrepresented but in essence disenfranchised by coastal and urban money, by Wall Street and greedy crass lobbyists, even with the electoral college.
If the reactionaries who cannot find, back and elect honest people to defeat the cruel republican ideological extremists had their way and ended the electoral college—which will obviously never ever happen—we in the west would be reduced to dust just like the dust in the coming dust bowl that scientists foresee.
Good Day
So today is a good day to look at one of the great codes of all earth history, and one that was oral—understood by men without need to codify in some holy book or stone monument to gain credence: The Code Of The West.
There is no one version, no definitive version, but American pioneers were bound by it just the same. Even those who broke federal laws, laws of the state or territory, lived by the code.
Back when your name meant something, to violate the code was to reduce your name to nothing, to ensure social outcast status. The code was a way of life that evolved in its own way among peoples, places and times in the American west, one of the true paramount zeniths in all creation.
The Code Of The West
Don’t inquire into a person’s past. Take the measure of a man for what he is today.
Never steal another man’s horse. A horse thief pays with his life.
Defend yourself whenever necessary.
Look out for your own.
Remove your guns before sitting at the dining table.
Never order anything weaker than whiskey.
Don’t make a threat without expecting dire consequences.
Never pass anyone on the trail without saying Howdy.
When approaching someone from behind, give a loud greeting before you get within shooting range.
Don’t wave at a man on a horse, as it might spook the horse. A nod is the proper greeting.
After you pass someone on the trail, don’t look back at him. This implies you don’t trust him.
Riding another man’s horse without his permission is nearly as bad as making love to his wife. Never even bother another man’s horse.
Always fill your whiskey glass to the brim.
A cowboy doesn’t talk much, he saves his breath for breathing.
No matter how weary and hungry you are after a long day in the saddle, always tend to your horse’s needs before your own, and get your horse some feed before you eat.
Cuss all you want, but only around men, horses, and cows.
Complain about the cooking and you become the cook.
Always drink your whiskey with your gun hand, to show your friendly intentions.
Do not practice ingratitude.
A cowboy is pleasant even when out of sorts. Complaining is what quitters do, and cowboys hate quitters.
Always be courageous. Cowards aren’t tolerated in any outfit worth its salt.
A cowboy always helps someone in need, even a stranger or an enemy.
Never try on another man’s hat.
Be hospitable to strangers. Anyone who wanders in, including an enemy, is welcome at the dinner table. The same is true for riders who join cowboys on the range.
Give your enemy a fighting chance.
Never wake another man by shaking or touching him, as he might wake suddenly and shoot you.
Real cowboys are modest. A braggart who is “all gurgle and no guts” is not tolerated.
Be there for a friend when he needs you.
Drinking on duty is grounds for instant dismissal and blacklisting.
A cowboy is loyal to his “brand,” to his friends, and those he rides with.
Never shoot an unarmed or unwarned enemy. This was also known as The Rattlesnake Code: always warn before you strike. If a man was being stalked, however, this could be ignored.
Never shoot a woman no matter what.
Consideration for others is central to the code, such as: Don’t stir up dust around the chuckwagon, don’t wake up the wrong man for herd duty, etc.
Respect the land and the environment by not smoking in hazardous fire areas, disfiguring rocks, trees, or other natural areas.
Honesty is absolute—your word is your bond. A handshake is more binding than a contract.
Live by the Golden Rule.
Know any politicians like this? City, state country?
Let’s start electing some in 2021.
More codes to come.
❏