Saturday, June 3, 2023

D.L. Gardner: Truth or Consequences

The truth is that consequences are no longer effective deterrences for illegal or immoral actions. What’s the worst that could happen? Politics has replaced law enforcement as well as moral values. Comedy has died because comedy needs steadfast truth and predictable consequences. 

For example, I used to tell an old joke to illustrate what happens when one compromises moral values. An old rich man propositions a young beauty to sleep with him one night for $1 million. The beauty says ‘yes.’ Then the old man asks whether she’ll sleep with him for $5. The beauty replies, “No! What do you thing I am!” To which the old man says, “We’ve already established what you are. Now we’re negotiating.” Several years ago after telling that joke, some of the younger adults rejected my point by saying, “Everyone has a price!” 


I was shocked! More than half of them argued everybody has a price! Why? What are the consequences? Who decides what’s right or wrong? In essence, they believed there is no such thing as immorality. Can we even say something is illegal any more? What are the consequences? If there are no consequences for breaking laws, who would be deterred from breaking laws? 


Americans have known for a long time that rich, powerful, and connected people live far above the law. Do you have any top secret documents? Jack Teixeira, 21, the Massachusetts Air National Guardsman posted top secret documents on the web for several weeks. Let’s see: Biden, Trump, Pence, Hillary….  How will these and other top federal officials be treated in comparison with 21-year old Jack. If you don’t know, then you don’t know Jack!


Truth has consequences. Many don’t believe that any more. We see people getting away with … well, even with murder and paying no consequences. Criminals are released too many times to go back out and do it again. When someone benefits from gaming the system, he’ll do it again. 


What consequences has anyone payed for misleading us about COVID-19 vaccines and protocols? Besides hard working Americans, who has payed consequences for skyrocketing gas and commodity prices? How about the “transitional” inflation rate? Is anyone paying the price for perennially rising inflation? 


Who has paid any consequences for abandoning Americans and our allies in Afghanistan during our withdrawal? How about all the brand new military equipment sitting in one of the largest air bases in the world? Who gave that away? Who is being held accountable for this evacuation debacle or for the shameful loss of 13 of our bravest military service people?


Why do kids pull guns and shoot others? What are the consequences? Why will people not go into some neighborhoods? What are we teaching young people? What are our young people learning outside of their homes? Young people learn what they believe to be true inside their own environments amid an avalanche of social media. How do they cope with the pressures of being teen agers? 


The daily news reports the consequences of bad choices and bad actions. We can learn from consequences, but only if we believe in truth that transcends our own experiences. Learning from the mistakes of others may save us some hardships. Learning what’s right and wrong and choosing accordingly will also save us many heartaches. 


Daniel L. Gardner is a syndicated columnist who lives in Starkville, MS. You may contact him at PJandMe2@gmail.com.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

DC is so viruntly leftist, no jury there will convict a leftist politician, so prosecutors, especially Soros funded prosecutors, don't bother to seek conviction and punishment of leftists under the law. Conversely, Conservatives are treated harshly because they have no "juries of their peers". Hence, unequal treatment thrives in DC.

Anonymous said...

There is no one blinder than he (or she) who chooses not to see. There is a human tendency to be selective about judgement of "right and wrong" ...casting blame for misbehavior on those whose ideology differs from our own; while denying, excusing or minimizing the same behavior and malfeasance by those with whom we identify and disagree. The truth is --- corruption, nepotism, partisan politics and an unequally applied justice system are not the exclusive domain of republicans or democrats, conservatives or liberals, the left of the right. Rather, it transcends ideology and is reflective of the human weakness. We often project onto others what we cannot acknowledge is a refection of our own behavior and beliefs.

Anonymous said...

At one time thugs, thieves, and murderers tries to cover up their lawless ways. Now it is so common that no one really tries to hide what they are doing. They know if you have enough money and are powerful there will not be anything done. You have a get out of jail free card. But you never have to go to jail or even be charged to use it. We may as well just face it, there are no morals left.

Anonymous said...

Boy, Professor Gardner has a way with words!

Anonymous said...

Moral
guidance is a side benefit of conscience, which moral arbiter is only an empty evil pit among criminal sociopaths.

One can use one's natural onboard radar/intuition to spot sociopaths/psychopaths, then act to steer clear of them and their environments. Perhaps intense drug therapy plus castration and lobotomy can make these savages less harmful, but that expertise is in the hands of professional others, not citizens seeking a peaceful existence.

Anonymous said...

The saddest part of DL’s monotonous drivel is knowing that he has a captive audience of students forced to endure it day after day.

Anonymous said...

There have been plenty of people warning Americans about this dystopia we are living under today. Y’all were just too busy worshiping Hollywood and sportsball to care. All by design.

Anonymous said...

"The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts, while the stupid ones are full of confidence.” ― Charles Bukowski

Hence we get the equivilant of "Hold my beer and watch this" in all sorts of unwittingly unintelligent behaviors.



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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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