State of Wyoming adopts 'cowboy' code of behavior (with video)
WorldNetDaily
Wyoming has become the first state with its own official code of behavior – a set of guidelines adopted from Jim Owen's "Cowboy Ethics: What Wall Street can Learn from the Code of the West."
The guidelines are:
- Live each day with courage.
- Take pride in your work.
- Always finish what you start.
- Do what has to be done.
- Be tough but fair.
- When you make a promise, keep it.
- Ride for the brand.
- Talk less and say more.
- Remember that some things aren't for sale.
- Know where to draw the line.
Owen developed the concept several years ago after being dismayed by a rash of corporate scandals and growing societal discord. According to his website, he wanted to strengthen the foundation of shared values in America.
His work also has been adapted to be taught in schools to give youth a standard by which to live:
Cowboy Ethics: A Life Changing Approach to Character Education from Center for Cowboy Ethics on Vimeo.
The program is a four-week unit to help high school students build the personal characteristics needed to achieve success in life. It focuses on inspiring students to decide which values and traits they believe in.
Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal recently signed into law a bill sponsored by state Sen. Jim Anderson, who told the Casper Star Tribune that by recognizing the principles, the state is declaring to the world the values Wyoming residents pursue.
Owen told the newspaper Americans have a lot to learn from Western concepts of right and wrong.
"I grew up with Roy Rogers and Gene Autry, and they were my heroes," Owen said. "And today, my hero is the working cowboy. And it's that optimism, the courage, the hard work that built the country. We've gotten away from these common-sense core values."
Wrote one commentator, "Is anyone going to share this with Congress?"
Added another, "Cowboys may be irrelevant, but their ethics matter."
March 13, 2010