There are a few things hopefully each of us learns as a child…<\/p>\n
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Don\u2019t covet.<\/p>\n
Honor your mother and father.<\/p>\n
And never stick your tongue on a flag pole in the winter.<\/p>\n
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As an adult, I see at least one, glaring wise nugget that far too many have missed…<\/p>\n
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Let your \u2018yes\u2019 mean \u2018yes\u2019 and your \u2018no\u2019 mean \u2018no.\u2019\u00a0 Speak the truth.<\/i><\/p>\n
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So it bothers this semi-humble blogger when I see so many supposedly smart people speak and act so counterintuitively to the truth shared above…<\/p>\n
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It bothers me when Pres. Obama again hits what \u201cfeels like\u201d a campaign trail and repeatedly utilizes the phrase, \u201cphony scandals.\u201d\u00a0 The screening of conservative groups by the IRS is not \u201cphony.\u201d\u00a0 The secret seizing of journalists\u2019 phone records, emails, etc. by the Justice Department is not fake.\u00a0 The Intramuralist, for one, is very concerned about the potential abuse of power by these 2 federal branches of government.\u00a0 Hence, fake or phony are inaccurate adjectives at best…<\/p>\n
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Let your \u2018yes\u2019 mean \u2018yes\u2019 and your \u2018no\u2019 mean \u2018no.\u2018 \u00a0 Speak the truth.<\/i><\/p>\n
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Granted, a second example could easily be written about current NYC mayoral candidate, Anthony Weiner, a congressman who resigned from office, acknowledging personal wrongdoing, but then who continued the same wrongdoing long after his resignation and reported repentance… but alas, we digress… he isn’t worth our time…<\/p>\n
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Let your \u2018yes\u2019 mean \u2018yes\u2019 and your \u2018no\u2019 mean \u2018no.\u2018 \u00a0 Speak the truth.<\/i><\/p>\n
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Perhaps, no less this week, the example that causes the greatest cringe comes from baseball\u2019s Ryan Braun.\u00a0 Braun is an outfielder with the Milwaukee Brewers (sorry, my Wisconsin friends).<\/i>\u00a0 In fact, the talented Braun \u2014 nicknamed \u201cThe Hebrew Hammer\u201d as a perennial standout in the sport \u2014 was actually voted the league\u2019s 2011 MVP.\u00a0 Last week Braun was suspended without pay for the rest of the season due to his use of performance-enhancing drugs.\u00a0 As Braun stated in his acceptance of the suspension, \u201cI realize now that I have made some mistakes. I am willing to accept the consequences of those actions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n While I commend Braun\u2019s willingness to accept the consequences, I cringe at the 2 years prior.\u00a0 In 2011, Ryan Braun came under scrutiny for a then failed drug test.\u00a0 Instead of admitting \u2014 or granted, even denying \u2014 any wrongdoing, Braun attacked the investigator and his process.\u00a0 As he said through his spokesman:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “There are highly unusual circumstances surrounding this case which will support Ryan’s complete innocence and demonstrate there was absolutely no intentional violation of the program.\u00a0 While Ryan has impeccable character and no previous history, unfortunately, because of the process we have to maintain confidentiality and are not able to discuss it any further, but we are confident he will ultimately be exonerated.”<\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>\n So in 2013 \u2014 after lying in 2011 \u2014 only now does Ryan Braun actually \u201caccept the consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Seemingly smart people only adhering to nuggets of wisdom when they can no longer deny the truth…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Let your \u2018yes\u2019 mean \u2018yes\u2019 and your \u2018no\u2019 mean \u2018no.\u2019\u00a0 Speak the truth.<\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Always.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Respectfully,<\/p>\n AR<\/p>\n There are a few things hopefully each of us learns as a child… Don\u2019t covet. Honor your mother and father. And never stick your tongue on a flag pole in the winter. As an adult, I see at least one, glaring wise nugget that far too many have missed… Let your \u2018yes\u2019 … <\/p>\n