01/12/23 Lying is the fundamental “ethical violation.” – Radically Rational

01/12/23 Lying is the fundamental “ethical violation.”

Yes, there are countless ethical differences between the Trump and Biden “Classified Capers.” And in many ways, they do matter. Intent. Transparency. Admission of improper possession. Chain of custody. Cooperation with law enforcement.

But ultimately, these contrasts won’t matter. Biden’s “unforced error” is a windfall for Trump and his Congressional Cronies, who now have a gaping opportunity to do what they do best—dodge, deflect, delay, deny and dissemble. Like Jim Jordan needs an excuse to bray? But now he has one, however disingenuous it might be.

“Unforced error,” indeed.

I’m in no way giving Biden a pass. But I’m also in no way giving Trump a way out, politically, morally or legally.

As we approach 2024, the best thing for America would be for both the former president and the current one to be marginalized and nudged into irrelevance by their respective parties and escorted into their dotage.

It’s the only chance this country has to hit something even resembling a “reset” button.

George Santos lied about essentially everything. But Santos continues to insist he is guilty of no “ethical violations,” and under no obligation to resign. And he says it with a straight face. While Santos is the most egregious current example of this mindset, he is by no means its sole proponent. Culturally, we have decided that lying has nothing to do with ethics. We have normalized lying. We have accepted lying. We have in many cases celebrated lying.

Our national rot will continue until we recognize that lying is the foundational ethical sin. Telling the truth is the nucleus of ethical conduct, in both the public and private realms.

We have de-stigmatized lying.

We must now re-stigmatize it.

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Paul's Bio

I clearly have the attention span of your median fruit fly.Look! Airplane!

Sorry. I’m back.

It’s both a curse and a blessing. I’ve never bought this stuff about, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” But I do think that a wide range of life experiences helps us grow as people, and helps us better relate to other people. I’ve been fortunate. And I am beyond grateful.

I show up on time. I go like hell. I’m a good listener. I hold myself accountable. I own my mistakes. And I have a natural and an insatiable curiosity. I’m never afraid to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t. But then I try to find out.

The flip side is I’m a lousy ballroom dancer and my clothes sometimes fit me funny.

Stuff matters to me. I care. But while I take that stuff seriously, I try hard to never take myself seriously. As a result, I have sometimes been told, “Paul, it’s hard to tell when you’re serious and when you’re just having some fun. Which is it? Serious or fun?”

My answer is “yes.” But I think that is a legitimate criticism. I promise I’m going to work on that.

This has been the quickest and strangest half-century I’ve ever experienced. During that period, I’ve been afforded amazing opportunities in news and sports journalism across all platforms. I have taught wonderful students at the high school and collegiate level. Always, I learned more from them than they did from me. I’ve been a high school administrator. I spent ten seasons as a high school varsity football coach. I’ve been an advertising executive. I’ve hosted nationally syndicated television entertainment shows. In maybe the biggest honor I ever received, I was selected by NASA to be “Chet The Astronaut” for the “Land The Shuttle” simulator at Space Center Houston. (All I can say there, is “Do as I say, not as I do.” I put that thing in the Everglades more often than not.) Most recently, I just wrapped up a decade as a television news director, during which time our teams distinguished themselves in holding the powerful accountable, achieving both critical and ratings success.

What does all that mean? It means I am profoundly grateful. It also means I’m ready for “next.” So here we are. Radically Rational. It’s an idea I woke up with in 2017. I scribbled “Radically Rational” on a piece of notebook paper and used a magnet to stick it on our refrigerator. I saw it every day, and it just would not leave me alone.

I am second in charge at Radically Rational, LLC. My wife, Jo (also known as BB), is the president. Clearly, I have failed in my attempt to sleep my way to the top of this organization.

I hope you will learn that I’m loyal as a Labrador. But I will admit that this doggie can bite every now and then. My promise to you? I will show up on time. I will go like hell. I will listen to you earnestly and attentively. I will hold myself accountable. I will never be the least bit hesitant to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t.

But then I’ll try to find out. Let’s do it.