During the World Wars which were new to everyone all over this planet, you were never to cooperate with the enemy upon being captured. However, it was decided at some point that name, rank and serial number was relevant and necessary. On anything else no matter how trivial, you were told to clam up!
EASIER SAID THEN DONE
That was the rule and men lived by it out in the open but in secret and circumstances, another dynamic took place. They were tested on these beliefs.Torture changed all that and men broke and talked. Shamed for the conduct but also perplexed as to why others didn't talk when broken, men kept silent about their confessions until they had to admit it. Then, learning that everyone talked gave hope
007 KNOWS THE GAME
When it was discovered that almost everyone talks when broken, the new rules of capture took effect. Hold out until you cannot and then each one does what they have to do. Now in the world of James Bond, 007, where you don't talk no matter what and it is kill or be killed, there is nothing to say. Caught means your dead anyway...Don't get caught is what 007 is trained for. He is licensed to kill rather than talk
BE OF GOOD CHARACTER
Which brings us to the subject matter of honesty, integrity, doing the right thing, moral and ethical behavior and character. We all want it, agree that it is the way and the norm and even expect it from each other. What a great and wonderful common ground to share and build on...bar none! Tell the truth and you can't go wrong. We all want and beleive in this very much so...
THE LICENSED AGENT
Agents in every industry take an oath as do doctors, attorneys and public office workers along with the military to do just that. We expect it and there is no exception or waiving of that oath of office or licensing. If there is a violation, criminal and civil action is not far behind along with severe penalties
WHY THE BREACH THEN?
What makes a person take a short-cut? Why the lie? Why would someone travel down a path that is clearly forbidden and agreed to before hand to not do or go? The simple answer, if there can be one, is that it is called temptation and there is no course or study to take that keeps you current on this.
TELLING THE TRUTH IS RISKY FOR SOME
We really don't know what we would do in that very moment when we are called upon to actually live the belief that we imagine, swore and agreed to. In society at large, if one admits to a wrong-doing, the consequences are so severe that it discourages the act of coming forward to accept responsibility
COMING CLEAN IS NOT USER FRIENDLY
Furthermore, when people do come forward, they are made into spectacles and if that is not enough, they are now "marked" either by reputation or actual files kept on them in regards to the ethical or immoral breach that they committed. Knowing this makes it even harder to come clean. This favors lying and supports the temptation
THE MISERABLE
One of the best examples given is found in Victor Hugo's "Les Miserbles" (the miserable) book, move and play. The story is simple enough. Some guy sees his widowed sisters children starving during a depression where there is no work or hope and finally decides to steal bread for the kids. The kids
GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE
He gets caught and why he did it is not important. He is severely punished. But it gets worse this story of human nature does. He gets out of jail and has to carry around identification that says he is a thief which prevents him from getting work or staying in one place for long. Even his money cannot buy food
RECOURSE AND REALITY
His recourse? He decided he had to lie and deceive about his identification and start fresh or he will die. That is what happens to most people who come to the cross roads of the ethical and moral dilemmas that they face. Coming clean is so devastating that they would prefer to take their chances otherwise...
MY OBSERVATIONS
I come across many who have traveled this way for one reason or another and I have learned something very clearly. I don't judge them too harshly for what they have done but I don't support it either. I do however say often and to myself...that could be anyone now a days and what drove them to it remains to be seen, explored and understood. Those without sin cast the first stone applies well here and pauses us...to wonder
We all want to do the right thing...until we don't...That don't differs for everyone one of us
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