Are cowboy ethics a good policy?
Are cowboy ethics a good policy?
Some members of the Wyoming Legislature want to instill "cowboy ethics" in state law, lest lawmakers and citizens forget the state's western roots.
The code would stress the importance of ethics such as living with courage, keeping promises, finishing what you start and saying more by talking less. The list of 10 ethics in Wyoming's proposed code also includes taking pride in your work, doing what has to be done, being tough but fair, riding for the brand, remembering that some things aren't for sale and knowing where to draw the line.
The code is based on the "Code of the West" outlined in a 2004 book called "Cowboy Ethics" by James Owen.
Sponsor Sen. Jim Anderson, R-Glenrock, said Owen's book captured his interest, and he was inspired to introduce the bill after seeing the December premier of a related video project, "The Code of the West: Alive and Well in Wyoming."
A number of states have enacted ethics codes, but Wyoming's proposal has a unique flair, said Peggy Kerns, director of the Ethics Center at the National Conference of State Legislatures.
"It's OK to put in statute these kinds of aspirational statements, and then of course, the proof comes in how it's played out," she said.
Brent Hathaway, dean of the University of Wyoming College of Business, keeps a copy of the cowboy code hanging above his desk.
"It's a nice way to remind the young people or the business people that come into my office to say this is how we believe we should act toward one another and what we should be," Hathaway said.
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- Posted on February 24, 2010
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I think that the "cowboy ethnics" should be put into affect. These ethnics are a great role to live buy, and something my parents have taught me since I was very little. These ethnics would very good for people because they help to eliminate lying, and people not caring about the job they do, if it put into a law.
think that is a great role to live by. I don't think it should be called ''cowboy ethnics'' it should be called ''cowboy and people ethnics''. I know there was some people like Jessie James who was an outlaw and didn't follow this role but then there was More good than bad.
I thank it is a good idea and that eveyone sould take pride in what we do and we sould always finsh what we stared then there would be no quiter.
cowboy code is something you just live by like me I'm a country boy cowboy and country boy some code we live it little more differ then cowboys but i respects Cowboy there good people
I do agree with having it be a policy. I think it is because it is a good way to keep up with a sport in the Wyoming state. That's is why it should be a good policy.
I believe the cowboy ethic is a great thing to live by.It makes common sense in some sort it is kind of what people do today like finish what you started,doing what has to be done, taking pride in your work , and being tough but absolutely fair!
I think that is a great role to live by. I don't think it should be called ''cowboy ethnics'' it should be called ''cowboy and people ethnics''. I know there was some people like Jessie James who was an outlaw and didn't follow this role but then there was More good than bad. Even people in the city should follow this.
i like this because it really tells the truth.There was a little crime in the old west but not too bad, not like today.And changing some of our laws back to the old west might help in Wyoming.
While I think that the cowboy code is a very moral way to live I don't quite understand why it needs to be law. I think the cowboy code is something you just live by.
While i think that the cowboy code is a very moral way to live I don't quite understand why it needs to be law. I think the cowboy code is something you just live by.