The Lone Ranger's Code of the West: An Action-Packed Adventure in Values and Ethics With the Legendary Champion of Justice - Softcover

Lichtman, Jim

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0964859106 ISBN 13: 9780964859104

Publisher: Scribbler's Ink, 1996

Synopsis

The Lone Ranger demonstrates how the principles of the Ranger's Code can be applied to the ethical dilemmas of modern life

About this title

Review:

When it comes to ethics, who can argue with the Lone Ranger, that sterling icon of radio and television's golden-age of heroes? The Lone Ranger's Code of the West is largely composed of Lichtman's faithful retelling of eight classic Lone Ranger episodes. Tacked on to the beginning and ending of each episode are short, quirky conversations between the author and the masked man that illustrate one key aspect of a reconstructed code of simple ethics. Exceptionally well-told stories combined with succinct lessons make for an easy-to-swallow moral tonic.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

The following is taken from the Prologue.

What do we care about? What do we stand for? If we all want to do the right thing, then what is the right thing, and can we stand by our beliefs in the face of those who may not agree?

These are a few of the questions I asked myself when I was invited to help write a seminar on values. After researching everyone from Aristotle to Zeno and taking pages of notes, I resolved the following: that the study would be as thorough as possible, that its purpose would be clear and concise, and that it would be the most stunningly enlightening lecture on values in the history of modern American seminars.

This was, of course, all before the dream.

Actually, it was more like a nap. Nevertheless, something, the likes of which I had never seen before, happened. Something shocking. Something inconceivable. It began like this --

Silence, intense and oppressive, gripped the desolate landscape as two lone figures rode toward the town ahead. The taller of the two sat astride a magnificent white stallion and although his face was masked, all who had known him knew that he was as legendary for his remarkable sense of justice and fair play as for his skill with six-gun, rope and horse. His faithful Indian friend was his only companion.

A few miles more and they'd arrive at Pine Needle, a small mining town on the other side of Flint Ridge. It had been a long ride, harder than most but a satisfying one, nonetheless. The Lone Ranger and Tonto had successfully captured Buck Bledsoe and his gang. They retrieved the payroll money stolen from Dave Collins and saved the Lucky Strike mine from imminent bankruptcy, not to mention the jobs of many of the town's small population. All that remained was to ride to the other side of that ridge and they could call it another job well done. But first they stopped to water their horses.

As they do, the Ranger goes to his saddle bags and removes the money. Counting the gold coins by hand, he starts to figure. "Bullets, $10, food while tracking the bandits, $3 a day for five days, that's $15; health insurance, $10; laundry, $2 . . . "

"Don't forget-um horse doctor for Scout shot in gun battle," Tonto says.

"Thanks, Tonto," the masked man said. "That takes care of expenses. Now, our 30% finder's fee should complete the total. Here's your share, Kemo Sabay." The Ranger handed a portion of the proceeds to his trusted friend, then repacked the balance. A moment later, the masked man leaped onto his sturdy horse.

The Indian eyed his share skeptically as he returned to his saddle without a word.

"Let's go, big fella," the masked man said.

"Get-um up, Scout," grumbled Tonto.

"Hi-Yo Silver, Awaaaaay!"

Later, in Pine Needle, after the Lone Ranger and Tonto delivered the money to Dave Collins and left town in their usual uncelebrated manner, a few more facts came to light, disturbing facts. For one thing, the Ranger never mentioned anything about expenses or a finder's fee. For another, he always told Tonto that they would split fifty-fifty, but the sharp eyes of the Indian recognized that his take had been reduced by a whopping 15%!

And what about the payroll money? How is Dave going to pay all the people in the town he supports without the right amount? Who's going to "eat" the difference?

After deducting for expenses plus a little "put-by" for himself, Dave tells his workers that he'll divide the money in a fair-shared sacrifice.

"Now hold on, Dave."

"Yeah, we got families to fee, too!"

"Why not just file for the in`surance?"

Dave explains that his "liability coverage will skyrocket if Big Rock Insurance gets wind of the robbery and that'll kill any possibility of raises in the fall."

Quickly, the townspeople agree.

"Okay."

"That's fair."

Don't want to lose our raises!"

However, one disgruntled worker, Foreman Ed, decides that Dave's offer isn't good enough and begins to pocket a few extra nuggets from the mine when no one is looking. "After all," he rationalizes, "Dave owes it to me. I work hard and I need every bit I can get."

Meanwhile, back on the prairie, after a hearty meal, Tonto's tethering the horses for the night when he notices that the masked man has fallen asleep. Quietly, the Indian walks over to his companion's saddle bags and retrieves his missing share. After a second thought, he "bags" a few silver bullets for himself. "Besides," he reasons, "Ranger never start retirement I.R.A. him promise Tonto last year."

HOLD IT!

What's going on here? Lying, cheating, stealing? Where is the honesty, the respect and has anyone seen fairness lately?

The nap provided more than a colorful dream, it proved to be a provocative opening to the seminar. The audience not only sat in astonishment at all the inequities but were appalled to learn of the many committed by the Lone Ranger and Tonto, the two people dedicated most to upholding law, order and justice in the early western United States.

BUT . . .

However, unusual the dream was, you might have trouble believing what happened next. I mean, the story I'm about to tell you is so strange and incredible, you'll never forget it, but every single word is true!

About this edition

• Publisher: Scribbler's Ink
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0964859106
• ISBN 13: 9780964859104
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 261