*Jack’s Winning Words 3/4/22

A friend’s safety trumps a friend’s loyalty every day.” (Tressa Holte)  This quote begs the question: Is honesty always the best policy?  Are there times when the betterment for a friend is to choose “safety first”?  Back in the 60’s a book, Situation Ethics, was published, making the point that “different situations call for different responses.” Tressa makes the case that “safety first” applies to the relationship we have with friends.  It’s never comfortable to be put in a situation where you’re damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.  What’s your opinion?  Safety or loyalty first?  ;-)  Jack

FROM ME IN NEWPORT BEACH:  Our son was in Peace Corps for 2 yrs in Namibia after graduating from UW in Madison, which is a breeding ground for PC volunteers.===JACK:  In today's world a (too large) segment of people are suspicious of places of higher learning and those who attend them.  Are we to celebrate these places, or to aim for the lowest common denominator?  That is one of the "hidden wars" going on in America. 

FROM HONEST JOHN:  Let us try to avoid either/or situations….that, to me, is the smart approach.===JACK:  I seem to remember reading...."He that is not for me is against me" and also singing the hymn, "Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide."  The choice (either or) goes on forever.===HJ: In debate the correlative would be the dilemma question. ===JACK: I guess that in debate, as in any game, there are tactics.  When I played basketball, I would do illegal things when the referee wasn't looking - and I never felt guilty about it.  Am I an unforgiven sinner?

FROM WILLMAR REV:  ...never comfortable... many of those situations come with those in the medical field, pastoral care, and HIPPA. 0;-/===JACK:  Are you for HIPPA or against it? ===REV:  Just like the mandates . . . doesn't make any difference for or against, just rolling with them the best I can and with a good conscience! Sometimes 'information' is given me with confidence I will keep it to myself and at other times, information is NOT given me , stating because of HIPPA, it must be upheld in that manner. 0;-) ===JACK:  Situation Ethics 2022 style. 

FROM BB IN CHGO:  Safety; loyalty can always be restored when time allows.  If one is unsafe, injured, et cetera there may be no restoration of wholeness??  ===JACK:  How much time is to elapse before action is called for.  Ukraine is just one example.  We each have our personal "time-lapse" concerns.

FROM SHARIN' SHARON:  Interesting WW.  Hard to untangle and complex to really understand the meaning of all the words.  At first thought I’d go on to other emails since difficult to plumb through the language but more simply plumbing actual decisions about behaviors, would say safety is first.  Respecting dignity and safety of a friend can “buy time” until stuff gets worked out, especially trusting God is on the side of justice for all involved.  This rumination is probably as convoluted as the WW seem to me.  Both safety and loyalty are such stellar upstanding words regarding friendship.  Appreciate WW you generated for readers this morning,===JACK:  I've appreciated my philosophical training which shows that certain answers raise additional questions and that the final answer is elusive.  Someone has asked, "If God is the answer, what is the question?"  Life can be frustrating, at times.