Moral Leadership Topic

[Major Lord]

Help! I am filling in for Moral Leadership tonight and need a good topic. Any ideas?

Major Lord

[Capt M. Sherrod]

Sir, you may consider using the Flight Time Guide in the Pamphlets Section of www.cap.gov

[Pylon]

One of the hottest topics we discussed at our squadron was the morality of downloading music from the internet.  I had to stifle discussion just so we could leave on time.  Definitely something we will revisit in the future, too.

Topics that apply to things the cadets do in their lives, or will shortly, seem to draw the greatest input.

[Eclipse]

One of the hottest topics we discussed at our squadron was the morality of downloading music from the internet.  I had to stifle discussion just so we could leave on time.  Definitely something we will revisit in the future, too.

Topics that apply to things the cadets do in their lives, or will shortly, seem to draw the greatest input.

That was the first one that came to my mind as well, since it hits squarely on ethics.

Online conduct and identity is another good one...

[Major Lord]

My resolution to the problem was to put it out to the cadets for group discussion ( actually, I told them if they did not come up with a a topic, I would have to talk about drugs being bad, something no one has ever mentioned to them....) The topic for the night became an issue regarding one of our cadets experiencing bully troubles in school, their rights and responsibilites in dealing with that situation, and when they could morally take action to prevent or defend against physical assaults. Some of their ideas surprised me. For instance, many did not believe that being physically imprisoned  constituted a serious breach of their persons, or that a black cadet would be morally justified in attacking a white student who called him the "N" word ( No, not "Navy") Kids say the cutest things.....It was a very spirited and interactive discussion, and cadets lead it into surprising areas, the morality of war, the futility of pacifism, etc. Reminded me of freshman philosophy class.

Major Lord

[capchiro]

I'm sorry, but I think I didn't understand what you wrote above.  Are you saying that a black cadet would be morally justified in attacking a white student who called him the "N" word??  Please clarify.  Thank you.

[jimmydeanno]

I'm sorry, but I think I didn't understand what you wrote above.  Are you saying that a black cadet would be morally justified in attacking a white student who called him the "N" word??  Please clarify.  Thank you.

Just remove the previous section you get...

For instance, many did not believe that ... a black cadet would be morally justified in attacking a white student who called him the "N" word ( No, not "Navy")

[Major Lord]

One black cadet ( actually a visiting JROTC student in the process of applying for membership in CAP) felt strongly that he would be morally justified in attacking a fellow student for calling him the racial epithet in question. I am sure you are not seriously suggesting that I would condone violence for mere name calling. The vast majority, but not all, of the cadets were skeptical about the morality of attacking a fellow student on this basis. Jimmydeano correctly interpreted my sentence. I found the idea that they would accept that there is a "superword",  having so much more power over any other idea, that they may morally commit crimes to punish it's very use, to be astounding! The popular culture has apparently removed reason from education.

Major Lord

[mikeylikey]

^ YIKES gentleman this may turn into something other than what we want it to turn into. 

Lets leave the words and examples out of discussion from here. 

BECAUSE as noted, crimes are created to match words........lets not loose someone here to the groups offended by a single word.  Don't be the guy who is racist simply for bringing forward an example.  Because there are those out there that would love to make a person into a racist for no reason. 

Anyway.......if you want to read about words.....The Army sent an email around regarding what "derogatory" words should not be used in the workplace.  I have a link to the site, and must say I am shocked.  Shocked that they would send it around, shocked that there are some derogatory words that were not included and shocked that, eventually someone will loose their job over the email.  It is a good read.  Here it is ----->  http://michellemalkin.com/2007/11/28/more-diversity-lunacy-the-army-intelligence-and-security-commands-list-of-forbidden-words/

[capchiro]

Thank you for the clarification.  I was concerned as there is such an issue as "fighting words" that have been used as a defense in assault cases successfully and with the "political correctness" of today's society I am bothered by such.  I am glad you took the initiative and time to work with the cadets to help them discover and reinforce their moral compass.  Thank you.  Only with such work will we truly build the leaders that this country needs and deserves.  Please keep up the good work.  I know we all walk on shaky ground when we work with the moral issues and we all need to feel strong in our commitment to make sure our youth know right from wrong and not just what they have seen on the daily news...Again, thank you.