Most of this diary was originally posted in Mojo Friday on Fri Jan 23, 2009 at 10:30 AM EST and then again last year. I may add a few comments.
What we generally define as good character also includes if you have an issue with someone address it with them. Don't snipe at them from cover and in the dark. Don't wish this site or some other entity to spectacularly fail so you can experience
schadenfreude. You may never come to an agreement, but at least both parties have approached it honestly.
Be consistent. Don't condemn one persons for an action that you weren't willing to condemn another for previously.
You may be right, but your inconsistency blew your credibility on this issue.
Character is doing something for others, when there is nothing in it for you.
Character is doing what's right when nobody's looking.
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.
Abraham Lincoln
Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are to some extent a gift. Good character, by contrast, is not given to us. We have to build it piece by piece by thought, choice, courage and determination.
John Luther
Writer's Note
Remember this was originally written in 2009
At the beginning of this new administration I thought discussing character would be appropriate. Many of us have thoughts on this and there are numerous quotes to pull from, I have chosen just a few. Two are attributed, two are not, but all give a hint of how we perceive what constitutes good character. Feel free to add your on favorite quotes on character.
My perspective on character has been forever colored by an exchange I heard many years ago as I stood behind the bar at a Yacht Club. It was a small club and there was some familiarity but still a line. A member was standing at the bar having a conversation with me when another member came up to offer their congratulations to the member talking with me. He had just been elected as an Officer to a local charitable organization. I was about to offer my own congratulations when the following exchange took place;
2nd member: That will look great on your obituary!
1st member: Why yes, yes it will.
I was stunned into silence. I thought to myself, Holy shit! I didn't just hear that did I? Some people actually look to build their obituary column just as tho' it is part of their resume. I have never looked at obits the same anymore. Whenever I see a long obituary, especially that of a "prominent" individual, I'll always wonder if they've done it out of true altruistic reasons or did they do it simply to build their obituary column?
But the above is just one example of character, the Lincoln quote is an example of another kind of character. Over the last eight years we have seen an example of the lack of good character when power is involved. The seed for good character has to already be in place for it to be present when one obtains power. The difference in character of the new administration versus that of the previous administration was and is obvious in their earlier lives. One individual when given the opportunity to serve others or take the path to personal wealth, he chose to serve others. The other has a history of one failure after another which he never took responsibility for and always blamed others and left it to others to clean up his messes.
I for one don't look for miracles from President Barack Obama, but I feel certain that based on his past he will approach it from a more thoughtful perspective than we've seen the past eight years. (The Bush Administration)
On with the games!!
Mojo Friday Guidelines
1) If you comment you have to recommend all comments. (in order to receive mojo you have to give mojo. It's only good mojo manners.)
2) Everything you say may be taken as a joke (so if you ask a question, expect a silly answer)
3) You must recommend the diary (and pimp it unapologetically)
4) You don't have to comment to recommend.
5) You can't steal my idea (right, like that ain't goin' to happen)
6) Please, no pictures or YouTubes until after 300 comments. Now, after 300, use a little common courtesy and be responsible in the number.
7) Mojo mojo mojo mojo, mojo mojo mojo.
8) TexDem (that's me) is not bound by the guidelines. Heh
Mojo Friday Goals
A. At least 300 different commenters and 1000 comments by 1:30 PM EST and 1500 by 5:00 PM EST Friday Night that it's posted.
B. 100 recommends for each comment, at least.
C. Stay on Recommend List at least five hours (this requires some strategic planning by you guys, refer to guideline #3)
D. At least 200 diary recommends. 300 would be better, spread the word.
E. And always, fun fun fun.
F. Have at least 75% average participation rate as seen here in the Mojo Friday Postgame Show by Woodtick and bjedward.
G. (New) Have at least 30 kossacks over 90% participation (see here for some tips).
H. Overload the servers with recommends, not to mention dominate Top Comments Mojo list. (we do tend to mess with the site with all of our recommends at one time)(also, to dominate the Top Comments Top Mojo we need at least 50 comments with over 200 recommends, see guideline B)
I. That's enough for now. (Have a suggestion? Post it.)
MKinTN posted a diary to help everyone achieve greater success called How to Succeed at Mojo Friday Without Really Trying.
For those of you new to MF (Mojo Friday) we have our own lingo about a few things. Thank's to MF'er Jez (the link will explain) go to this diary for a little more fun and explanation. Official Mojo Friday Snecktionary.