Dear Editor:
“Of the things we think, say or do…”
Given the horrible events that have become so common in the news today, it seems timely to think about what is right and wrong. There is an international organization around since 1905 that works, among other things, for world peace and charity, called Rotary. There are local clubs in many of our towns all over the USA. It is the only non-governmental organization to also be a voting member of the United Nations. They are not necessarily pacifist and many patriotic Americans (including myself and many active duty and retired military) belong along with more than 1.2 million members world-wide. Their ethics standards dating back more than 50 years are expressed in a “4-way test” which has been translated into more than 100 languages and reads as follows:
Of the things we think, say or do:
Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
I believe we would all be better people by applying this test. That’s my soapbox this week.
Bill Rymer
Lexington Park, MD