On Wednesday, Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal signed legislation adopting an official Wyoming state code based on the tenets known in the West as “Cowboy Ethics.”
Although the historic Code of the West was unwritten, cowboys, trappers, hunters and others in the U.S. frontier knew it was about maintaining honesty, integrity and courage in a wide-open region where the affects of government barely reached and laws were not always enforced.
More recently, the Ten Principles were outlined in a popular 2004 book, Cowboy Ethics: What Wall Street Can Learn from the Code of the West, by retired Wall Street investor James Owen.
The measure’s sponsor, Sen. Jim Anderson, (R-Glenrock), said Owen’s book captured his interest, and inspired him to introduce the bill after seeing the December premier of a related video project, “The Code of the West: Alive and Well in Wyoming.”
“There’s a work ethic in all things that we do, particularly in government,” Anderson said.
Here are the Ten Principles of Cowboy Ethics:
1. Live each day with courage
2. Take pride in your work
3. Always finish what you start
4. Do what has to be done
5. Be tough, but fair
6. When you make a promise, keep it
7. Ride for the brand
8. Talk less and say more
9. Remember that some things aren’t for sale
10. Know where to draw the line
Even though the bill is merely a symbolic gesture, carries no criminal penalties and is not meant to replace any civil codes, here at the Newshound, we think it reflects a pretty valuable ideology.
Perhaps Capitol Hill should adopt something similar. And adhere to it. What are your thoughts? We'd love to hear.
Comments (22)
The Cowboy Code is what I have always tried to live by. First time I've seen it on paper but it has been around a long time. It is exactly the reason the cowboy has endured. He is a rare mixture of strength, courage and integrity. And besides he gets to ride a horse which is way cool! I printed the code out and will hang it in plain sight in my house...
Where has my John Wayne gone :(
- a person I came by, an unknown Lady stricken by crime and poverty
Excellent JR!
And may I add,
“It is my right to be uncommon...if I can; I seek opportunity...not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me. I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed. I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stole calm of utopia. I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat. It is my heritage to stand erect, proud, and unafraid; to think and act for myself; enjoy the benefits of my creations and to face the world boldly and say, This I have done, and this is what it means to be an American.”
-Dean Alfrange
flatbed, this just didn't happen to natives it happend threw out the world to different races & cultures not by one government but many. thanks for your time & thoughts!!
Dropjhook, just got around to catching up on what you said, and it is true. With all our government did to the Native Americans years ago makes me wonder all the more what they up to now. And yes it is good to explore different thoughts, keeps the mind on edge. As I have gotten older I always try to put myself in the other persons shoes and think the situation out, 9 out of 10 times I realize that I would probally act the same way. Have a good day, sir.
Flatbed, what would this nation do if it had a higher intelligent beings send small groups at a time to trade there knowledge & out of world tools to american government to gain there trust plus have there landing ports for more of there kind to come. Then when they start getting to many they must make more living space so since America has no galaxy papers to prove there ownership of land well then its ok. You dont belive what we belive so you need to go to the re-education camps so you will civilized & advance as us...sounds crazy but ask a native how fast crazy can turn to truth. sry this has nothing about cowboys but its good for the mind to explore different thoughts from time to time.djh
Dropjhook, What I always wondered was how a six shooter could shoot 20 or 30 times and never need to be reloaded. What you say about the out numbering is true. When you think about it how could a group of travelers out number some one on their home turf? I have always wondered how I would act if I was an Indian back then. I mean all of the sudden you have new people coming in and taking over your home, your land, & the only way of life you know. When I first got married, my wife is a city girl, she would tell me something my family & I had done was not normal. But we had done it that way all our life, the things her family did was not normal to me. So I have come to think that to the individual normal is the way you grow up, because you know no difference. When you really think about it if a race of people were to come to the United States and start taking our land and homes, most of us well armed folks would fight to the end also. Or at least most of the rednecks down here. I worked with a man that had studied the "Art of War" and he told me that every combat strategy is usually to divide the country where the people have multiple fronts to protect. In America the best place would be up the Missippi River bottom, can you imagine what would happen to an opposing force trying to come through Louisana, Missippi, and Arkansas. I for one wold probally take some weekend hunting trips down there just to help out. Catch ya later, sir.
Flatbed, I'm sure the true cowboys thought the same as I did about hollywoods version of how history played out & how they portrayed other races back then. Me & friends would laugh at these movies but it taught me a movie is made from someones point of view not the truth. What made me laugh "besides indians being able to throw a spear 2 miles" was how they showed the cowboy out numbered & surrounded by thousands of indians. The truth is it was the other way around but thats hollywood & i dont hold it against anyone I'm glad most are smart enuff now to see what is & what isn't.
There's a clearity to the "Code". A simple beauty and truth that's as crisp and clean as the open air breathed by the cowboys. It makes me feel fresh, strong and even optimistic. Those ideals are still around even if they're not commonly used.
I think Washington originated the line used in the movie Jerry Maguire: SHOW ME THE MONEY. Unfortunately, over time, it has been modified to: Give me Your Money
Dropjhook, just got around to reading your comment, and you have I very good point. The cowboys that I want to be like are not the ones from the Western movies but the ones like what I call the old timers. They are the ones that knew that good old fashioned hard work never killed anybody, were always ready to lend a hand, and go the extra mile just because it was the right thing to do. Most of the old timers that I grew up with were this way. They had lots of tails. As far as your Indian point of view, I am from the area that the Cherokees call home. They too were shafted out of their homlands by the government. The more reading I do on them the more I find out. As far as I know they were the first race of people that our government put in a concentration camp. Later Sir.
The cowboy helped shaped this nation but there generation was not so diffrent then ours most was brain washed by mass media to believe in a certain agenda to expand power for the one's who are in power! If you control people's beliefs then you also control there minds. just wanted to state a "indians" point of view of spaghetti westrens nahhhhh you dont :-)
There is something so altruistic about the cowboy that we are drawn to them. I think there is a reason most of us want to be cowboys when we grow up... and I still hope to be one if I ever do manage to grow up.
My dad and grandpa are cowboys from way back and they taught me these things by example. I never knew there was a Cowboy Code until now. Guess I need to get out more.
these are great but they need to add three more to it love god, dont trust a woman, and dont ever hold a chisel for no other man
i can agree with you bo on the founding fathers they did live by a code that was close to the cowboy code but thats long gone.its about careing for your fellow country men and women not for the government you run and the greedy politicians the help you run it.
That's a good code to live by. I agree with you guys--the cowboy is a dying breed.
Patrick, I believe that the Founding Fathers lived by a stricter code than this. Unfortunately that code of ethics passed with their generation. In the last 150 years, there has been a blurring of values and understanding of the basic principles that caused the founding of this country. They have been explained away by those who neither understand nor value the heritage this country was based upon.
We have a generation who is completely ignorant of the real history of this country, due to the revisionists who don't want the true history told. Those who do not study history are doomed to repeat the mistakes made by previous generations.
theres no government past or present that has lived by this code or any other.they are to corrupt they dont care about you or me.but we all can live by this code it would make for a better america!
The people in Washington would have no clue as to what any of those things mean, let alone trying to live by them. Very few in Washington have any courage, to most of them their principles are for sale to the highest bidder, they talk more and say less, and they have not an inkling of intent on keeping any promises they made to get elected. Any code of ethics is glossed over by their legal speak so simple things like "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed..." Does not mean what it says.
I have had enough change. Now I hope we can change those people out of there and put them in some kind of work camp so they can learn just how treasonous their actions have been. Most of the Dems have violated every principle of the Constitution and need to serve time on a chain gang, next to Bubba. When they see the light, let them be dog catchers or trash collectors, but have no authority anywhere.
They might pass the bill, but just like the healthcare bill, they are excluded from it. They say what is "good" for us, but what is "good" for us is not good for them. they need to let the people decide what they want. We need to stop letting politicians make decisions for us. They need to remember that they work for us!! It might be time to clean house in government. We need to remember this come November.
There is no way that the group in the Capitol could meet the criteria,There is not an honest manin the bunch.If you went to them with questions on what they are pursuing not a man could look you in the eye.A true test of a mans charactor and fabric.A bunch of thieves vagavones,whoremomglers,tax cheats and lets not forget the golden girl,I,d like to put a brogan boot in her butt And kick her out of office there is no end to the list of crime commited daily to the .Fire them all and start all.
over.
What happened to morals in this country?everybody out chasing women half their age,ugly a** ole girls too if they had any since they would try to keep a great job.Our children will look back on this and why did you do this to us,All this debt and they have taken away my rights,forcing heath care on everyone.I've had enough change.
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There is no way that the group in the Capitol could meet the criteria,There is not an honest manin the bunch.If you went to them with questions on what they are pursuing not a man could look you in the eye.A true test of a mans charactor and fabric.A bunch of thieves vagavones,whoremomglers,tax cheats and lets not forget the golden girl,I,d like to put a brogan boot in her butt And kick her out of office there is no end to the list of crime commited daily to the .Fire them all and start all.
over.
What happened to morals in this country?everybody out chasing women half their age,ugly a** ole girls too if they had any since they would try to keep a great job.Our children will look back on this and why did you do this to us,All this debt and they have taken away my rights,forcing heath care on everyone.I've had enough change.
The cowboy helped shaped this nation but there generation was not so diffrent then ours most was brain washed by mass media to believe in a certain agenda to expand power for the one's who are in power! If you control people's beliefs then you also control there minds. just wanted to state a "indians" point of view of spaghetti westrens nahhhhh you dont :-)
They might pass the bill, but just like the healthcare bill, they are excluded from it. They say what is "good" for us, but what is "good" for us is not good for them. they need to let the people decide what they want. We need to stop letting politicians make decisions for us. They need to remember that they work for us!! It might be time to clean house in government. We need to remember this come November.
Patrick, I believe that the Founding Fathers lived by a stricter code than this. Unfortunately that code of ethics passed with their generation. In the last 150 years, there has been a blurring of values and understanding of the basic principles that caused the founding of this country. They have been explained away by those who neither understand nor value the heritage this country was based upon.
We have a generation who is completely ignorant of the real history of this country, due to the revisionists who don't want the true history told. Those who do not study history are doomed to repeat the mistakes made by previous generations.
That's a good code to live by. I agree with you guys--the cowboy is a dying breed.
Dropjhook, just got around to reading your comment, and you have I very good point. The cowboys that I want to be like are not the ones from the Western movies but the ones like what I call the old timers. They are the ones that knew that good old fashioned hard work never killed anybody, were always ready to lend a hand, and go the extra mile just because it was the right thing to do. Most of the old timers that I grew up with were this way. They had lots of tails. As far as your Indian point of view, I am from the area that the Cherokees call home. They too were shafted out of their homlands by the government. The more reading I do on them the more I find out. As far as I know they were the first race of people that our government put in a concentration camp. Later Sir.
Dropjhook, What I always wondered was how a six shooter could shoot 20 or 30 times and never need to be reloaded. What you say about the out numbering is true. When you think about it how could a group of travelers out number some one on their home turf? I have always wondered how I would act if I was an Indian back then. I mean all of the sudden you have new people coming in and taking over your home, your land, & the only way of life you know. When I first got married, my wife is a city girl, she would tell me something my family & I had done was not normal. But we had done it that way all our life, the things her family did was not normal to me. So I have come to think that to the individual normal is the way you grow up, because you know no difference. When you really think about it if a race of people were to come to the United States and start taking our land and homes, most of us well armed folks would fight to the end also. Or at least most of the rednecks down here. I worked with a man that had studied the "Art of War" and he told me that every combat strategy is usually to divide the country where the people have multiple fronts to protect. In America the best place would be up the Missippi River bottom, can you imagine what would happen to an opposing force trying to come through Louisana, Missippi, and Arkansas. I for one wold probally take some weekend hunting trips down there just to help out. Catch ya later, sir.
The people in Washington would have no clue as to what any of those things mean, let alone trying to live by them. Very few in Washington have any courage, to most of them their principles are for sale to the highest bidder, they talk more and say less, and they have not an inkling of intent on keeping any promises they made to get elected. Any code of ethics is glossed over by their legal speak so simple things like "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed..." Does not mean what it says.
I have had enough change. Now I hope we can change those people out of there and put them in some kind of work camp so they can learn just how treasonous their actions have been. Most of the Dems have violated every principle of the Constitution and need to serve time on a chain gang, next to Bubba. When they see the light, let them be dog catchers or trash collectors, but have no authority anywhere.
There's a clearity to the "Code". A simple beauty and truth that's as crisp and clean as the open air breathed by the cowboys. It makes me feel fresh, strong and even optimistic. Those ideals are still around even if they're not commonly used.
Flatbed, I'm sure the true cowboys thought the same as I did about hollywoods version of how history played out & how they portrayed other races back then. Me & friends would laugh at these movies but it taught me a movie is made from someones point of view not the truth. What made me laugh "besides indians being able to throw a spear 2 miles" was how they showed the cowboy out numbered & surrounded by thousands of indians. The truth is it was the other way around but thats hollywood & i dont hold it against anyone I'm glad most are smart enuff now to see what is & what isn't.
Flatbed, what would this nation do if it had a higher intelligent beings send small groups at a time to trade there knowledge & out of world tools to american government to gain there trust plus have there landing ports for more of there kind to come. Then when they start getting to many they must make more living space so since America has no galaxy papers to prove there ownership of land well then its ok. You dont belive what we belive so you need to go to the re-education camps so you will civilized & advance as us...sounds crazy but ask a native how fast crazy can turn to truth. sry this has nothing about cowboys but its good for the mind to explore different thoughts from time to time.djh
flatbed, this just didn't happen to natives it happend threw out the world to different races & cultures not by one government but many. thanks for your time & thoughts!!
There is something so altruistic about the cowboy that we are drawn to them. I think there is a reason most of us want to be cowboys when we grow up... and I still hope to be one if I ever do manage to grow up.
My dad and grandpa are cowboys from way back and they taught me these things by example. I never knew there was a Cowboy Code until now. Guess I need to get out more.
Dropjhook, just got around to catching up on what you said, and it is true. With all our government did to the Native Americans years ago makes me wonder all the more what they up to now. And yes it is good to explore different thoughts, keeps the mind on edge. As I have gotten older I always try to put myself in the other persons shoes and think the situation out, 9 out of 10 times I realize that I would probally act the same way. Have a good day, sir.
I think Washington originated the line used in the movie Jerry Maguire: SHOW ME THE MONEY. Unfortunately, over time, it has been modified to: Give me Your Money
these are great but they need to add three more to it love god, dont trust a woman, and dont ever hold a chisel for no other man
Excellent JR!
And may I add,
“It is my right to be uncommon...if I can; I seek opportunity...not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me. I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed. I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stole calm of utopia. I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat. It is my heritage to stand erect, proud, and unafraid; to think and act for myself; enjoy the benefits of my creations and to face the world boldly and say, This I have done, and this is what it means to be an American.”
-Dean Alfrange
Where has my John Wayne gone :(
- a person I came by, an unknown Lady stricken by crime and poverty
The Cowboy Code is what I have always tried to live by. First time I've seen it on paper but it has been around a long time. It is exactly the reason the cowboy has endured. He is a rare mixture of strength, courage and integrity. And besides he gets to ride a horse which is way cool! I printed the code out and will hang it in plain sight in my house...
theres no government past or present that has lived by this code or any other.they are to corrupt they dont care about you or me.but we all can live by this code it would make for a better america!
i can agree with you bo on the founding fathers they did live by a code that was close to the cowboy code but thats long gone.its about careing for your fellow country men and women not for the government you run and the greedy politicians the help you run it.
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