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July 2005 Issue
Integrity by example
by Darrell Anderson
I’ve been struggling with this issue’s editorial for several weeks now, and I’m finally going to listen to my conscience. Not only have I already used the commentary found below in this column, but I’ve actually used it twice. The last time was seven years ago, and I decided it would be appropriate to run it once more for those that haven’t seen it.
In my opinion, it is one of the most powerful messages ever written on the subject of “integrity by example” utilizing youth livestock projects. It was originally written by Larry Mrozinski, a friend of mine in the sheep industry. Please disregard the references to the lamb project, but don’t disregard the strong message about the example you are living every day with your kids – it’s what’s really important as we enter into this year’s show season!
When Tommy was 8 years old, his father registered a lamb born Dec. 24 as being born Jan. 2. His father said to Tommy, “It’s O.K. kid, everybody does it.”
When Tommy was 9 years old, his father bred the family’s flock of purebred ewes with a ram of another breed and registered the lambs as purebreds. His father said to Tommy, “It’s O.K. kid, everybody does it.”
When Tommy was 10 years old, his 4-H leader and county agent tagged and weighed newly purchased lambs a month after the ownership deadline. They both told him, “It’s O.K. kid, everybody does it.”
When Tommy was 11 years old, his parents bought him a registered ewe lamb to show at the county fair and changed the ear tag to their own flock tag. His parents said, “It’s O.K. kid, everybody does it.”
When Tommy was 12 years old, his grandparents bought him a show lamb and left it with the breeder who fed and fit the lamb until the day before the county fair. The breeder and his grandparents said, “It’s O.K. kid, everybody does it.”
When Tommy was 13 years old, his veterinarian issued health papers for sheep he never inspected and that had foot rot and lamb fungus. He said, “It’s O.K. kid, everybody does it.”
When Tommy was 14 years old, his neighbor used an electric animal prod on his lambs to get them to brace. He told Tommy, “It’s O.K. kid, everybody does it.”
When Tommy was 15 years old and after winning the Grand Champion Market Lamb at the county fair, he saw his dad having a beer with the judge and paying the judge $200 for making his son’s lamb champion. The judge and his father said, “It’s O.K. kid, everybody does it.”
When Tommy was 16 years old, his FFA advisor falsified the numbers on Tommy’s winning sheep proficiency award entry. His advisor said, “It’s O.K. kid, everybody does it.”
When Tommy was 17 years old, his uncle used Lasix on his market lamb at the state fair to make it weigh into a lighter class. The uncle told Tommy, “It’s O.K. kid, everybody does it.”
When Tommy was 18 years old, his older brother pumped the loin of his lamb at a national sheep show. His brother said, “It’s O.K. kid, everybody does it.”
When Tommy was 19 years old, his entire family was aware of the clenbutural being given to his market lambs. They told him, “It’s O.K. kid, everybody does it.”
When Tommy was 20 years old, a friend offered him some cocaine. His friend said, “It’s O.K. kid, everybody does it.”
When Tommy was arrested later that night for using cocaine and called his family to ask them to bail him out of jail, they told him, “How could you have brought such disgrace to your family, you never learned any of this at home, where did you go wrong?” After hearing of his arrest, Tommy’s 4-H leader, FFA advisor, county agent, grandparents, uncle, veterinarian and neighbors were also shocked.
If there is one thing the adult world can’t stand, it’s a kid that breaks the rules . . .
