The Cadet Honor Code at West Point, a cornerstone of their ethical foundation, is succinctly stated as: "A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do".
This code, deeply rooted in the academy's history, emphasizes the importance of integrity and trust among cadets.
Key Aspects of the West Point Honor Code:
Core Tenets: The Honor Code prohibits lying, cheating, stealing, and tolerating such actions in others.
Their current Commander in Chief is a convicted felon, liar, cheat, and fraudster.
Shaking his hand at their commencement ceremony would have broken their Code of Honor.
Let that sink in.
That's where we are as a country. 77 million of our fellow Americans elected a man so corrupt and dishonorable that the graduating cadets at West Point could not in good conscience shake that man's hand.
During a West Point commencement speech, cadets reportedly expressed concern about shaking hands with Donald Trump, who at the time was a former president facing legal challenges.
Their concern stemmed from the "toleration clause" of the Honor Code, suggesting that shaking hands with someone convicted of felonies could be interpreted as condoning those actions.
Cadets' Perspective:
Cadets felt that shaking the hand of someone they perceived as not adhering to the Honor Code could be seen as a violation of their own commitment to the code, according to reports.
They emphasized that the Honor Code is not just a set of rules but a fundamental principle they take very seriously.
Trump's Actions:
Trump's decision to depart quickly after the speech was presented as a way to avoid a situation that could compromise the cadets' commitment to the Honor Code.
It was suggested that his departure was a way to protect the "very soul of West Point," according to a Reddit post.
In essence, the situation highlights the weight and significance of the West Point Honor Code for cadets, who are expected to uphold its principles in all their actions and interactions.
8 comments:
I knew the FOTUS gave an excuse that he was very very busy as he shuffled off to his golf course (confirmed by paparazzi so yeah, he was there). To learn there were a significant number of cadets concerned with the ethics of it all is just amazing.
Grateful for this post.
How pathetic is it that the cadets' future CiC is too corrupt and dishonorable for them to shake his hand! This is how far we have fallen as a country under the Felon Trump.
It is a sickness with his supporters. The graduating W.P. cadets are more honorable than they are.
Presidents Bush, Obama, Biden and even Trump in his first term made it a priority and a recent tradition to stay after speaking at our service academies and shake the hands of each and every cadet or midshipman.
This year however, Trump said he had to get back to negotiating with Russia.
Why? I don't know because he said he'd end the Russia/Ukraine war in one day because it was easy. Seems he could've stayed and honored the cadets.
I recall -FG admitting to such an oath.
His support for the Criminal Regime is a glaring betrayal of that oath. (IF he really swore it.)
Loyalty over character is indeed the MAGA way.
Our Academy's Honour Code omits the "or tolerate those who do" clause. If it didn't, I would have to kill you, Dave... ;)
I did hear that trump was going to pull federal funding over this.
Joe... your academy?
Here are the "Three Rules to Live By" of The US Army Academy at West Point. Cadets use the “Three Rules to Live By” to ensure that an action they are considering would not be dishonorable.
The Three Rules ask:
-Does this action attempt to deceive anyone or allow anyone to be deceived?
-Does this action gain or allow the gain of privilege or advantage to which I or someone else would not otherwise be entitled?
-Would I be dissatisfied by the outcome if I were on the receiving end of this action?
If a cadet can answer “Yes” to any of these questions, the act would likely be dishonorable, undermining trust in that cadet and tarnishing the honor of the Corps.
Shaw, there is now a lengthy write up on this at Snopes... it's a good read.
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