Reading The Signs

     A long time ago, a certain Theodore Roosevelt – you may have heard of him – owned a cattle ranch. At that time, this incident occurred:

     During his time as a rancher, Theodore Roosevelt and one of his cowpunchers lassoed a maverick steer, lit a fire, and prepared the branding irons. The part of the range they were on was claimed by Gregor Lang, one of Roosevelt’s neighbors. According to the cattleman’s rule, the steer therefore belonged to Lang. As his cowboy applied the brand, Roosevelt said, “Wait, it should be Lang’s brand.” “That’s all right, boss,” said the cowboy. “But you’re putting on my brand,” Roosevelt said. “That’s right,” said the man. “Drop that iron,” Roosevelt demanded, “and get back to the ranch and get out. I don’t need you anymore. A man who will steal for me will steal from me.”

     Roosevelt was aware that a dishonest man, whatever his rationale, is untrustworthy. He would not have an untrustworthy man as an employee, and acted forthwith to dismiss him. But the point your Curmudgeon would like to underline is that Roosevelt didn’t need several demonstrations of that cowhand’s dishonesty. Neither did the direction of the cowhand’s dishonesty – i.e., in Roosevelt’s favor – matter to him. “You’re willing to steal? Out with you.” Finis.

     Now let’s have a memory refresher, courtesy of the estimable Mike Miles:

     That comes from the 2020-2021 presidential transition period. There are enough dubious and patently false statements in it to make plain that Zuckerberg is playing for the favor of the incoming Biden Administration. Contrast it with his recent attempts to curry Trump’s favor. Is it not perfectly plain that this man is dishonest – and therefore untrustworthy?

     If you were Donald Trump, the Once and Future President of these United States, how would you respond to Zuck’s recent overtures? His admissions of censorious sin? His visit to Mar-al-Lago? Considering that you’ve already been burned once by this self-important techie?

     Verbum sat sapienti.