Roy Rogers' America (Duncan Hunter - 1998)

House.gov ^ | July 10, 1998 | Duncan and Bob Hunter

[pissant]

Roy Rogers' recent death, untimely to millions of Americans who loved him, was, in a tragic sense, symbolic of the death of an era of wholesome television entertainment. Actually, the era of good TV has long since passed.

But the black and white clips of Roy Rogers' Hollywood in this week's memorial reviews, provide a jolting look at how far we have slipped.

Roy Rogers was wholesome. His episodes never offended decency. Any child could watch Roy Rogers without a nervous parent monitoring the show to quickly "click off" the bad parts as is so necessary with TV today.

Roy used good language and was never profane. In his films, he unfailingly demonstrated his own fidelity to courage, honesty, and the Christian value of helping one's neighbor.

Roy's weekly mission of "rounding up the bad guys" was always altruistic; self-reward was noticeably absent. His treatment of women was always courteous and respectful. The frontier image of manhood was effectively reflected by Roy Rogers in such a way that any boy emanating him would receive an "A" in civility from his mom.

This in contrast to the recent newspaper headline which read: "11-Year-Old Who Raped 5-Year-Old Says He Learned Sex From Cable TV."

Roy Rogers has been criticized by today's film makers as unrealistic. "Filthy words, savage attacks on women, and selfishness as the primary human motivator," they argue, "represent the real America and are box office winners."

This is, at once, the real lie of Hollywood and its dereliction of duty.

"America is great, because America is good," wrote the Frenchman Alexis De Tocqueville several hundred years ago. His assessment of American character has since been validated a million times: The nation that left 38,000 Americans dead and wounded in one day at Antietam Creek to free the slaves; MacArthur's G.I.s walking the streets of a defeated Tokyo and, instead of returning the brutality of Tojo's forces, handing out Hershey's bars to Japanese children as prelude to massive humanitarian aid; tens of thousands of American service clubs, charities, churches, and individuals, giving help, food, medical aid and comfort during every major disaster this century.

Indeed, Americans give more in charitable donations than all the other nations of the world combined.

Who is right, Roy Rogers or the cynics? The undeniable, historic record of the "good America" of Roy Rogers justifies the next question: Which qualities are the more appropriate model for our TV-viewing children, Roy Rogers' or the cynics'?

Roy Rogers' America did exist and still does.

Every time a boy addresses a woman as "Ma'am," an elder as "Sir," every time there is an act of kindness, every time honesty is practiced, every time one fights valiantly for what is right...Roy Rogers' America exists. And we win.

Happy Trails Roy.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bob Hunter is the Congressman's father

[metesky]

Oh, I understand that at the time he was writing this, it was a paean to a famous constituent (Roy lived in his district), who had just assumed room temperature and Hunter probably said a lot that he didn't really mean, like Trent Lott praising Strom Thurmond.

Besides, I was alive and kicking during the fifties and remember them well. This is a Reaganesque tribute to an America that never existed.

[Huck]

Love the quotes on yer profile.

[pissant]

Micheal Medved has a great analysis on Hollywood and why they have so much sex and gratutious violence. You’d be suprised at the economics of R versus G and PG rated films and shows.

[pissant]

That’s funny, I still find that America he speaks of in my neighborhood.

[Ultra Sonic 007]

One for the Moral Absolutes list...?

[untrained skeptic]

What is preferable is that the government not try and step in and dictate content.

I agree with placing restrictions on broadcast TV. I can even see the value in the V-chip, though I would leave it as a feature manufacturers can choose to include rather than legislating it's required use.

However, the government is not the people's moral compass and should not try and legislate wholesome television.

While I respect and appreciate Hunter's values, I don't want him trying to use the government to force them on our society.

Personal responsibility and moral behavior start at home, not in the capital building.

[Drawsing]

any boy emanating him would receive an "A" in civility from his mom.

"Emanating?" Maybe he meant "imitating".

[pissant]

He’s not suggesting such. He’s saying that America is still the land of Roy Rogers. And the crap coming from hollywood these days does not change that.

[Drawsing]

Besides, I was alive and kicking during the fifties and remember them well. This is a Reaganesque tribute to an America that never existed.

That depends on which street you lived on.

[metesky]

All I'm saying is that the America that never used foul language and never had the occassional schtup out of marriage and didn't have perverts, child molesters, etc. never existed. In fact in many ways, America is a better place today than it was then.

Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe never said, "Nuts!" to the German demand for surrender, he in reality said, "F you!"

[ShasheMac]

My parents to me to see Roy and Dale and the gang at the Allentown (PA) Fair when I was four. At the end of the show, Roy had all the kids come to the front of the stands and he rode by on Trigger and shook all our hands. I’ll never forget that moment.

[metesky]

Mead St, Alston, MA. Looked like an “after” picture of Dresden.

[pissant]

But we did live in a society that did not tolerate FUs spouted by students to teachers. Or kids wearing their pants so their asses hang out.

Now, too many places expel a kid for a pocket knife, for craps sake. When I was a kid, we used to ride our bikes to the outskirts of town with .22 rifles strapped on our backs to hunt rabbits.

The confluence of politically correct hypersensivity and garbage from the MSM makes for a cauldron of instability in many places now.

[metesky]

The confluence of politically correct hypersensivity and garbage from the MSM makes for a cauldron of instability in many places now.

I can't deny that, FRiend.

[lowbridge]

Read Roy and Dale's auto biography:

HAPPY TRAILS: Our Life Story by Roy Rogers (Author), Dale Evans (Author)

I enjoyed it. One of my favorite stories from the book is when they would sit down at the dinner table. A round "lazy susan" table. Before they ate, they would bow their heads in prayer. One of their young sons (a big eater) took that opportunity to turn the lazy susan around so that the mashed potatoes would be directly in front of him. As soon as the prayer was finished, naturally he would get his share first. It took a while for roy to catch on. And then he decreed that during the prayer, they would all hold hands. Later on in another book, I saw this photo of them holding hands around the table:

[lowbridge]

The confluence of politically correct hypersensivity and garbage from the MSM makes for a cauldron of instability in many places now.

Yeah! And besides that, the liberally biased news media is screwing up our country and the world!

;-)

[FlatLandBeer]

Gene Autry’s Cowboy Code

1. The Cowboy must never shoot first, hit a smaller man, or take unfair advantage.

2. He must never go back on his word, or a trust confided in him.

3. He must always tell the truth.

4. He must be gentle with children, the elderly, and animals.

5. He must not advocate or possess racially or religiously intolerant ideas.

6. He must help people in distress.

7. He must be a good worker.

8. He must keep himself clean in thought, speech, action, and personal habits.

9. He must respect women, parents, and his nations laws.

10. The Cowboy is a patriot.

Hopalong Cassidy’s Creed for American Boys and Girls

1. The highest badge of honor a person can wear is honesty. Be truthful at all times.
2. Your parents are the best friends you have. Listen to them and obey their instructions.
3. If you want to be respected, you must respect others. Show good manners in every way.
4. Only through hard work and study can you succeed. Don’t be lazy.
5. Your good deeds always come to light. So don’t boast or be a show-off.
6. If you waste time or money today, you will regret it tomorrow. Practice thrift in all ways.
7. Many animals are good and loyal companions. Be friendly and kind to them.
8. A strong, healthy body is a precious gift. Be neat and clean.
9. Our country’s laws are made for your protection. Observe them carefully.
10. Children in many foreign lands are less fortunate than you. Be glad and proud you are an American.

Wild Bill Hickock Deputy Marshal’s Code of Conduct

1. I will be brave, but never careless.
2. I will obey my parents. They DO know best.
3. I will be neat and clean at all times.
4. I will be polite and courteous.
5. I will protect the weak and help them.
6. I will study hard.
7. I will be kind to animals and care for them.
8. I will respect my flag and my country.
9. I will attend my place of worship regularly.

The Lone Ranger Creed

1. I believe that to have a friend, a man must be one.
2. That all men are created equal and that everyone has within himself the power to make this a better world.
3. That God put the firewood there, but that every man must gather and light it himself.
4. In being prepared physically, mentally, and morally to fight when necessary for that which is right.
5. That a man should make the most of what equipment he has.
6. That “this government, of the people, by the people, and for the people,” shall live always.
7. That men should live by the rule of what is best for the greatest number.
8. That sooner or later...somewhere...somehow...we must settle with the world and make payment for what we have taken.
9. That all things change, but the truth, and the truth alone lives on forever.
10. I believe in my Creator, my country, my fellow man.

Roy Rogers Riders Club Rules

1. Be neat and clean.
2. Be courteous and polite.
3. Always obey your parents.
4. Protect the weak and help them.
5. Be brave, but never take chances.
6. Study hard and learn all you can.
7. Be kind to animals and care for them.
8. Eat all your food and never waste any.
9. Love God and go to Sunday School regularly.
10. Always respect our flag and our country.

Roy Rogers Prayer

Lord, I reckon I’m not much just by myself,
I fail to do a lot of things I ought to do.
But Lord, when trails are steep and passes high,
Help me ride it straight the whole way through.

And when in the falling dusk I get that final call,
I do not care how many flowers they send,
Above all else, the happiest trail would be
For YOU to say to me, “Let’s ride, My Friend”
AMEN

More of these codes can be found at:

http://www.elvaquero.com/The_Cowboy_Code.htm

[pissant]

Great stuff, fellers. A nice additon to the thread.

[lowbridge]

Another favorite story from Roy’s book that sticks out in my mind: Many times he had his friend and co-star Gabby Hayes over for dinner. At one of these dinners, the kids were acting up as usual. Arguing, fighting, talking loudly, even throwing food at each other. In the middle of all this melee, Roy noticed Gabby had tears in his eyes. Roy asked him, “Pappy, what’s the matter?”. And Gabby (a long time married man, but childless) answered, “Roy, you just don’t know how lucky you are.”

[untrained skeptic]

He’s not suggesting such. He’s saying that America is still the land of Roy Rogers. And the crap coming from hollywood these days does not change that.

I didn't state my comment very well.

Yes, I don't see anything in this article advocating government regulation. It simply appears to be memorializing a good man, and showing leadership on moral issues. I see that as a good thing.

What we need in our elected representatives is moral leadership as opposed to trying to legislate morality. I don't know Hunter well enough to know how he approaches regulating morality, but he sure seems to do well in the moral leadership category.