Recent The Lone Ranger Commentaries

Featured image for “The State of Ethics in Washington”
The State of Ethics in Washington
“I remember my uncle Harold told my aunt about this affair he had. It was a sort of mildly upsetting event in my family… The affair was over something like eight years. So I remember asking him, ‘Why did you tell her? You got away with it.’ And I’ll never forget what he said. It was the getting away with...
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May 9, 2023
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Now for A Little Inspiration
While I am still decompressing from reading the Mueller report, I thought it was time to turn a corner — 180 degrees to be precise — and revisit some past commentaries that have, according to Google Analytics, received renewed interest. Heroes are hard to come by. When Lt. General Hal Moore (co-author, We Were Soldiers Once… and Young), passed in...
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May 6, 2019
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It’s Still Ethics, Stupid!
Ten years ago, March 8, I launched this website with two goals: “First, I hope to generate a greater awareness of the importance of ethics in our lives; second, I want to foster a dialog with others about the affect ethical principles, or lack thereof, have on our decision making. It’s a dialog that will include politics, sports, entertainment, immigration,...
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March 7, 2018
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My Joe Franklin Story
Since the death of New York radio personality and TV talk show host, Joe Franklin last Saturday in Manhattan at 88 years of age, everyone’s been telling their own Joe Franklin story. This is mine. It’s 1996, I’m on a book tour for my first book, The Lone Ranger’s Code of the West (An Action-Packed Adventure in Values and Ethics...
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January 26, 2015
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Remembering a True Friend
I recently learned of the death of Fran Striker, Jr. – a true friend who reflected the kind of character represented in his dad as well as the western hero made famous on radio and film. After the release of his dad’s final western “One More River,” Fran wrote, “To my good friend, Jim Lichtman – like my Dad and...
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December 6, 2013
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A Few Basic Realizations
In 1995, while doing research on the creation of The Lone Ranger, I spent four days with Fran Striker, Jr., the son of the creator. Fran shared many stories about his dad, most if not all, reflecting his loyalty to friends, his compassion toward others and his integrity as a human being. Striker, Jr’s own writings are reflective of his dad’s deeply...
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July 20, 2012
Featured image for “The Ethics Corps”
The Ethics Corps
Early in 1995 I was working for a motivational speaker who needed a talk on ethics. I had just finished writing a magazine article on the creation of the Lone Ranger and, in the course of the article, revealed that the character had been created around a set of ethical values in order to teach young radio listeners the importance...
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February 14, 2011
Featured image for “Fran Striker’s Golden Rules”
Fran Striker’s Golden Rules
In 1994, while doing research on the creation of the Lone Ranger for my first book, I spent four days with Fran Striker, Jr., the son of the creator. It still surprises me how few people know that an unassuming, imaginative writer from Buffalo, New York created, developed, and wrote the Lone Ranger,Green Hornet, Sgt. Preston of the Yukon, and many others. Fran Striker literally wrote...
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December 15, 2010
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Our True Value
The first ethics talk I gave was in September 1995 before 400 California teachers. I remember checking into the hotel about five hours before I was due to speak. I don’t know how other speakers prepare, but I am constantly writing and rewriting – sometimes just before I go on – all in an effort to include the most current news stories....
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July 21, 2010
Featured image for “The Lone Ranger, Tonto and Me”
The Lone Ranger, Tonto and Me
“Silence, intense and oppressive, gripped the desolate landscape as two lone figures rode toward the town ahead. “The taller of the two sat astride a magnificent white stallion and although his face was masked, all who had known him knew that he was as legendary for his remarkable sense of justice and fair play as for his skill with six-gun, rope and horse. His faithful Indian friend was his only companion. “A few miles more and...
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February 19, 2010