Bob's Rules

 

As season 18 of NCIS ends I reminisce the joy and humor I have experienced with every articulation of Gibbs’ Rules.  If you want to see Gibbs’ list here is an authoritative link: 

https://www.cbs.com/shows/ncis/photos/1003066/gibbs-rules-the-complete-list-from-ncis/2/

Meanwhile, I have developed my own little set of rules to help me negotiate the current complexities of life.  I have unashamedly borrowed from other brains.  So here we go:

      .  1.    Every highly complex problem has a simple solution, and it is wrong.

2.      Truth is truth, belief is belief and they are not the same.

 
3.      Just because you believe it does not make it true.

4.      The more extraordinary the claim the more extraordinary the facts must be to support such a claim

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5.      Math and science do not care about your belief system.

6.      One may not use a belief statement in an attempt to prove a belief statement.

7.      Prejudice, racism, misogynism, bullying, assault, and discrimination are validated by the experience of the victim and are not dismissed by the denial of the perpetrator.

8.      Judging others by inherited characteristics is blatant fear and selfishness.

 
9.      Judging others by an inherited and unexamined belief system is appropriate, but usually fruitless.

10.  Your attempt to improve what is currently successful will result in antagonism.

11.  The 7.9 billion people on the planet will continue to exist only as long as we cooperate, compromise, and allow those impacted to influence the rules.

12.     Denial of a reasonable request for information will always imply wrongdoing.

13.     Never claim unearned credit, always give more credit than you receive.

14.     Teach others, develop others, and model for others.

15.     The problem with competition is someone wins and someone loses.

16.     What’s good for business is not good for the people of the USA.

17.     Your belief system is not better or worse than another belief system.

 
18.     Your belief system becomes worse than other belief systems if you attempt to force it on others.

19.     Get the hell out of the left lane if you are not passing.

20.     Your mission may be my minutia.  And vice versa.

21.     Love is a gift that hurts to give.  It cannot be earned or found if lost.

22.     Trust is a gift that leads to betrayal.  It cannot be earned through control.

23.     Those who base their belief system on lies and falsehoods will react with violence when the truth emerges.

24.     Put it back where you found it.

25.     If it is not yours do not throw it away.

26.     All humans are our brothers and sisters.

27.     Do unto others as you would have them do for you.

28.     The universe is too vast not to have other life forms.  But, we are and will be alone.

29.     The pursuit of wealth and power is the most ignoble of human endeavors.

30.     The pursuit of truth and equity is the noblest of human endeavors. 

Each rule could merit a separate blog post.  I shall forego for now.  And, no doubt, other rules will evolve.