Tillerson Concerned About Truth & Ethics in 2018 America
May 2018 - In his first public speech since being relieved of his duties as Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson warned that America is facing a crisis of integrity, ethics, and the truth. Speaking to the graduating class at the Virginia Military Academy, Mr. Tillerson spoke bluntly about these issues, which many interpreted as a not-so-veiled jab at his former boss, Donald Trump.
Although not mentioning Mr. Trump by name, Mr. Tillerson stated that what has made America different from adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran is our commitment to fact-based truths. But he cautioned that, "When we as people, a free people, go wobbly on the truth even on what may seem the most trivial of matters, we go wobbly on America….If our leaders seek to conceal the truth and we as people become accepting of alternative realities that are no longer grounded in facts, then as an American people we are on a pathway to relinquishing our freedom."
 (Tillerson image from vox.com)
Raising additional concerns, ones that most Americans see exhibited routinely by Mr. Trump and too many of his associates, Mr. Tillerson went on to say that, "If we do not as Americans confront the crisis of ethics and integrity in our society and among our leaders in both private and public sector, and regrettably at times even the nonprofit sector, then American democracy as we know it is entering its twilight years,"
These latter thoughts echoed the sentiments he had expressed in his farewell statement to State Department employees earlier in the year:
"Never lose sight of your most valuable asset, the most valuable asset you possess: your personal integrity. This {Washington D.C.} can be a very mean-spirited town. But you don't have to choose to participate in that."
Bravo, Mr. Tillerson. As we mentioned in our article on your unwise and petty dismissal, "Tillerson Fired Via Tweet - Weak!!", you were one of the few "adults in the room" within the Trump administration and we hope you continue to speak out forcefully in support of ethical behavior and the truth.
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