We Should Not Assume

But if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, usually it is a duck.

I know that we should not assume as it only makes an “ASS” out of “U” and “ME.” Assumptions are based on incomplete information or biased perspectives. Making assumptions leads to misunderstandings, wasted time and can result in incorrect conclusions with negative consequences.

I also believe in the principle of, "innocent until proven guilty." This is a cornerstone of justice systems as it protects individuals from wrongful convictions and hopefully ensures a fair trial. It mandates that the prosecution bear the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This principle also safeguards against arbitrary arrest and imprisonment, ensuring that individuals are not punished before being formally convicted.

With all this said, there is a lot of truth in the old saying, “if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, usually it is a duck.”

Wyoming’s Bureau of Land Managements, (BLM) state director, Andrew Archuleta has been placed on leave after an ethics probe by the Office of Inspector General. The allegations are that he accepted a gift of dinner and drinks at a Cheyenne, Wyoming, steakhouse from the owner of a commercial sign manufacturing company. He also treated his girlfriend to travel perks at the BLM’s expense.

The Department of Interior’s Office of Inspector General (DOI) determined that Archuleta misused a government rental vehicle in violation of DOI policy when he allowed his girlfriend to drive the rental vehicle. They also added that Archuleta violated the Federal Travel Regulation when he used the government rental car for personal purposes.

The report also stated that Archuleta allegedly violated DOI policy by driving his girlfriend to and from Buffalo in a government vehicle because she was neither a federal employee nor conducting official Government business there.

The Office of Inspector General also assessed that Archuleta violated the Standards of Ethical Conduct by requesting or encouraging his executive assistant to make air travel arrangements for Archuleta’s girlfriend to accompany him on an official trip to Phoenix, Arizona.

Archuleta was selected to lead Wyoming’s BLM office in January 2022. He has overseen the management of 17.5 million surface acres of public lands and more than 40 million acres of federal subsurface mineral lands. He also directed the Bureaus 600 plus permanent staff and 150 seasonal employees who manage Wyoming public lands. They are the overwatch for energy development, livestock grazing, campgrounds, multi-use trails, outdoor recreation spots and wild horses.

This is what brings my thoughts to a slight simmer. The BLM’s management of wild horses.

As I wrote in a recent column, the BLM surrendered and the Rock Springs Grazing Association won this longtime ongoing battle with the wild horses.

The BLM released a 47-page environmental assessment outlining plans to permanently remove thousands of wild horses from 2,105 square miles managed by BLM's Rock Springs and Rawlins field offices. Horses would come off an additional 1,124 square miles of private land within the Checkerboard.

The estimated 1,125 free-roaming horses in the Salt Wells Creek herd would be the first herd to be annihilated. 736 more horses will then be deported from their barren but beautiful homes in the northwestern portion of Adobe Town. In 2026, horse-removal death squads will continue to abolish an estimated 894 horses in the Great Divide Basin herd.

Now we can finally toss assumptions into the holding pen. If Archuleta will accept a medium-rare steak and cocktails at a steakhouse, why wouldn’t he accept kickbacks straight from the source of the steak, the Wyoming Stockgrowers Association and the Rock Springs Grazing Association?

This is one of the few reasons why this ludicrous plan to eliminate the wild horses could make some sense of the unsensible. This is not the first time in the history of the West that a back-room deal was made over rye whiskey and cigars.

Ethical violations don't automatically equate to criminal acts, but they certainly can pave the way for the more serious wrongs of wrongdoing. Ethical breaches can erode trust and create a climate where more serious misconduct may flourish.

Violated ethic regulations can create a permissive environment where individuals feel less constrained to engage in bribery, as they may have already broken other rules or standards of conduct. Bribery is a specific form of corruption that involves offering or accepting something of value to influence an official act, and it can be a consequence of a broader pattern of unethical behavior.

Violation of ethics erodes trust, both within an organization and within external participants, weakens trust. It creates a space where unethical actions are more likely to be tolerated or even encouraged. It is the normalization of unethical behavior that has become the worst plague and pandemic in our country right now. We see and casually accept it everyday.

When individuals and organizations consistently break ethics rules, it creates a culture where unethical behavior is perceived as more acceptable. This normalization can make it easier for people to engage in all forms of corruption.

With the lack of accountability, if ethics violations are not adequately addressed or punished, it can send the message that such behavior is tolerated or even expected. This lack of answerability can also adopt and promote further unethical actions.

The erosion of trust is a slippery slope to climb on. When ethical standards are disregarded, it can create a culture where individuals are less likely to adhere to rules and regulations. This leads to the gradual descent into more serious ethical violations.

Some ethical violations, particularly in the fields of government, can be directly criminal. Violating ethics laws related to accepting bribes can lead to disciplinary actions and legal consequences, which can include criminal prosecution. Even if an ethical violation doesn't directly result in a crime, it can still have severe repercussions.

The severity of the consequences for an ethical violation often depends on the role of intent with the person committing the violation. Intentional violations, such as actively deceiving or manipulating others, are likely to face severe consequences.

Ethical violations don't always lead to criminal offenses, but they can create conditions that make more serious transgressions more likely to occur. Moreover, certain ethical violations can lead to significant legal, financial and reputational damage.

I’m not saying that Wyoming’s Bureau of Land Management director Andrew Archuleta received a bribe of steaks, booze or tickets to Cheyanne Frontier Days. It does make sense though that he was a critical player on the craps table, though all he was rolling were snake eyes for the wild horses.

The saying "where there's smoke there's fire" means that if there are rumors or signs suggesting something is true, there's likely a good reason for it. Breaking down the meaning. The "smoke" in the saying refers to rumors, suspicions, or allegations that something is wrong. The "fire" represents the actual truth, the reality of a situation. This proverb implies that if there are rumors or suspicions “smoke,” there's likely a real issue “fire” to back them up. - dbA

You can find more of the unfiltered insight and the Art of Dan Abernathy at www.contributechaos.com.