Confusing Loyalty with Integrity

There's an interesting scene in the film L.A. Confidential wherein police Sgt Ed Exley is asked by the D.A. and the Chief to testify against his fellow officers who had beaten up some suspects in the holding tank on Christmas Eve. Without hesitation, Exley says that he'll testify against them.

It's pointed out to Sgt Exley that he's the only police officer who's willing to do this, and that his fellow officers will despise him for it.

Exley replies, "That's because they're confusing loyalty with integrity."

The character of Exley is painted on the screen masterfully. He is at once a goody-two-shoes, blatantly ambitious, and somewhat difficult to like. But as the film progresses, he's put through the ringer and his imperfections eventually come to the fore. In the end, Exley's integrity, although somewhat dented, comes through relatively intact.

Confusing loyalty with integrity is such a fundamental aspect of life, however, that I've hardly been able to forget that scene where it's pointed out by Exley's character. And in real life, those crossroads where choosing between loyalty or integrity come often enough.

Over the last few weeks, within the fold of the right wing political blogosphere, in mainstream journalism, on TV and radio, the concept of choosing between loyalty and integrity has come to such a signifcant precipice that this very idea, this very fundamental aspect of life and living, has been forced to the table in a manner that, quite frankly, is separating some the biggest names from some of the most outrageous bullshit ever foisted upon the American public.

I can only hope that if Obama wins, the left wing will be just as willing to make such sacrifices in the name of integrity over the next four years.