As a young boy growing up in Colorado, I read every Lone Ranger book in the public library of our small town. I even heard several Lone Ranger episodes on the Old Time Radio which broadcast in our area, but I had never seen the Lone Ranger on TV. We did not have a television for several reasons: it was a time waster, there were too many good books to read instead, and in our home with eight kids it was an unnecessary expense. Then I went to HAC and became involved in a Chicago bus route. One Saturday morning I arrived at the home of a couple of my kids just as the Lone Ranger was coming on at 10:00 am. What an opportunity! I sat down with the family using it as a tool to teach the character traits with which I had been instilled so many years before.

In every incarnation of the character to date, the Lone Ranger has conducted himself by a strict moral code. This code was put in place by Fran Striker at the inception of the character. Actors Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels, taking their positions as role models to children very seriously, also tried their best to live by this creed.

The Lone Ranger's Creed
By Fran Striker
1. I believe that to have a friend, a man must be one.
2. That all men are created equal and that everyone has within himself the power to make this a better world.
3. That God put the firewood there, but that every man must gather and light it himself.
4. In being prepared physically, mentally, and morally to fight when necessary for that which is right.
5. That a man should make the most of what equipment he has.
6. That "this government, of the people, by the people, and for the people," shall live always.
7. That men should live by the rule of what is best for the greatest number.
8. That sooner or later... somewhere... somehow... we must settle with the world and make payment for what we have taken.
9. That all things change, but the truth, and the truth alone lives on forever.
10. I believe in my Creator, my country, my fellow man.

In addition, in order to ensure that their character remain constant and true to their theory, Fran Striker and George W. Trendle drew up these guidelines and list of rules which embody who and what the Lone Ranger is and why he has remained a hero and a legend:
• The Lone Ranger is never seen without his mask or a disguise.
• With emphasis on logic, The Lone Ranger is never captured or held for any length of time by lawmen, avoiding his being unmasked.
• At all times, The Lone Ranger uses perfect grammar and precise speech completely devoid of slang and colloquial phrases.
• When he has to use guns, The Lone Ranger never shoots to kill, but rather only to disarm his opponent as painlessly as possible.
• Logically, too, The Lone Ranger never wins against hopeless odds; i.e., he is never seen escaping from a barrage of bullets merely by riding into the horizon.
• Even though The Lone Ranger offers his aid to individuals or small groups, the ultimate objective of his story is to imply that their benefit is only a by-product of a greater achievement—-the development of the west or our country. His adversaries are usually groups whose power is such that large areas are at stake.
• All adversaries are American to avoid criticism from minority groups.
• Names of unsympathetic characters are carefully chosen, avoiding the use of two names as much as possible to avoid even further vicarious association. More often than not, a single nickname is selected.
• The Lone Ranger does not drink or smoke, and saloon scenes are usually interpreted as cafes, with waiters and food instead of bartenders and liquor.

From the Lone Ranger I have learned 3 timeless truths.
1. Even a fool can teach me not to be foolish. I can learn a lesson from every character, even the outlaws. My perspective must be Biblical though, or I will misinterpret the lesson.
2. The best of men is a man at best. Every personality and philosophy must be evaluated; even the Lone Ranger has his faults. From his creed we see that he was a Democrat (#7). I should never put a personage on a pedastal.
3. Your talk talks, and your walk talks; but your walk talks louder than your talk talks. Even though the books are better than the movies, there is something about seeing truths put into action that cannot be denied.

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An intellectual snob is someone who can listen to the William Tell Overture and not think of The Lone Ranger.

Dan Rather