Character doesn't matter if you don't have any...

If what someone did when they were younger doesn't mean jack when they are older, then we had better let a lot of people out of prison.

If what someone did when they were younger doesn't mean jack when they are older, we had better stop giving out diplomas.

If what someone did when they were younger doesn't mean jack when they are older, we had better stop asking for references for jobs, teaching and coaching positions.

If what someone did when they were younger doesn't mean jack when they are older, we had better stop doing child abuse background checks.

If what someone did when they were younger doesn't mean jack when they are older, we have no right to track sex offenders.

If what someone did when they were younger doesn't mean jack when they are older, why do we celebrate families?

If what someone did when they were younger doesn't mean jack when they are older, why do we use credit reports?

If what someone did when they were younger doesn't mean jack when they are older, why do we have bank accounts, pensions and stocks?

If what someone did when they were younger doesn't mean jack when they are older, why do we have alcoholics and narcotics anonymous and about fifty other 12 step programs?

If what someone did when they were younger doesn't mean jack when they are older, why do we say someone is a "former," ie: "former" prostitute, "former" thief, "former" car thief but old politicians are still politicians, old lawyers are still lawyers and old insurance salesmen are still insurance salesmen?

(Is that an acknowlegement that prostitutes, thieves and car thieves can turn a blank page but politicians, lawyers and insurance salesmen can't shake the history of professions that, in my ever comedic opinion, have a different name but similar roles?)

If what someone did when they were younger doesn't mean jack when they are older, why have Veterans homes, Veteran's Day, a flag and pride in our heritage?

If what someone did when they were younger doesn't mean jack when they are older, why do the majority of us believe in heaven and hell and what is the purpose of being a good person when you would wake up every day with a clean record?

What someone does when they are younger is all to frequently what someone does when they are older. We learn from our mistakes and we improve our performance. But if a person's been down an easy road, very seldom will they take the road less travelled on the next trip.

People change their actions. People change their behaviors. People who, however, have had lapses in judgement in the past are prone to the same lapses again, even if the lapses are subtly or profoundly different in results.

If you believe the past doesn't matter, I suggest you spend a day with Manson, Wright or Kemper. Then ask one of the Enron gang to manage your savings. Perhaps you'd like to sign up to live your dotage with one of the many fine characters charged with letting their elderly clients rot while they collect their "guest's" pensions. After all, history doesn't matter, does it?

The past matters and people who ignore history pay the price when history repeats itself.

Any doubts now?