The Slice: What would Marshal Matt Dillon do?

Why do some people not act right?

There are a lot of theories out there. But if you ask me, the answer is pretty clear: They didn’t watch enough TV Westerns.

That’s got to be it.

Anyone who soaked up hundreds of hours of horse-opera morality plays learned the difference between right and wrong. It was right there in black and white (and eventually, living color).

In real life, your role models might have been deeply flawed. But Matt Dillon, Lucas McCain, Hoss Cartwright, Victoria Barkley, Gil Favor and others could be counted on to do the right thing, week after week.

Whether it was standing up to racism or simply helping the town drunk get back on his feet, these characters showed the way.

Long before the various “What would (fill in the blank) do?” formulations, the good guys and gals in TV Westerns conducted clinics in how to behave with courage, modesty and compassion.

Apparently though, a fair number of people missed out on these lessons. Either that or they somehow wound up identifying with the bullies, liars, bigots and lynch mobs.

Yes, of course, there is a difference between old television dramas and the complexities of real life. But it might be nice if more people believed honorable behavior was the route to happy endings.

Today’s Slice question: You know how people say “Go Cougs” or “Go Mariners.” It’s a congenial way to wrap up a conversation or email exchange.

But what if you don’t give a rip about sports and yet would like to employ a similar sign-off?

There are several ways you could go. You might salute those who do important work but seldom receive recognition. “Go social workers.” “Go nurses.” “Go social service volunteers.”

Or you could acknowledge certain behavioral attributes. “Go patience.” “Go civility.” “Go kindness.”

Or make a values statement. “Go sustainability.” “Go spay/neuter.” “Go locavores.” “Go NRA.”

Or allude to something else. “Go live theater.” “Go PBS.” “Go innovation.” “Go grizzly bears.”

And so on. So what would you say?