Not only was Cecil an archetype for innocence and representative of the beloved “King”, he was lured to his death by seduction, trickery and deception. He had no knowledge of where he was being led. Let’s look at this carefully. It is critical to note here that this aspect of this story provokes great pain and empathy for Cecil and great hostility for Mr. Palmer. Because when we hear this part of the story we are relating to beloved Cecil. No one wants to be lured to their demise by trickery, manipulation, seduction or intimidation. Yet it is likely we have all at some point in our lives been tricked, deceived, intimidated or manipulated into something the end result which was destructive. What I posit is also true is that each of us has at one time or other employed some aspect of those practices in our lives. Again, the results were probably between disastrous at their worse and at their least inauthentic living. To use seduction intimidation, manipulation or trickery to get what we want will lead to destruction. So in both our personal and political negotiations, it is important that we watch out for the presence of these things, for it will be likely that in the end someone will suffer the painful consequences. And as Cecil’s story teaches us we truly do not want to be on either end of that kind of destruction. But only we ourselves can determine if we are being deceptive or honest in our efforts to get what we want.
