Ten Lies and Ten Truths (Second Edition)

by Hudson, Parker

  Stan smirked knowingly. "You're the boss."

  Ten years later Charlie was the CEO of MagnaCom, one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world, ringing the globe with fiber optic lines and supplying most large corporations and many governments with e-mail, voice and data connections. The original founder had handpicked him to take the reins of the company. Since coming onboard three years earlier, Charlie, through acquisitions and cost cutting, had increased revenues by more than three hundred percent, and profits by nearly that amount. His picture had been on the cover of every weekly magazine, looking wise with a head full of gray hair and a healthy tan. His pronouncements about business and the world economy were reported with great enthusiasm and respect. He had authored a best seller on effective management, and another was in the works.

  He sat in his large comer office with the company's Chief Financial Officer on the fiftieth floor of their New York headquarters looking out at the Statue of Liberty. They were reviewing several summary reports and spreadsheets at Charlie's private conference table, in preparation for the company's upcoming quarterly report of earnings.

  "We can't be that far off on our earnings projections, Stuart.

  The street will kill us," Charlie said, a clear note of anger and disbelief in his voice.

  "I know. I know, Mr. Tate. It's those acquisitions in South America and the Middle East. They've just been slower to tum around than we expected."

  Charlie studied the numbers and notes for several more minutes. Meghan s getting married this month, and I've got to show Karen s new husband that I can pull off an incredible wedding. Then there’s the beach house expansion. I need to exercise some options, and a drop in our stock price would be a disaster right now.

  "Can't we make some accounting elections that will get us through on paper for the next ninety days? Our South American business is rolling now, and the Middle East peace treaty should get us back on track there as well. Think of all the people who will be hurt if our stock price goes down because of this temporary situation."

  Stuart half-nodded, and shrugged. "I don't know. I mean, I guess we could take some of those telecom operating expenses and capitalize them. That would decrease our expenses and increase our profit. In some cases with these new equipment categories it's a gray area, and our auditors might let us do a little of that."

  Charlie smiled. "Now you're talking. Let's try to do a lot of that, and see how much we can get through. In fact, let's try to do enough to make a record quarterly profit ...which we will, of course, once those two new markets kick in."

  "I'm not sure," Stuart said. Noting the look on his boss's face, he quickly added, "But we'll certainly try."

  "Good. And anything else you can do to help with this particular quarter's earnings will be greatly appreciated. Maybe to the tune of a significant bonus, Stuart."

  The CFO smiled. "Thanks, Mr. Tate. Just doing my job." "Exactly," Charlie smiled in response.

  * * *

  Eighteen months later, Charlie Tate was again in the national spotlight, this time appearing before a Senate sub-- committee, which had subpoenaed him to explain the collapse of MagnaCom over a three week period, after it was disclosed that the company had been "cooking the books" to report fictitious profits for at least eight quarters. Charlie had resigned two weeks before and had tried to drop out of sight, but the public outcry over tens of thousands of lost jobs, imploded retirement plans, and ruined lives would not abate.

  When Charlie had taken over at MagnaCom, many people had sensed that this would be the big one for him and had moved much of their life savings into MagnaCom stock. Among them were Stan, Stephanie, Ralph, Preston and David, each of whom knew about Charlie's effectiveness as a chief executive from · personal experience. All had advised their friends to load up on MagnaCom stock, and they had then seen their savings completely wiped out. When their friends asked them about the allegations of fraudulent stock manipulation, each of his five old friends said, "I just don't understand what happened. I've known Charlie for years, and I can't believe that he would ever do anything like that."

  All except Karen, his former wife, who shorted 10,000 MagnaCom shares on the first rumors of problems with the company, and pocketed a small fortune.

  Lie #6: Character doesn't count. Only results do.

  Truth: Character is the basis for everything that one does. Without good character based on God's Truths, people break laws that God has set for our behavior, inevitably leading to the negative consequences described above.

  http://www.str.org/blog/cultivate-the-moral-imagination-to-develop-character#.Vp-70SorIU0

  http://www.redeemer.com/redeemer-report/article/pascals_method_for_presenting_the_christian_faith

  Luke 6:31

  Galatians 5:19-26

  Job 4:8

  Proverbs 11:18

  Hosea 10: 12-13

  Proverbs 22:1

  Galatians 6: 7-9

  Nehemiah 1:11

  Matthew 25:14-30 2

  Samuel 12: 1-14 and Psalm 51

  Boa, Ken. Conformed To His Image. Zondervan, 2001.

  For the latest updates go to parkerhudson.com/blog. Please enjoy the Post Archives by Category and Tags and this link is about building character in families.

  Notes:

  7

  Definitions

  Ryan Harding returned to his spacious office on the fifth floor of the company's suburban headquarters, nestled into a secluded campus-like setting. The leaves were almost gone from the trees outside his window, and the temperature had been dropping throughout the afternoon as a cold front moved in.

  He sat in his chair, picked up the phone, and turned to face the picture on his desk as he dialed home.

  "Hey, it's me. How's your day been? Good... Yes, very cold.

  We'll need the new blanket tonight. Listen, I've got to meet someone from the office right after work. Tom Redmond ..I don't know. He didn't say. He's in Sales....Yes, very nice. Our age…I don't know....Just said he wanted to talk to me away from the office. It happens sometimes in HR. ...We'll see. I just wanted to let you know. I won't be late. Home for dinner....Yes. OK? I love you, too."

  He swiveled back to his computer to check e-mails and voicemails, then his schedule. His small Human Resources Department stayed busy meeting the needs of their sometimes struggling company, but Ryan's two decades of experience and his can-do staff made it possible to stay just ahead of the curve. He had three meetings that afternoon on middle management training, next year's budget, and evaluating their psychological testing program. And then an unexpected appointment with Tom Redmond in the bar at a nearby restaurant.

  It was almost dark as he pulled into the parking lot and walked towards the tastefully lit, upscale Da Vinci restaurant, hugging his overcoat around him in the brisk wind. In a row of booths along the side wall of the quiet bar, he spotted Tom Redmond, who smiled and waved him over.

  Tom stood and extended his hand as Ryan approached. "Ryan, thank you for coming. Please have a seat, and what are you drinking?"

  Ryan nodded. "Scotch and water sounds good on a night like this. Thanks."

  While Tom went to the bar to place the order, Ryan removed his overcoat and slid into the booth.

  Tom returned. "The best they've got. Water on the side."

  Ryan smiled and accepted the two glasses from one of the senior executives in their company's Sales Division, who slid into the booth across from him.

  "Thanks, Tom. Pat and I have dinner here often. Good food." Ryan tipped his glass toward Tom and took a sip. He smiled again and waited.

  Tom cleared his throat. "Thanks again for coming. I have something I want to talk with you about, and I just didn't feel comfortable mentioning it in the office. I, uh, thought I'd like to get your sort of informal opinion and advice."

  Tom looked down briefly at his glass, took another good swig, and returned it to the table. Finally, he looked up at his guest.

  "First, I want you to know how mu
ch I respect you and Pat for coming out. I mean, I know it took some courage in your position to let the rest of the company know you're gay, and, personally, I think it's terrific. From the times I've met Pat, I think he's a great guy, and all of us, except maybe the usual few bigots, are proud of both of you."

  "Thank you," Ryan nodded slightly again and smiled. "It wasn't easy at first, but the support of so many in the company has been great. We feel very loved and accepted."

  "That's right. And I heard that you got married?"

  Ryan straightened up and his smile broadened. "Yes, three weeks ago. As soon as the Supreme Court ruled it was unconstitutional to deny gay marriages. We were married on that next Saturday afternoon with several old friends who came for the wedding. We had a quick one night 'honeymoon,' but we're going on our real honeymoon cruise over Christmas. We're committed to each other."

  Tom took another sip and nodded. "And with your official marriage, Pat now gets your benefits, right?"

  Ryan nodded. "Yes. That's important for us. He's now covered by our company medical and dental policies, and by our life insurance."

  Tom looked down. "I'm very glad for you and Pat." He studied his drink.

  Ryan prompted him. "So, Tom, how are you? What did you want to talk about?"

  Tom took a sip. "Well, it's kind of like your situation, Ryan.

  I need your advice and help."

  Ryan leaned forward. "How can I help? You're not gay, are you?"

  Tom shook his head. "No. But I guess I kind of wish I were. You guys have really made great progress. You've got it together."

  "Then, what is it?"

  "Well, Ryan...l have three wives."

  Ryan leaned back slowly. "Three wives?"

  "Yes. But it's not what you think. We all live together very happily. And we have six children."

  "Three wives and six children." Ryan stroked his chin thoughtfully.

  Tom continued. "Yes. We're all very happy. We think it's perfectly normal and natural. It's a long story, how it happened. But we feel that God wants us to be together. Like it's the right thing. Like it's how God created us."

  "Eveiyone is happy?"

  "Well, there is some infighting among the kids, especially the boys. We think that's true in all families, you know?"

  "Yes, I guess so."

  "So, here's the thing. I'm really only legally married to Maria, at least in this state. We went out of state for the other two weddings and just didn't divulge all the details on the wedding licenses. You know?" He smiled again and took another sip, watching Ryan's eyes.

  Ryan nodded again.

  "We're tired of living in the shadows. We want to come out and tell the world about our love for each other, just as you've done."

  "I see."

  "Now that the Supreme Court has said that marriage is not just between one man and one woman, we want to be officially married, too."

  "I guess I never thought about it."

  "It makes sense, doesn't it?"

  Ryan turned his glass on its wooden coaster and thought for a moment.

  "I guess ...I don't know. Would there be any limit to the number of wives?"

  "Why? If marriage is basically whatever consenting adults want it to be, then why should the government place any restrictions on it?"

  "Uh, I never thought about it that way."

  Tom leaned forward. "And here's the really important part.

  We want and need those benefits. We deserve them."

  As Ryan looked off into the distance, Tom continued. "We have huge expenses every month with the kids, but only the two I had with Maria are covered by our company's benefit package.

  I'm scared that two of the others may have serious problems that will need long term medication, maybe operations. We live in fear that one of the kids will fall, or get hurt on a bike. Not to mention my other two wives, Julia and Teri. We need those benefits, Ryan."

  Ryan pressed his back against the leather of the booth. "Company benefits?"

  "Yes, of course. Just like you and Pat."

  "Well, but Tom, covering so many dependents just doesn't seem feasible. I mean, our plan isn't set up for that."

  "I know." His voice rose a bit and he leaned further forward. "But that's just the point. The plan wasn't set up for covering Pat until marriage was redefined. And now it covers him. We want the same thing. It's only right. It's only fair." "I, uh ....I hadn't thought about it."

  "Well, it's the right thing to do. You gays had marriage redefined to fit how you feel, and now we want marriage redefined to fit how we feel."

  Ryan took another sip. "But what if someone has ten wives--or husbands, I guess-and twenty kids? Our company's benefit plan would go bankrupt before it could pay for all of them."

  Tom leaned in further, a note of anger creeping into his voice. "You of all people should understand our problem.

  Somehow the company found the money in the budget to add Pat-and all the other recent gay marriage partners. Why not my family?"

  "I...do you think that your kind of marriage-I guess it's polygamy-will be approved in the courts anytime soon?"

  Tom smiled. "Yes. Thanks largely to what you've done, we feel confident that our form of marriage will be approved very soon. Given what the courts said about traditional marriage, that it's no longer the 'only' way, how could anyone argue against us?"

  "I guess you're right."

  "Exactly. And here's the thing, Ryan. There are at least five families like ours in the company. We kind of hope that you, through your national HR connections, will become a champion for our rights with other corporations, just like the gay community united in the 90s. We'd like you to get out in front, to set an example for tolerance and acceptance of our marriage style. Hopefully other companies will follow our company's example."

  Ryan took a deep breath, and said with a smile that was more a grimace, "Really?"

  "Having just recently gained your own rights, we believe you're the perfect person to lead this movement. Sort of an Alliance for Justice. What do you think?"

  "Uh...Can I look at the math, first, to see what effect it will have on the rest of us?"

  Tom became more animated. "The math? Ryan, this is a principle! If marriage is right for you and Pat, then it has to be right for Maria, Teri, Julia and me! The principle of equal justice is all that's important here. Why would you have to do any math?"

  Ryan pursed his lips and raised his hands. "Okay. You're right. I'll help."

  Tom smiled, nodding his head. "There's one more thing." Ryan drained his glass. "What's that?"

  Tom dropped his voice. "If you help us win this one, think about it. You say that you and Pat are in a 'committed relationship.' But if you help us get our kind of marriage declared constitutionally protected, gay polygamy will follow immediately."

  Ryan sat silently, mulling it over. Only this time he wasn't frowning.

  Tom continued. "Think about it. If gay marriage is okay, and polygamy is okay, then gay polygamy should also be okay."

  "You mean Pat and me and several other guys, all legally married?"

  Tom nodded. "Yes."

  Ryan sat back in the booth. "Wow."

  Lie #7: Marriage must be redefined.

  Truth: Marriage is ordained by God to be between one man and one woman. The traditional family is the first and foundational building block of all societies, preceding the church and state. If children result, they will be nurtured and raised by committed parents who use and pass on the strengths, talents, and resources of both individuals and both genders. If marriage is ever redefined to be anything other than one man and one woman, then it can be stretched to include anything and everything, and therefore mean nothing.

  http://theweek.com/articles/564178/how-gay-marriage-paves-way-legal-polygamy

  http://downloads.frc.org/EF/EF11B30.pdf

  http://www.frc.org/family-structure

  http://townhall.com/columnists/stevechapman/2015/07/02/from-gay-marriage-to-polygamy-
n2020142/page/full

  http://www.frc.org/issuebrief/new-study-on-homosexual-parents-tops-all-previous-research

  Genesis 2:20-25

  Matthew 19:4-6

  For the latest updates go to parkerhudson.com/blog. There is a post on this subject at this link. Please enjoy the Post Archives by Category and Tags.

  Notes:

  8

  The Game Show

  The floor manager raised his clipboard just out of camera range and motioned to the four well-dressed people standing in the bright lights on the multi-colored game show set.

  "We're on in...three, two, one..."

  As he brought down his clipboard, the fiftyish host on the left side of the stage engaged his smile, focusing on Camera One.

  "Hello and welcome to Truth Pursuit, the high powered game show where we focus on the truth, not triviabnjjhuhg. I'm your host, Rob Palmer, and we invite you to join us for the next thirty minutes as we seek to separate truth from fiction."

  The audience applauded on cue. Palmer, still smiling, turned to face the three contestants. Each stood behind individual consoles to the right of the large, vertical game board that occupied the middle of the stage.

  "As you know, once a month we play our special Celebrity Truth Pursuit game. Today we've invited three well-known personalities, and each has designated a charity to which his or her winnings will be donated. Please help me welcome our guests."

  A camera focused on the panelist closest to the game board.

  Palmer voiced over her image. "From America's news capital, please welcome Ms. Patricia Keenan, senior editor of the nation's most prestigious newspaper, The National Times."