Lest We Forget: Blast From The Past on K Lay, Bush & Jesus

[stopbush]

Prophet or Profit?

Energy chief, religious leaders dispute God's role in utility price spiral

By Sandi Dolbee
RELIGION & ETHICS EDITOR
February 2, 2001

When it comes to measuring ethical behavior in California' s power crisis, the possibilities are electric. Take Ken Lay, the chairman and chief executive officer of Enron Corp., one of the largest buyers and sellers of energy in the United States. While San Diegans struggled with tripling bills, Lay was pulling down more than $5 million in annual salary and perks. As rolling blackouts struck parts of the state and Stage 3 alerts became commonplace, Lay and others at Enron forked over $300,000 to help pay for President George W. Bush' s inauguration. And while cash-strapped utilities here fretted about huge debts, the Houston-based energy conglomerate posted $347 million in profits for the final quarter of 2000.

But Lay refuses to play a villain in this supply-and-demand soap opera.

"I believe in God and I believe in free markets," says the son of a Baptist minister who also is an active member of First United Methodist Church in Houston.

And Lay thinks God agrees with him.

snip

He' s a major backer of President George W. Bush. It' s been estimated that he and Enron have contributed about $1 million toward Bush' s political career. Today, Lay is a member of Bush' s energy transition team and considered a trusted adviser in the former Texas governor' s inner circle.

But Lay also is a man of God who serves on the Board of Trustees of his church. When he dies, he trusts God will consider him a good and faithful servant -- of business and of faith.

"I think if you looked at my total life as a businessman, the way I treated people, the opportunities I' ve created for people standards of living that have been impacted for the better, I certainly hope he would," says Lay.

Whole article here:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/reports/power/20010202-9999_mz1c2ethics.html

[Corgigal]

1. I think if you looked at my total life as a businessman

the way I treated people....



OH, I think that jury DID just that.

[marmar]

2. Thanks for the reminder...

Perhaps I'll rent "Enron: Smartest Guys in the Room" and watch it tonight.

[jrw14125]

3. great post - expose the hypocrites!