What happens in Wealth Bond*ge stays in Wealth Bond*age is a good rule for those of us who hold positions high up in Business, Government, The Nonprofit Sector, or Religion. To blog what happens inside the firewall, or even to be suspected of doing so, is to risk censure, dismissal, or worse. Case in point: Wade Burleson censured by The International Mission Board of the Southern Baptists and suspended from his Board position for posts at his blog, Grace and Truth to You. Via Give and Take.
I asked my friend Dick Minim (Senator, D. MA), who serves on The Cross-Cultural Outreach Board of The Boston Branch of The Church of England for his views on the matter. "Phil, I have never actually had the pleasure of meeting a Baptist, but I have seen them on television. Quite astonishing, really. Ranting and carrying on like that and always asking for money. My advice would be to give them a wide berth. As for confidentiality, a gentleman always keeps his own council. This Wade Burleson matter is a rum business all around." I asked if I might quote him on that, and he agreed subject to one proviso. "Please note in your post that it is not my desire," he added, "to offend you, Phil, or any other Born Again Christian, but simply to elevate your manners and taste. Philanthropy has quite gone to the dogs. And you, Sir, encourage it with this blogging nonsense of yours. It will come to no good. Mark my words."
It's reaslly hard to tell your (or anyone else's) "truth". You're supposed to play the game. But what if life, love and business ends up not being a game ? What if the way it's "played" actually ends up hurting people ?
Oh, wait .. it does. Lots of them.
Posted by: JJ Commoner | November 13, 2007 at 02:16 PM
To tell truths in parable or jest is often the only way to get them told at all, short of scandal and calumny. The Importance of Being Earnest is light hearted, playfull. For all of that, Oscar Wilde did time in Reading Goal.
Posted by: Phil | November 13, 2007 at 02:28 PM