FORUM
| Mike Espy Errs on Age-Old Risk/Benefits Equation?
^ Alphonso Michael Espy, better known by the popular form of his mid
dle name, used to be a congressman. He was the first African American to
be elected to Congress from Mississippi since Reconstruction.
He was also the first black secretary of agriculture (Clinton's first
administration).
Intelligent, resourceful, and charming, Espy, it was believed, had bigger
and better things ahead of him when he left Washington.
Mr. Espy left Washington early. In 1994, he resigned his job as head of
the Department of Agriculture amid allegations that he accepted bribes
("gratuities") for himself, his girlfriend, and other family members from
businesses that his office regulated.
For almost three years he was investigated, with the girlfriend and offi
cials from the businesses gaining immunity from prosecution by agreeing
to testify against him.
Last week, a 39-count indictment was brought against Mr. Espy, 43, for
violating "his duty to provide honest services to the American public."
On close examination, what Espy stood to gain was far less valuable
than what he put in jeopardy.
Whenever confronted with a decision, goes the advice of the ages, ask
yourself if the benefits outweigh the risks. If the advantages to be gained
do not foolishly jeopardize what one presently holds, then one goes ahead,
even then with some caution.
In simpler words, is it worth it? Constantly, nowadays, we find ourselves
talking to young people about bad decision-making. In Mr. Espy's case ?
according to the reports of friends, including his ex-wife ? he loved to
travel. He was overwhelmed by Washington's perks, the trimmings of
power and gold plated advantages.
But, especially along the Potomac, life is filled with risks. Whether he
solicited or simply accepted them, Mr. Espy has been indicted for receiving
tickets to see the Cowboys play the Packers; the Bulls perform against the
Phoenix Suns; the U.S. Open tennis championship; and, among other bon
ers, he had more than $4,200 channeled to his girlfriend.
For these miscalculations of the risk-benefits equation, he has been
tagged with 12 counts of wire fraud, more than a dozen counts of
approaching businesses and receiving gifts, charges of making false state
ments about the gifts and witness tampering.
In a way, Mr. Espy's calculations were like betting the farm against an
outhouse. In his home state, sup
porters are dumbfounded and dis
appointed "Good Lord," wrote a
(white) Magnolia State journalist
who "just knew Mike had the great
est opportunity to be the first black
governor."
Questions abound now about
who is responsible. Some think that
his misfortunes can be lain at the
feet of poor advisors and staff over
sights. "Mike wasn't coached on
what company to keep, what to
watch out for," say others
In fKo final anulticic il/o Pneti'c
aumjoio, ITHIW i^poj a
fall from grace is a matter of per
sonal responsibility. As a youngster, he gained a reputation as a dependable
and trustworthy person. He beat nails at his grandfather's coffin factory.
Many Mississippians hope and expect that he will overcome this setback:
he boxed himself in. The benefits were not worth the risks.
(Bill Turner is a freelance columnist for The C hronide.)
Lift
Every
Voice
?Iff Turner
What Could Be Hard About Golf?
! "I've learned that I still have a lot to learn." (Age 92)
I
i
It was my first shot on the par three golf course and I was hooked. It
landed on the green, and I made par! Yes! That was a great feeling.
It was my second attempt at playing golf, and it had taken a fraternity
btother to insist that we go and play. The first attempt was a little less suc
cessful.
~ ? Several years ago, while on a business trip, the guys from the office
encouraged me to join them and play a round of golf. Anytime they trav
eled, their golf clubs did too. Business was often conducted on the links. I
cehsidered myself an ex-athlete, having played high school and college
football, and was mentally prepared to accept the challenge. Think positive
and imagine success. I had seen this game played and had the confidence
that I could do it. After a couple of holes, I reasoned, I would be master
ing this beautiful course.
My first shot was ugly. Picture this: perfect grip, good stance, head
down, then up and back down. I moved the club in front and back of the
ball repeatedly. I concentrated, brought the club back, and swung for the
Home run. I should have stopped right there.
I looked for the ball and it was nowhere in sight. I understood then why
you should keep your head down. I dug up a hole the size of a small crater,
and the ball rolled about six inches away.
After a couple of holes and about six lost balls, I went back to riding
the cart and smoking my cigar. This game is more difficult than I thought.
I remember my classmates playing golf in high school. 1 could not
understand why people would hit a little white ball, walk until they found c
it and hit it again until they put it in a hole. I would rather hit somebody I
on the football field and dare them to get up. Now that was satisfaction, e
Well, Father Time has a way of slowing us down, and as you get older, 1
you often change your perspective on things. I also discovered that a lot of
people play golf and have been for some time now. Why didn't someone let r
me in on the secret. I
After that first shot on the par three, I was ready to play again that
<
week. My brother-in-law had given me an old set of clubs and warned my
wife "If he likes the game, you will not see much of him."
I purchased "Ben Hogan's Five Rules of Golf," and began to read up
on the game ? the stance the grip, the swing, etc. Armed with new knowl
edge and eager to play, I was back on the course and had talked another
novice into playing with me
I was not prepared for what happened next. I had played better when I
lidn't know what I was doing than I did with this new knowledge,
frustration set in, and I was not having a good time. I understand from
ixpert golfers that this is part of the fascination and addiction to the game.
"Jow it is a challenge.
I have been postponing lessons for some time now, hoping the athlete in
ne will show up and master the game. Ernie Morris (Winston Lake Golf
Jro), I am on the way!
I am actually making a little progress. I almost hit a birdie at the
jovernor's Open last year. You see, a bird was walking across the fairway
ind I almost hit it.
My game is about the same as the scene in the Michael Jordan and
Larry Bird basketball commercial, where they are shooting the ball off tall
buildings, the moon, etc., and into the hoop. I'm off the tree, through the
woods, in the water, down the cart path, out of the sand trap and into the
hole.
Now, if I can only get Tiger Woods to help me with an endorsement I
think I would be a good spokesperson to influence non-golfers to take up
the game.
See you at the Governor's Open on Sept. 20. The game really is fun, and
I get to smoke a couple of cigars. Smoking on the course and not at home
makes my wife happy. I guess my brother-in-law was right.
(Nigel Alston is an executive for Integon Insurance Company )
i
1
Motivational Moments <
Nlgml Alston
Embattled Baptist leader facing lawsuit from Coloradan
, (AP Photo/St. Petersburg Times, Brian Baer)
Dr. Henry Lyons shakos tho hands of sup
porters after the general board of
?directors mooting at the National Baptist
Convention In Denver, on Monday Sept. I.
tarller, Lyons received a vote of confidence
to keep him as president by tho board's
executive committee.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) ? An
Englewood man is suing embattled Baptist
leader Henry Lyons, claiming Lyons failed to
follow through on a business venture to help
minorities.
Lyons is the leader of the National Baptist
Convention USA, which meets Sept. 1-5 in
Denver.
Garret Barry, president of Ottawa
Financial Corp., said he invested about
$25,000 in the MEFAC Limited Liability
Corp. with Lyons and leaders of the National
Baptist Convention of America, another
nationwide church group.
The officers never met after a kickoff sym
posium two years ago, Barry said, and the
partners never followed through on plans to
aid minorities, despite collecting more than
$600,000 from private donors and the federal
government.
Barry and his lawyer claim that at least one
of the partners "plundered" the company and
gave family members and friends thousands of
dollars in consulting fees.
Glenn Younger, Lyons' Denver lawyer,
declined to discuss the lawsuit in detail
Tuesday. "The law and the procedures are
being followed in this case," Younger said.
"That's the end of this conversation."
Lyons has come under fire for alleged mis
use of church funds.
Among other charges, the Florida minister
has been accused of using church funds to help
buy a 5-carat diamond and a luxury villa for
his mistress.
Barry said he has racked up about $100,000
in legal fees in the case against Lyons.
"It's a financial drain on me. I'm not a per
son of great wealth and resources," said Barry,
an Indian who runs a nationwide financial
consulting firm for minority businesses.
The case, filed in December in U.S. District
Court in Denver, is set for trial Oct. 5.
MEFAC is under investigation by the U.S.
Justice Department for misusing at least
$150,000 that were Supposed to help poor
farmers in Alabama.
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1
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