Ken Lay's death stole headlines last week, as the convicted corporate executive died of a massive heart attack while awaiting sentencing for his part in financial crimes (fraud and conspiracy) that cost energy giant ENRON its fiscal solvency and scores of employees their retirement and financial security.
What a stoic reminder that money isn't everything. Nor is power. Mistakes can be costly - not only to us directly but to our families and loved ones, as well. When the heat is on, it's easy to point the finger. It's hard to accept responsibility and express regret over our own human foibles.
Lay's public humiliation and conviction were no pleasure to observe. Idealists may hope his persistent pleas of ignorance and innocence of wrongdoing were more sound than his business dealings. His lawyers are hard at work to have his convictions struck due to his untimely death because he won't be around to personally pursue the endless appeals.
As I reflected on the irony of both developments, my thoughts settled on a vague recollection of another public figure, who, in recent years, faced the consequences of poor leadership decisions and performance of those under his command. I remember his tearful apology and the agonizing loss of his entire career. I couldn't initially remember his name, but the weight of his moral example has stayed with me.
You may also recall Cmdr. Scott Waddle, the naval officer whose military career came to an abrupt end when the submarine under his command performed a hot dog maneuver meant to impress distinguished civilian guests on board. Instead, it collided with a Japanese fishing vessel near Hawaii, causing the death of nine on board the vessel, including four high school fishery students and two teachers. The human wreckage aside, the magnitude of the accident was nothing short of an international incident.
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Waddle took responsibility and survived the mistakes made, as well as the cost of those mistakes. I don't know whether Waddle went on to financial success, but I believe if he died of a heart attack tomorrow, no one would need to act on his behalf to clear his reputation. He had the courage and integrity to do that on his own.
When I sent my only son off this summer to Washington, D.C., for a political internship working for Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., I told him that in the end all any of us have is our reputation, that we will be judged by our actions. I told him to always act with integrity, no matter the initial cost. What I forgot to tell him directly is: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Actually, I would reverse the order of that sentiment: For where your heart is, there your treasure will be also. That sort of wealth will always be powerful.
Miyamoto lives in Fargo. E-mail cmiyamoto@msn.com
