Wisdom Week Wrap-Up November 10
Quotes that are food for thought
So many great quotes come out of my conversations with my guests! This is a weekly piece with some words that might just get you thinking about your own life.
Does the thought of prison make you squeamish? This week, some amazing stories about life behind bars. These stories really are remarkable. If you have time, check out the podcasts (linked in the quotes below each picture.)
What would you say if a federal judge gave you a seven year prison sentence?
Portia Louder was a wife, a mom and a realtor. It was the realtor role that landed her in prison. During the hey days of the real estate boom in the mid 2000’s Portia was buying and selling overvalued properties. The appraisals were manipulated.
When the market crashed, the owners and the banks were on the hook for the appraised value. That brought in the FBI and suddenly Portia’s life changed radically. None of the bankers were sent to jail. But Portia was sentenced to seven years in a Federal penitentiary.
What is justice? Is it doled out justly? Does the little guy (or gal) stand a chance when larger forces are at play?
“I guess I would say I’ve had one of the most interesting lives that someone can have.” -Shaun Hayes
Shaun Hayes is the cofounder and former CEO of Allegiant Bancorp, headquartered In St. Louis Missouri. Shaun bought his first bank at 29, and was CEO of a bank at 32. By age 35, Shaun was running a public company. At 44, he sold his company for half a billion dollars.
Fast forward, and Shaun was sentenced to 37 months in Federal prison. He left penniless.
What’s worse? Losing your fortune or going to jail? What’s worth more to you-your reputation or your bank balance?
“If this is for our protection, why are the guns pointed at us?”-John Suzuki
Now John Suzuki did not go to prison, but he wrote a book about a Japanese-American, Shiro Cashino, aka “Kash”, who was rounded up at the start of World War II and sent to an American concentration camp for people of Japanese descent. In spite of the injustice of it all, Kash went on to serve his country.
Kash was awarded a Silver Star, six Purple Hearts, and a bronze star. He was one of the most decorated soldiers of World War Two, until he was accused of a crime he didn't commit. This led to a decades long campaign by his family to redeem the reputation of this amazing war hero.
Are we stronger than our national narratives? How would you vote on imprisoning fellow Americans? And what would you handle a false accusation?