A real asset-- and there's still hope!

By Diogenes ( articles ) | Sep 15, 2006

Let's say you've lent me some money-- a lot of money-- $17 million, in fact-- and that's not counting the separate $23 million bank loan for which you co-signed. Let's say I used that money to invest in the Acme Widget Corporation.

Now you're getting nervous, because Acme widgets aren't selling, and the company loses more money every year. But fear not! I issue a statement to reassure you:

This Acme Widget Corporation is, and it's going to be, a great corporation, a great asset, and there is great hope for it.

You look at that statement carefully. You wonder: Why do we have to hold out "great hope," if it's such a "great asset" already? And again you wonder: If it is a great corporation, what's the sense in saying that it's going to be a great corporation? Oh, yes, and if it is so great, why doesn't the product sell?

All good questions-- very similar to the questions that the good Catholic laity of Detroit might now be asking about Cardinal Maida's investment in the John Paul II Cultural Center.