What Happens When We Lie?

Yesterday in class we were reviewing Virginia colonial free speech punishments and laws in regards to various matters. One that stuck with me was the basic "no lying" under punishment of death. That's pretty harsh for lying. It made me think of what our consequences are today in regards to punishment for lying. If you stop and think about it, our Presidents and Politicians don't normally get in trouble for an abusive act, it normally is the lying about it later that gets them. Regardless, lying is a troublesome deal which made me remember a story.

Many years ago when I was married to my ex-husband he had a business trip to New York that he was not very excited about. He had a 3 hour delay before his plane even took off, 2 hours extra up in the air and 3 hours extra on the tarmac waiting in the plan to taxi in off the runway. He was miserable and wanted to get off of the plane. When the airline stewardess asked if there was anything she could do for him, he decided to lie and say he was feeling very very ill and had to get off of the plane. Of course, no one on the plane was happy to be sitting there. All of the passengers had a miserably long travel day.

My ex thought that this lie would get him off of the plane faster. Wrong. An announcement came over the loud speaker declaring his illness and that everyone must REMAIN seated until emergency personnel had come to the gate. No one was allowed to get their bags from the overhead compartments and my ex had to remain seated as well. 20 minutes later, the doors opened and emergency crews came in with a portable fold out wheelchair, designed to the specific isle size of an aircraft hallway. My ex was a very big guy so the image I can give you all reading this blog is that it was like trying to stuff an adult into a 5 year old's shirt. He tried to decline the wheelchair but at that time, they INSISTED! He squeezed into this wheelchair and allowed the medical technicians to push him to the front of the plane, all the while completely embarrased because the glaring of the other passengers. The wheelchair hit the metal barrier and could not clear itself onto the ramp. My ex let the techs try and try and try to get him over this until finally he stood up (the wheelchair was still stuck to him) he hobbled past the barrier and sat dutifully back down so they could wheel him to the airport medical station. All in all, he didn't leave the airport itself for another 5 hours. When I finally received his phone call the next day he told me the story and said..... that is what I get for lying! It took me a day longer than it would have if I had only told the truth. My only response is that I couldn't stop laughing and giggling. I love karma when it acts immediately.