George Washington, father of our country, is honored as an example of honesty, dating back to his boyhood when he cut down that cherry tree and did not deny it. A recent theory has been circulated that George may have been born in Texas rather than Virginia; that his father gave him a bowie knife instead of a hatchet; and that little George cut down a mesquite tree rather than a cherry tree. When his father asked him about it, George said, "Papa, I cannot tell a lie. I cut it down with my bowie knife." His father shook his head in complete disgust. "Can't tell a lie, huh? Then pack your bags. We're moving to Virginia. There's no future for you in Texas!" Forgive me, you Texans! The fact is that truth is treated badly all over the country.

The Ninth Commandment which prohibits lying is an …