At the end of the 1966 film A Man for All Seasons, Sir Thomas More, doomed by the perjured testimony of Richard Rich, notices as Rich leaves the witness stand that he wears a chain indicating the office he holds. Cranmer, observing More's attention, says Rich is now the Attorney General of Wales. In a voice half surprised and half resigned, More then addresses Rich directly. "Why, Richard," he says, "it profits a man nothing to give his soul for the whole world. But for Wales?"
I thought of this episode recently while reading about the federal indictment of Bob McConnell, the former governor of Virginia, and his wife, Maureen, the former Washington Redskin cheerleader. Everyone has their price. For the McConnells, it perhaps wasn't much more than a black Louis Vuitton raincoat, a Rolex watch, some Footjoy golf shoes, other shoes, a hot tub cover, two Oscar de la Renta dresses, an Oscar de la Renta sweater, airline tickets, and a catering bill.
