"Naturally, I was surprised and asked why he would ever think such a
thing of me.
"God went on to ask, 'Did you report that I told you America should
assassinate Hugo Chavez, the leader of Venezuela?'
"'Yes, I did,' I confessed.
"'And did you recently tell people I told you that this year I'm going
to send fearsome storms to batter the coastlines of America?'
"'Yes, I did,' I confessed again.
"'But, Pat, ask yourself, if I'm the benevolent being people expect me
to be, how could I have said those terrible things?'
"You mean, you didn't say them?' I asked.
"'Heck, no! I've got my reputation to consider. What I actually told
you is, on the first point, that America should invite the President
of Venezuela to Washington to talk things over.'
"'You did?' I replied, swallowing hard.
"'Yes, Pat. And on the second issue, I told you I felt Katrina was
enough of a Category 5 hurricane for the time being and I intended to
hold off on such destructive whirlwinds for years to come.'
"'Really?'
"'Yes, Pat. But what has happened? You misheard every message I
delivered. Now, since I know you would much prefer to be my dutiful
servant, I can only assume