There is no room on my palate for Pepsi products. I once called my own daughter a soda slut when I caught her in the act of drinking a Pepsi. Of course I was kidding, mostly. I’m not proud of that episode. You think it can’t happen in your own family. We’ve moved on, mostly. Sorry, but I send Diet Pepsi back if I’ve ordered Diet Coke (and trust me when I tell you I know the difference). I’m not trying to be obnoxious; I find I can be obnoxious without trying.

That said, when a Coca Cola employee offered to sell trade secrets – including a bona fide sample of an unreleased new product – to PepsiCo and Pepsi called Coke who called the FBI who stung and arrested three conspirators on the kind of indictment that’s lately been leveled mainly at members of Congress and the lobbyists who love them, I raised a glass (of Caffeine-Free Diet Coke) in salute to Pepsi’s integrity.

Pepsi stood to benefit in a very big way had they purchased the secrets and gotten away with it. I wonder if they were just the least bit tempted. It doesn’t matter; they didn’t do it and, though I don’t anticipate any sudden hankerings for their product, they have my respect as the sort of people God welcomes in the temple precincts.

LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.

— Psalm 15 [New International Version]