This afternoon Bernard Madoff was given a 150 year prison sentence for masterminding the largest fraud the world has ever seen .
The gallery cheered as the sentence was handed down.
But his wife Ruth said after the hearing that she felt “betrayed and confused”, though probably not as much as the billions of tax payers who have had to pay for his and others’ greed.
I think this limerick from the New York Times sums it up quite well;
With Bernie’s cachet as the lure,
Even smart folks invested, quite sure
That with Madoff, funds grow
And sweet dividends flow.
Now they find themselves swindled … and poor.
The last person to emigrate from countries which reward people like Madoff until they get caught out, please shut the door on your way out.
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A question of defenstration
Caused Yeshiva’s trustees consternation.
When faced with a tradeoff
Twixt Merkin and Madoff
Tossing both was their only salvation
Thanks to RJO
(evil)
I rather like the concept that an entire segment of people (OiVey!) have seen their entire lifes work undone in their slobbering greed to acquire even more than they already had by signing up to Madoffsteinburgs lunatic promises.
Fagin would be proud. No wonder New York and the media is outraged. The concept of there suddenly being “poor Jews” living amongst them is more than they can bear. “Avi, whaddayamean we aint got no schekels now?? On my life, already! The shame, THE SHAME!. No way we can get into heaven now, we’ll be in hell with penniless Goyim”
(/evil)
Mark and Andrew they stitched up their dad
When they realised investors were had
They called up the Feds
And they took to their beds
Then cheered when he went down, egad.
There was a rich merchant called Mickal
Who wanted to own every nickel
He sneered at the Goy
Who jumped for joy
When he lost everything but his schnickel
(Oh speaks Yiddish, amazingly)
And I thought Gordon Broon ran the worlds largest ponzi scheme.
Tov! Tov! Old Holborn.
Goy’sleff OH.
Now what about poor Mrs. Madoff?
Old link, I know, but I think it’s a good one …
http://ethicist.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/28/ruth-madoffs-duty/?apage=4
I think this sentence highlights the wonderful justice system we have in the UK.
Fred retires with a million pound pension. The banks have been saved by erm Gordon. MPs can choose to step down at the next election or pay back any money that was within the rules but my have been an error. The rest can just carry on as usual. No one is to blame and no one is accountable.
Send the bill to the taxpayer. And their children. And their children’s children.
It is true Châtelaine, the defence of ‘only following orders’ has been used once to often to be acceptable and ignorance is definitely not innocence. But it is very easy to get into the habit of accepting rather than asking, the question is, which, if any of the foregoing describes Ruth babe.
If I were “her” would go for ‘blessed ignorance’ and stretch it as far as I could.
But I’m not”her”. And blessed for that;-)
There once was a very bad banker,
Who everyone thought was a wanker,
He stole all our cash
And then tried to dash,
But the law seized his boat
And then sank her.
Go Zak, you’re on a roll!
What is this life if full of care,
We have no time for our own welfare,
No time to punish those that breach,
The codes of practice that we teach,
No time to watch our savings dwindle,
As bankers perpetrate the swindle,
No time to advocate approval,
Of our dear leaders’ quick removal,
No time to see the slow erosion,
Of civil liberties’ implosion,
No time to keep track of the spies,
While they watch us with prying eyes,
What is this life if full of care,
Do not ask questions, I wouldn’t dare.
Thanks to W H Davies for the inspiration.
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