Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Community Service for Madoff & AIG hogs
What would REALLY be a fitting punishment for this level of greed? Greed so voracious it morphed into a primal ugliness barely removed from evil.
A Prison term? I think not. For "white collar" criminals prison is more like camp. Martha Stewart cooked, made ponchos and used glitter-glue for crafts.
Fines? Yeah, right.
How about non-stop, tangible, hard core community service. Like working and living in a homeless shelter or a half-way house for 20 years. No vacation. No private jets, country clubs, or luxury wheels. No Italian custom made suits, shoes or shirts. No bonuses. Minimum wage. Public transportation. Sharing a room. Doing their own laundry & cooking. SERVING OTHERS.
Oh, they should have to wear an ankle bracelet monitored 24/7. And have this message tattooed on their foreheads " I am a depraved loser." In a nice cursive font.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Did IRS hold SEC back from investigating Madoff?
Madoff investors were dutifully paying taxes to the IRS on all his faux trades based on his reporting to them & the IRS.
The investor's were royally screwed. Madoff lived high off the obese & sweating hog for years but will now, at least personally, pay the hog's reaper but someone has made out just FINE through all of this.
Yup. The IRS was taking in all those taxes. Will those monies be returned to the investors?
Is it really possible that the IRS had no idea these taxes were based on delusional criminality?
Think on that.
The investor's were royally screwed. Madoff lived high off the obese & sweating hog for years but will now, at least personally, pay the hog's reaper but someone has made out just FINE through all of this.
Yup. The IRS was taking in all those taxes. Will those monies be returned to the investors?
Is it really possible that the IRS had no idea these taxes were based on delusional criminality?
Think on that.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
GENDER equality? NOT.
Sunday was International Women's Day. A belated shout out to all women and men with a brain. While driving around on errands after work yesterday I was listening to NPR and heard a news story about an investment firm right here in little Rhode Island. Seems the CEO, a gal, had inflated the pool of dinero that she and her associates handled for clients. The SEC is investigating and has a big stick up their butts about all of it.
I am not condoning her behavior.
But where was the friggin' SEC during the last 7 years when a primo member of the boy's club (and I do mean OLD boys as in always was/always will be), Bernie Madoff, was screwing the life out of senior citizens, non-profits, movie stars, small businesses and charities, eh?
For SEVEN YEARS a financial watch dog in Massachusetts was biting the SEC's ear about the evil incarnate Madoff but they simply continued to let Madoff pee on the bushes until everything was brown, stinking and dead. Oh, except for his off-shore investments, jewelry, home furnishings, antiques, luxury properties and CASH.
Oh, wait. How dim of me. My mistake. Those items belong to his WIFE.
Now that is some gender equality.
Sleep tight. The SEC is paying attention to dipshit little investment firms run by women who inflate the measure of their success.
I am not condoning her behavior.
But where was the friggin' SEC during the last 7 years when a primo member of the boy's club (and I do mean OLD boys as in always was/always will be), Bernie Madoff, was screwing the life out of senior citizens, non-profits, movie stars, small businesses and charities, eh?
For SEVEN YEARS a financial watch dog in Massachusetts was biting the SEC's ear about the evil incarnate Madoff but they simply continued to let Madoff pee on the bushes until everything was brown, stinking and dead. Oh, except for his off-shore investments, jewelry, home furnishings, antiques, luxury properties and CASH.
Oh, wait. How dim of me. My mistake. Those items belong to his WIFE.
Now that is some gender equality.
Sleep tight. The SEC is paying attention to dipshit little investment firms run by women who inflate the measure of their success.
Monday, February 16, 2009
DECLINE OF CIVILIZATION: What happened to "CIVIL"?
Ah, capitalism! Remember Beretta (sp?)? He was the detective in some TV show back in the day who was fond of saying, "Don't do the crime if you can't do the time."
We are not a country of dimwits. It's more that we might be collectively unconscious. Everyone, regardless of their political affiliation, religious or spiritual beliefs, IQ, social consciousness, ethical or moral views or any other identifier has reaped some benefit from our misguided conceit of entitlement. Not much black and white in the world. Plenty of nuance. We are flawed and human. Lots of gray. Hard to believe it is 2009 and we are still dulled by gray. I thought we were supposed to evolve. We've certainly done that technologically. In every other way we seem pathologically stuck in some primordial tar pit of greed.
But Our greed is not just about money and consumer goods. It's about resources. Our water. Our air. It's about human resources. Treating workers with contempt. Elevating prejudice to a cabinet post. Homeland Security. Raping every average citizen in the most dehumanizing way but taking their jobs and outsourcing them for profit only. Stealing their homes. Denying them basic protections and rights. How many have no health insurance? How many are hungry? How many can't afford their medications? What about the many that applied for and received credit cards they couldn't afford? Mortgages they couldn't afford?
Do they bear any responsibility for their own actions even though they are now victims? Exploited? What was the motivation behind their actions?
It is not just business owners and stockholders to blame for all this. Our government has clearly lost its friggin' mind and has no idea how to govern for the mutual benefit of all. Who holds all those government and quasi-governmental bureaus and agencies accountable? And how? Is anyone paying attention?
We ALL have to pay now and it ain't gonna be pretty. Some of us probably feel victimized by this horrific mess. Some feel self-righteous because they've been the canary in the coal mine of our decay for years. Many are befuddled. More feel betrayed. Have some people been more corrupt or selfish? Certainly. Some have broken every rule of the social contract to the point of evil. Like Bernie Madoff. But we have ALL lost our way.
Is the stimulus plan intended to prop up our capitalist framework a good or bad thing? Who knows. Seems likely it will just delay the inevitable collapse of our systems if implemented as intended. So we pay now or we pay later.
Two things come to mind: Peter Finch in the movie Network encouraging viewers to open their windows and yell "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!" And the vision laid out by Marge Piercy in her book Woman on the Edge of Time which the Philadelphia Inquirer describes as about "the possibilities for moral courage in contemporary society."
Ah, moral courage.
We are not a country of dimwits. It's more that we might be collectively unconscious. Everyone, regardless of their political affiliation, religious or spiritual beliefs, IQ, social consciousness, ethical or moral views or any other identifier has reaped some benefit from our misguided conceit of entitlement. Not much black and white in the world. Plenty of nuance. We are flawed and human. Lots of gray. Hard to believe it is 2009 and we are still dulled by gray. I thought we were supposed to evolve. We've certainly done that technologically. In every other way we seem pathologically stuck in some primordial tar pit of greed.
But Our greed is not just about money and consumer goods. It's about resources. Our water. Our air. It's about human resources. Treating workers with contempt. Elevating prejudice to a cabinet post. Homeland Security. Raping every average citizen in the most dehumanizing way but taking their jobs and outsourcing them for profit only. Stealing their homes. Denying them basic protections and rights. How many have no health insurance? How many are hungry? How many can't afford their medications? What about the many that applied for and received credit cards they couldn't afford? Mortgages they couldn't afford?
Do they bear any responsibility for their own actions even though they are now victims? Exploited? What was the motivation behind their actions?
It is not just business owners and stockholders to blame for all this. Our government has clearly lost its friggin' mind and has no idea how to govern for the mutual benefit of all. Who holds all those government and quasi-governmental bureaus and agencies accountable? And how? Is anyone paying attention?
We ALL have to pay now and it ain't gonna be pretty. Some of us probably feel victimized by this horrific mess. Some feel self-righteous because they've been the canary in the coal mine of our decay for years. Many are befuddled. More feel betrayed. Have some people been more corrupt or selfish? Certainly. Some have broken every rule of the social contract to the point of evil. Like Bernie Madoff. But we have ALL lost our way.
Is the stimulus plan intended to prop up our capitalist framework a good or bad thing? Who knows. Seems likely it will just delay the inevitable collapse of our systems if implemented as intended. So we pay now or we pay later.
Two things come to mind: Peter Finch in the movie Network encouraging viewers to open their windows and yell "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!" And the vision laid out by Marge Piercy in her book Woman on the Edge of Time which the Philadelphia Inquirer describes as about "the possibilities for moral courage in contemporary society."
Ah, moral courage.
Friday, January 16, 2009
ISRAEL IS NOT ACCOUNTABLE TO ANYONE
Israel has been using the same argument to justify every depraved and violent action of ethnic-cleansing in Gaza, "We were fired upon".
So they have bombed schools, hospitals, universities, private homes, shops, offices, everything in site. Never mind the people. Never mind over 200 children. Animals. Vegetation. Talk about a scorched earth. Apparently since no one has demanded that they prove this is so, they can mow down everything in sight. No countries intervene. No international bodies of law that typically struggle to ensure some thin vestige of humanity have raised much of a protest.
And so Israel feels no compulsion to prove anything. To anyone. Certainly not to the UN who sit like a mosquito on the shoulder of Israel. They do not respect the UN. And the international community seems whipped by Israel, afraid to criticize for fear of being labeled anti-Semitic.
Israel can proceed to destroy all of Gaza carte blanche. I suspect they are doing a pretty good job of it based on what I see and read from independent media sources. I can see the blueprints for the new settlements now. Do you disagree? You can't. Prove otherwise.
I am sure that Israel is even more emboldened that they were when they started this "incursion" Dec. 27 and why not, there are no attempts to stop them!
I think mainstream television broadcast networks have become total apologists for Israel. NBC World News Tonight doesn't even bother to broadcast the number of Palestinian deaths. The networks do not respond (even with canned text) to my email messages asking how they came to make this decision. All the chatter is about Hamas and their pathetic rockets. The terror inflicted by Hamas? Ten deaths in Israel and a few burned cars. Apparently that news is deemed much more worthy of coverage than the deaths of 1,003 Palestinians including over 200 children.
All the networks bemoan the threat Hamas poses to Israel and justify, on their behalf, all of the genocidal actions of Israel. Israelis might have to stop playing video games and run to their basements while a rocket (and I use that word lightly) lands somewhere and makes a whole in the road that one can jump over. Not much of an inconvenience.
Dinner in Israelis homes goes on as usual. There is more than bread on their table unlike in Gaza. There is meat and vegetables and fruit. They even have a table! They can shower with clean water at the end of the day. They can turn on their televisions and computers without giving it a second thought. They can use their telephones. They have free passage anywhere without the humiliation and arbitrariness Paelstinians experience at checkpoints. They have jobs. They still have places to worship and can do so freely. They can shop at all manner of stores. They can continue to go to school and university. They can seek medical care. And ambulances can actually get to them in their homes should they need one. They can go out to dinner. Go on dates. Have family gatherings and outings. THEY can lead their lives.
Some of the broadcast news of damage in Israel actually looks like a skit on some sharply critical, analytical political cable TV show. The damage is so underwhelming in comparison to Gaza that it seems surreal. Seems like a joke. How this be broadcast with a straight face?
Of course we all know Israel is protected by GOD and therefore, this is manifest destiny right? They DESERVE to rid themselves of the "threat"of Hamas at any price. And apparently get rid of all Palestinians as well.
Sleep well my friends. Because we have to wonder when the bloodlust hits Israel again, where they will strike. With impunity.
So they have bombed schools, hospitals, universities, private homes, shops, offices, everything in site. Never mind the people. Never mind over 200 children. Animals. Vegetation. Talk about a scorched earth. Apparently since no one has demanded that they prove this is so, they can mow down everything in sight. No countries intervene. No international bodies of law that typically struggle to ensure some thin vestige of humanity have raised much of a protest.
And so Israel feels no compulsion to prove anything. To anyone. Certainly not to the UN who sit like a mosquito on the shoulder of Israel. They do not respect the UN. And the international community seems whipped by Israel, afraid to criticize for fear of being labeled anti-Semitic.
Israel can proceed to destroy all of Gaza carte blanche. I suspect they are doing a pretty good job of it based on what I see and read from independent media sources. I can see the blueprints for the new settlements now. Do you disagree? You can't. Prove otherwise.
I am sure that Israel is even more emboldened that they were when they started this "incursion" Dec. 27 and why not, there are no attempts to stop them!
I think mainstream television broadcast networks have become total apologists for Israel. NBC World News Tonight doesn't even bother to broadcast the number of Palestinian deaths. The networks do not respond (even with canned text) to my email messages asking how they came to make this decision. All the chatter is about Hamas and their pathetic rockets. The terror inflicted by Hamas? Ten deaths in Israel and a few burned cars. Apparently that news is deemed much more worthy of coverage than the deaths of 1,003 Palestinians including over 200 children.
All the networks bemoan the threat Hamas poses to Israel and justify, on their behalf, all of the genocidal actions of Israel. Israelis might have to stop playing video games and run to their basements while a rocket (and I use that word lightly) lands somewhere and makes a whole in the road that one can jump over. Not much of an inconvenience.
Dinner in Israelis homes goes on as usual. There is more than bread on their table unlike in Gaza. There is meat and vegetables and fruit. They even have a table! They can shower with clean water at the end of the day. They can turn on their televisions and computers without giving it a second thought. They can use their telephones. They have free passage anywhere without the humiliation and arbitrariness Paelstinians experience at checkpoints. They have jobs. They still have places to worship and can do so freely. They can shop at all manner of stores. They can continue to go to school and university. They can seek medical care. And ambulances can actually get to them in their homes should they need one. They can go out to dinner. Go on dates. Have family gatherings and outings. THEY can lead their lives.
Some of the broadcast news of damage in Israel actually looks like a skit on some sharply critical, analytical political cable TV show. The damage is so underwhelming in comparison to Gaza that it seems surreal. Seems like a joke. How this be broadcast with a straight face?
Of course we all know Israel is protected by GOD and therefore, this is manifest destiny right? They DESERVE to rid themselves of the "threat"of Hamas at any price. And apparently get rid of all Palestinians as well.
Sleep well my friends. Because we have to wonder when the bloodlust hits Israel again, where they will strike. With impunity.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
NBC NEWS not broadcasting Gaza death totals
Perhaps NBC World News Tonight with Brian Williams thinks that if they do not broadcast the actual death totals people will forget what a lopsided bamboozle is being seared into their brains.
As of today 1,003 Palestinians have been killed and 4,482 have been injured.
As far as I have been able to determine there have been 10 Israeli deaths. Seven of those killed were soldiers. Supposedly some died in "friendly fire" accidents.
How is it possible that Hamas is the powerful and dangerous threat Israel claims when their much feared rockets have managed to kill 10 people?
Look at the totals above and ask yourself what is really going on. All of today's talk about a cease fire centers around Hamas stopping the friggin' rockets. Apparently the Palestinian death toll and the fact that today Israel bombed the United Nations refugee camp, and has so far destroyed universities, bombed ambulances and killed their drivers, and killed over 200 children is not even a topic of conversation for the cease fire!
Who has distributed the Kool Aid people? HAs everyone been brainwashed? We are witnessing genocide.
As of today 1,003 Palestinians have been killed and 4,482 have been injured.
As far as I have been able to determine there have been 10 Israeli deaths. Seven of those killed were soldiers. Supposedly some died in "friendly fire" accidents.
How is it possible that Hamas is the powerful and dangerous threat Israel claims when their much feared rockets have managed to kill 10 people?
Look at the totals above and ask yourself what is really going on. All of today's talk about a cease fire centers around Hamas stopping the friggin' rockets. Apparently the Palestinian death toll and the fact that today Israel bombed the United Nations refugee camp, and has so far destroyed universities, bombed ambulances and killed their drivers, and killed over 200 children is not even a topic of conversation for the cease fire!
Who has distributed the Kool Aid people? HAs everyone been brainwashed? We are witnessing genocide.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
