Accused Swindler Madoff’s “House Arrest” A Joke – Mummers Survive Another Year
Bernard Madoff, accused 50-billion dollar swindler, has been placed free on bail and under house arrest, pending the case against him. That’s a joke. If the charges against Madoff prove to be true, and he’s already confessed to his sons, the crimes against people across the country will be mammoth.
There are foreclosures, bankrupticies, shattered families, and fortunes, small and large, all gone. Bernard Madoff belongs in jail, with no bail. He may be the biggest swindler ever in the history of the U.S.
Do you think house arrest is enough? The prosecutors who agreed to this arrangement should have their heads examined.
MUMMERS MAGIC –
The Mummers of Philadelphia have a proud and great history. I’m happy the parade will go on, and I’m saddened by the reality that the Mummer’s financial backing is fading. Part of it traces back to 18 years ago when the Mummers kept demanding more and more sponsor money from TV. The TV stations refused to ante up. TV coverage became more and more limited. Without TV’s incredible exposure, the Mummers were seen less and less. It really hurt. It would be a sad day for Philadelphia if the Mummers. unique to this community, are not revived as the major show they should be. NOW is the time to start thinking of ways to fund the parade in 2010.
BAILOUT BLUES -
Who will be the next industry to seek Federal money for a bailout? If we continue saving the car industry, can airplane makers be far behind? How about failed pharmaceuticals, and perhaps Arena Football, which is in trouble? The point is clear: how far should bailouts go? And it appears there is little relief on the horizon to people facing foreclosure. What’s fair is fair.
Speaking of bailouts. How about the embattled libraries of Philadelphia. If we can find money for the arts, for the promotion of professional sports, and an expanded Convention center, why in the heck can’t we find the monies to save those community libraries.
Any ideas on how to do it?
Comments(44)
I live in the city and enjoy the Mummers as part of our holiday tradition BUT it has gotten too big and the parade is too long. The string bands have gone from a nice musical tradition to Broadway produtions…too big to enjoy from street level. Here’s an idea…have the comics and fancies march only from Oregon to Washington. If there is prize money for them, have the Mummers raise it themselves and award it. Have the brigades march only a small distance and head to the convention center as they have in the past years…we have gone to that event and although a bit boring, we appreciate the work that goes into this. Have the Stringbands march from Washington Avenue to City Hall. Put limits on their props and costumes. They have become outrageous and, as said previously, almost impossible to appreciate at street level. I would guess that they pay more for coreographers and set designs then anything else. Next require each string band to contribute a certain amount of $$$ through sponsors and corporate naming rights. We could have The Franlinger Sting Band sponsored by Peco…Ferko String band sponsored by IKEA, South Philly String Band Sponsored by PGW, Polish American sponsored by the Philadelphia Eagles, and so in. Also, set up bleachers along the entire route and have them patroled by Mummers volunteers and charge a buck a seat which will go to the City to defray cost of cleaning and the like. Also require the bands to stop at least five times on their way to city hall and play at, for exapmle….Washington, Christian, South, Locust, Chestnut….There is much too much marching and too little playing. The city should establish a budget of no more than $100,000 per year for the parade. If some bands cannot come up with the sponsors and/or cash, so be it. They do not perform but they can perform at the Show of Shows…that would be up to the Mummers. The Mummers are a great tradition but everyone needs to look for new ways to do business. I want them to stay because they are so dedicated and devoted to their performances and there is no doubt they bring money to the city. If they are as creative to funding as they are to their props and dance, they can pull this off with ease.
When a bunch of Palm Beach well to dos plead with a scam artist to take their money and give them unrealistic returns then I say curse them all. Madoff catered to to greed that these people possessed. I personally never heard of Madoff let alone have an opportunity to invest in his fund. Why should I even care what they do to Madoff? 50 billion dollars oh… it’s Christmas lets just bail them all out. MARRY HANNAKA
Ahhhhhh…. the mummers…..nothing was in my blood more than the mummers parade. My Granny lived down on Passyunk Ave and every New Year’s Day the whole family would congregate at her house and attend the parade. She had two big pots on the stove. One was full of meatballs and the other held a ton of kielbasi with sauerkraut. Throw in some hard rolls and it was heaven. When I was a kid only the mummers seemed to be drinking, as I got older it was the idiot spectators who became drunk during the parade. The three P’s were in effect. Peeing, puking and punching…… It was everywhere, I stopped going to the parade after that.
As for the Libraries. I say we keep them open. Instead of books I say we put bars on the windows and protect the public. Turn these facilities into prisons. We need more of them in Phila. Libraries don’t mean a thing if people can’t safely walk the streets………..
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Larry, first of all, kudos for changing the blog. It did smell fishy before changing. You need to make a mental note to change your blog daily upon returning from the bathroom and your daily constitutional. Have it tattooed on your right forearm if necessary.
As for Bernard Madoff, what does he have to do with the current economic crisis. His swindling and the banking crisis aren’t connected. This is a specious argument. Bad timing to be discovered but not interconnected.
Secondly, there are swindlers, grifters and con men out there daily trying to take people’s money. “There is a sucker born every minute”, a phrase often mistakenly credited to PT Barnum. Americans have always been looking for a get rich scheme that bypasses the years of hard work necessary. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. I fail to understand your outrage, Larry, unless Madoff’s scam made off with your money.
Finally, don’t you realize that our criminal justice system has evolved into a system that protects the criminals and the rich? Where have you been, Larry? (Oh yeah, heads down writing the next great American novel) If you have the money to hire the top lawyers, you can drag out a case for years and live a semi-normal life during the interim. What would you propose, Larry? Have a lynch mob of bilked investors storm his mansion and hang him from his high tree? Put him in a high security prison pending his 2011 court date? Larry, sometimes you need to think about what you write before pushing Submit Comment.
Larry, the Mummers and libraries suffer from the same problem. They are dying entities. A new generation has grown up without any appreciation or use for either. Young Americans are more interested in Christina Agulera, Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears than non-traditional stringband music. They don’t get the Mummers. I guess we did not instill the value of the Mummers in our kids the way our parents and their parents did before us. It may be said to see a tradition end but the Mummers need to re-invent themselves to become relevant to this generation of 15-35 year olds. If they don’t, no amount of bailout money will save them. Perhaps a good blog topic would be: How do we make the Mummers relevant in 2009?
Libraries are now a depository of old books. Libraries are only used by those trying to stay warm or get free internet access. The internet has replaced the need for libraries and home encyclopedias. Where have you been, Larry? Libraries need to re-invent themselves as well. A place to download popular music and movies legally? Offer on-line college courses? I don’t know.
The next dinosaur to go will be the print media. The newspaper survives because of 50-85 year olds that grew up with it. Today’s generation grew up with the internet. They go on line to get everything. eBay, Craig’s List, Angie’s List, etc. It may take another 10-15 years but the handwriting is on the wall.
My point in all of this is that institutions need to evolve to remain relevant or they will disappear. If they are no longer relevant, why should we spend millions of dollars to keep them afloat. Isn’t that also the problem with the Car Industry bailout?
I just read where the Wilpons got bilked out of $300M by Madoff and it may influence how much more they are willing to spend on additional new talent for the Mets. Now there is a possible local connection the parochial Larry can make! If the Mets back off Manny Ramirez and Derek Lowe, the Phils will stand to benefit.
The Mummers Parade sucks. Nothing but a bunch of queens. It’s terrific how the city has 300 grand to give to these drunken idiots, yet libraries are closing.
Close the libraries and turn them into prisons and gay bath houses. Nobody reads anymore and its all on the internet anyway. Larry, there is a crime wave in the city; two white Penn students were just raped and robbed by a black man who should have been in prison, but now he could go to a city library prison. The more ornate libraries could be given to gay groups to redecorate into coffee houses ,art studios, and bath houses, they should even name one in honor of Harvey Milk. Putting money into libraries for city kids is a waste, and you know it, but its a virtuous liberal thing you like to say, and it makes you feel good to repeat such a crazy lie. Putting money into libraries is akin to flushing it down the toilet.
Mummers have real issues and bring shame to the city. Give them a library for a museum
Larry, unlike the media, our legal system operates on the principle that a person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Madoff may have been strung up in the court of public opinion, but he’s entitled to due process just as every other person who is indicted is so entitled.
Why should people accused of committing crimes be held in prison for indeterminate periods of time while awaiting trial, especially when they haven’t been accused of committing crimes of physical violence?
The media is incredibly irresponsible when it comes to “convicting” people based on appearances. Maybe you never saw Twelve Angry Men, but sometimes appearances can be deceiving. But, then, the theater and the bottom line on the balance sheet is all the broadcast media apparently care about these days.
It’s one thing to jump on Larry for his lack of understanding when it comes to using apostrophes, however Madoff has already admitted his guilt in masterminding this Ponzi scheme. When one admits guilt we don’t have to wait for a trial. Lay off Larry, Leo it’s the holidays.
Larry needs to be reprimanded regularly. In fact he asks to be spanked quite often.
I usually go to the Mummers Parade every seven years or so just to remind myself why I don’t go more often.By 5PM it’s not a pretty sight,unless you like to see adults puking on themselves.
Larry, jail with no bail for Madoff is just another of your crazy feel good populist talking points to make yourself look good. Madoff should get the same due process as any other accused criminal, and since he didn’t rape or kill anyone, nor does he have a prior criminal record, it would be a travesty for him not to be released on bail. Just because he’s rich, and several of your favorite Jewish charities have been hurt and/or even wiped out, you want to “hang him high” even before he has his day in court. What a crazy double standard Mr Kane, you should be ashamed of yourself and your loony half baked ideas that indicate either a careless disregard for facts and the law, or simple ignorance.
I’m a good loking man, Larry will remember me from my movie Shampoo in the 1970s. Many of my patrons were wealthy Jewish woman so I’m well informed.
Lets see, the Madoff scandal really is about Jewish not being man enough or rich enough or know the right Jews to get into the Ponzi. The scheme was beautiful, because it preyed upon new wealth Jews who wanted to be in the know and get intited to join. Once in they could then shun and mock those who didnt get in. It preyed upon human nature, but in particualr the Jewish need to be included in an “exclusive group” because they had so often been shunned from real money cirlces in New York.
Now, as George in Shampoo,
I just use to cut hair, but thats what my female clients tell me. Is this true Larry?
Warren dear I loved you in Dick Tracy and loved Annette Benning in The Grifters. I think you were speaking of Zohan’s quote, “I want to make people silky smooth!” I wish Zohan was still in operation in NYC. It’d be worth the 90 minutes Bolt ride, if you know what I mean. Tootle loo.
Annette Benning is a hot lady for her age,,not like you mrs kaighan you old bag.
i think the mummers are great. the level of committment is to be commended. plus they are so rich in philly tradition. for a while i didnt really get them but then i started to really dig those groovy cats. peace danny
I’ve been to Mardi Gras and I’ve been to the mummers parade. The mummers are definitely superior to the beads booze and boobs down in New Orleans. The only exception is the voodoo down on the Bayou. There is a definite feeling in New Orleans that can’t be felt anywhere else. Whether it is the mixing of so many different cultures or the location, Mardi Gras in New Orleans is not to be missed. I would put it in my top twenty things to see before you die.
Dearest Jack, no milkbone for you! Larry will not be happy to hear your comments about the Mrs. If I were a muncher, and I’m not, I would be all over Annette Benning.
Tootle loo. Talk to you after holidays!
Larry, Madoff is about to take down the Elie Wiesel Fund for Humanity. No wonder there are so many anti-Semites running amok on your blog.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081224/ts_alt_afp/usfinancefraudwieselfoundation_081224163605
Leo, for Christmas I made a donation in your name to the Human Fund.. It’s not the Fund for Humanity but It worked for George Constanza on Seinfeld. Marry Christmas!
Thanks, Ed. I’ve got my topless Obama photos to keep me warm.
Kisses,
Leo
Larry, here’s hoping that you got everything you wanted for Christmas. I also hope someone gave you a calender so that you would remember to change the blog more often than you change your undies. Oh, I’m Just kidding, but seriously when your Depends start to smell it’s time to change the blog topic.
Dearest Santa, you can slide down my chimney anytime you’d like. Just make sure Larry isn’t home. Just kidding (not really). Tootle loo and Merry Christmas. I love to see my chubby red buddy.
Larry, it’s my one year anniversary of writing on your blog! I hope Hanakah Harry left you some nice gifts. Why don’t you treat Mrs Kane to a nice Chinese dinner tonight then take her to see either Benjamin Button or Grand Torino, you’ll like either one. Just dont let her talk you into a chick flick romantic comedy, they just make men realize how unsatifying their actual marriages are, according to the Today show.
It’s time for me to put Jesus in the manger and open up some gifts. Merry Christmas to those of you who hang your stockings with care, in the hope that Larry Kane will always be there.
And suddenly there was with the Angel, a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God. And saying; Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and goodwill toward men.
That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.
Linus, that really sums it up. Too bad Madoff didnt watch more cartoons as a child. Leo, the number of charities being affected is stunning, and given the economy they will not recover for decades, if at all. We are on the same page with letting Madoff have his day in court and his right to be out on bail. However, if found guilty he needs life in prison, and not some Allenwood country club prison. I’m sure we’ll be hearing about all of his health problems when he gets sentenced, but he needs to die in a a very harsh prison environment if he is guilty of this crime. The sickest part is that he is a Jew who did this to other Jews. Surely some might rejoice in this irony, but I think it makes his crime particularly bad. It’s akin to blacks profiting from the slave trade or profiting from young black kids on drugs, there should be a special place in hell for Madoff.
mrs kaighan,that was not me that was a jack russell sock puppett,but,do you have any pictures on the internet?
i am just celebrating the birth of barry obama like everyone else.
How’s your Christmas Jack? Any good gifts from Santa? Barrack is going to be like Santa Claus, he’s going to buy us everything whether we asked for it or not. At least he gave Hillary something good for Christmas with that new job. I think she’ll do much better than Condi, eight years and not really anything remarkable accomplished, I had had really high hopes for her.
happy holidays George,i could use a bail-out to pay off my credit cards like most other people.my kid’s would like a bail-out to pay the college loans.
well Hillary was a big reason he won the job she helped him alot by pushing him in the primaries.it’s hard to predict how it’s going to go the next four years but i smell a big scandel somewhere along the line,if the media wants to report it.
Larry-this is day 7.
jr, that’s not a scandal you smell that is a rotting blog. I’ll be surprised if this Larry Kane ego trip makes it into the new year’
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The jr impersonator is just jealous of you and the Clintons. Eight years of “peace and prosperity”. The new president will only have to do better than Eight years of “war and Economic Calamity” Even Larry could do better that that…….
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See you at the Mummers parade. YAP gave me the idea. Every seven years whether you need to or not. I’ll be hanging out at St. Agnes hospital wearing a raincoat (and nothing else).
Hey Jack, my wife gave me a coupon to get a brand new Schwinn for Christmas! I’m thinking of going with a mountain style with a comforable seat; a manly urban assualt look, but tempered with the reality of middle age. I’m thinking blue. I have not had a brand new bike since Santa brought one when I was six years old, so I’m pretty excited!
Bernie isn’t it about time you went back to work. You’ve been hanging around the house long enough. Usually you would be attending fund raising parties this time of year but now all you do is hang out in our 10,000,000 dollar apartment in your PJ’s complaining about you having nothing to do.
Dearest Jack you can check me out on Facebook you suave devil you. I bet you are a real ladies man. I think you were actually celebrating the birth of Jack Daniels.
Only my Larry would run a blog about a schyster and embessler over the Christmas holiday. He’s such a putz.
Tootle loo.
george-you are lucky that’s good gift,that’s what i have a mountain type bike,frontier i had for about ten years (i changed my seat last summer),blue or black is good color,but they are all good.
Larry-this is day 8.
Larry-this is day 9.
Ahoy maties! I’ve been out on the salty sea for weeks only to return to Philthy-delphia and find a lot of drunkin sailors on this here blog. Arrgh! Ye be an embarrassin lot. Sleepy and disconsolate. Just wait until January 20th when the real pirates arrive. Arrgh! Sir Larry, please change the blog before poor Jack runs out of fingers. Arrrgh!
The good Captain does make sense.
Welcome from sunny Arizona.
No pirates here.
Ahoy OOOJ! Pirates are everywhere. Even yar landlocked versions. Beware eye patches, bandanas and and most of all, rainbow bumper stickers. Arrrgh!
Bernie, Norman Braman just called. He was mumbling something about being worth a billion dollars if he didn’t sell the Eagles and invest the profits in your fund. He said he wants to see you at the Palm Beach CC as soon as you are released from house arrest.
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