tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102494.post3832019865271120255..comments2023-10-07T07:52:24.587-07:00Comments on CLL Diary: Bernie Madoff screws leukemia patientDavid Arensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876562687586184006noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102494.post-11065273577265337192011-11-07T13:02:08.035-07:002011-11-07T13:02:08.035-07:00Good for you man! Don't let Bernie and his bad...Good for you man! Don't let Bernie and his bad decisions bring you down. You only live once.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102494.post-75428193900965863412009-05-03T23:01:00.000-07:002009-05-03T23:01:00.000-07:00I'm a fellow cancer patient, David. I happened upo...I'm a fellow cancer patient, David. I happened upon your blog through GrowABrain. I guess we are among the "fortunate" Big Picture Viewers who know it's only money. And yet, in this situation, having your financial safety net yanked out from under you is one hell of a sucker punch. <br /><br />I hope you don't mind if I link to this. (Let me know if you do.) It's a thoughtful, moving piece of writing.<br /><br />As I said in my <I>Joys of Cancer</I> essays, "Cancer is the club no one wants to join, but membership has its privileges." I wish you and Marilyn the very best. <br /><br />Nancy, aka The Coot<br />http://lacootina.blogspot.com/La Cootinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08802335116295420730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102494.post-13784873899170176852009-03-10T10:59:00.000-07:002009-03-10T10:59:00.000-07:00I know I am beating a dead horse but after years i...I know I am beating a dead horse but after years in Japan I know that no one there ends up penniless from illness because the health care system simply doesn't allow it.<BR/><BR/>Interesting I read of your Madoff connection today because yesterday I was just discussing the Vanity Fair article on him with my wife. Small world.KAYUMOCHIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14682442083176653548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102494.post-769906605382236382009-03-05T21:56:00.000-07:002009-03-05T21:56:00.000-07:00Thank you for sharing both the personal story and ...Thank you for sharing both the personal story and your response to challenge. Wishing you the best.<BR/>With hope,<BR/>WendyWendy S. Harpham, MDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09167276216970598762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102494.post-81242964100368480562009-02-20T08:10:00.000-07:002009-02-20T08:10:00.000-07:00Thanks for your beautiful attitude about life. I'm...Thanks for your beautiful attitude about life. I'm a Madoff investor too and I was quite inspired by what you wrote.<BR/>Madoff can steal our money, but he can't steal our lives.<BR/>My heart goes out to you, and I am taking strength from your own beautiful heart.<BR/>Empmattempmatthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00215160219741375602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102494.post-80335907694611184922009-02-18T17:02:00.000-07:002009-02-18T17:02:00.000-07:00Thanks David for this insight. You personify persp...Thanks David for this insight. You personify perspective in your reactions to this betrayal and what it means not only to you but all of us. <BR/><BR/>We live in a world of increasing emphasis on consumption fed by greed. Madoff as bad as he is, is a symptom of pervasive greed,lack of responsibility and of accountability.<BR/><BR/>Your words and thoughts are beacons of light in a darkening world.Waynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12333087913528941756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102494.post-11605864598861892862009-01-29T06:50:00.000-07:002009-01-29T06:50:00.000-07:00You are a poetic writer, your words are magical an...You are a poetic writer, your words are magical and the feelings you convey are so easy to grasp. Thank you for your gift, and I and many other people are more than grateful for your many talents.Cyndihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05086278059328513504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102494.post-59627834641739493992009-01-24T16:37:00.000-07:002009-01-24T16:37:00.000-07:00I believe in capital punishment for certain types ...I believe in capital punishment for certain types of crimes, including crimes where victims were hurt badly but not killed. I believe the Madoff and his ilk should be executed.<BR/><BR/>DennyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102494.post-78600645554400274632009-01-23T13:57:00.000-07:002009-01-23T13:57:00.000-07:00Hi David and wow!! What a story! What a piece of...Hi David and wow!! What a story! What a piece of writing!!<BR/><BR/>Thanks for being so honest and forthright!! Sorry you had to go through this too!!!<BR/><BR/>Be well!!Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13012277904032798697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102494.post-51406116218695237392009-01-20T18:30:00.000-07:002009-01-20T18:30:00.000-07:00Thank you David for your clear writing and for put...Thank you David for your clear writing and for putting a human face, a family face on this horrid story of greed and crime. I salute you for the telling it and helping us all to understand how ordinary people have been hurt by this man's evil ways.Pathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352803363425803168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102494.post-23749585647149733612009-01-19T18:53:00.000-07:002009-01-19T18:53:00.000-07:00David-I also recently read that Madoff had the lar...David-<BR/><BR/>I also recently read that Madoff had the largest friends and family team for Light the Night-- The LLS will loose millions because of his scheme. He has not only depleted savings but the resources of many needed charities.<BR/><BR/>I think you have such a wonderful view on life and your priorities are right on! It is not what you have but who you have--that is especially true.<BR/><BR/>As far as your personal financial situation--you have wonderful talent-- your writing is incredible and valuable in many ways. I think that is your golden ticket. <BR/><BR/>Laura KAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102494.post-57643897324756235062009-01-18T20:25:00.000-07:002009-01-18T20:25:00.000-07:00Since I already gave you my sentiments on Madoff a...Since I already gave you my sentiments on Madoff and what happened to you and your family, I will leave it at this.....another beautiful piece of writing, David. This one needs to be published....maybe you can make that money back.<BR/><BR/>Jenny LouAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102494.post-2545812949489221832009-01-17T20:15:00.000-07:002009-01-17T20:15:00.000-07:00Thank you David for getting it all down in such a ...Thank you David for getting it all down in such a balanced and articulate way. I am so proud of you and so glad to have you for my older brother.<BR/>Much love,<BR/>Juliedervishmamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06311352693881038205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102494.post-61018460393072432862009-01-17T11:57:00.000-07:002009-01-17T11:57:00.000-07:00I've never invested with Madoff (never heard of hi...I've never invested with Madoff (never heard of him before this, frankly), but I've lost much more in the general market decline.<BR/><BR/>If anyone tells you this 'crisis' wasn't manufactured or certainly allowed to happen, they are crazy, ill-informed, or a liar.<BR/><BR/>For example, some years ago (a dozen?) housing prices were taken out of the consumer price index calculations. In their place were put 'rent equivalents', which was supposedly the amount of rent you could get for a house. Since rents don't appreciate anywhere near as fast as housing prices can (and did), the CPI barely budged when prices for houses were doubling and tripling and quadrupling and more.<BR/><BR/>This allows everyone to feel good while the Federal Reserve Board keep interest rates low. (If you are old enough, and most of us are, you'll remember interest rates for mortgages north of 12 percent.)<BR/><BR/>That, combined with the push to put unqualified people into houses they couldn't afford, directly led to this situation.<BR/><BR/>Some will make out very well in this financial climate, like they did in the Great Depression (made 'great' by government actions, btw).<BR/><BR/>This is another way the richest families make even more money over time, and aggregate even more wealth.<BR/><BR/>The middle class has to be very smart indeed to keep above water. The conservative investor will be fine, if he keeps his wits about him. <BR/><BR/>I'd say this might be a time to selectively purchase stock, but who knows what the amateur Obama will do to the market. Early signs aren't encouraging.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102494.post-42920973789584232812009-01-16T16:12:00.000-07:002009-01-16T16:12:00.000-07:00Yes, the media has been emphasizing losses suffere...Yes, the media has been emphasizing losses suffered by the Palm Beach set...not much on losses suffered by the common American. <BR/><BR/>BTW, are those swollen lymph nodes under Bernie's chin?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102494.post-84318994296092454972009-01-16T15:49:00.000-07:002009-01-16T15:49:00.000-07:00How lucky you were to get most of your money out b...How lucky you were to get most of your money out before the scheme broke.<BR/><BR/>Sorry that your father and other relatives were not as fortunate, and that you have lost your safety net to lend you money in the future. <BR/><BR/>The "American Dream" has been eroding for many over the years. <BR/><BR/>Stay strong and keep the faith ... you are not alone in these trying times.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102494.post-63910408768512645862009-01-16T14:05:00.000-07:002009-01-16T14:05:00.000-07:00There are lies and then there are damned lies. Whe...There are lies and then there are damned lies. When someone close to him who is already worried asks if things are ok and is told a damned lie "everythings fine ...it's all been invested in treasuries" this is morally inexcusable.<BR/><BR/>Some of the doctors that you've fired have done far less!!<BR/><BR/>Because of the economic pain throughout the economy his lying and cheating may somehow seem less venal, but because it involved friends and charities,I believe that it was every bit as viscious as the most heinous of crimes.<BR/><BR/>I don't believe in Hell, so I don't especially wish him to rot there, just to Rot!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102494.post-719798488793496252009-01-15T21:23:00.000-07:002009-01-15T21:23:00.000-07:00This is a real bummer. I'm so sorry to hear you'v...This is a real bummer. I'm so sorry to hear you've had this experience, on top of everything else.Carlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00540884672406337833noreply@blogger.com