At first I was very pleased to hear that Bernie Madoff received a 150 year sentence. For the crimes he committed, essentially stealing the future of thousands of people, this is most appropriate for him to serve the rest of his life in prison contemplating greed and what he has done. Then I thought, hell, he doesn't have to worry about having a roof over his head or where his next meal is coming from. Basically he is getting three hots and a cot for the rest of his life in a minimum security prison. I have spent time visiting and counseling in a minimum security federal prison and it was NOT a country club, but it sure wasn't like hard time. It won't be a lotta fun, he'll be bored and the lifestyle will be a touch more austere than his accustomed opulence, but he has security! And that is exactly what he stole from worthwhile non-profits, elderly retirees and so many others. I was thinking, a better lesson for him might be to toss him out and let him live out his life broke and homeless. He should know what its like to have to stand in line for a bed or a meal at a homeless shelter,or to have to worry that winter is coming and he has to figure out how to put on enough socks and coats to sleep on the street without freezing to death. Ah, but he would be free, and he is slick. He has favors to call in from somewhere, he has family. There is no way for him to really feel what he has actually stolen from so many. May his future be one of reflection and remorse.
Affirmations for the Serious Knitter
1 week ago
2 comments:
It's true that people like that probably really never will understand what they do to people and there's not a way to make it happen. It's too bad. I'm not big on vengeance but it would be a positive good if people could truly comprehend the consequences of their actions, but it doesn't seem to happen very often.
I am not thinking so much of vengeance(well, any punishment is vengeance isn't it?)as the punishment suiting the crime. And, yes, it would be good for him to actually grasp what he has done. If he had any empathy or conscience, he wouldn't have done it in the first place though.
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