waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[Grampa]

BP, keep in mind that not only did Madoff "cover" his scam with paperwork, as you said, but was twice investigated by the SEC and found to be legit. Now, if I were investing in an entity and knew that the govt regulatory agency in charge of that said that they were legit, I would be more likely to invest with them, rather than say, playing 3 card monty in Times Square like some dipshit friend of mine did about 10 yrs ago.

investments as defined by me  

I use money I earned to build something, grow something, sell something. with my involvement. = less risky

I give somebody my earned money, be they known or unknown to  build something, grow something, sell something. without my involvement = gamble

[ducpainter]

Whats the differance between her and that kid who sunk him familys money into a nigerian scam?

Nothing. 

The kid thought he was going to make money using money...same as the lady. The scam was just packaged differently.

Why do people laugh at him, and the turn around and feel sorry for Bernies  victims? 

And, as stated before..... a bullet to Bernies head is warranted...same goes for anybody scamming people out of money.

Au contraire...

The lady was greedy...

the kid?...

greedy...

and really really stupid.

Huge difference. 

[herm]

BP, keep in mind that not only did Madoff "cover" his scam with paperwork, as you said, but was twice investigated by the SEC and found to be legit. Now, if I were investing in an entity and knew that the govt regulatory agency in charge of that said that they were legit, I would be more likely to invest with them, rather than say, playing 3 card monty in Times Square like some dipshit friend of mine did about 10 yrs ago.

wait,...........i've done that.

true story, but i knew it was a scam, that i was ultimately going to lose, and i "invested" accordingly.

[herm]

i may be displaying more of my ignorance here... but what the hell.
could "individuals" (other than super rich types) actually invest directly with madoff? my understanding was that many of his clients where institutions (municipalities, unions, pension funds, schools) which were simply looking for growth investments, as a place to park excess capital. other clients may have been my bank, also looking for a strong return on investment, or a brokerage firm, investing its money market fund.

[Popeye the Sailor]

maybe it's just my perspective.

my entire life..... I  made my money using my back.

I understand buying and selling real things. food, toys, shelter, transportation.

I dont understand selling the paper version of those things, and to me.... thats a big gamble.

So.....you're judging something you specifically state you don't understand? Do you see a problem with that?

[Grampa]

So.....you're judging something you specifically state you don't understand? Do you see a problem with that?

nope..

i'm human and I prefer to base my judgements ala the two second soundbite

plus.... I covered that by using the word "maybe"