BECK N ME: Money changes everything

BY JACK CROSSWELL

Nobody at the barn said that the scales of justice are fairly balanced.  When big bucks get involved, the three ladies of justice are not blind at all.  They have X-ray vision.
Take the case of Bernard Madoff, the alleged king of rip off artists.  He’s walking the streets of New York a free man—at least for the time being.  According to his accusers, he made off with $50 billion.  One man who trusted him committed suicide over his losses.  And little Bernie walks free.
“You can mark it up to greed,” said Beck, my ole Missouri mule.  “Humans want more than they need.  Not so with my kind.  I wonder how many more will get fat with Uncle Sam’s bail out money for big business.”
“Knew a man,” said Ratchet Arnold, “who they accused of stealing a six-pack of beer.  He spent a month in the clink before a judge found him not guilty.  He didn’t get to be free until his trial date.  But he wasn’t a Wall Street stock broker.”
“I heard that various people warned the authorities about Madoff,” said Old Blue Rosenbloom.  “The authorities who got warned should be investigated to see why they didn’t stop the alleged rip off way back when.”
“Bet Madoff steered clear of investing money from the crime families,” Greg Sayers said.  “Else he would be afraid to walk the streets of New York.  He’d be with Jimmy Hoffa in Never Never Land.
“Good thing he didn’t bring his loot to the barn,” Larry McPeak said.
“And why is that?” said the mule.
“If it was $50 billion,” said Larry, “nobody here would know how to count that high.”
“We could always send for Tommy Smith,” said Coy McRoberts.  “He used to dealing in big money.”
Buster Blossom said, “Maybelle, my wife, puts her savings in a fruit jar and has me bury it in the backyard.”
“She’s a big woman,” mumbled No Fenders McGee.
A retired lawman and journalist, and published novelist, Jack Crosswell lives in Cripple Creek.