Category Archives: Classic Quotes

“Among the many lessons that I’ve learned from this whole experience is to try to speak a little bit less.”

Posted on June 28, 2011 by mmjdiary

Former Illinois governor, Rod Blagojevich, on being convicted of 17 of the 18 counts charging him with corruption and crimes appurtenant thereto. For those of you keeping score, Blago is the fourth Illinois governor to be convicted and enjoys the … Continue reading →

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“Ambition + Desire = Trouble”

Posted on June 27, 2011 by mmjdiary

A New York Times headline for an article explaining the psychology behind the conduct of notables such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Eliot Spitzer, John Edwards, Anthony Weiner, Tiger Woods, and, well, the list goes on and on. We are in need … Continue reading →

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“There may be some things that people question, but the end results are amazing.”

Posted on June 27, 2011 by mmjdiary

Former Northwestern journalism student on the ongoing investigation into the Medill Innocence Project, an effort by former Northwestern professor David Protess, that resulted in freeing more than 10 prisoners. Ah, the ends justify the means. Saul Alinsky had a similar … Continue reading →

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The R-rated revelation from Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) that may wreck his marriage, ruin his career and destroy his reputation appears to be the result of a one-letter typo: “@” instead of “D.”

Posted on June 8, 2011 by mmjdiary

Biannca Bosker, Huffington Post. Actually, what cost Mr. Weiner all of those things was his conduct. Getting caught is not the issue; that was inevitable. The only question was how much time it would take. Three people can keep a … Continue reading →

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“There’s nothing new to say about it (euthanasia). It’s been discussed to death.” Dr. Jack Kevorkian, assisted suicide advocate, who died June 3, 2011 at age 83.

Posted on June 4, 2011 by mmjdiary

Indeed. Interesting that Dr. Kevorkian died in a hospital while being treated for kidney and respiratory problems. Better for thee than me.

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“French Can’t Fathom IMF Chief’s Prosecution: U.S. Justice System and Morals Differ.”

Posted on May 20, 2011 by mmjdiary

Headline USA Today, May 19, 2011, p. 3B. Yes, and thank goodness we do worry about chamber maids who have to be taken to hospitals after working the $3,000 per night shift.

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“I don’t care if you don’t know why [they have the information], as long as you can piggyback off them.”

Posted on May 13, 2011 by mmjdiary

Audrey Lewak, retired Merrill Lynch sales associate who took a technical analysis class to mimic the moves of hedge funds.  Oh, Ms. Lewak, this is not the stuff of science.  This is the stuff of superstitious lemmings — and cliffs … Continue reading →

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“I can rob a bank with a pencil.”

Posted on May 11, 2011 by mmjdiary

Lee Farkas, former CEO of Taylor Bean Mortgage, convicted of 14 counts of fraud and conspiracy, i.e., robbing a bank with a pencil.

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“It’s very common in our business to, to sell [fraudulent, counterfeit, fictitious loans] – because it’s all data, there’s really nothing but data – to sell loans that don’t exist. It happens all the time.”

Posted on May 11, 2011 by mmjdiary

Convicted former CEO Lee B. Farkas who presided over at $2.9-billion fraud at Taylor Bean.  He does give new dimensions to the “Everybody does it” rationalization.

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“Mr. Sokol has said he does not think he has done anything wrong; Mr. Buffett has said he does not think Mr. Sokol did anything illegal.”

Posted on April 21, 2011 by mmjdiary

Yes, there is a difference between “illegal” and “wrong.”  Many things are legal, but they just ain’t right.  Mr. Buffett’s choice of that one word is telling. From a New York Times story on a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder suit brought … Continue reading →

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“Neither Dave nor I feel his Lubrizol purchases were in any way unlawful.”

Posted on April 9, 2011 by mmjdiary

Warren Buffett, in announcing the departure of his heir apparent, David Sokol, from the company after Mr. Sokol’s advance purchase of shares in a Berkshire acquisition emerged.  Oh, great Oracle of Omaha — as a new acquaintance shared with me, … Continue reading →

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“Libya is a kleptocracy in which the regime – either the al-Qadhafi[sic] family itself or its close political allies – has a direct stake in anything worth buying, selling or owning.”

Posted on April 9, 2011 by mmjdiary

State Department cable 2009.  When trade with Libya was reopened in 2004, the hope was for “normalization of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi.”  Instead, “It was a deal with the devil.”  And Satan is still in charge. Companies pay signing bonuses to … Continue reading →

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“If I’m the audit partner and I have concluded that what we are doing is correct and consistent with [standards], I don’t know why I would take that to the audit committee, as I’m the expert.”

Posted on March 18, 2011 by mmjdiary

Randolph Beatty, dean of the Leventhal School of Accounting at the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business.  Oh, dear dean, you do so when your client has  spun off $50 billion in debt, as Lehamn Brothers did. Because … Continue reading →

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“No. Are you kidding? I’m just hoping the coach doesn’t dismiss me.”

Posted on March 10, 2011 by mmjdiary

Ohio State University president, E. Gordon Gee upon suspending football coach Jim Tressel for his failure to mention to Mr. Gee the allegations against his players that culminated in the NCAA suspending 5 players for the first 5 games.  Coach … Continue reading →

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