We Can't Let the Banksters Walk Away from Their Crimes

[marmar]

AlterNet / By Danny Schechter

We Can't Let the Banksters Walk Away from Their Crimes
Although the financial crisis that swept the world may have started on Wall Street, it has brought down governments and shredded economic security worldwide.

January 26, 2011 |


All over Europe and in much of the rest of the world, a new fictional hero has engaged the fascination of millions of readers. His name is Mikael Blomkvist, and he’s the protagonist of the late Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy.

These thrillers, set against the background of high financial crimes and misdemeanors, have become global best-sellers, doubtless in part owing to their gripping plots, elaborate mysteries and engaging characters. But their success is also indisputably a by-product of the macroeconomic chicaneries of our era and the human catastrophes they have wrought.

Larsson understood that financial crimes are far from victimless. They have upended millions of people’s lives, even if most of the victims don’t understand how they’ve been shortchanged and who is responsible.

Although the financial crisis that swept the world may have started on Wall Street, it has brought down governments and shredded economic security worldwide, resulting in the loss of millions of jobs and homes as businesses collapse, foreclosures grow, credit tightens and communities are devastated.

Estimates of the damage run into the trillions. ............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/economy/149670/we_can%27t_let_the_banksters_walk_away_from_their_crimes/

[xchrom]

1. recommend

[Lint Head]

2. But they are.

[babsbunny]

3. we let Bush/Cheney walk

So, we suck.

[obxhead]

4. Hell, we handed them the escape route and made sure it was clear. nt

[somone]

5. We don't need a Sputnik moment. We need to put some bankers in jail.

[PADemD]

7. +1

[Fuddnik]

6. We can, and we will continue doing so.

All the big criminals are safely burrowed in positions of power. Or they've bought off everyone in power. Do we expect them to indict and convict themselves?

It's much easier to nail a couple of low level scapegoats for a few show trials.

If I were Martha Stewart, I'd be packing for Panama about now.

[MasonJar]

8. Incredible novels, if you haven't read them yet.

[Doctor_J]

9. What do you suggest?

I don't get the premise - "We can't let them walk away". What choice do we have?