You said there was bad news?

I saw a posting in today’s New York Times that a hedge fund manager who lost over $1 billion in the Bernie Madoff fallout has killed himself.  The guy’s name was Rene-Thierry Magon de la Villehuchet, but we’ll call him Frog for short.  I am sure this is a tough time for his family, his estranged kids in rehab and his mistress (I am just assuming these things, but the odds are probably on my side).  A few other thoughts on the matter:

1. Anyone who could or would kill themselves over money should do it.    If the thought of being downgraded from billionaire to millionaire or dare I say it (gulp) thousandaire is enough for you to kill yourself then you should probably do it. 
2. If his family was putting a lot of pressure on him or nagging him or just being spoiled sh*ts it’s no excuse, but they could make it seem a little better if they joined Frog.
3. It’s refreshing to see that that old tale that seemed like a lie for so long came true – money does not buy you happiness.

But while Frog will be keeping a low profile, one guy who is not is Dick Cheney.  His defiance is so amazing.  I expect him to leave the White House when Obama moves in going “Say goo nigh to the bah guy” a la Pacino in Scarface.  I’ve started the book The Dark Side, which talks about Cheney’s icy cool demeanor and commitment to keeping America safe.  He is the ultimate villain.  he is the guy in the movie that just when you think the heroes are going to be safe Dick grabs the detonator and threatens to blow up his own ship to keep it safe from the impending enemy attack.  As cool as Obama is, Cheney is the supreme badass.  I think he would actually stab W. in the neck in front of the entire cabinet if W disagreed with him and then say “Anyone else disagree?”  I will miss Dick Cheney.  Hopefully he has not lost a lot of money in the Bernie Madoff scandal.