[DB]

Well I'll definitely agree that there are far worse events happening this Christmas than this. I think that “$500,000” remaining is just a guess though. No one knows what if anything they'll get back from Madoff’s ponzy scheme. There may be some Federal SEC insurance involved that covers up to $250,000 if I remember correctly - assuming the fees were paid...

My only real point is we shouldn't be so gleeful when the “wealthy” fall. And just perhaps we should be a little sympathetic for those who actually earned their wealth crash and burn and that tomorrow it may be "us" and not “them”.

Merry Christmas.

[Patriotic1]

I agree. Loss is loss, and I do feel sympathy for someone who loses their security (which is really what money is...), regardless of the amount.

My retirement savings have taken a hit. The person who doesn’t have any money saved for retirement would probably not feel sympathetic to me.

I do find many of the replies here to be somewhat astonishing.