Yes, I've Lost My Edge
Nati has already given me grief about not being on top of the Eliot "Client 9" Spitzer story. Certainly a funny post about former Gov. Eliot "$4500forahalfandhalfareyoufuckingkiddingme" Spitzer would be par for the course here at TFTDS. I am sure some of you were waiting with bated breath about how I would commentate on Easy E "I'vepickedupgirlsfromstarbucksandIwasbrokeatthetime" Spitzer's situation. But, I think the story has been done to death, and honestly - the only real shocker was that he paid so much. Ugly NFL linebackers are supposed to pay for sex, not high powered politicians. That's what the staffers are for.
Speaking of thieves and women, there is another one that I find way more interesting. He is not a governor or politician, although he has stolen his (much smaller) share of money. His name is Stephen Trantel, and I saw his story on 48 Hours (CBS) while I decided whether or not I should hang out with some girls in corsets at a Minneapolis club. Pictures will be up later, you be the judge...
Here is the digest... Mr. Trantel was your typical family man in the Wall Street trading biz. He loved his wife and family, and got caught up in the rat race of making lots of money to buy a house so large he could barely afford it, and trust fund level schools that his kids didn't need. The financial pressure hit him hard, and eventually he was forced off the commodities floor - essentially losing his job. No alternative means of employment was enough to make things happen, so he decided to hit Google and learn how to be a bank robber. He did, and came up with a successful set of rules that allowed him to rob at least 8 banks with ease. He was only captured because greed and success prevented him from changing up his MO before the cops caught on.
Aside from the secret life of the modern day Jesse James (sans death), Mr. Trantel seemed to be a loving father and devoted husband. And he was so successful, the district attorney over his case was forced to give him a sweet deal on prison time (8 years) because there was no other way to tie him to all the banks he allegedly knocked over. On the 48 Hours program he seemed geniunely contrite and sorrowful - acknowledging he did it all just to support his family.
So why did Mr. Trantel's wife leave him while he was in prison? She had some blame for his actions - she refused to be a part of the financial management of the household, yet she demanded the very things Trantel had to rob banks to finance. While I do not advocate theft as a vocation, you are not going to find a man more dedicated than him. Plus her notion of, "I deserve to have my freedom" was sickening. As I've said here before, the woman owns the emotional barometer of a relationship... if she missed the change in his life, she doesn't "deserve" anything. Rather than support her husband in his time of need; she hit the treadmill, and the singles bars looking for something new. Humbug.
At least Gov. Spitzer got something for the money he earned, Mr. Trantel only got eight years and no appreciation at all.
Labels: Deep_Thoughts, Here_It_Comes, Nicknames
another tale spun by ColeTrain @ 12:03 AM
2 comments
links to this post
2 Comments:
The Spitzer Fall
In my best selling book "The Angry Black Man's Guide to Success" I identify one of the levels of success as "Self-Destruction." More specifically, I identify it as Level Four. This is one of the most dangerous periods for men, black or white, Jew or gentile, as this is the period that can destroy an entire life of prosperity, good works and deeds.
A failure here can end in a prison term, as with Mayor Marion Barry, of Washington, DC, or a loss of position as with Pastor Ted Haggard or Governor Eliot Spitzer of New York, or a loss of repect and credibility simular to former President Bill Clinton, and Jesse Jackson with an illigitimate child.
Recently, a reporter asked me about the Presidential election regarding Barak Obama and while not commiting to the Senator from Illinios, I did state that I cannot support Billary due to thier past self destructive behavior. To be exact, Bill's actions with a cigar altered my behavior. I can no longer enjoy a good cigar and a glass of conac without the visuals of the unnatural acts he commited.I also do not believe that Bill has taken corrective action to avoid this behavior in the future. He has never expressed remorse for the act, only getting caught.
In this same manner, for succesful men to avoid self-destructive behavior, they must develop strong negative stimulas to the self destructive behavior. This can start with thinking about the consequenses of this behavior coming to light. "How will my wife and children feel if they knew I was hiring prostitutes?" "How would my Lender feel about my illegal drug use?" I imagined how Eliot Spitzer's wife must have felt standing next to him as if numbed by alcohol. Secondly, when you recognize this behavior, Pray and pray hard.
Geting through Level Four is the hardest part of long term Success. A spouse can play an important role here if there is open and honest communication in the marraige. Good friends can help as a sounding board and if they can keep your confidence. However, like most super achievers, no one understands you because you are ahead of your time, and therefore you are on your own. Its your streangth of character that will see you through. My prayers are with you.
George Farrell
The Angry Black Man's Guide to Success
I will have to check out for your book. Thanks for commenting.
And for the record, I discovered cigars soon after the Lewinsky scandal. Personally, the bigger sin in my mind was JFK refusing to sign an embargo against Cuba until he stockpiled a lifetime's worth of Cuban cigars.
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home