WHAT OUR BLOGGERS ARE SAYING…

If you're not checking out the local blogs on reviewjournal.com, here's just a sample of what you've been missing:

Moderation in steak and in greed

Columnist John L. Smith writes:

Anthony Spilotro, the late Las Vegas gangster and hitman, was something of a street-corner philosopher according to those who knew him well. Spilotro, played so dramatically by Joe Pesci in Martin Scorsese's "Casino," had favorite sayings that served as gentle reminders to his associates. For some reason, they almost always focused on the nature of greed. ...

Tough Tony the philosopher liked to say, "You can only eat one steak at a time." ... Ironically, it was Tony whom some mob historians have suspected was killed in part because he failed to share his lucrative Vegas scores with his bosses in Chicago. He brought too much heat on the bosses through his organization of a burglary ring that got busted and made big headlines. In 1986, Spilotro and his brother, Michael, were murdered by their friends.

Tony was a ragged street kid who dared to dream too big. Bernard Madoff, on the other hand, was a limousine guy who circulated with millionaires and billionaires. His Ponzi scheme took investors for $86 billion, a record organized crime would have envied, and this week we found out he's personally still worth $826 million. He's also on his way to federal prison.

Saint Mark Twain of Missouri .. once observed, "Nothing incites to money-crimes like great poverty or great wealth."

I guess it's too late to remind Madoff that he can only eat one steak at a time. Too late for Tony, too, come to think of it.

For more, go to www.lvrj.com/blogs/smith/.

More blarney from Barney and Chris

Publisher Sherman Frederick writes:

I've said this before and I'll say it again: If you're looking to place blame for the current economic crisis, the first two stops should be at the desks of Sen. Chris Dodd and Rep. Barney Frank. These guys were supposed to be watching the store in the housing and financial sectors. But, instead of taking care of the people's business, they slept with those they were supposed to regulate. Now that the fit has hit the shan, both Dodd and Frank scurry to get aboard the "outrage" train ... but it's too late if you ask me. They are the outrage.

See foxbusiness.com for one more piece of evidence. Caution: Make sure you've taken your blood pressure medicine before proceeding.

For more, go to www.lvrj.com/blogs/sherm/.

Bosses biggest workplace video gamers

Columnist Doug Elfman writes:

Bosses are getting caught playing video games at work, more often than their employees are, so says a new poll. And when employees and bosses game together online, three out of four employees do not feel compelled to let their bosses win.

The findings from a poll of 1,418 American workers as commissioned by Candystand.com:

* 58 percent of employees say bosses have been caught in the act, while 46 percent of employees have been spotted gaming on the job.

* 75 percent of employees say they don't "feel obligated to let their boss win in an online game."

* 58 percent of workers say the crapconomy has impacted their jobs.

* 52 percent say they are playing more games than before.

* 64 percent say they game at least once a day.

* 35 percent play many times a day.

* Of them, 18 percent say gaming relieves their stress.

* Teachers are the biggest at-work gamers. They comprise 18 percent of employee gamers.

For more, go to www.lvrj.com/blogs/vegasvoice/.

Writing is great, but 20 bucks worth?

Assistant features editor Lindsey Losnedahl writes:

Tanguy Viel's slim mystery "Beyond Suspicion" doesn't offer much by way of suspense.

What it does offer is a fine example of excellent writing.

This novella about love and greed, translated from French by Linda Coverdale, features two lovers who pose as siblings, luring a wealthy man into marriage and ultimately blackmail.

Not much happens in "Beyond Suspicion" that can't be seen coming a mile away. ... Worth checking out at the library, or for the more brazen, pick up a latte and plop down in a chair at your favorite bookstore. ...

For more, go to www.lvrj.com/blogs/booknook/.