Money can’t buy happiness … right?

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Down in Tampa, prosecutors today gave their opening arguments in the trial of DeeDee Moore, accused of murdering Abraham Shakespeare. Her alleged motive?

Shakespeare, a barely literate man with a long record of petty crime, “got lucky” and won $17 million in the Florida lottery. According to police, Moore then finagled her way into Shakespeare’s life, got him to sign away what was left of his winnings, killed him and then buried him in her backyard beneath a concrete slab.

So … have you bought your Powerball tickets yet? I’m told the jackpot is now up to $550 million.

Somebody, somewhere, is likely to have a life-altering experience tonight at 10:59 EST. A lot of their troubles — problems at work, a boss they hate, worries about paying the bills — will disappear, only to be replaced by a whole ‘nother set of problems that in most cases they are much less equipped to handle.

Friendships will be broken. Families may be rent asunder. Simple lives will become much, much more complex. As Sandra Hayes, whose share of a 2006 Powerball winner came to a measly $6 million, told Fox:

“I had to adapt to this new life. I had to endure the greed and the need that people have, trying to get you to release your money to them. That caused a lot of emotional pain. These are people who you’ve loved deep down, and they’re turning into vampires trying to suck the life out of me.”

So … bought your tickets yet? Time’s running short.

– Jay Bookman

469 comments Add your comment

Nero

November 28th, 2012
7:02 pm

It’s the only regressive tax that leeches line up to gladly pay. If they just include an application for food stamps and Obama phones on the play slips, then the jackpot could surely hit a billion! Hell yeah!! High five!!

Rabbit

November 28th, 2012
7:04 pm

Money can’t buy happiness. But if a person is comfortable in their own skin, it could take away a lot of the things challenging their predisposition to be happy.

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

November 28th, 2012
7:04 pm

,IMPRESSIVE..

Stupendous.

And you know why?

‘Cause the first thing I did when I awoke this morning I said to myself, “Self, what can you do today to impress wittle awex?

Always rewarding to have confirmation of my goals.

Tundra Dude

November 28th, 2012
7:05 pm

promises from Pat that God assured him the election was won.

Months ago, he claimed “god” already told him who would be the winner…..
so why was he campaigning for Romney…..??

Rabbit

November 28th, 2012
7:08 pm

Great tune, Jay. Wonder what Speaker Boehner would do with a million dollars.

Nero

November 28th, 2012
7:09 pm

josef

November 28th, 2012
7:12 pm

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

November 28th, 2012
7:15 pm

FrankLeeDarling

November 28th, 2012
7:16 pm

David leeRoth once said” money can’t buy happiness but It can buy a boat big enough to pull up right next to it”

Mick

November 28th, 2012
7:17 pm

I think after taxes the payout would be over 200 million. After securing my families future, I’d like to be a real job creator. The risk part of the equation being removed, it would be ok just to break even or turn an extra dime.
Not all people could handle the windfall, but I’d also like to think that no matter what, the material world can’t own me, just rent me for awhile…

RF

November 28th, 2012
7:21 pm

Nero 7:09 I may pick at ya, but I gotta admit that’s a funny one!!! Long story, but I’m raising my two nephews because of a sister’s drug problems. She had her an EBT card for a short while and would actually take her dealer to the grocery store and buy for him to pay off some of her drug debt. I’m not as much of a blind liberal as you might think…

That said, I still think it’s much more Godly to take care of folks, regardless of you opinion of them, than to justify letting them suffer. I will OWN the Good Samaritan moniker, and I’ve yet to hear from God (probably should check with Pat on this) that I have a right to judge anyone or withhold from them because they don’t meet my standards. They all, whether we like it or not, meet God’s, ya know?

Nero

November 28th, 2012
7:24 pm

Just another leech with delusions of grandeur. The only job you’d create is the PR person extolling to the rest of the leeches what a wonderful and caring person you are. Meanwhile, you’d only give the minimum to secure that tax write-off. You’re funny.

Soothsayer

November 28th, 2012
7:25 pm

Jay, if I won the Powerball, I would leave this God-forsaken, war-mongering, hate-filled country for someplace peaceful and never look back.

josef

November 28th, 2012
7:26 pm

NERO

“You’re funny.”

And so are you. But remember, looks aren’t everything.

St Simons - he-ne-ha BOOTAKOOK 2014

November 28th, 2012
7:27 pm

the after-tax will be bout $300mil – hell, I could buy an election wit dat

oh wait….

josef

November 28th, 2012
7:27 pm

SOOTH

And where would that be?

josef

November 28th, 2012
7:28 pm

He ne ha…

Thass a lotta beads…

Nero

November 28th, 2012
7:30 pm

RF,

Kudos for stepping up and taking care of those boys. Wish more would follow your example. You should still avoid the leeches. They just suck and suck until there is nothing left. Then they steal from the futures of the next generation. Teach your kids that.

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

November 28th, 2012
7:31 pm

Soothsayer

November 28th, 2012
7:33 pm

And where would that be?

Scandinavia would be a good start — Lutherans, you know. With $500,000,000.00 I think I could buy enough firewood to keep me warm. Maybe a “bed warmer” to boot.

Maybe New Zealand. Suggest something.

josef

November 28th, 2012
7:34 pm

RF

Well, looks like you got your leech exemption! Wonder if he’ll give me one, too? :-)

Nero

November 28th, 2012
7:34 pm

josef,

Flattery will get you everywhere. I’ll buy ya a nice gift if I win. :)

Nero

November 28th, 2012
7:35 pm

Ok josef you can have one. :)

josef

November 28th, 2012
7:36 pm

SOOTH

The Scandahoovians and the Kiwis take part a plenty in the war mongering…they’ve contributed troops and war materiel to out little adventures…check into it…lots of money comes from the Swedish armaments industries…and on and on…

Nero

November 28th, 2012
7:36 pm

Don’t spread it around too much. I have to keep my street cred.

josef

November 28th, 2012
7:39 pm

NERO

Thanks….now if I can just get me one of Scout’s and Del’s Get Out of Leviticus Free cards to go with the Imam’s Doddering Old Fool card…I’ll have it made… :-)

DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman Who's Gonna Win The $500M :)

November 28th, 2012
7:40 pm

I don’t know, but any respectable republican now knows 300 million won’t buy an election!

Booyah! :lol: :lol:

========================

Keep: Well for $2 I was going to commit voter fraud, but the odds of winning this lottery were better.

You need help keep! :lol:

Soothsayer

November 28th, 2012
7:42 pm

You know, it occurs to me that most people alive today in the United States (except for the very oldest) have not known an extended period in their lives when the United States was not involved in some sort of war. When you think about it, since the end of WWII, we have been involved in an almost complete line of conflicts of one kind or another.

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

November 28th, 2012
7:42 pm

“You can have my leech when you pry it from my cold dead fingers.”
– Thomas “Hirudinea” Jefferson

Nero

November 28th, 2012
7:42 pm

Good luck with that :)

Nero

November 28th, 2012
7:44 pm

Hirudinea!! Lol! Too funny Kammy!

RF

November 28th, 2012
7:44 pm

“Teach your kids that”

I teach my kids that nothing in life is free and satisfaction comes from only from what you’ve invested your time and energy in, regardless of money. I also teach them that compassion and self-LESS-ness is the most important key to joy. You learn that when you share what you have, no matter how small, with those who need it most. It’s hard not to judge, but you don’t know someone’s real life until you live it. I spend my days working with kids who lack much more than material possessions, and the love I give, along with the occasional dollar for lunch or cookies I’ve baked myself, bring more joy to life than the wasting of my time trying to judge whether or not they’ve spent their money wisely enough to pay for their own lunch. My boys are incredibly giving because they know what they did without in their early lives. They know their energy is better spent helping rather than looking down on others. We’re all a paycheck or two from being on the streets ourselves as we judge those are already there.

RF

November 28th, 2012
7:46 pm

“Well, looks like you got your leech exemption!”

Nah, I manage to be enough of a bleeding heart that I’ll earn it back right quick, I’m sure!! :-)

josef

November 28th, 2012
7:46 pm

SOOTH

The Ford and Carter years…and that’s the longest period in my lifetime…I think about that a lot…

Havin fun

November 28th, 2012
7:46 pm

I’d take some of the money and buy up the property around td’s trailer.
Put a home for unwed minority mothers on one side and a gay bar on the other.

josef

November 28th, 2012
7:47 pm

DDR

You could buy a couple real nice boas with that kinda cash…

DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman Who's Gonna Win The $500M :)

November 28th, 2012
7:50 pm

If I’d win, I’d buy a new pink boa for me and josef:

http://beatlephotoblog.com/photos/2012/11/129.jpg

if you do not play, you will NOT win...

November 28th, 2012
7:50 pm

….why $pend a lot on several ticket$..it only takes ONE to win!

St Simons - he-ne-ha BOOTAKOOK 2014

November 28th, 2012
7:50 pm

josef, i finished ‘adam’ – i wondered if anybody was keeping up with that.

i like reading and really learning at the same time – really good.

Nero

November 28th, 2012
7:50 pm

I’m not the cold-hearted beast that many of Bookman’s sycophants wanna portray. I think you’re a example of what is good in these apprehensive times. Those boys will be string and honorable young men with with you leading the way. Ok I have to shower now. The love is making me gag! :)

DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman Who's Gonna Win The $500M :)

November 28th, 2012
7:51 pm

josef oh wow! how about that!! seems like great minds think alike! :wink:

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

November 28th, 2012
7:54 pm

I’m not the cold-hearted beast that many of Bookman’s sycophants wanna portray.

To be frank, we’re really just not that into you.

But you make a wonderful chew-toy.

Krystal'sBalls

November 28th, 2012
7:54 pm

It sure as hell can, and I will prove it!

Oh, by the way…..if I win, I’m going to come onto Jay’s blog and curse EVERYBODY out. LOL!

Then ride off into the sunset to enjoy the remainder of life.

Johntavius

November 28th, 2012
7:57 pm

I read somewhere that the federal government will get around 25% of the Powerball jackpot right off the top.

Right there might be the solution to the fiscal cliff. Powerball drawings every day, maybe several times a day. Ka-CHING, federal budget balanced!

DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman Who's Gonna Win The $500M :)

November 28th, 2012
7:57 pm

if I won the Powerball, I would leave this God-forsaken, war-mongering, hate-filled country for someplace peaceful and never look back.

You’re moving to the moon Sooth? Wow! You and Newt are like conjoined twins or something…….
=================

The love is making me gag! :)

Hint: That’s not love……….

getalife

November 28th, 2012
7:57 pm

The cons are already depressed so losing on power ball is not recommended.

Soothsayer

November 28th, 2012
7:59 pm

Nero

November 28th, 2012
7:59 pm

Kam,

To be frank, I’d rather not be down on my knees licking Bookman’s boots with you, sport. Go chew somewhere else Nancy. I don’t swing your way.

josef

November 28th, 2012
7:59 pm

DDR

Thanks for the picture! :-)

NERO
That shower one was funny… :-)

He ne ha…

Glad you liked it…thanks for the compliment.

St Simons - he-ne-ha BOOTAKOOK 2014

November 28th, 2012
8:00 pm

money has NOTHING to do with happiness
dudes, the stories i could tell you about some of these cats….
but you’ve probly heard a lot of similar stories

Soothsayer

November 28th, 2012
8:01 pm

RF

November 28th, 2012
8:01 pm

“Ok I have to shower now. The love is making me gag!”

See, I knew you could do it for a minute! Don’t try too hard at first, though, it does take a while to get past the gag stage!! I knew deep down you was awight, Nero!

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

November 28th, 2012
8:02 pm

The cons are already depressed so losing on power ball is not recommended.

There is one here that brags about voting against Obama 4 times already.

Which means that he’s a 4 time loser.

Come to think of it he’s more than a little unhinged, so you probably have a valid point there.

They BOTH suck

November 28th, 2012
8:02 pm

“Oh, by the way…..if I win, I’m going to come onto Jay’s blog and curse EVERYBODY out. LOL!”

That was done already, but it wasn’t because of the lottery.

tiredofIT

November 28th, 2012
8:03 pm

Nero
November 28th, 2012
7:02 pm

It’s the only regressive tax that leeches line up to gladly pay. If they just include an application for food stamps and Obama phones on the play slips, then the jackpot could surely hit a billion! Hell yeah!! High five!!
++
Why haven’t you cleaned out the garden torches yet? You always enjoy is so much? Zero

They BOTH suck

November 28th, 2012
8:04 pm

“Come to think of it he’s more than a little unhinged, so you probably have a valid point there.”

I don’t think that has anything to do with Obama. Obama is just the excuse for that blogger to post what he does.

Nero

November 28th, 2012
8:04 pm

C’mon guys! Aren’t you supposed to be attacking me as some name changer or troll? You’re slipping. ;)

bman.

November 28th, 2012
8:05 pm

I don’t get it….

People will stand in line to buy a ticket for a 500 million lottery chance, but they just don’t get too excited when it’s a skimpy 50 million?

Krystal'sBalls

November 28th, 2012
8:05 pm

“How many urban leeches will half a billion buy?”

YES!!! Because we all know that there are no “leeches” out in Bum-Fauq USA, where there are no real economies, other than those that involve moonshine, meth/heroin, Oxycodone and those types of things.

The individual that posted that BS gets the fork-tongued, bacca-spittin’, rank-stank breath, low-as-low-can-go cussin’ out when I win.

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

November 28th, 2012
8:05 pm

I don’t swing your way.

What part of:

“We’re

.

.

just

.

.

not

.

.

that

.

.

into

.

.

you”

seems to be giving you the most trouble, sport?

Nero

November 28th, 2012
8:10 pm

tiredofET,

When you’re done cleaning Bookman’s boots with your tongue, you can come help me. Always room for more obese sedentary computer chained leeches. Can I get a high five?

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

November 28th, 2012
8:10 pm

People will stand in line to buy a ticket for a 500 million lottery chance…

Which line is that?

DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman Who's Gonna Win The $500M :)

November 28th, 2012
8:12 pm

If I won, I’d make a gay porn movie starring Karl Rove and Cheney.

I’d have Cheney on his knees with Rove above him saying, “Keep it up and I’ll shoot you in the face”.

bman.

November 28th, 2012
8:12 pm

“Which line is that?”

A bit ago, I tried to grab a diet coke at 2 different convenience stores. 7-8 people in line…acting like animals

stands for decibels

November 28th, 2012
8:13 pm

Not that I ever buy lottery tickets (I passed elementary school math and have retained a bit of it), but sure, I think, sometimes, what-if, as have most here.

I am kind of like peadawg inasmuch as 1-10mil sounds fine, couple-hundred sounds scary. For me the scariness comes from the sense of responsibility i’d likely feel to Make A Difference. Run a company, a foundation, hire lotsa people, yadda yadda yadda. I probably would do that because that’s what one should do with a windfall, and I’d feel guilty if i didn’t.

But, not a problem one’s likely to have, so enough speculatin’.

/drive-by

RF

November 28th, 2012
8:14 pm

DDR: seeing either one of them….naked….would scare me straight, honey! :-)

josef

November 28th, 2012
8:14 pm

DDR

Thass jus’ plumb bad… eeeeewwwww :-)

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

November 28th, 2012
8:14 pm

A bit ago, I tried to grab a diet coke at 2 different convenience stores. 7-8 people in line…acting like animals

That was not my experience when I bought a ticket at lunch time.

RF

November 28th, 2012
8:16 pm

“Always room for more obese sedentary computer chained leeches.”

you been online with td, apparently…

josef

November 28th, 2012
8:16 pm

RF

DDR’s for sure got a market with the conversion therapists! :-)

Nero

November 28th, 2012
8:17 pm

I don’t know sport. Can you help me out sport? What sport is this again? Did you play more than one sport in school? What brands do you sport, sport? What’s your favorite professional sport? Do you always sport a passive aggressive attitude here? Do you and Bookman sport often? Can you say sport more than once in sentence? Help me out sport.

bman.

November 28th, 2012
8:17 pm

“That was not my experience when I bought a ticket at lunch time.”

Last minute shoppers maybe? Not sure…but I’m sure all of them had a crazy look in their eyes. From the people walking up to the people in some fancy Mercedes…all scary

RF

November 28th, 2012
8:19 pm

“DDR’s for sure got a market with the conversion therapists!”

NAH, she’s devious enough that she’d slip the really GOOD ones in the CD cases and next thing you know, the therapy center would be a clandestine bath house!! ;-)

DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman Who's Gonna Win The $500M :)

November 28th, 2012
8:20 pm

RF and josef – Think of all the women I’d scare BACK to their husbands! Why, I’d be doing a public service!! At the end of the film there could be a sign that says:

Ladies, thinking about leaving? Well, THIS is what’s waiting for you……………….

Then as the movie closes, I’d have Rove do a strip tease to “Unchained Melody”……..

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

November 28th, 2012
8:21 pm

From the people walking up to the people in some fancy Mercedes…all scary

I begin to understand now.

You were standing in line at the Whole Foods behind this huge __________ lady with shopping carts filled with lottery tickets and she was paying for them with food stamps.

josef

November 28th, 2012
8:21 pm

RF

That’s our DDR, awright…a true fifth columnist with sto bought t*ts! :-)

Nero

November 28th, 2012
8:24 pm

Kamsport!!! Don’t leave me!!!

RF

November 28th, 2012
8:25 pm

“That’s our DDR, awright…a true fifth columnist with sto bought t*ts!”

What good’s the boa if you don’t have the best display rack for it? That’s class in my book!! :-)

getalife

November 28th, 2012
8:25 pm

turd blossum and darth vader star in hunter’s paradise.

Ew indeed.

alex

November 28th, 2012
8:25 pm

@ Debbie: anonymity might just be the key to your existence…… Then again you and PeeWee Herman could be TIGHT buddies……

@bman, unfortunately not 7/11 or you could have had a Slurpee, what is it with this state?

bman.

November 28th, 2012
8:25 pm

“You were standing in line at the Whole Foods behind this huge __________ lady with shopping carts filled with lottery tickets and she was paying for them with food stamps.”

I think you’re confusing me with others here. I haven’t participated in the whole foods/food stamps stuff. But, it’s an entertaining read…

Nero

November 28th, 2012
8:25 pm

We can talk about sport-s if you want. Don’t be mad.

josef

November 28th, 2012
8:26 pm

DDR

Eeeeewwww squared… :-)

guy

November 28th, 2012
8:26 pm

Jay What do you think of the Braves signing Upton?

Brosephus™

November 28th, 2012
8:26 pm

Anytime I play, my only goal is to break even. If I were to win this kind of money, I’d probably give a good bit of it away by starting my own foundation or something to help people out. Then again, I’d probably buy up a few armories and sell guns to the scaredy cats who think Obama’s gonna take them. They’d never know that the shortage was due to me buying them up. :lol:

DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman Who's Gonna Win The $500M :)

November 28th, 2012
8:27 pm

with sto bought t*ts!

The best that money could buy! And if I win the Lotto, I’ll bling them out with some diamonds; i’d look like a rap star that just framed something else…..

http://static.gigwise.com/gallery/1949838_paulwall.jpg

Nero

November 28th, 2012
8:27 pm

Kamchunk,

I miss you sport.

RF

November 28th, 2012
8:28 pm

“Then as the movie closes, I’d have Rove do a strip tease”

Just….. STOP!!! LOLOL!!!

josef

November 28th, 2012
8:29 pm

alex

Oh, DDR is quite the real woman…a straight man’s wet dream…she’s the one who tells me and RF what the breeder men are REALLY like…we got y’all’s tea… :-)

josef

November 28th, 2012
8:31 pm

DDR

Now that even I’d pay good money to see… :-)

DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman Who's Gonna Win The $500M :)

November 28th, 2012
8:32 pm

getalife: turd blossum and darth vader star in hunter’s paradise.

Thanks get! That’s a GREAT title!! “Hunters Paradise” A story of love, lust, vengeance, and endurance!! [The endurance part is for the audience....]

RF: What good’s the boa if you don’t have the best display rack for it? That’s class in my book!!

Thanks RF!!!

RF

November 28th, 2012
8:33 pm

“we got y’all’s tea…”

They just never know what they’re getting into when they step up on the verandah, do they? :-)

Thulsa Doom

November 28th, 2012
8:34 pm

Nero,

That was a mighty sporting post of yours sporting fun at the most sporting sport of sports. He is a redundant sport he is.

Nero

November 28th, 2012
8:34 pm

C’mon sport. Turn that frown upside-down. Sport a smile. :)

RF

November 28th, 2012
8:35 pm

““Hunters Paradise” A story of love, lust, vengeance, and endurance!!”

Who knows, maybe it wasn’t just his gun that shot off accidentally that day at the quail hunt…wink, wink!!

endurance??? I’d bet their wives would buy a copy just to see ‘em get it up…period!

josef

November 28th, 2012
8:38 pm

getalife, DDR

You two need to be kept faaaaaaar apart…eeeeewwww! :-)

Nero

November 28th, 2012
8:38 pm

Thanks Doomy. I was trying to give him a sporting chance. He must have decided to chew on something a little less harsh. Let’s just hope he’s a good sport and comes back to play. :)

josef

November 28th, 2012
8:41 pm

RF
Ain’t that the truth…! If they only knew what their women folks tell us…and if they only knew what we tell their women folks… :-)

Thulsa Doom

November 28th, 2012
8:42 pm

You were standing in line at the Whole Foods behind this huge __________ lady with shopping carts filled with lottery tickets and she was paying for them with food stamps.

http://www.11alive.com/news/article/241356/3/Tax-dollars-for-needy-cashed-in-at-liquor-stores-strip-clubs-tobacco-shops

Is the sportspammer still trouting out that tired old line about the whole foods lady? We all know dang well she was never at whole foods. She was at the casino, the tobacco shop, the strip club, and that Albany liquor store where 97k in tanf cards were used. Sheesh.

“She was surprised when we showed her how much money was redeemed in liquor stores, especially at Jaxx Beer in Albany, where $97,609.80 on EBT cards was cashed in.”

RF

November 28th, 2012
8:43 pm

“and if they only knew what we tell their women folks”

hehehe!!! They wouldn’t understand it though!