The Hutchens Blog

President Bush: Good evening.

Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors.

Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.

The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness and a quiet, unyielding anger.

These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation.

Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.

America was targeted for attack because we’re the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world.

And no one will keep that light from shining.

Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature, and we responded with the best of America, with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.

Immediately following the first attack, I implemented our government’s emergency response plans. Our military is powerful, and it’s prepared. Our emergency teams are working in New York City and Washington, D.C., to help with local rescue efforts.

Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further attacks.

The functions of our government continue without interruption. Federal agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated today are reopening for essential personnel tonight and will be open for business tomorrow.

Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American economy will be open for business as well.

The search is under way for those who are behind these evil acts.

I’ve directed the full resources for our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.

I appreciate so very much the members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and assistance.

America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world, and we stand together to win the war against terrorism.

Tonight I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me.”

This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time.

None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.

Thank you. Good night and God bless America.

Sandy Hutchens: This is an attack on the free world.

At 11:48 am there was a state of shock after Judge Chin handed Madoff the maximum sentence allowable under the law.

Most believed that Judge Chin would give Madoff a sentence of something along the lines of 25-to-30 years in prison. That was far from the case.

Judge Denny Chin has sentenced Bernard L. Madoff to 150 years in prison. Chin gave Madoff the maximum of 20 years on several of the counts he was facing which will be served consecutively. For a brief moment, the courtroom erupted with applause. Chin deferred the issue of restitution for 90 days.

As it became clear that Madoff’s scheme was unraveling, Chin cited the jewelry Madoff mailed to family members and other disbursements made to those close to him.

Chin says he didn’t agree with the position of Madoff’s lead counsel, Ira Sorkin, that victims were seeking “mob justice.” By any monetary measure, Chin called Madoff’s fraud “unprecedented.”

Chin said “The breach of trust was massive — individuals, charities, pension funds, institutional clients — were all repeatedly lied to when told their [assets] were in stock when they weren’t,” Chin said. “Investors made important life decisions based on these fictitious account statements. Madoff also repeatedly lied to the SEC and other regulators by creating false documents to cover up his scheme.”

While Madoff tried to pay back investors  Madoff withdrew millions of dollars for the personal expenses of family and friends, such as the purchase of two yachts and four country club memberships. Even though Madoff  turned himself in to the FBI, Chin said it was clear that Madoff knew he was going to be caught soon and thought it would be better to turn himself in beforehand.

Chin also noted that not a single letter had been made noticed to Madoff’s support for charities. Chin called the absence of such letters and endorsements “telling.”

“This is not a bloodless financial crime that just takes place on paper, but one that takes an enormous human toll,” said Chin. “Symbolism is important not only to send a message that individuals will be sentenced to the fullest extent under the law … but also for the victims. Mr. Madoff’s betrayal struck at the rich and not-so-rich.”

Chin seemed particularly moved by all the letters from victims the court has received. He references several of them, noting one in particular, that of a widow who invested her life savings with Madoff after the defendant consoled her at the funeral of her husband. After hearing such chilling stories chins decision was made easy said Sandy Hutchens. He gave Madoff what was coming to him.