Classy Notes

The Final Frontier

06.22.06

Infiltration. Make money at any cost.

Today was by far my favorite of Dr. Bergstrom’s lectures. It was on the Russian Mafia, and everyone knows that hearing about an organized crime unit and their ruthlessness is semi-Hollywood (but no embellishments) and a form of entertainment. He talked about money laundering through various means, whether it was the Cayman Islands or restaurants and movie theaters. He defined organized crime as “groups engaging in political/economic VIA illegal means”. It’s funny, because I guess I’ve always assumed that all different ‘regional’ mafia were all generally similar, but apparently the Russian mafia is way more intense and ruthless than other mafia cells, like the Italians. Apparently, California used to produce and distribute a report on crime that had detailed commentary on organized crime; the last report that was prepared a couple of years ago An interesting fact about a vacation spot I think I have visited with my family on a cruise... the Cayman Islands, is that while the population is only 36,000, there are over 60,000 banks and trusts, as well as $800 million in assets on the islands… impressive! One more fact for the hopper is that at least a whopping 3 million people are employed by crime organizations. Wow!

On a more personal note, I cannot believe that today was the last day of lecture. It honestly feels like we were sloshing through the rain, confused and with all of our luggage—desperately trying to find George Street. This has been the experience of a lifetime, everything I expected and more. Just the opportunity to hear worldy perspectives, live in flats in Jericho, meet loads and loads of international people, and travel from European city to European city. I am so grateful that I was able to go on this trip, and it has changed quite a few of my outlooks on life, people, politics and friendships, and I am glad, because transformation is always good.

Next stop: Maybe London tonight, and then I leave for Nice and Geneva on Sunday!

posted by CSP @ 4:26 AM