Good morning, Nancy. Good question. I have a thought, but don't know if Jennifer Hudson was in the one I am considering. I will wait for clues.

Cynthia

Well, let's see -it was the late 70's when these characters were dancing around. I just love the retro look of the the clothes, the cars, the hair - not that I want to go back....

Nancy.

Hmmm, well that goes with what I was thinking, but I still can't connect Hudson to the film. I know she won for Dreamgirls, but that is the extent of my knowledge.

Now, that it is warming up some, I am thinking that I should get back to doing something active, but my knee got hurt by one of my students. I can't garden or do much of anything. Maybe some ab work if I am careful. Of course, I hate to exercise. Walking is good and gardening, but that is it. Can't do either at this point. Sheesh. So irritating.

Cynthia

Oh mea culpa - sorry Cyn. I fixed the first post - It is Jennifer Lawrence, not Hudson. I am sorry, and just want to say danke shoen to you for pointing out my mistake. I can't believe I did that.

I am just really stupid with the cold meds coming out of me. I haven't taken any daytime stuff since Wednesday, but it's like a walking pneumonia, with a whoop of a cough on the side. Yuck. Hope no one else gets this!
Sorry to hear about your knee - that is the worst. Ab work is definitely a good alternative.

Nancy.

Having intermittent internet problems here, so I don't know if I will get back or not. Meanwhile, I'll think about this a little. Nothing comes to mind right off, but that's usually the case. One of you often saves me.

Sorry you're laid up, Cynthia. I've heard of students bouncing off the walls, but never off the teacher's knee. Yikes.

TM

Well I've got the movie but not having seen it I don't know about the rest.

Annette

Annette, only #4 needs a viewing of the movie. Truth is often stranger than a Hollywood movie!!

Nancy.

Well, I do have a guess for the number convicted, but it is a pure guess because, if I am remembering the right scam, there is a local connection here.

Have I ever mentioned a local comedy group? They call themselves The Capitol Steps. Very funny. Here is a blurb from their website to give you a giggle:

"The Capitol Steps began as a group of Senate staffers who set out to satirize the very people and places that employed them. The group was born in December, 1981 when some staffers for Senator Charles Percy were planning entertainment for a Christmas party. Their first idea was to stage a nativity play, but in the whole Congress they couldn't find three wise men or a virgin. So, they decided to dig into the headlines of the day, and they created song parodies & skits which conveyed a special brand of satirical humor."

I always think of them when I think of this. If I am right, that is. Also, for the Vegas connection, would Danke Schon be a clue?

Cynthia

Thanks Cyn, now I think I know #5 :).

Annette

I got the Las Vegas singer from the clue but am unsure of the direction my thinking is taking me on the others. Will need more clues.

I have been getting my tomato seeds and pepper seeds ready to start indoors tomorrow. They will be soaking in water overnight. Thirteen varieties of tomatoes, 2 varieties of sweet peppers, and 3 varieties of ornamental peppers. Also soaking sugar snap peas to plant in a container on my deck.

My gardens ate still covered with snow (10 inches two days ago on top of early winter snow that hasn't melted yet. With temps staying just above freezing for lows the snow will soon be gone. I am hoping to start snow peas in the veg. bed this week.

Thinking Jennifer Lawrence I know one and two. Didn't see the movie though saw many promotions for it and also watched the awards show.

Don't remember too much about the real scam. Being from SD I was proud that Sen. Larry Pressler refused the bribe and informed the FBI. Seems money was the main bribe and there were several people from a small eastern state involved. And others from the Mideast which figured in the name of the scam.

A friend emailed me today after I mentioned something about looking for a new dress. She said she has gained so much weight, she would need Omar the Tentmaker as her tailor. Haha. Long flowing robes hide a multitude of sins.

I didn't see the movie yet, although it was on our list. I am operating from memory-always dangerous and rarely accurate. I hope I am not mixing up my scams. I am thinking John and Rita were involved in this one. Is that right? Hmmm.

I have guesses for them all and will try to post later. If not, I will get up early. I have to spend tomorrow doing grades-our teacher workday on Monday is now a make-up day for one of our snow days, so grades need to be done tomorrow or Monday night. Ugh.

Cynthia, who is happy U Conn just won their game against Florida. Now, looking for Wisconsin to win. That would be a fun final game with U Conn and Wisconsin. Talking NCAA March Madness Basketball Championships, Nancy and Annette!

Cynthia, I have seen the Capitol Steps on TV - very funny, and very witty. I am not sure who John and Rita are - I maybe missing something, as is often the case. I think you are all very close to 4-stars!!

Bobbie, I am envious that you have room for that many varieties of tomatoes and peppers. I have some saved Brandywine seeds I need to start, and also picked up some San Marzano seeds. Now I need to make room to start them! We didn't get nearly as much rain as we were supposed to get today. I notice where the snow is gone and that is not many spot, some of my bulbs are coming up. Maybe tomorrow we'll get more rain, when it is back to work for me - I have some semblance of a voice so will put it to the test.

Hey TM, is your internet working?

Nancy.

1. I know this Oscar nominated film but dang if the name didn't just slip away.
I think John and Rita are the main characters/scammers.
2. Abscam
3.
4.
5. Wayne Newton. Such a cutie. He made my heart go boom, boom, boom.

1. American Hustle
2. Abscam
3, just a guess-7-8. I know there were a few.
4. No idea but will guess. something like a cell phone or laptop
5. Wayne Newton

John and Rita Jennrette (spelling?) were mostly famous after she wrote a book which said she and John had sex on the steps of the US Capitol. Yuck.

Cynthia

Internet is working this morning after I restarted the modem/router yet again. For how long, I don't know. It's not really an issue on today's question, since I didn't really know any of the answers. Now that I see it's American Hustle and Abscam, bells are ringing. I'll have to get DW to go to see the movie now.

TM

This post was edited by thinman on Sun, Apr 6, 14 at 11:09

1. American Hustle
5. Wayne Newton

Annette

Well, zehr gut, meine leiblings!! You did well.

1. American Hustle - because of my odd working hours, I miss most decent TV, so we got a high def PVR and with a hook-up top our internet, we can also get pay-per-view movies. So I have seen more of the Oscar nominees this year than I have in many years. And American Hustle was very good, I thought.

2. To pull off the sting operation, Weinberg (the con-man) created a fake company, âÂÂAbdul Enterprises,â funded by two wealthy Arab sheiks. Shorten âÂÂArab scamâ and you get âÂÂAbscam.â (In the years since the operation, the FBI has insisted the portmanteau derives from the more politically correct âÂÂAbdul scamâÂÂ)

3. Prior to Abscam, only ten members of Congress had ever been convicted of bribery; after it concluded, a senator, six members of the House of Representatives, one immigration official, Mayor Errichetti, two members of the Philadelphia city council, and, allegedly, a member of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission all had been.

4. Well, you have to remember the era - we still cooked on stoves, or ranges, depending on where you are from. We were on the cusp of the 'radar-range' and in the movie, the Mayor gives Irving a microwave, which his ditsy wife immediately torched!!

5. Well, you got it - Wayne Newton. By the late sixties, Weinberg (the con artist, in the movie - Irving) was married, living on Long Island, and running London Investors, Ltd., a fraudulent business that, according to court documents, had been a âÂÂfront-end scam" for real estate investment. Weinberg would promise his clients large loans, take their "processing feesâ of several thousand dollars, and never produce his half of the bargain. One of his victims was Las Vegas performer Wayne Newton, who paid Weinberg $800 to arrange a loan.

So, as to stars, let's see: for Cynthia and TM:

For Bobbie and Annette:

Thanks for playing. This ended up being fun. I wasn't sure how it would work out. It really is a good movie. not sure what I want to see next, and of course the house-mates are back so will have to consider their choices. Off to get signed in - have a great week.

Nancy.

Here is a link that might be useful: What the heck is Abscam?

I need to give you back at least two stars, or the guilt will eat away at me and I won't be able to sleep. :-). I really got absolutely nothing on my own, and should get maybe one pity-star. Maybe.

Still fun though.
Thanks, Nancy.

TM

I should give back a couple, too! It is fun to revisit stuff like that-so crazy! I am linking to a story that shows the Jennrettes back then and Rita and new husband now-guess that little escapade on the steps doesn't go well with her new imaga. ha.

Great question Nancy. I really need to see the film. Forgot about the Philadelphia connection.

Cynthia

Here is a link that might be useful: Poor Rita