dagblog - Comments for "AIG Chief on Bonuses: Our 'Hands are Tied...' Are You F-in Kidding Me?"

Orlando, I heard that I and I

Bluesplashy — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:07:31 +0000

In reply to On NPR this morning, they did

Orlando, I heard that I and I wanted to scream. My thoughts exactly. If they don't need the money, don't take it. Jeeze Loueez, can't they come up with better BS than that? No ffing wonder they failed.

"apparently, AIG thinks they

Bluesplashy — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:05:19 +0000

In reply to not good at all, im afraid.

"apparently, AIG thinks they have the government and the taxpayers over a barrel."

Dang, it's one thing when I think it in my quiet little head but when someone else writes it I feel like puking. And my rage is futile. There is nothing I can do to make a difference in this situation and that is what makes it so bad. I did email the government at whitehouse.com this morning and I felt better until I read your rant again. I heard someone say something on the radio about they have families to take care of (the bonus getting people) ... makes me wonder.

On NPR this morning, they did

Orlando — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:57:26 +0000

In reply to AIG Chief on Bonuses: Our 'Hands are Tied...' Are You F-in Kidding Me?

On NPR this morning, they did a story on how banks are whining about how the bailout money is too restrictive. Poor wittle bankers. It must be so hard to have to spend money on banking instead of compensation and golf outings. When it was pointed out that they don't have to accept the money if their bank is solvent one banker actually made the case that they are afraid if they don't accept the money, federal regulators will make things difficult for them in the future. What a bunch of assholes.

not good at all, im afraid.

Deadman — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 06:30:04 +0000

In reply to I can't help but seriously

not good at all, im afraid. it's almost unfathomable that the situation has gotten to this point. this seems like such a political landmine that I would normally feel the government is going to somehow step in and stop this debacle. but apparently, the only thing geithner could get in negotiations with AIG is some minimal reductions in bonus payout and an agreement to try and limit next year's payouts by 'at least 30 percent' (woo-hoo!! how generous!!) ((And of course, a stern warning from AIG's CEO about executive compensation limits))

apparently, AIG thinks they have the government and the taxpayers over a barrel.

thanks for the quote love.

Deadman — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 06:25:12 +0000

In reply to Nice job Deadman, I quoted

thanks for the quote love. and an excellent post by you (and way to be ahead of the curve). without question, executive compensation contracts have become totally outrageous, completely misaligned with the interests of shareholders. the fact the boards often use shareholder interests as justification for these inexplicable contracts and their generous terms is deliciously ironic.

great point about the total

Deadman — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 06:18:37 +0000

In reply to As Josh Marshall over at TPM

great point about the total bonus pool being much larger than just the $165 paid out this Sunday - WSJ has the total due at $1.2 billion.

I'm not sure if there's really an issue of keeping employees happy to keep them silent. Whatever happened at AIG will eventually come to light.

I really just chalk up this weekend's payout to the company doing a very simple cost/benefit analysis of granting the raises vs. spending the money and time on the likely lawsuits if the bonuses are granted. not surprisingly given the company's history of valuing risk accurately in their core business, i think AIG wildly underestimated the cost of public outrage. My guess is these bonuses won't stand.

I agree that our government

Deadman — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 06:13:00 +0000

In reply to Our elected officials must

I agree that our government should have anticipated this happening. perhaps you could excuse their lack of foresight during the first AIG bailout for being under the pressure of time, but we've had i think a couple of additional bailout tranches for AIG where this should have been addressed.

Interesting debate, but i

Deadman — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 06:10:40 +0000

In reply to They didn't pay enough or

Interesting debate, but i agree with orlando, it's more of a sideshow issue.

and as i've said many times in previous postings, when we turn the corner on this economic crisis (whenever that may be) we will be facing one of the largest demographic shifts in our history as baby boomers retire en masse. When that happens, we will be facing an incredibly productivity shortage and dying for as many immigrants to come to our shores as possible.

our ability to welcome diversity may end up being our saving grace. it's not time to demonize immigrants, although i do believe illegal immigration is a tricky issue.

nice one william. i did the

Deadman — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 06:04:16 +0000

In reply to FED BAILOUT WHORE AIG(FAT

nice one william. i did the sing-along and it flowed pretty nicely!

I can't help but seriously

DF — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:01:34 +0000

In reply to AIG Chief on Bonuses: Our 'Hands are Tied...' Are You F-in Kidding Me?

I can't help but seriously question how things are being handled right now. I try to keep in mind that there may be important factors that I (very likely) am unaware of, but the outward appearances aren't at all good presently. How keen do you feel your sense is of the core politics at play here?