I am so proud.

From everything we've seen you should be, he seems (by the way you've described him) like a nice young man. 

And by the way -- don't short sell your brains though, missy!

Can I throw out a quick non-partisan political complaint/rant about Obama?

How the fuck did he and Geithner (sp) allow those AIG bonuses to go through?  AIG told them that they were contractually obligated to pay the bonuses is what the administration has used as a defense.  Excuse me?  This is A-I-Fucking-G.  The most profitible part of their business is NOT paying contractual claims!  They have more lawyers on retainer than virtually any entity on earth!  Most of those lawyers are paid to figure out ways not to pay a contractual claim.  Its AIG's goddamn business model.  But when it comes to bonuses to their employees they can't use their trained lawyers to figure out how not to pay?  Really?  And Obama and Geithner bought that? Ugh!  And even if they couldn't figure out a way (I guess gross incompetence was not a basis for refusal to pay) who care?  Let the executives sue for breach of contract. Make them go to court and explain to a judge how they lost hundeds of millions of dollars but they were entitled to a bonus.  I would love to see them argue that before a judge.

Between that and Obama's selection of Duke over Villanova in the tournament, me and ol' Barry are having a rough week!

 Let the executives sue for breach of contract. Make them go to court and explain to a judge how they lost hundeds of millions of dollars but they were entitled to a bonus.  I would love to see them argue that before a judge.

I agree completely with you on this Geoff, I was pissed when the Auto industry came hat in hand they made the Union change their contract before any money would be given, but didn't with AIG.

Be honest with yourself, Al. Jodi will pout, maybe even shed a tear, and you'll cave. And besides, you know Talley will post your pictures, so its an empty threat.

Exactly, but Al if Jon-boy ever gets famous enough to have E.Banks show up I will call you too.

From everything we've seen you should be, he seems (by the way you've described him) like a nice young man. 

Yeah he is a pretty good kid. I just need to break him of a terrible cussing habit he picked up from me, his twitters sometimes looks like a person with tourettes, is posting them. 

And by the way -- don't short sell your brains though, missy!

Awww thanks

Your son does sound like a good kid, Jodi. That's usually the sign of a good mom.

Totally agree about the AIG mess. I never supported the bailouts to begin with, so I can't say I'm shocked companies are abusing the system. The CEO of the company should resign for having the gall to ask for such largess and the President and his team should be ashamed for letting this deal go through.

You probably saw that Congress today hastily passed legislation that will tax the bonuses at 90%, effectively wiping them out.

Totally agree about the AIG mess. I never supported the bailouts to begin with, so I can't say I'm shocked companies are abusing the system. The CEO of the company should resign for having the gall to ask for such largess and the President and his team should be ashamed for letting this deal go through.

You probably saw that Congress today hastily passed legislation that will tax the bonuses at 90%, effectively wiping them out.

This isn't the current CEO's fault -- he's only been in place for 6 months at the request of the government.  But we are the majority shareholder -- we should be able to stop this bonus mess.  This was a failing of the Administration and Congress for letting this get through (note Chris Dodd is from Connecticut home of many insurance companies and insurance company executives -- not that I believe in coincidences).

And that congressional action is ridiculous.  Targeted taxation? 

Why is it so hard for people to understand GREED is going to happen. Why weren't they looking for the money grab that AIG did. I think every one of those that took the bonus should be fired.

When Bush bummed rushed us thru the first bailout I didn't understand the need for such quick action then and understand it less now. I was not completely against a bailout even when Bush presented it, if it would be a loan. If a govt. loan would get a business back on their feet and the economy back stronger, great. But what the hell were the AIG guys thinking???  Why didn't congress set it up as a "We loan this money, you all take pay cuts and no bonus will be paid until the taxpayers are paid in full."

Chris Dodd is going to have some serious fallout over all of this, I believe. And he should.

This isn't the current CEO's fault -- he's only been in place for 6 months at the request of the government. 

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Good to note. I hadn't realized that - I don't want to unfairly blame the guy!

He's being paid $1 a year.  They offered him stock but the $1 was a better deal.