Grassley: AIG execs should quit or commit suicide

[MaineDem]

Source: Portland Press Herald - AP

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) -- Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley suggested that AIG executives should accept responsibility for the collapse of the insurance giant by resigning or killing themselves.

The Republican lawmaker's harsh comments came during an interview Monday with Cedar Rapids, Iowa, radio station WMT. They echo remarks he has made in the past about corporate executives and public apologies, but went further in suggesting suicide.

"I suggest, you know, obviously, maybe they ought to be removed," Grassley said. "But I would suggest the first thing that would make me feel a little bit better toward them if they'd follow the Japanese example and come before the American people and take that deep bow and say, I'm sorry, and then either do one of two things: resign or go commit suicide.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/G/GRASSLEY_AIG?SITE=MEPOP&SECTION=MONEY_COMPLETE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

---

I am stunned.

[hobbit709]

1. Sounds good to me.

And all the other clowns on Wall St should follow suit.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

2. After a demonstration by Grassley.

[mr1956]

3. Suicide comment crosses the line

I agree they should be removed from their positions by being fired or resigning. But to tell someone to go commit suicide is going too far.

[apnu]

35. Public humuliation would be enough

Suicide (wrong for every reason) isn't a good solution because these criminals wouldn't have to live the the remorse and stigma of their activities. But their surviving families would and have to deal with a suicide. No good.

No, metaphorically, tar and feather them in the public square (that is on TV) Expose them to the harsh light of negative TV attention, make their names household names, tie them to the rotting albatross so that everywhere they go, every job they apply for, they have the stench of their crimes upon them at all times.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

43. You think? n/t

[triplejeeps]

4. ooouch, way below the belt line

[dweller]

10. actually

correctly done, it crosses the beltline.

dp

[Nihil]

12. *cough*

:spank:

(Ok, I'm bad ... I laughed ...)

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. What a freakin idiot

No wonder the GOP is in the state it is. Idiots like this lunatic are its leaders.

[freemarketer6]

25. Oh, yes. much better to simply do nothing and allow, actually

facilitate, the release of the bonuses in the cusp of a severe recession, depression.

[proud2BlibKansan]

46. Telling people to kill themselves is not a very effective strategy

:crazy:

[OnyxCollie]

6. In case of emergency,

cut here.

[bread_and_roses]

7. Why why why are the Democrats so stupid as to let the Rs assume the mantle of populism?

I keep asking this because even I, with no particular hopes or expectations beyond a larger portion of scraps from the Ds, cannot believe they are being this politically stupid. We all know what game the Rs are playing - they are perfectly content to see the fruits of our labor shoveled into the coffers of the uber-rich, it's the very reason for the existence of their Party, after all - while they strut about and make garner points for railing against "the banks" as the US populace shows signs of stirring after their long torpor.

It will be the height of irony - and an unimaginably destructive one - if Obama's timidity and attempts to soothe a "center" which is shifting by the day in a probably impossible effort to save "the system" as it is results in a resurgent R Party all too ready and willing to drive us further into a dystopia serfdom and oppression.

[get the red out]

17. Exactly

The Republican robber-barons will talk a strong game to get more seats in Congress in the next election then they can screw the country easier. The Democrats need to nip this in the bud, the last thing Obama needs to do is be seen as a big-business enabler, that just covers up for the fact that the Republicans are owned by the big businesses. When Bush was still in office they told us that the recession was all in our heads for God's sake!

Obama needs to keep in mind that when McCain reacted slowly to economic problems; he beat him soundly in the election. What this Republican said was extreme in order to get attention that it was a Republican saying it, a Republican calling for the heads of overpaid executives. This is the best thing that has happened for the Republicans in a long time. The discussion doesn't need to be about how extreme this guys' words were, but the fact that he is stealing Democratic thunder with them.

[QC]

37. We've been doing it for years. The Republicans count on it.

We can't let them down, now can we?

[coyote]

8. this is a dog and pony show

This AIG story is a disinformation story to keep you looking away from the 1 QUADRILLION in derivatives that is collapsing the world financial system. Obama is "outraged" at AIG? How dare he.

Oh sure, the Fed will pump the taxpayer funds into the markets over the next few weeks to give the illusion of regular joe's jumping back into the market. And their media buddies will proclaim that investor confidence is back. Bullsh*t.

[Raine]

44. Yup, that's what I've been thinking too. It's nothing

but a shell game, keep the public outraged over this while you screw them over more. x(

[tomreedtoon]

9. First, are there any Asians in Iowa?

If so, how do they like the cliched treatment of Japanese culture? Does this Republican nitwit think they grow corn like everyone else in his state, except it's that miniature corn they use in Chinese food?

Second, being a Republican, didn't he learn anything from Nixon shooting his mouth off about the Charles Manson trial? That almost got ol' Swastika-Head freed in a mistrial.

[shadowknows69]

11. I have no problem with this solution

I'm even willing to defer to the Yakuza on this, and they can just lop off a finger or two (but no reattachment or bionic replacements allowed), perhaps a thumb to really ruin their days.

[crim son]

13. I find it amazing that he would make the suicide comment.

Obviously we're all frustrated as hell, but that sort of thought should be kept to oneself.

[Odin2005]

14. Samurai approve!

[DireStrike]

15. I agree. And not just AIG execs.

But to hear this from a republican.... lol.

Grassley should look into a reflecting pool.

[wackywaggin]

16. Hang em" High!

Possibly from the railing on the roof of the AIG building!

:smoke:

[90-percent]

18. AIG execs got nothing to worry about

Resignation or suicide for doing a crappy job requires a sense of personal honor and integrity. These people are devoid of such values, hence they will continue to draw seven figure incomes for being terrible at their profession.

At least we'll get some good sound bites in the next day or so....


-90% jimmy

Hey, to paraphrase GWB, swindling millions of people out of their retirements is HARD WORK!

[JTFrog]

19. JUMP FUCKERS! n/t

[Wizard777]

20. Tell 'em what you really think!

:rofl:

[Mari333]

21. Honour among Thieves. nt

[demo dutch]

22. AIG's bonussen are nothing compared to the monies sent oversees!

[Ian David]

23. Do they still get their Golden Coffin if they kill themselves? n/t

[Taverner]

24. I'm surprised the "Unicorns and Kittens" Folks Aren't frothing at the mouth here...

[Hepburn]

26. Wow....

....to actually say that???? :wow:

[No Elephants]

27. Empty headed showboating and grandstanding. The Rethugs in government have been enabling

big business and big business people for a century via their legislation. Now, he's talking tough in public? Give me a break.


BTW, is he advocating more tax cuts for the rich, to make sure these guys get to keep more of those bonuses than Buffet's secretary keeps of her salary?

[Jefferson23]

28. Why the MAYBE they should be removed??

Why should they keep their jobs is what I want to know. We are suppose to trust them now?...bullshit on that. Are the politicians all jumping on the I can outrage better than you can outrage on AIG, well, looks like they are trying and it will do nothing to help Americans in need.

[jordi_fanclub]

29. A picture says 1000's words...

[Veruca Salt]

33. Okay, whoever made that sign gets bonus points for being awesome. nt

:thumbsup:

[Carni]

30. First time I have ever agreed with HIM

I could not agree more and I don't think his comments crossed any lines.

[mbperrin]

32. Business suicides are a fact. He didn't cross any lines. He shrugged

it off as rhetorical, but there's nothing rhetorical about it.
http://www.thanhniennews.com/society/?catid=3&newsid=46515

But Yasuya said that instead of using the land for the planned projects, S. resold the land for profit.
A member of the association committed suicide upon hearing of the man’s betrayal of the association, according to Yasuya.


This is a couple of weeks old. So yes, he characterized it correctly.

Of course, these fuckwits wouldn't know honor from a shiny dime, but they may learn to discern pitchforks from shrimp forks.

[marshall]

31. That's probably what they're all thinking

It takes balls or gall or both to actually say it, though.

[tomhayes]

34. Isn't this what they wanted Clinton to do????

AIG executives do not DESERVE those bonuses, I agree with that.

BUT, they are ENTITLED to them becuase of CONTRACTS they signed.

Blame Bush and the federal reserve for this one folks.

But SUICIDE???? That's over the line.

And let me state again AIG executives do not DESERVE those bonuses.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

36. I could live with that!

...so to speak...

[Tashca]

38. Suicide???

So now Chucky equates failure to a reason to commit suicide. Does he even understand the ignorant message he is sending to people?????

What a sick piece of crap!!!!!!!!!!!

Iowa Dem's I hope you heard this dumbass. We've been looking for a way to get rid of him. He is an embarrassment to our state.......this is over the line!!!

[OhioChick]

39. Good for Grassley! n/t

[mitchum]

40. Cool!

[bemildred]

41. Grassley Accuses AIG of Sucking 'Tit' of Taxpayer But Tones Down Criticism

OK, so Sen. Charles Grassley doesn't really want AIG executives who accept lavish bonuses to "commit suicide," as he suggested in an interview Monday. He walked that order back a few steps on Tuesday.

But the Iowa Republican had some other choice words for the bailed-out insurance giant.

"From my standpoint, it's irresponsible for corporations to give bonuses at this time when they're sucking the tit of the taxpayer," Grassley explained.

Grassley continued to express his displeasure with the company that is distributing $165 million in bonuses over lawmakers' objections. He said executives should not be rewarded for running their corporation into the ground.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/03/17/grassley-accuses-aig-sucking-tit-taxpayer-tones-criticism/

[Deja Q]

42. Well, if AIG got away with it, then I'm sure Grassley would be promoting them as fine examples

of capitalism.

I'd say the money should be given back before the resignation.

[New Dawn]

45. K&R