Let's see how the GOP spin this one.  You know if Reid or Pelosi had said it, they would be all over it.  But, now that it is one of their own, watch the spin!!!

While extreme, Sen Grassley's comment does express anger over this as it should!  The time is ripe for all to include Congress to shoulder the sacrifice in restoring the economy by giving up perks and awards and bonuses!!!!!

If you tell those exects that their names will be plastered all over the internet if they accept the bonuses, they might reconsider taking them.
Of course, a few might give them back just because it is the right thing to do.  Yeah, right.

Calling for people to kill themselves is serious business. It can't be so easily dismissed by taking the press out to the woodshed...

http://www.political-buzz.com/

That's right, let's focus on whether or not he "regrets" what he said rather than on the larger point.  I do hope the 4th Estate realizes that if they were to interview "average people" (hate that term!), they'd say things FAR worse than this about AIG.  

Let's see if the GOP will block the tax for bonuses of companies that accept bailout funds...

They talking as if they would tax up to 90%!!!

Go get em congress...I love this move, the executives have to honor their "retention" contracts, and The american people get direct payment of some of that Tax Money back...16.5 million is much more palitable than 165 million...

These guys deserve nothing for running our country into the ground

You go, Sen. Grassley!  If AIG can blow off the American people with a "do as we want" response to Geitner and Cuomo, I think anything the Senator or anyone else says is well deserved.  After going belly up, AIG should pretty much be at our mercy--that is if Friend Paulson and company hadn't given them carte blanche.

Senator Grassley needs to either apologize for his "rhetoric" or resign. He's obviously a man that doesn't get it.

Senator Grassley's "rhetoric" has created a very dangerous situation for AIG employees entering and leaving their place of work. So much so that AIG hired armed guards to protect their employees from nut-cases that are inspired by talk such as Grassley's. Any one that threatens or causes negative attention such as Senator Grassley has towards federal officials, such as Congress and the President, gets a visit from the FBI. Maybe Senator Grassley should rethink what he said and find a less volatile way to express it.

If people should resign or commit suicide because they spent money inappropriately, then the halls of Congress would be very quiet.

Remember the guys that put out the tainted milk from China,they wish they hadn't lost there heads,but thats what some countrys do to people that do stupid things that make there country look bad.So AIG crooks,time to stick your necks out,and make your case before 4,00 pm today,or be out of town before sundown.

For those of offended, or maybe inspired (How weird would that be?), by Grassley's comments, please take the time to go to his Senate website and provide him the appropriate feedback. Be sure to be polite, non-threatening, and clear in your opinion of his comments. And yes, your message will be heard by the Senator.

Grassley: “What I've been expressing ... is that we need to have that deep bow ... with some sort of apology,”

An apology?! What, are we in thrid grade here? An apology? Grow up Grassley and do your job. Here's what AIG should tell Grassley: "We're sorry you in Congress are so stupid not to put any restrictions on how we spend all the taxpayer money you sent us.".

There's your apology Charles.

“It may be locking a barn door after the horse is stolen,” Grassley said.


Gee, you think?

Rhetoric is words that come from thoughts. The Republican Senator does need to better manage his thoughts. It would have been nice to see him being a little contrite.

AIG has become the catalyst that was needed to get the American people, Congress, and the President focused on the change that needs to happen.  

What happens to companies that are under this much stress and scrutiny? Quickly, very quickly, we will see cracks in their structure (they are not fundamentally sound) and they will soon collaspe. How will the cracks be manifest?  There will be internal chaos. I expect to see some senior management resign (with their bonuses).  It could fall like a house of cards.  The populus will cheer, the Republicans will blame the Democrats and the Democrats will have another problem on their hands.  Then...the stock market will drop again.  

Folks, This is serious business.  Stay tuned.

Grassley also was complimentary of the Obama administration, saying that the “president improved his position by saying he's going to try and recover” some of the money.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Why don't you improve the taxpayers position by not spending so much of our money.

People are so upset at AIG's contractual bonuses of 170 million after the government bailed it out 3 times that people say some things they probably shouldn't. All of us want some sort of punishment to the clowns that authorized this in the first place but then maybe Obama could have put a clause in the bailouts that said "no bonuses." It seems there's always some loophole or irresponsibility on the part of some major player in the political field that screws it up and the taxpayer is stuck again big time.

There should have been no bailouts in the first palce. If your business can't make it, it's gone.
I say that because the first bank bailout wasn't even monitored. Now we're in a situation where the government has to keep on bailing out businesses, more than one or two times. There is no end to it and Obama is a fool for continually buying into it.

Willie Nelson said it best. "Turn out the lights. The party's over."

Personally I beg to differ from Sen. Grassley,, it should be "Chinese Justice" these people get.

Grassley should be the main subject in the next Southwest Airlines commerical.

Charles!! Quit digging!  The hole is just getting deeper!!

Chuck Grassley I heard the tape of the WMT broadcast, you not only said your comments with all seriousness, even if they were made rhetorically, they were wrong, and you need to apologize. Grassley actually should resign immediately. He won't but he should! Grassley knows that people in Iowa are angry, I was the first person to call his DC office this morning, long before his interview with Schuster. I told his aide about the 3 youngmen in the WMT listening area who committed suicide in the last 11 days, and he still can't apologized. PATHETIC, just like when he used to cry in the Iowa legislature when he couldn't get a bill passed!


AIG's actions are indefensible. But regardless of what any executive at AIG did or didn’t do for Chuck Grassley to publicly recommend that AIG executives commit suicide is indefensible. Yesterday Grassley in an interview on WMT radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa about AIG executives said “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 commit suicide.”  He continued “And in the case of the Japanese, they usually commit suicide before they make any apology.”

I’ve never supported Chuck Grassley, and have often been embarrassed at his lack of command at the English language, but this morning was the first time I was so angry at anything the intellectual midget said to call his DC office, and to send him an e-mail. For any US Senator to suggest American executives should kill themselves, and to state he’d feel “a little bit better” if they did is beyond sick.  I would love to see anyone with AIG who broke any law imprisoned, I would love to see Congress pass legislation taxing the bonuses of any employee of a company that received bail out funds at 100% of the bonus received. I’m as angry as you can get with the corporate greed, and unlike Chuck Grassley I never voted in favor of deregulation that made this conduct possible.

However to publicly suggest anyone should commit suicide is beyond the pale! However, as usual Grassley had impeccable timing!!!!!!!! Not only would his remarks be indefensible at any time, they came at a time, and in a community that is reeling from 3 recent suicides. In the 10 days prior to Grassley’s radio interview 3 young men in Cedar Rapids committed suicide. The first happened on March 7th. A wonderful young 16-year-old boy hung himself. He was a 10th grade student at Xavier High School; my son in 11th grade at Xavier was his friend. I’ve known him since he was a kindergartener at All Saints Elementary School. His death has caused great pain to his immediate family, his friends their parents, his teachers, et cetera.  On Friday the 13th (3/13/09) two recent graduates of Linn Mar High School (one of 6 public high schools in the Cedar Rapids metro area) committed suicide. I don’t know these young men, but no doubt those who knew them are in pain.

Watching Morning Joe this morning my daughter and I heard Grassley’s comments, we could not believe he would say anything so horrible. I then read the AP story in the Cedar Rapids Gazette, where Grassley’s spokesman attempted to claim he wasn’t calling for AIG executives to kill themselves. The correct response would have been the Senator regrets his remarks; he got carried away, instead of attempting to insult our intellect. Apparently Casey Mills (Grassley’s spokesman) believes Iowans are as intellectually challenged as his boss.

Grassley should resign, but he won’t. At a minimum he should immediately apologize to all Iowans, and anyone who has ever been hurt by suicide, and this apology shouldn’t be a written press release, but on the public airwaves where he made the statements. A man with a minimum of heart, and any class would do so immediately, but Chuck Grassley has neither!

Can he be charged with as a terrorist?

Can someone feel Grassley's ears? Let us know if they are made out of tin.

You've got to admit one thing though. If anything could make AIG into any kind of sympathetic looking company today, it was Grassley's comments.

No! Jumping on their swords sounds appropreate in this case. These worms are quilty of wrecking quite a few lives and did it with eyes open. But that will never happen. Honor of that level does not exist in these times.

From an earlier thread...

--------------------------------------------

Maybe Rooney can teach them the rules for American Football?

Seriously, how much did he donate to the Big O's campaign?  Ambassadorships like this are plums, and I think it behooves every president, Republican or Democrat, to reveal any and all campaign contributions by the individuals involved-be it to presidential campaigns, political parties, or 'groups' that support the candidate, presidential libraries, etc.

I cannot possibly be the only person who believes that we, as the American people being represented by these nominees, have the right to 'follow the money'.  I repeat-I want that information from any and every president, regardless of party.
no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Tuesday, March 17, 2009 10:53 AM)

--------------------------------------------

You might start by looking here...

http://www.fec.gov/finance/disclosure/norindsea.shtml

Press Corps Defends Dick Cheney From Robert Gibbs

Aren't the silly games of media politesse a wonder to behold? Dick Cheney was on CNN this weekend, fearmongering his behind off, as if he wasn't going to be able to enjoy his golden years unless he inspired fear in somebody, and no one really even bats a lash. I mean, the man is doing everything short of leaping out at people at public bus stops and screeching, "OBAMA GONNA GET YOU KEEEEELED! MWAHAHAHA!" Maybe there are people out there who think this is okay, but surely...SURELY!...you wouldn't begrudge the White House the opportunity to defend itself from the accusation that they are going to get people killed, with their policies, especially coming from a guy WHO DID get lots of people killed, with his policies.

And so, yesterday, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs did just that, with tone and rhetoric that perfectly fit the nonsensical debate Cheney had set up. That should have been the end of it. But, no! Your press corps decided at that moment to straight up GET THE VAPORS, as if their delicate sensitivities had been offended. HOW DARE anyone question the statements of our widely unpopular former vice-president!

Chip Reid, we could expect this from, since he thinks Democrats all have ugly heads except his paramour Kent Conrad. But Chuck Todd? Really, Chuck? You're gonna play it like this?

Is Robert Gibbs' open disdain for Cheney acceptable to a president who promised to move beyond petty political squabbling? And does the president agree with Gibbs' description of the loyal opposition as "the Republican cabal"?


Honestly? There is a wide gap between participating in "petty political squabbling" and responding to a former Vice President who's loudly suggesting that Americans were going to die as a result of your boss. And as Greg Sargent notes:

Ask those questions if you want, but if they are going to be asked, simple fairness dictates that the following questions should also be asked:

Did Cheney's claim to CNN that Obama has raised the risk of another attack constitute "open disdain," and is it "acceptable" to both the White House press corps and the current GOP leadership? Does the current GOP leadership -- which has called for Obama and Dems to be "bipartisan" -- agree with Cheney's assertions? Why is Cheney's attack getting a free pass from the press, and why shouldn't Gibbs aggressively defend his boss against Cheney's broadside?

Sargent also points out: "There's no sign that First Read had any problem with Cheney's assault." Hell, FIRST READ is promoting Cheney's assault, including a video of it, right on their page!

NOTE TO THE MEDIA: You guys obviously haven't figured this out yet, but it's no longer necessary to worry about "having access" to Dick Cheney, so you can ease up on all the ass-kissing. Just thought you should know!

[Would you like to follow me on Twitter? Because why not? Also, please send tips to tv@huffingtonpost.com -- learn more about our media monitoring project here.]

What's going on in Iowa? First you vote for Obama, and now you've got to deal with this nut-bag from your state in the Senate.

other "rhetoric" from the right in recent times...

"the iraqis will welcome us with open arms"

"we will have cheap oil"

"yer fer or yer agin' us"

"mission accomplished"

"there are wmds in iraq"

"the war will be a cakewalk" for the chickenhawls that is...

Grassley is just another ignorant poorly educated flag waving faux patriot...like all republicans

Grassley is grandstanding.  This is something new?  How about this headline: "MSNBC Gives Soapbox to US Senator; Helps Him to Climb Up On It!"

good on em' don't let the PC thought police try and turn this into some stupid "a repub said something mean" debate!  SOMEONE NEEDED to say some mean things.

let the AIG-holes commit ritual suicide, and that ain't rhetoric!  

And does so Senator Chris Dodd doesn't feel neglicted:

Senator Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) on Monday night floated the idea of taxing American International Group bonus recipients so the government could recoup some or all of the $450 million the company is paying to employees in its financial products unit. Within hours, the idea spread to both houses of Congress, with lawmakers proposing an AIG bonus tax.

The move represents somewhat of an about-face for the Senator.

While the Senate was constructing the $787 billion stimulus last month, Dodd added an executive-compensation restriction to the bill. That amendment provides an “exception for contractually obligated bonuses agreed on before Feb. 11, 2009” -- which exempts the very AIG bonuses Dodd and others are now seeking to tax.

The deep bow and apology works in Japan but this isn't Japan. Instead we can publish the pictures and names of the individuals accepting the bonuses with an email address for letting them know how we feel about them. It is like the old idea used in many cultures of shaming people who do wrong. The stock and pillory are no longer in use nor is tar and feathering but we can do it metaforically via the Internet as I mentioned. By making them subjects of public ridicule, not as an anonymous group but individually, perhaps some will be contrite and give back the bonus until AIG gives back tax payer money and is making a profit again. Those that keep the money keep the shame. This kind of publicity won't help them if they leave and try to work elsewhere either. So Congress may not be able to undo contracts but the shame thing and laws preventing such bonuses from being made in the future might be in order. Again this would only apply to companies that receive taxpayer money. Private or public corporations who do not receive taxpayer money should be able to run their businesses as they see fit but withing some regulatory controls to ensure investors, customers, vendors etc. don't get ripped off or don't get taken too badly if the company does go under. Also limit how large a company can be. When bail out is necessary because we can't allow a company to fail is ridiculous. That means they are too big. Part of the problem with the economy in the period leading to the great depression was monopolies and now we are at it again. The media should also be the same way. Break them up and get more varied opinions, more jobs for people and companies that can fail without effecting the world economy much if at all.

I like the idea of refusing to let AIG give out the bonuses.  Then those greedy b#st#rds who expect a bonus for doing an amazingly bad job can sue the government.  Let's see how far they get.  And to sue, we'll all know who they are.  Time to draw a line in the sand.

I'm impressed that Grassley being a Republican praised Obama for his actions.  This isn't Republican vs. Democrat this time.  This time it's just right and wrong.  

Senator Grassley's comment about suicide shows the heighth of sensitivity in the least, and borders on crass sensationalism.  I truly hope that the senator has not known the sadness of suicide in mhis life, but some of us have experienced the pain and trauma of such a tragedy.  A person of the senator's stature should, indeed, offer an apology and perhaps consider becoming more informed about the widespread incidence of suicide and its devastating effects.

Grassley was right - just the wrong method.  In 1929 those men who realized they had bankrupted their shareholders through sheer greed and stupidity had the grace to go out a high window onto the pavement below.  Those CEO's, CFO's and CXO's who signed off on todays greedy stupid ideas should do the same!  We need a starting point to rebuild our nation's finances and industries and I can't think of a more visceral image than that.  When your ideas have no logic, no common sense you need to ditch them not carry them forward.  From that stupid bill in the Clinton Admin that made banks grant mortgages to people who couldn't afford to pay them back onward, trot the craziness out there and let the whole world look at it and LEARN!  Don't do this, its not smart.  Leave Madoff for last, get every bit of info out of him about where the money he swindled went then let him be the last to face the plunge.  And let the last face he sees be that of Elie Weisel.

Senator Grassley's comment about suicide shows the heighth of sensitivity in the least, and borders on crass sensationalism.  I truly hope that the senator has not known the sadness of suicide in his life, but some of us have experienced the pain and trauma of such a tragedy.  A person of the senator's stature should, indeed, offer an apology and perhaps consider becoming more informed about the widespread incidence of suicide and its devastating effects.

This whole AIG issue is blown out of proportion.  There are bigger fish to fry.  Like $900M to Hamas.  Can we ask them to pay us back?

Senator Grassley's "suicide" comment is unaccetpable. He should at the least be censured by the Congress. I hope the voters will take note of his behavior when the next elections are held.

Yes Chuck, you should have to answer that question! Do the state a favor, and retire!

Grassley should not dismiss his sucide talk as rhetoric, that was the only smart thing he ever said in his life.

Actually, an interesting idea.  I'd expand it though, and include Congress (w/their 20% approval rating).  But then, we'd be out 500 or so 'representatives', and then may actually accomplish something as a nation

I finally agree with a republican and then he come on TV and backs down. If this were China they would be put to death! In America they should at least be fired! I'm sick and tired of these fat cats at AIG! Regular American at getting it handed to them and AIG is taking millions in un earned bounes! Where is the love of country! They attack us for not supporting a unessary war in Iraq, what about the Economic War this country is in because of their greed. To all you Republcian that say the Democrates are un American I say that AIG is un American! Not an american voicing there right against a bad policy! AIG is robbing the country!  

"Calling for people to kill themselves is serious business."

Yes.  We should be doing it a lot more often.

Republican Grassley: "I'm against abortion." "I'm for suicide--rhetorically." It would have even been better if he said: "I'm against abortion, but these AIG people should never be allowed to reproduce under any circumstances." -- Now that would be rhetoric worth repeating.

Let's see if the GOP will block the tax for bonuses of companies that accept bailout funds...


GP NW Indiana
------------------------

Here's some news for you GP. Democratic Senator Chris Dodd was the one that put IN the tax exemption for AIG bonuses in the $800 billion stimulus bill last month. Yes, none other then a Democrat encouraged AIG to pay out the bonus money. And, it's gets better, Obama signed it! So now Obama rants against the very bill he signed!

Maybe you should take the time to read the bill next time Barack.

I wonder when my senator will apologize for his primary role in the deregulation that has facilitated every financial debacle from Enron to Countrywide to AIG?

I, for one, would welcome their suicide.

I'm a true blue Democrat but am with the Senator on this one. In this whole mess nobody has been held accountable. I can think of more than a few additional banking executives I wish would follow the Senator's suggestion. Literally.

this  whole thing is another distraction....the  real story that needs to be broken right now is who are these ceos'.  Are there any real reporters out there?  Come on Jimmy Olsen, do your job!

Emma Wilson, NY (Sent Tuesday, March 17, 2009 12:50 PM)

How is that different than Palin's "palling around with terrorists rhetoric that incited the crowds to yell, "Kill him"?  Grassley's right, someone should 'fall on a sword',...that is what the honorable Samurai would do.

This suicide comment is very troubling particularly because so much GOP rhetoric since the tail end of the election has promoted violence.  If nothing else, McCain regained some of my respect that he had previosuly lost when he refuse to play along with the fear Obama mob that Palin et all. where trying to create.  A US Senator should never express this kind of violent idea publicly (whether he meant it or not).  They are a lot of angry, uneducated people out there.  Who are looking for someone to balme for their lot in life.  These type of mistakes, should be apoligized for publicly.

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