![\"user-pic\"](\"/css/images/default.gif\")
Wow...quite surprising that a company doesn't want it's employees to wear logo attire. But it's not surprising that the one company that doesn't is AIG.
Wow...quite surprising that a company doesn't want it's employees to wear logo attire. But it's not surprising that the one company that doesn't is AIG.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-307161-100x100.png\")
\"Due to increased public attention...\"
Apparently, attention=anger now.
The sad thing is that there are some scary people out there. No matter what problems people have with AIG as a company, or with what decisions individuals working there made, the individuals working there don't deserve to be stalked and beaten because of it.
I worked for a company that went through a series of owners who each made poor financial decisions getting the company farther and farther into debt. After several months of struggling and getting farther and farther behind on any money owed, there were a lot of people pissed at that company. The receptionist ended up getting a phone call that someone was \"coming down there right now\" with some vague threats. Blinds were closed, curtains drawn, building secured and all non-essential staff sent home. Supervisors were discouraging people from exiting the building for anything other than leaving for the day, and if anyone was leaving for the day, someone watched to make sure they made it safely to their car. It was nice that management took the threats seriously, but pretty scary to have to be in that kind of environment. The really unfortunate part is that the people who made the decisions that got the company into that state didn't work in the building or even in the same state. So they were safely out of harm's way.
@Justin Larson: Oh yeah, I forgot that the Executive Branch writes bills, skips past the Congress, and signs them into law. Oh wait, that's not how it happens. The Democrat congress wrote the TARP bill, with no provisions for restricting AIG bailouts. Now they're trying to cover up their own stupidity by distracting us with AIG.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-16563-100x100.png\")
@valor77: Funny how 3/4 of the cited article shows how GOP Congressmen were the ones defending TARP recipient bonus pay-outs. It's a Who's Who of the Republicans currently whining the loudest.
How will you ever learn anything if you never read?
@valor77: No one has acted unilaterally more often or more swiftly than George W. Bush. See also: \"extraordinary rendition.\" That shit was kept inside the executive branch.
So, we can assume increased security at all AIG facilities, and the standard-issue deployment gear roster now must include not just the cream pie, but also a bike or skakeboard for a swooping approach/attack and a swift escape.
And yes, of course this is advocating violence, but a pie in the face is the least violent of so many choices. Be happy that we chose to count coup on these Pop-Tarts with cream pies.
No, even \"Pop-Tart\" is too good for these clowns, as Pop-Tarts are loved by many small children. They are mere \"Generic Toaster Pastries\"
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-522765-100x100.png\")
They missed something: If they see an angry lynch mob, it does no good to run. Pull out your bonus money and throw it to the mob.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-103994-100x100.png\")
Where can I get an AIG T-Shirt & AIG hat
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-48863-100x100.png\")
Now we watch the news and wait... some poor schmuck will be needlessly killed.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-7101-100x100.png\")
@cynical_bastard: ... well, yeah, along with the dunderheads which let it get this far in the first place.
It's going to be interesting to wear my Manchester United jersey this weekend (which is emblazoned with a massive AIG logo). So far, I've only received a few comments, but my Dad refuses to wear his. He's gone back to his \"Vodafone\" sponsored kit from about five years ago.
Right... nothing going on right now with the economy, America, or the mentality of people has anything to do with the past eight years of shit heaped upon the country I love. Also, as far as changing the constitution maybe you should talk to your buddy George Bush about that...
@bigroblee: Good - lots of facts to back up your assertions. Very compelling. Contracts are law - no matter how stupid you happen to think those contracts are. The fact that the Congress was too stupid to stop the bonuses before it bailed out AIG doesn't give them the right to rewrite the law on the fly or us the US tax code as a weapon to achieve their populist political agenda.
That was supposed to be a reply to Valor...
Makes me wonder how long it will be until they rebrand to escape the stigma they've created for themselves.
I say they've asked for, and received, everything that is coming their way these days.
@Trai_Dep: ... given some of the crazies running around these days (see: 4 schools in DE getting either gunman threats or bomb threats today), I'm going with number one.
The public doesn't give a flying fuck who they string up for it - anything with AIG on it, including the cubicle-worker who has nothing to do with it, seems to be fair game these days. It's sad you can't see past your own agenda to realize this.
This reminds me of a story I heard from Michael Moore once. I think when he was doing Sick-o, companies sent out memo's on how to deal w/Michael Moore, even giving out specials numbers, and one company went to the extreme to higher a Michael Moore look alike to \"train\" their people.
Paranoia? A sense that bad things happening to b-a-a-a-a-d people? Wishy-washy local news watching idiots who confuse any vague internet post saying, \"Those rotten bast*ards should be hung\" with a real threat? Or a transparent, cynical attempt to garner sympathy from a justifiably irate public?
You be the judge.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-10718-100x100.png\")
I feel bad for the people at AIG who had nothing to do with the meltdown - all the office managers, IT personnel, and the like. It must suck having to work there with all the public scrutiny.
I'd say they should get another job, but we all know how well that would work.
OK, my question is how much more of our taxpayer money are they gonna pee away on extra \"security\" for their bonehead employees? If they were more diligent with securing everybody's fund they wouldn't be in the mess they're in now,
If you aren't paranoid, better start taking lessions.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-437778-100x100.png\")
Yeah, the media attention on this is getting too crazy and nearly lynch-mob status... I mean come on, the VAST majority of people working for AIG were in NO position to realize what was going on let alone do something about it and they certainly aren't the ones getting big bonuses.
Please don't lynch the AIG admin's or IT guys...
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-261962-100x100.png\")
Just because they are paranoid doesn't mean there aren't crazy people out there willing to take it to the \"next level\".
Either, it's better to be safe and prepared rather than dead and not.
I'm philosophizing.
@madog: furthermore, When ever there is enoygh money, power, women, or reputation at stake within a large group of people you can bet that someone is going to do something stupid like launch a nuke or kill someone. People have and kill/hurt others for much, much less.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-25844-100x100.png\")
Given that the Senate (Banking Committee) and White House (Secretary of Treasury) knew about these bonuses and agreed to them months ago, then turned around and whipped everyone into a frenzy over them in the last few weeks, I think that the executive and legislative branches of government should be held accountable for the safety of AIG employees.
What a great way to turn around the company, with pitchfork and torches. Make every qualified potential employee avoid them like the plague, for fear of their lives. Yeah, that'll fix AIG.
It's one thing for people to be simply \"outraged\" or \"disgusted\" about the bonuses at AIG; it's an entirely different thing for people to become so wrapped up in it and so vengeful that they would actually threaten or wish violence upon these people. I really have to lay some blame at the feet of the government here. With Congressmen encouraging these execs to commit suicide, Congress passing vengeful tax legislation and the ever-present sound bites available from Senators, Representatives and \"Senior White House aids\", it's no surprise that average people have decided this kind of behavior is acceptable. God forbid anyone rationally sit down and look at the situation; it's much easier to just get super angry and spew hatred and threats at these people. I hate to use such a broad term, but this has turned into nothing more than pure class warefare. Congress has seized the opportunity to pander to the \"average\" citizen who can't even comprehend a $1mil bonus and has blown this situation so far out of proportion it's gotten ridiculous. I don't blame the \"Democrats\", the \"Liberals\", the \"Republicans\" or the \"Conservatives\", I blame the government as a whole. All of our elected representatives have allowed the anger of an uninformed (or under-informed) public to take over their logic and have done nothing more than spread fuel on this fire.
@Pylon83: Congress certainly is deflecting blame and distracting people. If it wasn't this they'd be trying to ban flag burning or investigating steroids. AIG with cooperation of the government did in fact wage an economic war against the people of this country. But Congress focuses on bonuses, not prison terms, since it would be implicated in any investigation. Don't worry about violent talk: the AIG executives will live long lives damaging other companies and collecting salaries that they and their grandchildren will never be able to spend. If the violence wasn't thus deflected from its true objective it might actually do something, like replace the government.
There are some very bad people at AIG. There is no doubt of that. But that doesn't mean it's in good taste to make light of some very real threats that have been made against them.
I don't feel sorry for people who work for AIG at all. If our system was not totally broken there would be more public outrage for all the things that ALL big companies out to screw the general public.
Before the internet issues like this would be swept under the carpet and ignored by the corporate controlled news media. Because of coverage by blogs and other non corporate controlled media this issue made it into the spot light. Even the Obama Administration has dirty hands with this reacting the Monday after the checks were cut and cashed and accepting AIG campaign contributions. Obama how about you giving back your AIG dirty campaign money to the American taxpayers?
For more info on why the bonuses were written into the contract, FiveThirtyEight.com has a well written article.
and while I'm at it
@valor77:
Veto, filibuster... there are things the minority party can do...
This actually made me sad, for some reason. I don't like the idea of the janitor being worried that his badge is showing on the subway, you know? When people jump the chasm to violence, they're not always the most discriminating people, ya know?
And on top of this dogpile is none other than Barack Obama. What a low place Obama has taken the presidency when a sitting president joins the lynch mob instead of speaking out against it. Blood will be on his hands and that of Congress.
What a lousy president he's shaping up to be.
I have no problem with the lowly worker, I do have a problem with the CEO's with the bonuses that equal my yearly pay.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-316976-100x100.png\")
Those security measures listed in the AIG memo were standard protocol in the public corporation I worked for. The only different advice in this memo is to refrain from wearing the AIG logo. And right now, that advice is probably unnecessary. If I were with AIG I'd prefer to wear a paper bag over my head than advertise any connection to AIG.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-175610-100x100.png\")
Valor77, the only thing I can agree with you on is that once the bonuses were written into the contracts, the government shouldn't be stepping in to stop them or overly-tax them.
As for the cause of all this, what was the shape of our budget before Bush came into office? What shape was it in when he left? Just ONE indication of what he and his did to the country.
And rockergal, I'd be happy to make in a year what these CEOs are making in bonuses. Right now, their annual bonuses are far more than I'll ever earn in a lifetime (three or four times what I'll earn), But I know how you feel.
Mypetfly, sadly I do not make that much either, this site need an edit button
Okay, gotcha', just a typo. ; ) Edit buttons are nice, but I've been involved in online discussions where someone has posted something and then later contradicted themselves, assisted by the presence of an edit button used to delete the offending content. I can see why they're not used here.
\"...how much more of our taxpayer money are they gonna pee away on extra \"security\" for their bonehead employees?\"
Yes. The mailrooom guy, the temp secretary and the IT troubleshooters: Of course! THEY are to blame for the current economic crisis!
I find it troubling to read more and more such comments. At AIG as anywhere else a handful of people made the decisions, and the rest strived to work the best they could without any knowledge of the larger stakes.
The millions of american who saved nothing, and prefered to go way beyond the red line in debts to obtain instant gratifications, buying whatever popular doodads were pushed that week - of course not, these had nothing to do with current miseries.
At least, we can all believe that as long as we can point the finger at rather useful scapegoats such as AIG. Or Obama, or Bush, or Clinton, or global warming, or world dominating extra-terrestrial e conspiracies. Take your pick.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-125075-100x100.png\")
o Remember the phrase 'Mein Fuhrer, I vas only following orders!' if any of these bad people approach you.
The Merrill mob is going after AIG?
The problem is with these non-bankruptcy, non-receivership work-outs.
If this was a bankruptcy, the bonus cash would be part of the same thing the CDS counterparties are going after and they would all be creditors to the bankruptcy estate.
Instead it is federally instigated fraudulent conveyance.
AIG was a solvent insurance company with an AAA rating linked with a LTCM style hedge fund. The latter blew up. They could have severed the two pieces and avoided this.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-127981-100x100.png\")
These guidelines are identical to those of the abortion clinic I used to work at.
Now if only people would get this mad at their government fucking them over on every occasion.
i'm surprised their own customers aren't out for their necks: they pay their tax dollars for the 200 billion dollar bailout which protected the investments they had that companies across the nation, such as AIG, mishandled, then they are going to use that tax money to /sue/ the government which essentially is SUING the taxpayers, their customers... for more money. unbelievable.
even the lower office monkeys who have nothing to do with most of the fiasco i believe should have enough dignity to leave such a company with such low ethics rather than blindly submitting.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-925725-100x100.png\")
It's odd they blame \"increased media scrutiny\" for the trouble and not that they blew $440,000 on a resort party for the top executives a week after we were forced to loan them $85 billion, buying us an 80% stake in the company.
The main reason it got so bad was they insured mortgages against defaulting even when they knew a housing bubble was about to burst. In addition (even during the Senate hearings) it became clear they executives hid their risky investments from people doing audits.
People are mad because so many are losing their jobs, homes, and we own 80 percent of that company and they're spending $86,000 on a Partridge hunting trip for the top executives in England.
The big line has been that their best people will leave if they don't get bonuses. They're lucky to still have a job at all, where will they go? It was the financial arm writing high risk policies and the execs covering it up until they couldn't hide the losses any longer. I think they should have made it an executive only memo. It's unlikely anyone is going to beat up an employee when they probably didn't know what was going on either.
Jason Ryan Isaksen
\"Due to a growing sense of public attention fueled by increased media scrutiny\"
Translated = Due to absolute outrage fueled by our rewarding people for basically bankrupting the company, having the largest quarterly loss in American history and unbridled greed.
@valor77: Aw it's adorable how you think it's all the government's fault. One day you'll grow up, learn math, and who knows, if the depressionrecession is over maybe have a lucrative career at a nice restaurant.
Let me guess--Hurricane Katrina was the government's fault too, right?
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-519133-100x100.png\")
Hard to believe that people are trying to pin this on one party or the other when BOTH are responsible for this. And both the Obama & McCain campaigns took obscene amounts of AIG money, in fact Obama more of it. Bush, Obama and McCain couldn't declare their loyalty to AIG & similar firms fast enough.
Hard to believe the hubbub over the bonuses when that's such a small piece of the bailout scam. The bailout is the huge crime.
I don't at all feel bad for the low-level AIG people who feel ashamed of their employer. Solidarity with my fellow non-obscenely-rich Americans has always driven me away from even applying to jobs at places that were money mills, which always, ALWAYS are ultimately making the profits by screwing someone.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-352008-100x100.png\")
It's a little distasteful throwing this one to the dogs. AIG is worried about the safety of its employees, and that's no laughing matter.
So these big powerful (white straight male) bankers now have to act like women and gays when tehy go out: don't go places alone at night, be in the closet about being a member of a targeted group, act paranoid that someone's going to harm you because someone wants to harm you.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-262949-100x100.png\")
Another important guideline for the list: walk a wide circle around any nooses made from piano wire.
I know this sounds crazy. And believe me when I say, I absolutely think AIG is wrong and they shouldn't have been given any bail out at all if this was what they were going to do. BUT that being said, I can't help but feel bad for people who have to live in fear. Certainly not all of AIGs staff is culpable for the meltdown. The normal people just trying to get by, like secretaries, office managers, people outside of the scope of the disaster are unfortunately wrapped up in this incredible mess and I feel bad for them.
Yet again the hysterical populists show just how low this country has come. We have people getting death threats and having stalkers because god forbid someone get paid for agreeing to stay on with the company and wind down the accounts they managed that are worth billions.
Only in America are people dumb enough to fall for populist propaganda over what amounts to less than $500 million when the cost of simply firing these people and not letting them close down the accounts properly is in the billions. We'll get all hysterical and theatric over a few hundred million, but not the billions or trillions being spent.
I am ashamed of this country.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-76455-100x100.png\")
911? Really?!? At least here in New York they will call you out for calling 911 for a non-emergency. I really hope they get prosecuted for not using 911 properly (not including the 'if you think you are being followed' part).
Thank goodness this is a civilized country where mob rule never occurs.
Oops. Too late.
How about the AIG people stop prying money from the hard-working average taxpayer and stuffing their pockets with it. To take bailout money that is intended to keep the company afloat and piss it out in millions of dollars in bonuses? THAT IS HOW THE ECONOMY GOT THIS WAY! Why do people who make 6 figure salaries or more need bonuses? Lower and Middle class people have had to give up their bonuses or jobs because of this madness, and AIG is just making it worse.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-39759-100x100.png\")
These comments really disturb me. Not everyone working at AIG is some upper-crust \"bonehead\" who is raking in a 6-figure income. I think I saw one person in this comment stream mention the janitor who's sitting there making minimum wage and now, as if he's got nothing better on his plate to worry about, has the added task of making sure his AIG badge isn't showing on the subway late one night, to save him from getting the sh*t kicked out of him.
My political affiliation is unimportant, and would probably be somewhat surprising given my comment, but frankly the acidic comments out of most of you are no better than the mentality of the angry lynch mobs waiting to jump any Tom, Dick or Harry wearing an AIG baseball cap. You all jump on your political bandwagon and start playing the blame game - then all of a sudden we're in a \"whose d*ck is biggest?\" contest. Give it a rest.
The fact of the matter is, despite the deplorable actions of a few, the company still has many hardworking people left, trying to fight the good fight each day - and because of ignorance and hatred that is completely maladjusted and incredible misplaced, they now must add \"surviving on the way home from work\" to their daily to-do list.
So for those of you still pissing on about who's to blame, why don't you put yourselves in the shoes of people still working at the company - people who had no part in the current state of affairs - and see if you're still worried about pointing fingers.
@pinkbunnyslippers: I think you need to actually read the damned comments before taking people to task. For if you had, you surely would have seen that for the most part, people are of the same mind as you.
i'd like to add one, AIG employees:
quit, and steal the place blind. it's the least they deserve.
Ever see office space? that kind of steal it blind.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-193188-100x100.png\")
Wait, hold on ... people still work at AIG?
@valor77
Are you crazy?
I'm outraged by the 'legal behavior' of AIG, and resent very much the fact that this company is picking my pocket. However, neither I or any other sane Democrat or Republican would resort to violence against AIG employees. Slandering Democrats because you lack reason and integrity is a cheap tactic of your weak mind.
You are an idiot.
Security tip for AIG workers: Wear coveralls advertising a local janitorial services company to work - preferably with a name patch that says \"Billy\" or \"Sue Ann\" - over your business attire. Carrying a damp mop is optional. HINT: be sure to carry your bespoke wingtips and/or designer pumps in a brown paper lunch bag until you are INSIDE the building; they are a dead giveaway.
Based on a lot of the comments stating surprise or wonder that they are taking precautions leads me to believe people aren't following what is going on in the news with AIG. Don't get me wrong, I have no sympathy for a company that is sucking us dry at the moment and it was certainly not an accident, they knew exactly what they were doing but they they have been getting death threats. A couple were read to congress by Edward Liddy recently. We need to pay a lot more attention to this. They are going to rob us blind if we let them.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-219008-100x100.png\")
They should be afraid.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-743193-100x100.png\")
My suggestion would be to call a press conference with their congressperson to sign back their bonus check...and then move to France.
AIG insignia?! Really? That makes it sound so militaristic. Ever heard of logos?
razremytuxbuddy said: \"The only different advice in this memo is to refrain from wearing the AIG logo. And right now, that advice is probably unnecessary.\"
(Replying manually, the replies aren't working for me)
It might not just be the logo, but let's say there is some altercation (AIG employee bumps into someone else on the subway, the guy wearing the AIG hat is unapologetic or moody or whatever), seeing the AIG logo could escalate the issue from \"You're a douche who bumped into me\" to \"You're a douche who bumped into me, and has stolen millions of dollars from hard working taxpayers like me!\"
Never underestimate the ability of money to cause emotions to run high and people to be unreasonable. As someone else mentioned, people have been killed for less.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-466466-100x100.png\")
Those pieces of s%$# should be worried, maybe they should spend their bonuses on extra security.
I love that they plan to rename the company, because AIG is now so hated. They should also plan to pay for everyone in America to get a lobotomy, because it's the only way we will forget what greedy, incompetent a-holes they are.
Seriously, if people started getting the crap beaten out of them outside of AIG \"facilities\", would that be so bad? I really don't know anymore. Apparently the government's reaction is only to keep on handing them more of my tax money so they can afford the extra security they need to protect them from angry mobs.
Some really wrong-headed policy is being born out of the politicians' desire to keep donor funds flowing into their campaign coffers while appearing to do something. It's the classic cal lof the bill pusher: \"We have to do something! THIS is something - let's do it!\"
Why are the same committee heads who failed the gut check for regulation their entire careers now are tasked with dispensing cash to their donors?
When you have companies that have been allowed, through deregulation of the market, to get \"too big to fail\", THAT is the problem, not the fact that their capital is too low.
Just stop giving the companies money to hoard to prop up their failed monopolies - trusts should be busted. When a company burns the American people like that, you don't reward it - you carve it up into smaller companies that have to compete with each other like real capitalism, not this state-sanctioned dictatorship of the insolvent.
The problem is rampant, unrestrained profit-taking by entrenched industries coupled with collusion which stifles competition and, therefore, innovation.
Then again, this is the same government that gave American Airlines 12 billion after 9/11 to reward them for the lax security procedures that led to their equipment being used to kill American civilians.
This is also the government that allowed Ma Bell to reconstitute itself in exchange for their complicity in illegal domestic wiretaps of American citizens at home and abroad.
The free ride is over for the monocle-wearing set. If the government is too cowardly to punish the crooks who lamed the nation, there are plenty of out of work Americans who will be more than happy to take up the slack.
I love how the response to the bad press AIG is getting is \"we've got to change our name\". Not a bad idea, I suppose - it worked for Altria and Xe, not to mention every foreign-owned mom and pop computer store ever. You know the ones that are called \"Lucky Computer\" now but was \"Dan's Computer\" last month. Do these companies really think they can just steal money and then change their identity to escape the consequences?
Xe is supposedly back in Iraq, Lucky Computer is still in business, so maybe the American people's attention span is too short for them to put all this together on their own.
You're welcome.
From my husband, a self-described survivor of difficult times.
Never sit with your back to a window or a door.
You should be very clear on the benefits AIG brings to the community, while not discussing the company in public.
Stay away from dark doorways, cars with people in them, and dark, empty streets.
Find a way to stop and turn around now and then to see what is in back of you.
When approaching someone in a public space, observe their face and hands for signs of hostility and weapons.
Identify and cultivate individuals who you can trust to help you if your life is in danger.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-71483-100x100.png\")
Points they failed to include but perhaps should have:
- do not attempt to put out any flaming bags with your Italian leather loafers
- wear a mask to conceal your identity
- consider purchasing a bullet-proof vest
- instead of business shoes, wear sneakers for an easier getaway once you've been made
- runflat tires are a wise investment of your \"bonus\"
Here is a list of AIG companies that I will refuse to do business with:21st Century Casualty Co21st Century Insurance CoAIG American General Life CompaniesAIG Annuity Insurance CoAIG Casualty CoAIG Centennial Insurance Co.AIG Financial AdvisorsAIG Financial ProductsAIG Global Real Estate InvestmentAIG Hawaii Insurance CoAIG Highstar CapitalAIG InvestmentsAIG Premier Insurance CoAIG Retirement Services, Inc.AIG Sun American Life Assurance CoAIG UK Ltd.AIG/LincolnAIU Insurance Co.American General Finance Inc.American General Indemnity Co.American Home Assurance Co.American International Insurance Co. of California IncAmerican Life Insurance CoBirmingham Fire Insurance Co. of PennsylvaniaBrazos Capitol ManagementBulgarian Telecommunications Company (BTC)Commerce And Industry Insurance CoGE Auto & Home Assurance Co.GE Indemnity Insurance Co.Granite State Insurance Co.Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Co.HSB GroupInsurance Co. of the State of PennsylvaniaInternational Lease Finance Co.Landmark Insurance CoLexington Insurance CoLincoln PropertiesMarine Terminals CorporationNational Union Fire Insurance Co. of PittsburghNew Hampshire Insurance CoOcean FinanceP&O Ports North AmericaPacific AssurancePutnam Reinsurance CoStowe Mountain ResortSun America Ventures Inc.The Variable Annuity Life Insurance CoTransatlantic Holdings, IncTransatlantic Re (Brazil) Ltda.Transatlantic Reinsurance CoUnited Guaranty Commercial Insurance Co. of North CarolinaUnited Guaranty CorpUnited Guaranty Credit Insurance CoUnited Guaranty Residential Insurance CoYosemite Insurance Co
deadspork said: \"razremytuxbuddy said: \"The only different advice in this memo is to refrain from wearing the AIG logo. And right now, that advice is probably unnecessary.\"
(Replying manually, the replies aren't working for me)
It might not just be the logo, but let's say there is some altercation (AIG employee bumps into someone else on the subway, the guy wearing the AIG hat is unapologetic or moody or whatever), seeing the AIG logo could escalate the issue from \"You're a douche who bumped into me\" to \"You're a douche who bumped into me, and has stolen millions of dollars from hard working taxpayers like me!\"
Never underestimate the ability of money to cause emotions to run high and people to be unreasonable. As someone else mentioned, people have been killed for less.\"
Hi deadspork. My point was that AIG employees are probably too embarrassed to wear anything identifying them with the company, so that part of the advice memo would be moot. My comment was an attempt at humor, but also partly true, I assume. Otherwise, I agree with your scenario.
@ SudhamayiKabong: Now, of these \"damned\" comments, am I to believe that a comment such as:
\"Seriously, if people started getting the crap beaten out of them outside of AIG \"facilities\", would that be so bad?\"
is of the same mind as me?
Or maybe the one who called people who still work at AIG \"boneheads\"? Now of course these are just two comments, and I'm cherrypicking here, but...
just checking.. :)
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-414590-100x100.png\")
This is a complete load of crap, its just smoke a mirrors. The Democrats in Congress and President Obama signed the bill giving these bonuses. Why would AIG get so much money from Congress? Who do you think handles Representatives and Senators retirement funds? Take a wild guess and do a little research. The government wants the lynch mob mentality. It takes Americas minds off other things going on.
Up for auction is a (XL) very gently used \"AIG, Manchester United\" soccer jersey. The measurements are listed below..Please contact if you need additional information.
\"CHECK OUT MY OTHER .99 AUCTIONS!\"
[cgi.ebay.com]
Are these left over from the sales booths in the Capital Building? 99 cents is pretty hefty nowadays.
(Sorry for the double post)
Well, naturally the next step is to install biometric access control systems in all AIG facilities. Along with all the IDs being smart cards. They'll need to reconfigure several vital network services over the weekend, Kerberos will be down for a bit... I think I can quote them a couple million. Why not make money too? I'm Suze Orman biotch!
So it's bad that these people are living in fear? It's about time.
This company played a role in destroying our economy.
How about the fear the unemployed face everyday, because of AIGs actions? How about the fear retirees face as they watch their retirement investments become worthless because of AIGs actions? How about the fear the small businessperson faces when the bank shuts off their line of credit because of AIGs actions? How about the fear so many Americans face, living from paycheck to paycheck while AIG executives get taxpayer funded bonuses?
Am I sympathetic to the people at AIG? No way. I'm glad they're afraid. They now know what the rest of us feel, in part BECAUSE OF THEIR ACTIONS.
AIG probably has a no firearms policy on it's properties, virtually ensuring a bloodbath when the eventual media stirred up commie-lib nut starts shooting up the place.
I recently failed in my business venture and am afraid I will have to go to my local Social Services office and apply for welfare assistance. My problem is, that I have a one year employment contract with my maid. Would it be out of line to ask the welfare office to include an additional $4500. a month so that I can continue paying her without breaking this contract?
So basically...they watched 007 while pissing away our $$$?
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@valor77: You brought up a good topic, but the blame falls on both sides i.e. politicians in general.
@Trai_Dep: EVERY SINGLE POLITICIAN who is afraid of not being re-elected and getting sweet, sweet lobbyist cash is following the public windsock. They realize that the American public is pissed, and so they decide to do what is best for their image and give those gosh darn Fat Cats what for.
I applaud you, though, for the irrelevant metaphor involving anal sex. Also, using the Huffington Post to back up your argument would be like the OP using a quote from Sean Hannity to make his point.
@djsyndrome: Both parties had a hand in this.
@Secret Agent Man: The outrage against AIG is justified, but Congress deserves more of our anger. They didn't bother to take any time to make stipulations to their financial sector buddies, and now they should receive their comeuppance.
@Trai_Dep: Boy, that Bush-bashing must really get those nipples hard for you, eh?
@spittingangels: Ah, the soothing words of someone with common sense and objectivity.
@Russell Miller: If you can't add anything to further the discussion, just don't even bother posting anything.
My thoughts? This is why I hate politics. Everyone acts like it's a sporting event, and they're only happy if their team wins. I simply do not understand why more people cannot be more objective, especially when it comes to something as important as the political process. All this subjectivity simply leads to points that essentially read like this: \"HARF HARF HARF REPOOPLICANS LUV BUTTSECHS WIT DUDEZ\" or \"HARF HARF HARF BARACK OSAMA HATES AMURRICA\".
Finally, anybody who tries to pigeon-hole me into a specific party is going to get a stern \"Go fuck yourself\" comment.
I hope you all choke.
\"@Russell Miller: If you can't add anything to further the discussion, just don't even bother posting anything.\"
Great advice. I wish you and what's-his-name would take it.
No, I was making a point. I am not a political person, myself, in that I am neither a Democrat nor Republican. But I can't in good conscience allow someone to say something so obviously partisan (and you can bet he knows it's partisan) without saying something. Bush also used to call the Democratic party the \"Democrat Party\", and it's become a way to insult Democrats without actually insulting Democrats. It's the same thing as calling them \"Rethuglicans\". It's childish and immature and needs to be called out.
That said, you're right in that there's not much more point in contributing to this thread, so I shan't anymore.
@Russell Miller: Fair enough. I apologize for being a hypocrite and criticizing you for what I freely did. That was a little bit of righteous indignation sneaking out of me.
@valor77: By the gods, all of you guys follow a predictable arc.
To cut to the chase, I'll pull out the juicy quotes from the cite that Justin Larson supplied, below. Prominent Republicans, from both Congress and the Executive Branch, not only defended the bonuses but fought removing them. Many of the GOP Congressmen are (of course) now the loudest critics of - wait for it - bonuses paid to TARP recipants:
Paulson said that while he was upset with the levels of salary afforded to top executives, any cap on such would dissuade companies from participating in the TARP. \"If we design it so it's punitive and so institutions aren't going to participate, this won't work the way we need it to work.\"
Senator Richard Shelby, the top Republican on the Senate Banking Committee: \"It should be up to the board of directors of a private corporation to set the compensation of an executive; it shouldn't be Congress's role.\"
Senator Mel Martinez: \"While it is very appealing to think about executive compensation as being a part of this, one of the drawbacks to that is perhaps that we would have fewer entities participate in what is essentially a voluntary act.\"
House Minority Whip Eric Cantor, \"outraged\" over AIG's issuance of $165 million in bonuses, said he was not in favor of \"the federal government be[ing] able to set salaries across the board.\"
The issue extended to when the Obama administration was tasked with writing its own version of the TARP.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, \"dismayed\" over AIG's bonuses this past week, said back in early February that while he was \"appalled\" at some of the perks executives had received: \"I don't want the government to take over these businesses and start telling them everything about what they can do.\"
Again and again and again, Conservatives say one thing then do the opposite. In fact, the louder they complain about something, the more likely they are to be deeply enmeshed in whatever it is they're decrying. Which the reality-based community finds wryly, predictably, amusing.
What I don't get is, How many drunken weekends in a row to you need to get roughly, firmly and thoroughly rogered by a randy roommate before you realize that perhaps it's not the alcohol's fault, that perhaps it's something deep within you*.
* Do you see what I did there? :D
@Trai_Dep: I'd like to edit one part of my comment where I said \"Also, using the Huffington Post to back up your argument would be like the OP using a quote from Sean Hannity to make his point.\" That was me being rash and subjective and I apologize. The criticism for the metaphor still stands.
@valor77: Congress added the bonus language to avoid litigating the contracted bonuses at an even greater taxpayer expense. Fact of the matter is these bonuses were based either on retention or performance and in either case who among them could possibly deserve a bonus for either performance or to be retained.
@hilltop_sniper: AIG could have fired them all before the bonuses were to be paid out. Plenty of other companies have done similar and far worse crappy tactics to their staff.
@hilltop_sniper: That's a good point. However, do you think AIG, knowing the public outcry that would follow, would give retention and performance-based bonuses to employees if they weren't contractually (and therefore, legally) obligated to do so?
@valor77:
I think the key phrase in your response is \"knowing the public outcry that would follow\".
You see, I'm sure the executives running AIG did not know that there would be such a public outcry. Already, they are pretty disconnected from the reality that the common people of America have to deal with on a day to say basis. And months ago, when the initial bailout was provided to them, government transparency was as it is now with the current executive branch. Their self-reward system of bonuses has gone unchecked for probably several years and they seemed to think they could continue this behavior, even after the government rescued them, evidenced by that fact that last year they were being reported on for continuing their lavish executive retreats after receiving bailout money. The bonuses were just the tipping point. This ire and resentment towards AIG has been building for months and months because of their frivolously pissing away the money that the American taxpayers have given them.
As for blaming the Democrats, let's be clear here. Even now, the Democrats don't control Congress, it's break-even at best. The fault is shared by both parties in Congress. The Republicans don't get to walk away from this one blame free.
@valor77: You're right. In fact, they should get the Medal of Honor for their sterling service to America.
Perhaps of GW Bush isn't busy, and if he hasn't already given out his quota, he could do the honors? I recall his standards are almost as low as yours are.
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@valor77:
So public outrage at a company essentially owned by the taxpayers paying hundreds of millions of dollars in 'retention bonuses' as unemployment climbs and the credit markets freeze is somehow attributable to A democratic president who has been in office for 60 days?
If you honestly believe that the outrage (not the threats of violence) at AIG is anything other than justified, than I don't think that you are capable of listening to any logic that is not 'brought to you buy the EIB network.'
I'd love to hear your thoughts on how to fix the economy by letting companies pay off executives complicit in the meltdown of the economy with millions of dollars in bonuses.
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@valor77: I had a communications position at Planned Parenthood for a short period in the 90s. We didn't have fire drills; we had bomb drills. Did the GOP turn average citizens into bad people?
AIG can suck it up and deal with it.
@valor77:
\"Democrat Party\"
That right there makes me not willing to listen to anything you just said.
@Russell Miller: You got it - bury your head in the sand. Ignore the facts and let your emotions drive you.
Republicans -> Republican Party
Democrats -> Democrat Party
I guess I'll start calling them Democratics from now on so you'll read my posts. :)
@valor77:
No, Democrats => Democratic party.
Problem is, the only people who seem to make that particular error tend to be the hard right ideologues. Which is why that particular turn of phrase makes me skeptical of anything you might say. Your response, of course, was not helpful in reversing that impression.
@bohemian: Dude, I didn't threadjack. The AIG security memo was a direct result of the anti-AIG fervor stirred up by the Congress. My posts are directly related to the topic. Maybe you don't know what threadjacking is, or maybe you just disagree with me. Hopefully the former.
@Russell Miller: Somehow I doubt your impression would be reversed by anything I said.
@Trai_Dep: My standards are backing up my assertions with facts, not personal attacks. Are you saying it requires low standards to give out the Medal of Honor to valiant troops in the line of duty? You should be ashamed.
@Secret Agent Man: I said nothing about the President. If you'll actually read AND comprehend my post, you'll notice I was talking about the Pelosi-and-Reid controlled Congress. Let me walk you through the timeline:
1) AIG creates bonus contracts that reward employees for objective results.
2) A bursting housing bubble and an abundance of sub-prime mortgage defaults cause AIGs over-valued mortgage-backed securities to loose virtually all of their value.
3) For the \"good of the country\", the TARP bill gives AIG a multi-billion dollar loan to keep the company afloat. No limiting of contracted bonuses was in the bill.
4) The Congress acts outraged that the contractually-obligated bonuses would be paid - when they themselves could have stopped it legislatively.
5) The Congress uses the tax code and anti-corporate populist sentiment to deny the bonuses, and stokes so much anti-AIG sentiment that regular employees have to fear for their safety.
Sound about right?
@valor77: Do those rhetorical dodges actually work on your friends? Really?!
So, Conservatives in the WH & Congress blocked bonus restrictions, and TARP was on the docket for the second time, after McCain rushed to Washington to save it. (snicker). Conservatives said they'd veto and/or block the bill with these restrictions in it.
Lehman had collapsed and nearly took out the global economy with it (Thanks, Paulson!). The US stock market tanked - lost about 40%, right - and our financial system was paralyzed over the abyss. The world economy froze, waiting to see what would come out of Washington that day. Literally.
Are you really going to say, like a nine-year-old, petulant boy, that everything should have been let go? Shutter 'em all up and roll the dice? Really?!
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-8146-100x100.png\")
\"the US congress had NO problem with these bonuses when they bailed out AIG\"
The US Congress didn't bail out AIG. George W. Bush did.
AIG execs should be jailed for fraud. ANd forced to give back every cent. This smacks of collusion. The bailout was forced onto Congress and the people in a rush job that was largely unjustified and unexplained. The previous administration used terrorist tactics---this time economic terrorism-- to shove through the bailout with absolutely no restraints or common sense restrictions, much like they manipulated the truth and started \"WMD\" hysteria to get us into the Iraq war. There's no getting around the fact that Congress should have been vigilant in their review of this program. But \"reelection\" is a stronger motivation than sticking to principles, as we all know. The Bush Puppet Show fanned the media \"economic disaster\" flame so that anyone who did not rubber stamp the AIG bailout would automatically be labeled \"unpatriotic\" and it was election time. Typical Karl Rovian tactics. Rove may have disappeared from the radar so he could try and pull another \"moral majoriy\" hijinx in the 2008 election---which he failed to do, thank God-- but his tactics live on.
Bottom line here is that what AIG EXECS did was beyond shameful: to take advantage of Americans already suffering from a devastated economy, robbing the good will proffered by those who would pull AIG back from the brink of bankruptcy resulting from its OWN incompetent performance.
I don't think \"some\" of the money should be returned...I think ALL of the money should be returned...with interest. And all suspicions of fraud be prosecuted to the FULLEST extent of the law.
@djsyndrome: Yup, Bush did it all by himself. He used his evil Republican fairy dust to bypass the Congress altogether and create and sign his very own TARP bill.
Maybe I'm alone in this, but both democrats and republicans are to blame for this entire mess. you guys can keep bickering like school children if you want to though. It's been that way for years, you might as well continue. As an independent though, it's pretty silly and it's not helpful at all.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-435267-100x100.png\")
Considering how they screwed me over when I was injured on the job (My ex-employer carried AIG coverage), I call this whole scenario rather karmic. :-)
They must have burned a lot of people to store up the amount of bad karma it took to tank the entire company...and a good chunk of the world's economy.
I can sort of feel bad for the lower-level employees, but the managers of AIG had better watch themselves. There's a lot of really upset people out there (rightfully so, IMHO) and it only takes one or two nutcases to decide to go vigilante on them...
@coan_net
For some reason I like your idea... I have student loans that need to get paid off... lol
I think this was a wise decision (one of only a few) for AIG.
Their lower level employees shouldn't have to be at risk for physical danger just because their upper management is a bunch of inept asses.
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How long before an employee files a suit against AIG claiming pain and suffering caused by simply being an employee?
Total Republican. = )
Waiting for my stern comeback...(Im a glutton for punishment, it's why I keep voting democrat)
If you have a Facebook Account, don't mention in your profile that you work for AIG.
There are a lot of people working in that building who will never see a 6 figure salary or a bonus. Most of the FP folks are actually up in Connecticut, and most of the really bad actors were in the London office. I am as pissed off as anyone at the money poured into AIG to rescue from its insane writing of CDSs - but I don't want to see innocent people getting hurt because of manufactured outrage by tax cheats like Rangel.
My wife works at AIG. Her life is in danger and that of my children because she works for a company with unscrupulous execs. She has done nothing wrong, nor has anyone on her team. They process annuities. They don't get bonuses. They work long hours and get no glory. But, thanks largely to the media, politicians, and stupid execs, easily manipulated people are striking at the innocent. No one should be afraid to go to work or have to check their rear-view mirror constantly when going home to make sure they weren't followed. No one should have to quit their mediocre paying job to enter a recession slashed job market, because of the decisions of people so far out of touch with them that they do not even realize they are there. AIG employs over 100000 people worldwide. Out of that 100000 employees, way less than 0.75% got a bonus coming out to about $185 million. The majority of those were to the execs. Congress has latched on to this as has the media as if it is the source of the economies problems, taking a lot of the the heat off the BILLIONS paid in tax payer financed bonuses by Merrill Lynch. This makes me feel like the intent is to protect the billionaires and put the attention elsewhere. In doing so, my family has been put at risk as have several thousand other families. I am by no means making excuses for the greedy execs, but the media, politicians, and AIG Execs had better get this crap in order before anyone in my family gets hurt by it.
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clearly this is all the medias fault /biggest eye-roll ever/
@jscott73: That's exactly what I was thinking. They have cause and effect backwards. They are getting increased media scrutiny because of increased public attention. This is just like the hostage taker killing a hostage and blaming the police.