Dear A.I.G., I Quit • Hacker News Board

Re: Dear A.I.G., I Quit

#11

Post by Dilpil » Wed, Mar 25, 2009, 5:32 AM UTC

endtime wrote: post #7

ankhmoop wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I find myself unable to identify with -- or muster any empathy whatsoever -- for an individual who received $742,006.40 (post-tax) and can readily afford to donate it to charity without concern for his family's well-being despite the current economic climate.

Why? Has he done anything immoral or inhumane? Or do you simply resent the successful?

Now now, don't bring logic into this.

Re: Dear A.I.G., I Quit

#12

Post by moe » Wed, Mar 25, 2009, 5:33 AM UTC

fizx wrote: post #4

ankhmoop wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I find myself unable to identify with -- or muster any empathy whatsoever -- for an individual who received $742,006.40 (post-tax) and can readily afford to donate it to charity without concern for his family's well-being despite the current economic climate.

Would it be different if he was a startup founder whose company got acquired by big finance? Just asking...

If said founder can sneeze at $700.000 dollars like that and write a whiney letter at the same time then nope, no difference to me. I have yet to see that, though.

I don't know what he was trying to achieve with that letter - for me it's just a disgusting testament to how money can detach people from reality.

Re: Dear A.I.G., I Quit

#13

Post by aagnihot » Wed, Mar 25, 2009, 5:36 AM UTC

If the government had not bailed out AIG, it would have declared bankruptcy. In such a case, he would have been effectively jobless. Also, a bankrupt company cannot award bonus. So even as he keeps his job, he dares to complain about bonus. Hypocrisy at its best!!

Re: Dear A.I.G., I Quit

#14

Post by chris11 » Wed, Mar 25, 2009, 5:38 AM UTC

ankhmoop wrote: post #3

quizbiz wrote: post #2

About time something like this comes out. A humbling perspective.

I find myself unable to identify with -- or muster any empathy whatsoever -- for an individual who received $742,006.40 (post-tax) and can readily afford to donate it to charity without concern for his family's well-being despite the current economic climate.

I see your point. But assuming he had nothing to do with the derivative crisis, he is just basically cleaning up a mess made by someone else. And he has now effectively been paid nothing for his work.

Sure, he can afford it, and he was a senior vp at AIG, so I am sure there is a lot more he could have done. But he played an ancillary role in this crisis. And this is basically turning into a witch hunt. If he had been at some other bank, this wouldn't be happening to him.I would see some cases where I agree with him losing his bonuses, but not in this one.

It seems to me like the government is going after AIG only because of all the public outrage. I would like to see more signs criminal investigations starting, and system wide changes, I don't want the government to focus on just one company.

Re: Dear A.I.G., I Quit

#15

Post by teyc » Wed, Mar 25, 2009, 5:39 AM UTC

Independent Contractors on Death Star http://www.whysanity.net/monos/clerks5.html

Re: Dear A.I.G., I Quit

#16

Post by light3 » Wed, Mar 25, 2009, 5:43 AM UTC

ankhmoop wrote: post #3

quizbiz wrote: post #2

About time something like this comes out. A humbling perspective.

I find myself unable to identify with -- or muster any empathy whatsoever -- for an individual who received $742,006.40 (post-tax) and can readily afford to donate it to charity without concern for his family's well-being despite the current economic climate.

Did I read this article right... that he feels injustice for not receiving his bonus?

Re: Dear A.I.G., I Quit

#17

Post by smallpaul » Wed, Mar 25, 2009, 5:45 AM UTC

aagnihot wrote: post #13

If the government had not bailed out AIG, it would have declared bankruptcy. In such a case, he would have been effectively jobless. Also, a bankrupt company cannot award bonus. So even as he keeps his job, he dares to complain about bonus. Hypocrisy at its best!!

He kept his job for a salary of $1.00, rather than go and enjoy a year with his family.

I have no idea why they would have structured the compensation that way though...the result is kind of predictable.

Re: Dear A.I.G., I Quit

#18

Post by kqr2 » Wed, Mar 25, 2009, 5:46 AM UTC

I wonder what his salary was during the boom years. My guess it was probably in the millions. He may not have been directly involved in selling credit default swaps, but profit from that division probably helped pay his salary.

Re: Dear A.I.G., I Quit

#19

Post by moe » Wed, Mar 25, 2009, 5:47 AM UTC

Dilpil wrote: post #11

endtime wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why? Has he done anything immoral or inhumane? Or do you simply resent the successful?

Now now, don't bring logic into this.

I can't speak for ankhmoop, but what bothers me here is the whiney letter.

I already knew that ridiculously overpaid jobs exist and that you usually get them by being born into the right family - or with an unusual amount of luck. I don't like that part of reality but I can't change it.

So, this guy has one of these jobs. Fine, someone has to do the dirty work after all!

But is there really a need to whine in public about his bonus troubles?

Especially in the current situation where many people reading his drivel have slightly bigger problems than figuring out whether to invest or donate their next million?

Re: Dear A.I.G., I Quit

#20

Post by kvh » Wed, Mar 25, 2009, 5:47 AM UTC

Oh, what a saint! unbelievable. i hope everyone sees this sniffling wretch for what he is. PITTY??? you want our PITTY?? the freaking nerve.