Home of the Unselective Thought

Unfortunately...

Mr. G — Tue, 05 May 2009 00:16:00 GMT

SCHOOL/ WORK has gotten a little crazy.

Hope to be back soon.

I leave you with my favorite scene from the Cosby Show to hold you over.

To really drive the point home..

Mr. G — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 01:19:00 GMT

Let's say that Stewie in the following clip represents the public/politicians and Brian represents AIG/Bank CEOs etc.
I wonder what will happen.

Again.. (This is why I don't tell people that I meet these days that I work for a bank; for fear of this type of treatment)...

A picture is worth a thousand words..

Mr. G — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 01:00:00 GMT

Found this online:
It pretty much sums up popular sentiment these days.

(John Sherffius, Colorado, Boulder Daily Camera)

A.I.G. Executive quits publicly..

Mr. G — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:53:00 GMT

A friend of mine sent me a resignation letter that an A.I.G executive(Jake DeSantis) published in an op-ed piece in the New York Times yesterday. The media, politicians and the like have tried very hard to paint anyone who would take a million dollar bonus as a greedy monster responsible for destroying the economy and our way of life. Obviously this is not true in most cases.

I understand outrage, but I also understand the idea of working for a contract. Many financial professionals have compensation based on formulas that say, if you generate "A" in revenue for the firm, then we will give you "B". Politicians and the general public have been so wrapped up in the idea of executive robbing a company blind, that they could care less about individuals who were not at fault and were out making money for A.I.G. when things went bad.

I am not even going to entertain the idea of the 90% tax that nearly got assessed in this circus. If I see another congressman or congresswoman doing a song and dance about how financial compensation is too high,.. my head will explode!!

Every corporation, whether they sell toys, wireless service, pharmaceuticals, or shoes, has individuals at the management level or higher that are paid bonuses. Even walmart pays bonuses to their in-store associates (on a level relative to their existing salary). I will be very happy when the spotlight dims on finance.

I am not saying that there is not core problems in the way things are presently run(from a regulation standpoint), but financial companies are being made to look like they are doing Satan's work these days on a regular basis.

This letter is a great example, of an alternate view of the evils of financial executives. Enjoy.. please read it all the way through.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/25/opinion/25desantis.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2

DEAR Mr. Liddy,

It is with deep regret that I submit my notice of resignation from A.I.G. Financial Products. I hope you take the time to read this entire letter. Before describing the details of my decision, I want to offer some context:

I am proud of everything I have done for the commodity and equity divisions of A.I.G.-F.P. I was in no way involved in — or responsible for — the credit default swap transactions that have hamstrung A.I.G. Nor were more than a handful of the 400 current employees of A.I.G.-F.P. Most of those responsible have left the company and have conspicuously escaped the public outrage.

After 12 months of hard work dismantling the company — during which A.I.G. reassured us many times we would be rewarded in March 2009 — we in the financial products unit have been betrayed by A.I.G. and are being unfairly persecuted by elected officials. In response to this, I will now leave the company and donate my entire post-tax retention payment to those suffering from the global economic downturn. My intent is to keep none of the money myself.

I take this action after 11 years of dedicated, honorable service to A.I.G. I can no longer effectively perform my duties in this dysfunctional environment, nor am I being paid to do so. Like you, I was asked to work for an annual salary of $1, and I agreed out of a sense of duty to the company and to the public officials who have come to its aid. Having now been let down by both, I can no longer justify spending 10, 12, 14 hours a day away from my family for the benefit of those who have let me down.

You and I have never met or spoken to each other, so I’d like to tell you about myself. I was raised by schoolteachers working multiple jobs in a world of closing steel mills. My hard work earned me acceptance to M.I.T., and the institute’s generous financial aid enabled me to attend. I had fulfilled my American dream.

I started at this company in 1998 as an equity trader, became the head of equity and commodity trading and, a couple of years before A.I.G.’s meltdown last September, was named the head of business development for commodities. Over this period the equity and commodity units were consistently profitable — in most years generating net profits of well over $100 million. Most recently, during the dismantling of A.I.G.-F.P., I was an integral player in the pending sale of its well-regarded commodity index business to UBS. As you know, business unit sales like this are crucial to A.I.G.’s effort to repay the American taxpayer.

The profitability of the businesses with which I was associated clearly supported my compensation. I never received any pay resulting from the credit default swaps that are now losing so much money. I did, however, like many others here, lose a significant portion of my life savings in the form of deferred compensation invested in the capital of A.I.G.-F.P. because of those losses. In this way I have personally suffered from this controversial activity — directly as well as indirectly with the rest of the taxpayers.

I have the utmost respect for the civic duty that you are now performing at A.I.G. You are as blameless for these credit default swap losses as I am. You answered your country’s call and you are taking a tremendous beating for it.

But you also are aware that most of the employees of your financial products unit had nothing to do with the large losses. And I am disappointed and frustrated over your lack of support for us. I and many others in the unit feel betrayed that you failed to stand up for us in the face of untrue and unfair accusations from certain members of Congress last Wednesday and from the press over our retention payments, and that you didn’t defend us against the baseless and reckless comments made by the attorneys general of New York and Connecticut.

My guess is that in October, when you learned of these retention contracts, you realized that the employees of the financial products unit needed some incentive to stay and that the contracts, being both ethical and useful, should be left to stand. That’s probably why A.I.G. management assured us on three occasions during that month that the company would “live up to its commitment” to honor the contract guarantees.

That may be why you decided to accelerate by three months more than a quarter of the amounts due under the contracts. That action signified to us your support, and was hardly something that one would do if he truly found the contracts “distasteful.”

That may also be why you authorized the balance of the payments on March 13.

At no time during the past six months that you have been leading A.I.G. did you ask us to revise, renegotiate or break these contracts — until several hours before your appearance last week before Congress.

I think your initial decision to honor the contracts was both ethical and financially astute, but it seems to have been politically unwise. It’s now apparent that you either misunderstood the agreements that you had made — tacit or otherwise — with the Federal Reserve, the Treasury, various members of Congress and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo of New York, or were not strong enough to withstand the shifting political winds.

You’ve now asked the current employees of A.I.G.-F.P. to repay these earnings. As you can imagine, there has been a tremendous amount of serious thought and heated discussion about how we should respond to this breach of trust.

As most of us have done nothing wrong, guilt is not a motivation to surrender our earnings. We have worked 12 long months under these contracts and now deserve to be paid as promised. None of us should be cheated of our payments any more than a plumber should be cheated after he has fixed the pipes but a careless electrician causes a fire that burns down the house.

Many of the employees have, in the past six months, turned down job offers from more stable employers, based on A.I.G.’s assurances that the contracts would be honored. They are now angry about having been misled by A.I.G.’s promises and are not inclined to return the money as a favor to you.

The only real motivation that anyone at A.I.G.-F.P. now has is fear. Mr. Cuomo has threatened to “name and shame,” and his counterpart in Connecticut, Richard Blumenthal, has made similar threats — even though attorneys general are supposed to stand for due process, to conduct trials in courts and not the press.

So what am I to do? There’s no easy answer. I know that because of hard work I have benefited more than most during the economic boom and have saved enough that my family is unlikely to suffer devastating losses during the current bust. Some might argue that members of my profession have been overpaid, and I wouldn’t disagree.

That is why I have decided to donate 100 percent of the effective after-tax proceeds of my retention payment directly to organizations that are helping people who are suffering from the global downturn. This is not a tax-deduction gimmick; I simply believe that I at least deserve to dictate how my earnings are spent, and do not want to see them disappear back into the obscurity of A.I.G.’s or the federal government’s budget. Our earnings have caused such a distraction for so many from the more pressing issues our country faces, and I would like to see my share of it benefit those truly in need.

On March 16 I received a payment from A.I.G. amounting to $742,006.40, after taxes. In light of the uncertainty over the ultimate taxation and legal status of this payment, the actual amount I donate may be less — in fact, it may end up being far less if the recent House bill raising the tax on the retention payments to 90 percent stands. Once all the money is donated, you will immediately receive a list of all recipients.

This choice is right for me. I wish others at A.I.G.-F.P. luck finding peace with their difficult decision, and only hope their judgment is not clouded by fear.

Mr. Liddy, I wish you success in your commitment to return the money extended by the American government, and luck with the continued unwinding of the company’s diverse businesses — especially those remaining credit default swaps. I’ll continue over the short term to help make sure no balls are dropped, but after what’s happened this past week I can’t remain much longer — there is too much bad blood. I’m not sure how you will greet my resignation, but at least Attorney General Blumenthal should be relieved that I’ll leave under my own power and will not need to be “shoved out the door.”

Sincerely,

Jake DeSantis

Maybe the end is near?

Mr. G — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 03:35:00 GMT

Better than expected housing numbers:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29735179

Another Joke sent from a friend to honor the day.

Mr. G — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 03:15:00 GMT

Two men were sitting next to each other at a bar. After a while, one guy looks at the other and says, "I can't help but think, from listening to you, that you're from Ireland." The other guy responds proudly, "Yes, that I am!" The first guy says, "So am I! And where about from Ireland might you be?" The other guy answers, "I'm from Dublin, I am." The first guy responds, "Sure and begora, and so am I! And what street did you live on in Dublin?" The other guy says, "A lovely little area it was, I lived on McCleary Street in the old central part of town." The first guy says, "Faith & it's a small world, so did I! And to what school would you have been going?" "St. Mary's".The first guy gets really excited, and says, "And so did I. Tell me, what year did you graduate?" The other guy answers, "Well, now, I graduated in 1964." The first guy exclaims, "The Good Lord must be smiling down upon us! I can hardly believe our good luck at winding up in the same bar tonight. Can you believe it, I graduated from St. Mary's in 1964 my own self." About this time, another guy walks into the bar, sits down, and orders a beer. The bartender walks over shaking his head & mutters..."It's going to be a long night tonight, the Murphy twins are drunk again."

Jimmy Rollins for Dick's Sporting Goods

Mr. G — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:49:00 GMT

Excellent Happy Gilmore Rip-off..

Barack O'bama?

Mr. G — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:45:00 GMT

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/03/17/obama-tells-visiting-president-i%e2%80%99m-a-little-bit-irish-too/

old joke a friend sent me today..

Mr. G — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:18:00 GMT

2 friends(Joe and Steve) are out on a hiking trip and Joe is bitten by a rattlesnake. Steve says..
“Don’t panic,” , “I'll get to the nearest town, and find a doctor who can save you!"

After running for 10 miles, Steve gets to town,... he finds the only doctor and asks the man to come help him save Joe. The doctor is in the middle of helping a woman through child birth and says he cannot leave. He tells Steve what needs to be done to save his friend. The doctor describes cutting an X on the snake bite, then sucking out the venom and spitting it out until nothing is left.

Steve runs back to where he left his poisoned friend, and Joe says: "What did the doctor say?"

“He says you’re going to die!”

Diet Mountain Dew Lincoln Commercial

Mr. G — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:15:00 GMT

This amuses me to no end.

Ponzi Scheme Namesake..

Mr. G — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 03:55:00 GMT

Charles Ponzi (March 3, 1882 – January 18, 1949), the originator of the scheme that bears his name, made piles of money by promising investors a 100% return on their money in 90 days. He would take in the money from investor after investor and when someone wanted to collect, he would essentially take the money from Peter to pay Paul.

Just like the pile of folks who have gone down in similar schemes this year, Ponzi was doing fine until masses of his investors all tried to collect at the same time. This exposed the fact that his business was built on a lie. He died penniless and blind in one eye in a charity hospital, which I suppose is justice.

Looking at his picture below, his victims should have known he was crooked..
"Never trust a man with a mustache!"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Ponzi
Disclaimer: My father had a mustache for about 20 years and he is the only one I treat as an exception to the rule above. The rule is sound!

Forrest Gump in One Minute, in One Take..

Mr. G — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 03:34:00 GMT

This is a video that summarizes Forrest Gump in one minute in a continuous take...
Surprising clever.

Obama and Stem Cells.

Mr. G — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 03:18:00 GMT

Obama reversed Bush's Stem Cell policy today when he sign an executive order allowing federal funding to be directed toward research into Embryonic stem cells which has long been a controversial topic.
He also made it clear that government money will not be used for cloning.

Per the following article,

"Embryonic stem cells are master cells that can morph into any cell of the body. Scientists hope to harness them so they can create replacement tissues to treat a variety of diseases — such as new insulin-producing cells for diabetics, cells that could help those with Parkinson's disease or maybe even Alzheimer's, or new nerve connections to restore movement after spinal injury. "

I was hoping this would happen in the near future, but I never figured the new administration would go after it so fast.
Do you disagree? Why?
If you've ever had a loved one battle Cancer, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, or a spinal cord injury, today is a major step in the right direction.
Article on MSNBC:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29586269/

Quote of the week.

Mr. G — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 02:37:00 GMT

In case you missed it, T.O. was signed to the Buffalo Bills(1 year deal for $6.5MM) this weekend after being released from the Cowboys. In the press conference following the announcement, Terrell Owens proclaimed:

"I'm leaving America's team [for] North America's team,"

Every Buffalo Bills fan probably shared a collective "cringe" at that one.

Nevertheless, I think that this is going to work out very well for T.O. If you look at his history, with the Eagles and Cowboys, he always has a great first year with no off the field drama. Then as the losses start to mount in year 2 and 3 or the big games are lost, it turns into "we would have won that game if they made me a bigger part of the offense!"

Then he starts acting like a diva on and off the field, crying to the media about the conspiracies between the offensive coordinators, head coaches, and his quarterback. He gets in front of any microphone within arms and swears that his fellow receivers and his quarterback are clearly jealous that he's stealing their limelight.

Just wait until he goes a couple games without a touchdown; he'll be as livid as Whitney Houston back in the day when someone put the wrong type of flowers in her dressing room before the big show.
Get your popcorn ready Buffalo!!!

Related links to the story:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3960653

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/peter_king/03/08/offseason/?cnn=yes

Movie Reviews..

Mr. G — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 01:43:00 GMT

A friend of mine from grad school is one of the biggest movie fanatics that I have ever met. He has seen everything(new, old, bad, and good) you could possibly think of. As a result, I thought I'd ask him to occasionally send me a review to post being that I'll end up getting the email from him anyway. He agreed...reluctantly, after my salary offer of zero dollars, and no opportunity for promotion.

Without further adieu..
I give you..
THAT's SAHL HE WROTE.

I saw Rocknrolla(2008) the other day. It's by Guy Ritchie who did Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch. Both quality flicks. Rocknrolla saw Ritchie try to return to his earlier works and get away from some majorly disappointing movies like Swept Away and Revolver.

I thought it was good and the randomness that always seems to tie everything together in his works was on display and entertaining as ever. I did not think the dialogue was quite up to snuff though. Thandie Newton was great in her role and I think her role could of been expanded (Ritchie doesn't seem to write strong parts for female characters).

All in all I thought it was a good first step for a director trying to come back to his earlier directing style. My only real fault is that he didn't go quite far enough with the dialogue.
-Mr.S

See below for the trailer:

The greatest rapper of all time..

Mr. G — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:40:00 GMT

Died on March 9th.
Show some respect with a moment of silence.

O.k.- that's long enough,... proceed with your day.

That's Sahl he wrote! :War INC.(2008)

Mr. G — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:00:00 GMT

Plot:
"When it comes to war...America means business"
"A political satire set in Turaqistan, a country occupied by an American private corporation run by a former US Vice-President. In an effort to monopolize the opportunities the war-torn nation offers, the corporation's CEO hires a troubled hit man, to kill a Middle East oil minister. Now, struggling with his own growing demons, the assassin must pose as the corporation's Trade Show Producer in order to pull off this latest hit, while maintaining his cover by organizing the high-profile wedding of Yonica Babyyeah an outrageous Middle Eastern pop star, and keeping a sexy left wing reporter in check.
Review:

"It was a somewhat similar character to the one he played in grosse point blank. Neurotic hitman, not sure if he made the right career move meets a girl and Armageddon ensues. Throw in the (thankfully over 18) Hillary Duff and you have a nice cast.

If you liked grosse point blank or are a fan of cusak, I would say it's worth a rental.
Mr.S"

Who names a chimp Travis?

Mr. G — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 03:57:00 GMT

http://www.nypost.com/seven/02172009/news/regionalnews/chimp_victim_hanging_onto_life_155631.htm

Sad and strange story about a Chimp attack in CT..

"The Connecticut woman viciously attacked by a 200-pound chimp who inexplicably went bananas remains in critical condition this afternoon and faces "life-changing, if not life-threatening injuries" to her face and hands, officials said.

The chimpanzee, named Travis, was shot dead by police in Stamford after the violent rampage Monday left a friend of its owner badly mauled."

How proud do you think the writer of this NY Post story was of himself for using the word "bananas" in such a clever play on words?
I wonder if they ever found this chimp.
Note:
I would have named him Harry (spelled "Hairy"). The writer above is not the only one who can throw out a decent pun.

someone say bad taste..

Mr. G — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 03:46:00 GMT

15 songs references in a Chris Brown and Rihanna Parody.

Even Warren's Losing..

Mr. G — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 03:24:00 GMT

If Warren can't win, who can?
Berkshire's Class A stock closed today at an affordable $84,000 a share.
They're practically giving it away!!
http://money.cnn.com/2009/02/17/news/Berkshire_Hathaway/index.htm?source=yahoo_quote

Berkshire Portfolio down 25%.

"NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Berkshire Hathaway Inc., the holding company run by legendary investor Warren Buffett, saw its overall investment portfolio shrink by 25% in the fourth quarter, according to regulatory forms filed Tuesday with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
In the three months ending Dec. 31, the Omaha, Neb.-based company's overall holdings decreased to $51.87 billion from $69.89 billion at the end of September. "