Here's a thought about those AIG "retention bonuses"

[blogslut]

Retention bonuses or hush money? Is there the possibility these ex-AIG execs were paid to keep their mouths shut about how they ruined their company?

[Kansas Wyatt]

1. Or to keep their mouths shut about how bad it really is and where the money went.

That is the only explanation for why the same people who screwed it all up cannot leave. They obviously have NO talent if they brought the economy to the brink of collapse, and it would be a very good indicator that they couldn't be trusted to have a simple checking account.

Others who would come in and replace them, wouldn't remain silent about it, then shit would be hitting the fan even worse than it is now. By avoiding that, they can attempt to control and manage the damage done, without a total collapse.

[Junkdrawer]

2. Said the same thing when I first heard of the bonuses...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=5258570#5258617

[natrat]

3. AIG bonuses are a distraction, it's the stolen trillions you should be freaked out at

[blogslut]

4. I'm not freaked

Just making an observation. :)

I am a very poor person who has no investments nor any sort of retirement fund, aside from social security. I simply think that the boilerplate excuse of "retention bonuses"doesn't make sense when so many of the beneficiaries of those bonuses left the company.

[Canuckistanian]

5. That's a good point

But I think the Board of Directors were just defending the RIGHT of executives getting large bonuses.

After all, if they start questioning "the little people", can that trail lead to the boardroom?

I think there's much moistening of undersilks going on in the quiet mahogany meeting rooms.

[spindrifter]

6. "moistening of the undersilks" is a brilliant description!

But those were not really "the little people" who received the bonuses. It will be interesting to track down the bonus-takers who left AIG--subpoena them to explain why they left, when they decided to leave and what they are doing now. Then track their history of receiving bonuses.