BigK

Good point Expat. The CEO and Board certainly got fooled into thinking that there was limited downside when considering compensation packages. Much of this compensation has become overly bloated when the Economy was going well with the rising tide. It's time for all compensation agreements in the financial services sector to come under renewed scrutiny.

Not all clear sailing for the gay marriage bill as Governor Jim Douglas, a Republican, opposes the bill. He has not said whether he will veto it.

Josh Elliott has always been the one that really does it for me too. They all look hot. Wish I could be there. Are they going to be dancing or just mingling I wonder? (I also wonder what their rate for the night is afterwards )

Seems like (due to the lack of responses to this thread) street trade in LA is a thing of the past. Not so surprising I guess...just disappointing.

Texas Heat. Check it out. I highly recommend it. http://rpc.blogrolling.com/redirect.php?r=...texasheat.us%2F

Back in the Buffet, the subject of Role Play just came up in response to an inquiry I had posted. I always seem to have trouble thinking of role plays that rev me up. What's you favorite role play?

Adorable is really a good description of Chris Hughes. Probably has a few bucks in his pockets too.

I've signed up for one or the other or maybe both (not sure), but done nothing with it. Get the occasional friend request. I don't really get it yet. I am really quite satisfied with my ability to communicate with my friends and family via phone and email.

I hear that this is a very rare type of brain injury. Sorry to hear about your father-in-law Caeron. Family has held a private wake in NY today.

So far, it seems the Medical Marijuana is just a screen to not rile up the populace. If California were to legalize pot not just for medical reasons, federal agents would not target pot dealers since they are not violating BOTH State and Federal Law. California needs the revenue. Lots of good farm land in California too. Let's see how long it takes. Oz...keep that bong polished and ready to go, or for immediate use...didn't I hear you'd hurt you back.

I first heard last night that she was brain dead and almost posted then. Natasha, daughter of Vanessa Redgrave, and wife of Liam Neeson died today (Wednesday). She suffered a head injury during a beginners' ski lesson in Canada on Tuesday. I'm stunned that such a seemingly minor head injury could result in death. So, if you hurt your head, when in doubt...go straight to the emergency room. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.

Attorney General Eric Holder signaled a change on medical marijuana policy Wednesday, saying federal agents will target marijuana distributors only when they violate both federal and state law. That would be a departure from the policy of the Bush administration, which targeted medical marijuana dispensaries in California even if they complied with that state's law. And so it begins. Let the legalization begin.

I watched the hearings today. These were retention bonuses for traders who manage specific books of business. These were the dreaded derivatives. These compensation contracts were entered into in late 2007 and early 2008. At that point these derivatives were on the company books at 2.7 Trillion Dollars. That has been reduced to 1.6 Trillion. So 1.1 Trillion of liabilities are off the books improving the financial health of the company (who must not be named). Once a book of business within the unit is eliminated so is the need for that trader. That's why 11 employees who've left the company have been paid bonuses. Ben Bernanke at the Fed knew about these bonuses and he has been the lead contact with it who must not be named. The White House was aware of the bonuses weeks ago. Sen Dodd put legislation in the stimulus package which protected theses bonuses. Were these compensation contracts appropriate in their level of compensation? And answer that question with the circumstances that existed 16 or so months ago. How many can speak with experience in the management of 2.7 Trillion in liabilities? I think these executives were probably over compensated as most on wall street are. But these were the contracts that were entered into. It who must not be mentioned is trying to move forward and realize the greatest value on its assets so the bailout money can be paid back. We own 80% of it who must not be named. Shouldn't we want it/need it to succeed? These hearing may have succeeded in sending the message to the greedy out there to curb their greed during these down economic times, but I have no respect for the politicians who were largely grandstanding hypocrites.

Does it seem to anyone else here that the St. Patrick's day celebrations are more plentiful this year? I wonder if it's an affect of the bad economy, or if I'm just more tuned into it today. I'm never sure if it's effect or affect. A couple of girls at the office made a big deal of checking for everyone's green so maybe I was more aware...yet it still seems to me that I heard about many celebrations today. Happy St Patrick's Day all.

If the son's didn't know (which I'm suspicious about) they shouldn't lose everything. They had a job and were paid for it (again, unlikely they didn't know & help), then they should be able to keep any assets acquired from their pay. I heard that both sons owe their parents $30,000,000 each and that among the Madoff assets the government expects to collect are those promissory notes due in 2010. That money the son's will have to give up. And what if they can't come up with $30,000,000 you know the government will probably agree to a lesser amount and we'll never know of it. It is a bad time to being liquidating assets. Who's going to hire these guys?

Thanks AdamSmith for the interesting article. It's about time we do this here. Will it ever happen? Along with the drug legalization thread this could save our law enforcement agencies and prison systems so much money. It might even help with underage prostitution. Why take the chance with someone underage when it's legal for 18+ or 21+? Probably 18+ won't fly. If demand for underage goes down, there will be fewer sicko's out there recruiting minors. Let focus our law enforcement on crimes with victims.

If those companies can afford to repay the TARP money let them. AIG has a lot of assets, but if you have a fire sale on your asset you'll get fire sale prices. I'm fine with the companies who received the TARP funds being a little uncomfortable...where I draw the line is government interference to the extent that it hurts the companies ability to recover. President Obama is playing with fire in demonizing the AIG bonuses. What about all the pension plans, 401K's, and individuals who owned stock in AIG. Their holding are now 20% of what they once were. I'm sure they'd like nothing better then generating the revenue through profits or asset sales to pay the government back and maybe regain some of their ownership in the company.

Prosecutors are now making noise about going after the wife & sons criminally and their assets. Do you think this is just a ploy to get the rest of the money, or is the whole family going down? Does Madoff have a deal?? It doesn't seem like it.

No great surprise. He was sentenced to: Life w/o Parole for first-degree murder Life w/o Parole for criminal conspiracy engaging But he did avoid the death penalty. More complete information on the following blog. http://handjtrial.blogspot.com/

I'm sick of hearing it. So AIG is paying out another 150 million or so in bonuses. Big deal. They claim that they are contractually obligated due to compensation agreements. I believe them, and I just wish the politicians would get off their soapboxes. Does anybody really think that a company wants to pay an employee more then the profitable portion of the revenue they bring in or the contribution they make to the enhancement of the companies profitabilities. If those employees left because they were not being paid as agreed, then the company would loose all the revenue that employee brought in plus the company's share of the profit (hopefully there's a profit otherwise the company will go out of business and the employees will all lose their jobs). Do I think in many cases executive compensation has gotten out of hand? Yes, and these types of bonuses should receive fair scrutiny. But in the case of bonuses paid due to meeting or exceeding production levels which is common in the insurance business...shutup. Go start your own company and pay the people what you want to. If your employees don't feel fairly compensated they'll leave you for another company that does pay them what they think their worth and you'll loose the revenue they brought into your company. By the way, The Politicians answer to increasing revenue is to increase our taxes after they've voted on some wasteful spending that does not improve the overall economy. And the Media reporting on this...when's the last time they have had to make a payroll?

Well, I'm not a public figure thank god, but I recommend you run don't walk to see Alec. I met with him a number of times a few years ago when he was in Sacramento. I was disappointed when he moved out of the country...although happy for him. I reviewed him (here I think or Daddy's or both), and wonder if his reviews here could be resurrected.

I hadn't thought of that...The shopping bill could easily exceed the savings on feeding him. Of course, I disapprove of shopping...no reason he should need anything more then boxer briefs!!

So did he look more like a guy or a girl? The article claims the androgynous look is in. Just Joking...6' tall and 140 sounds pretty fine.

Just goes to show you the government is more crooked then the drug cartel's. I admit I'm not sure what the going price of an ounce is, but $50 seems like it should be a total purchase price.

This gives porcelain a bad name. Now a porcelain tea set...that's another matter. Throw in bargaining and it's a no brainer.