Punishing People is Un-Pleasant

Regarding Director Roman Polanski:

When people commit a crime and the authorities find out, they get punished.

This is a very clear case and if a non-artist commited rape and then fled the country to avoid the law, there would be nothing to talk about. Also, if we decided not to prosecute crimes based on the "forgiveness" of a victim to their perpetrator, there would be a lot less pedophiles and rapists to prosecute but a lot more crimes occurring. Forgiveness is simply not relevant.

Successful artists, it seems, DO think they are above the law and the names on the petition to release the director are duly noted.

Kids, it's unpleasant to see him punished, but that falls under the category of Too F*@king Bad. Let's re-gain our grip on the difference between right and wrong.

photo: http://edwardkhoo.com/jail-sales/

Public Option

The stupid people of this nation have got to rise up against the special interests that control them.

And we all must wrestle free from a health insurance industry that is currently controlling some of our representatives, is as ill-willed as any terrorist operation attacking this country and whose assault is as costly in American lives.

pic: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6579374

Doing Well Became Whatever You Can Finagle

Crazed about the AIG bonus fiasco, Politicians, please keep your eye on the prize. It is looking increasingly like there is no legal way to recoup this bonus $ other than to press executives to return it. Good luck getting anything from these thieves unless you can name them. That would be hilarious by the way, to see these executives fearing for their lives and returning the bonuses for "the good of the country."

We are all so angry we are crying tears of blood and this is a terrible mistake that may cost millions, but it is nothing compared to the billions lost because of what is increasingly looking like criminal activity and dispicible economic practices that were "normal" for so long.

In our culture, "right" and "doing well" really became whatever you can finagle and get away with and then pass the consequences on to some other sucker. We have to fix the entire culture to really fix this mess. It starts with the prosecution of all these criminals and it's going to take a long time.

photo: Grove Pashley-Corbis

Criminal Charges Against AIG?

RE: House Financial Services Hearing:

It's looking increasingly like there may be a criminal case against AIG and it has nothing to do with the bonuses.

If AIG was collecting insurance premiums and had no capital to provide the actual insurance, is that legal?

Developing......

Get The AIG Bonus $$ Back

Contracts??!! That is total nonsense. How many workers have put in years of their lives and been denied pensions and benefits? How many contracts have been broken or modified under less traumatic circumstances?

Taxing it or what ever the Congress has to do, with the full force of the President's office and the Legislature, it's imperative that this bonus money be returned.

It will be much safer when it is. Once the names of these bonus recipients are found out (and they will be) there will be serious concern for these people's safety. The sooner they give the money back, the better and if they are not forced to give it back, better still.

As always, agilog welcomes comments.

illustration by Mario Zucca

It's Time To "Storm the Bastille"

Regarding AIG and $165 million in bonuses:

I recommend that anyone who is unemployed or has free time get down to these offices and ruthlessly, relentlessly and legally protest in front of this company until their employees are ashamed to show up to work.

I further recommend the same for any known AIG employee or entity who accepts said bonus: relentless protest in front of their offices and homes.

People, sink your teeth into this like mad dogs and don't let go.

Locations:

AIG Private Client Group
70 Pine Street
Floor 21
New York, NY 10270

AIG Travel Guard
1145 Clark Street
Stevens Point, WI 54481

AIG Hawaii (3 offices)

Honolulu Office in Restaurant Row
Six Waterfront Plaza, Third Floor
500 Ala Moana Blvd.
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

Royal Kunia Office In Wal*Mart
94-595 Kupuohi Street
Waipahu, Hawaii 96797

Mililani Office at Wal*Mart
95-550 Lanikuhana Avenue
Mililani, Hawaii 96789

As always, agilog welcomes your comments.

Stop Watching CNBC

Based on the conversation between Jim Cramer and Jon Stewart, that is the only reasonable response.

People have just got to start acting against these suck-ass institutions if we want to have any real power and change things for the better.

There are so many of us, we could crush anything if we put our minds to it.

I say, CNBC goes down. Let's just get rid of it. It would send a very interesting message.

What do you think?