Sen. Grassley has officially gone cuckooo.

[riva2005]

Well, we have all read and heard about the populist outrages of a one Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa.

Senator Grassley, he of the corn subsidies, he who has never started or run or managed a business, he who has pretty much never worked in private sector wants to tell AIG executives what to do. Commit suicide.

Now, let's be clear. There are some pretty stupid or incompetent or malicious people on wall street and AIG in particular seems to be leading the pack. Asking them to give up their profession is a good idea. However, Sen. Grassley wants to apply the Japanese standards of asking AIG execs to commit suicide.

Sen. Grassley, here is my advise to you. Why dont you commit suicide? If Wall street executives should commit suicide because they are either incompetent or malicious, then you should commit suicide for sponsoring projects for your state such as the indoor rain forest in Iowa.

Ladies and gentlemen, Sen. Chuck "the corn subsidies" Grassley sponsored a 50 million dollar indoor rainforest project at the expense of taxpayers.

Here is the excerpt from Citizens against Government waste :

$50,000,000 added in conference for an indoor rainforest project in Coralville, Iowa by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley (R-Iowa). The project, which originally was included in the Energy Policy Act of 2003 bill that failed to pass in December, 2003, became so indispensable that Sen. Grassley added it to the Omnibus Appropriations Bill in late January 2004. When completed, Iowa will have the world’s largest enclosed rainforest, spanning five acres. A local businessman, Ted Townsend (heir to the Townsend meat-packing fortune), came up with this idea while contemplating his legacy on a treadmill. Since then, Townsend has worked to see that taxpayers will pay dearly for his dream to be realized. The project, which is estimated to cost $225 million, includes a generous $5 million from Townsend. This tropical boondoggle has some big name supporters, such as former Iowa Governor Bob Ray (R), who is the chairman of the institute Townsend founded to oversee the production of the rainforest. Ray imagines that it will solve the state’s “demographic problems” by drawing more people to move to Iowa. Ray also believes that mass quantities of retiring baby boomers will “crisscross the country” to visit the indoor rainforest. Senator Grassley claims that it will somehow help the University of Iowa. Ultimately, this project will do nothing for Iowa’s population, energy industry, or the environment, but it will soak the taxpayers.

Here is the original article from AP where Sen. Grassley wants AIG execs to commit suicide.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090317/D96VPA601.html

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley suggested that AIG executives should take a Japanese approach toward accepting responsibility for the collapse of the insurance giant by resigning or killing themselves.

The Republican lawmaker's harsh comments came during an interview with Cedar Rapids, Iowa, radio station WMT on Monday. They echo remarks he has made in the past about corporate executives and public apologies, but went further in suggesting suicide.

"I suggest, you know, obviously, maybe they ought to be removed," Grassley said. "But I would suggest the first thing that would make me feel a little bit better toward them if they'd follow the Japanese example and come before the American people and take that deep bow and say, I'm sorry, and then either do one of two things: resign or go commit suicide.

"And in the case of the Japanese, they usually commit suicide before they make any apology."

Grassley spokesman Casey Mills said the senator isn't calling for AIG executives to kill themselves, but said those who accept tax dollars and spend them on travel and bonuses do so irresponsibly.

"Senator Grassley has said for some time now that generally speaking, executives who make a mess of their companies should apologize, as Japanese executives do," Mills said. "He says the Japanese might even go so far as to commit suicide but he doesn't want U.S. executives to do that."

The senator's remarks added to a chorus of public outrage over the disclosure that AIG intends to pay its executives $165 million in bonuses after taking billions in federal bailout money. President Barack Obama lambasted the insurance giant for "recklessness and greed" on Monday and pledged to try to block payment of the bonuses.

[sanju]

So you are saying that he who has never started or run or managed a business, he who has pretty much never worked in private sector wants to tell AIG executives what to do about their business, he wants to tell Microsofts the ciscos and the oracles of that world about what to do about their employees, productivity and innovation.

What's wrong with that, isn't that how the government functions -
Thy shall tell everyone how to do everything for he is the "King of heaven and corn subsidies".

[Lollerskater]

Come on, it's pretty clear Grassley said that only in a fit of anger. And for the record, he later apologized for the "commit suicide" remark and said he didn't mean it that way.

Can you blame him for being angry? Everyone else is livid at AIG. They are giving themselves $165 million bonuses with OUR money! That's right, you and I are the ones paying them their $165M bonuses! That money was for them to recover the company, and help USA over this recession. The money they pocketed for themselves was GRACE money from you and me.

Do you remember hearing about your friend that got laid off? Did you see your neighbor moving out because he can't pay the rent anymore? Do you stop eating out at restaurants because you have to tighten your belt? Guess why this is happening? Who is a major culprit as to why this is happening? Guess where your money is going?

Now do you get why Grassley was so mad he wanted them to commit suicide?

[sanju]

Sen. Grassley, is that you, defending yourself?

Originally Posted by Lollerskater

Come on, it's pretty clear Grassley said that only in a fit of anger. And for the record, he later apologized for the "commit suicide" remark and said he didn't mean it that way.

Can you blame him for being angry? Everyone else is livid at AIG. They are giving themselves $165 million bonuses with OUR money! That's right, you and I are the ones paying them their $165M bonuses! That money was for them to recover the company, and help USA over this recession. The money they pocketed for themselves was GRACE money from you and me.

Do you remember hearing about your friend that got laid off? Did you see your neighbor moving out because he can't pay the rent anymore? Do you stop eating out at restaurants because you have to tighten your belt? Guess why this is happening? Who is a major culprit as to why this is happening? Guess where your money is going?

Now do you get why Grassley was so mad he wanted them to commit suicide?

[sanju]

Let me tell you who is the REAL or MAJOR culprit, just because you asked. Senator Grassley and his colleagues are the real culprits. You think they did not know where it was all headed. I bet you they knew it all along. But they did not do anything. These jerks will NEVER EVER stop the grandstanding on the senate floor. And they will NEVER own up to their own misdeeds, at the same time, they will never stop to see others follow "Japanese standards". This is disgusting hypocrisy at its WORST.

Anytime anything goes wrong, its always someone else fault. Have anyone seen any of those guys owning up to their own mis-deeds. At least I have not. Deliberately making bad legislation is not crime yet. So none of these guys in the Senate can be tried in the court of law. But they will not stop applying "Japanese standards" on others.

Now I have to go to attend an yearly 'Ethics' class at my work, while these bafoons collect campaign funds from the guys who get corn subsidies. When these bafoons took office, they did not take oath of allegiance, they took oath of hypocrisy.

Originally Posted by Lollerskater

Come on, it's pretty clear Grassley said that only in a fit of anger. And for the record, he later apologized for the "commit suicide" remark and said he didn't mean it that way.

Can you blame him for being angry? Everyone else is livid at AIG. They are giving themselves $165 million bonuses with OUR money! That's right, you and I are the ones paying them their $165M bonuses! That money was for them to recover the company, and help USA over this recession. The money they pocketed for themselves was GRACE money from you and me.

Do you remember hearing about your friend that got laid off? Did you see your neighbor moving out because he can't pay the rent anymore? Do you stop eating out at restaurants because you have to tighten your belt? Guess why this is happening? Who is a major culprit as to why this is happening? Guess where your money is going?

Now do you get why Grassley was so mad he wanted them to commit suicide?

[eyeswe]

Let us not call ANY Senator/Congressman/woman, names on this forum. Pls refrain.If there are differences in ideologies or issues with a particular opinion, let us disagree in a nice way. Name calling or using metaphors never help

[JazzByTheBay]

Although I do like Obama's stance yesterday - nobody from my administration was responsible for getting AIG and the economy where it is, but as far as getting us out of this is concerned, the buck stops with me.

As far as Sen. Grassley is concerned, the whole faux outrage over bailout companies hiring H1Bs (in very insignficant numbers, as the numbers proved, and over a period of 6 years) and the assault on Microsoft for "not firing foreigners first" was nothing but populist rhetoric aimed at scoring a political point more than anything else.

jazz

Originally Posted by sanju

Let me tell you who is the REAL or MAJOR culprit, just because you asked. Senator Grassley and his colleagues are the real culprits. You think they did not know where it was all headed. I bet you they knew it all along. But they did not do anything. These jerks will NEVER EVER stop the grandstanding on the senate floor. And they will NEVER own up to their own misdeeds, at the same time, they will never stop to see others follow "Japanese standards". This is disgusting hypocrisy at its WORST.

Anytime anything goes wrong, its always someone else fault. Have anyone seen any of those guys owning up to their own mis-deeds. At least I have not. Deliberately making bad legislation is not crime yet. So none of these guys in the Senate can be tried in the court of law. But they will not stop applying "Japanese standards" on others.

Now I have to go to attend an yearly 'Ethics' class at my work, while these bafoons collect campaign funds from the guys who get corn subsidies. When these bafoons took office, they did not take oath of allegiance, they took oath of hypocrisy.

[Lollerskater]

To be sure, Grassley has his faults. I still LOL at him (and any Republican) everytime they do the "it's all the Democrats' fault" thing. The Republicans are never going to get it nor start working together with the Democrats.

However, calling Grassley a cuckoo because he was mad at AIG? He was absolutely right to be pissed. The whole country is raging at AIG. Even Obama was pretty mad. Is Obama a cuckoo too?

Still, it seems clear to me now that this thread isn't about Grassley calling out AIG. This is pretty much just a hate thread for Grassley. That I know nothing about, and have nothing to do with.

[pbojja]

Originally Posted by Lollerskater

To be sure, Grassley has his faults. I still LOL at him (and any Republican) everytime they do the "it's all the Democrats' fault" thing. The Republicans are never going to get it nor start working together with the Democrats.

However, calling Grassley a cuckoo because he was mad at AIG? He was absolutely right to be pissed. The whole country is raging at AIG. Even Obama was pretty mad. Is Obama a cuckoo too?

Still, it seems clear to me now that this thread isn't about Grassley calling out AIG. This is pretty much just a hate thread for Grassley. That I know nothing about, and have nothing to do with.

Every one is outraged and wasting time and money on AIG bonuses , I m not defending bonuses but here is the deal .. Government is spending more that 165 million ot prosecute 165 million bonuses . And media is wasting time on AIG rather than core issues .. they are spending trillions , worry about that first ..

Did you watch the grilling of the AIG CEO , what can he do? he took over the company in Sept 08 , these contracts are made before he took over ..he is working for a $1 a year (no bonuses) ...and here comes Frank asking for the names of workers who got the bonuses ..what a shame he is behind the Freddie and Fannie ..and insulting a great CEO.

BY the way who created the provision in the bill ..Dodd . Know the facts before making a statement

Also all these guys who grilled CEo signed the bill with out reading ..I dont understand how can they sign a bill with out reading ..I atleast make a attempt to read every term and condition when I m signing some thing .

Every one is trying to cover their bases including O by making the CEO scape goat .

[ganguteli]

Originally Posted by Lollerskater

To be sure, Grassley has his faults. I still LOL at him (and any Republican) everytime they do the "it's all the Democrats' fault" thing. The Republicans are never going to get it nor start working together with the Democrats.

However, calling Grassley a cuckoo because he was mad at AIG? He was absolutely right to be pissed. The whole country is raging at AIG. Even Obama was pretty mad. Is Obama a cuckoo too?

Still, it seems clear to me now that this thread isn't about Grassley calling out AIG. This is pretty much just a hate thread for Grassley. That I know nothing about, and have nothing to do with.

How is this possible?
Labor Approval Date
07/12/2006
I140-I485 Concurrent Filing
Yes -------------BUT YOUR FILING DATE IS DIFFERENT FOR I485- I485 Mailed Date
06/29/2007
I140 Mailed Date
06/29/2006

I am giving you a red for wrong dates

[sanju]

Dear Sen. Grassley,

If you are so scared of scrutiny and criticism, then why did you decide to become a "public" figure. Others MUST follow japanese standards, but you have no standards. In next 2-3 years, I can see you standing on the senate floor and doing grand-standing against outsourcing. Will you own up to your actions and accept at that time if YOUR actions and agenda increased outsourcing? I don't think so. Even then it will again be the fault of someone else or an easy target like some CEO of a company. And you will not leave any chance to belittle that CEO in your committee hearings. But the fact will be that your actions will increase the speed of outsourcing. When will YOU own up to your deeds? When?

Thanks but NO Thanks for your repeated bigotry.

Originally Posted by Lollerskater

To be sure, Grassley has his faults. I still LOL at him (and any Republican) everytime they do the "it's all the Democrats' fault" thing. The Republicans are never going to get it nor start working together with the Democrats.

However, calling Grassley a cuckoo because he was mad at AIG? He was absolutely right to be pissed. The whole country is raging at AIG. Even Obama was pretty mad. Is Obama a cuckoo too?

Still, it seems clear to me now that this thread isn't about Grassley calling out AIG. This is pretty much just a hate thread for Grassley. That I know nothing about, and have nothing to do with.

[sanju]

A guy was driving his car at 100 miles/hr on the wrong side of a free way. He was very concerned that the apple on the back seat might fall down if he applies the brakes too hard. So he kept on looking at the apple on the back seat, and continued to drive on the wrong side on a free way. He was a good man.

Today, America as a nation is behaving like that "good man". Worried about the apple on the back seat without wanting to see the approaching truck coming at 100 miles/hr.

Its now 8 news cycles and this entire nation is obsessed by $160 million bonuses. Every person out there thinks this is the MOST IMPORTANT issue. They are letting the country to dogs and they are worried about the chump change. Penny wise pound foolish.

If someone would check, we will find out that every lawmaker in the congress got campaign funding/contribution from AIG. They all took legal form of bribes and they continue to do so even now, and in the backroom deals they ask AIG not to feel bad if they do some grandstanding in front of the cameras. And then they come out and ask everyone to follow "Japanese standards".

pbojja, you are Absolutely correct.

Originally Posted by pbojja

Every one is outraged and wasting time and money on AIG bonuses , I m not defending bonuses but here is the deal .. Government is spending more that 165 million ot prosecute 165 million bonuses . And media is wasting time on AIG rather than core issues .. they are spending trillions , worry about that first ..

Did you watch the grilling of the AIG CEO , what can he do? he took over the company in Sept 08 , these contracts are made before he took over ..he is working for a $1 a year (no bonuses) ...and here comes Frank asking for the names of workers who got the bonuses ..what a shame he is behind the Freddie and Fannie ..and insulting a great CEO.

BY the way who created the provision in the bill ..Dodd . Know the facts before making a statement

Also all these guys who grilled CEo signed the bill with out reading ..I dont understand how can they sign a bill with out reading ..I atleast make a attempt to read every term and condition when I m signing some thing .

Every one is trying to cover their bases including O by making the CEO scape goat .

[riva2005]

Have you seen Corn Subsidy Grassley's Bio?

Go to Wikipedia, go to his senate website and show me one piece of landmark legislation of any consequence that this guy has written or sponsored or championed.

Show me an issue that this guy has championed.

Kennedy has immigration, McCain has campaign finance reform, Dodd has FMLA from the 1990s.

This guy has nothing to show after 50 years of legislative career. I am sorry but bringing money from federal coffers back home to Iowa in the form of corn subsidies and indoor rain forest is not an accomplishment. Its a wealth transfer from point A to point B.

Now, a guy who has spent a career in transferring wealth from point A to point B has no right to advise people like Steve Ballmer who create wealth. You see, Microsoft Products, for all its faults and blue screens, have added some value to this world. It has created millionaires, it has created thousands of jobs and it has added billions of dollars of wealth to this country and to this world. On the other hand, Chuck Grassley's actions have increased corn production in Iowa. So on what grounds is this guy asking wealth creators what do do when all he has done is to feed at the public trough ? What's with the righteous indignation ?

[dontcareaboutGC]

I tend usually not to speak much about politicians in general since experience has taught me that all of these folks are fraud. In India they wear dhoti and kurta and here they wear $ 2000 suits but one way or another they can be defined as crooks.

Here is the "LEGIS-FRAUDULATION" that Senator Grassley has sponsored and written..let me know if you find anything useful to the economy in general or for the state if Iowa!

[ganguteli]

Did he not sponsor a legislation that calls for all Americans to adopt pop corn as the national food and to eat Iowa Pop corn?