didn't get the memo

was putting up bookshelves yesterday and had the radio on in the background. as the job took longer than i thought, the morning infotainment show morphed into the midday business programme
there was the usual "people aren't panicing enough' from a business commentator (mass redundancies haven't really hit nz yet) and reports on john key's urging for politicians, public servants and wage earners to forgo pay rises during the crisis.
this segment was then followed by how some people haven't noticed that things have changed.
as you may know, the american investment firm merril lynch was close to bankruptcy last year until it was bought by the bank of america
the former head of merril lynch became the number 2 at BOA.
so the guy who, at least in part, was responsible for the destruction of his firm must SURELY have learnt his lesson and is doing his bit to improve the economy

well, no. apparently, in order to stamp his personality at his new job, he needed to refurbish his office. the cost upward of a million dollars.
he then told his new boss that before ML folded, he had authorised bonuses for the staff that totalled a billon or so and these needed to be paid. of, and talking of bonuses, it was time for his and he thought that ten million or so would be a fair price for his actions over the previous year.
he is now unemployed

bitter? me?
well at a time when the workers are being asked to cut down, or even cut back to avoid unemployment, while at the same time, their tax money is being used to bail out the likes of the dumbarse executive, i do get a trifle miffed that those at the very top don't seem to believe that the financial crisis should impact on their lifestyles.

another few stories like this and it really will be pitchforks and torches time