He's just trying to be honest, okay?
Blankfein: I think we all know that greed can drive behavior, but it tends to be short term and ultimately destructive. Our leadership team stands out because most of our people have built their whole career at the firm and stayed through many years and many changes in the market. When our people leave they tend to go on to other positions -- whether in government or other forms of public service -- that no one would do if their were motives were financial. Those characteristics don't make me think of "greed."SPIEGEL: So only modest, good people work for Goldman Sachs? We hardly believe that.
Blankfein: I have stated my honest view of things.
Interview with Goldman Sachs CEO: 'We Didn't Realize How Bad Things Would Get' [Spiegel]
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 9:59AM
Blankfein, YOU LIE!
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 10:00AM
the solid gold balls must be chaffing and cold today.
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 10:00AM
only sensy people work for goldman sachs.
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 10:07AM
only fatties work for citigroup.
http://dealbreaker.com/2009/09/come-on-down-to-vikrams-house.php
Posted by Rep. Joe Wilson (R) , Sep 23, 2009 10:08AM
@1... Well done!
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 10:09AM
@4 hey!
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 10:10AM
@3 let me fix that for you:
"only sensy people work for goldman sensy."
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 10:12AM
matt taibbi, rebuttal?
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 10:13AM
I heard the GS is going to switch from cash bonuses to Spirit Points, like at BAC. WOW, can't wait for the catalog to show up in the mail.
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 10:14AM
@9 we'd have to become white trash for that to happen, so don't hold your breath.
-LB
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 10:14AM
@9 serious?
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 10:17AM
@11 yeah, man, serious. pass it on.
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 10:18AM
Salt of the earth = white trash Mr. @10.
Boom-stick
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 10:18AM
hmmm and why do they go into public service? to rep for their bros at gs.
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 10:19AM
@14 this is true.
-bob rubin
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 10:23AM
In a quietly muttered follow up question, Mr. Gasparino, who was hiding under the table next to the two asked:
"If I was working der, could I get mine in cannolis?"
Posted by pfluger , Sep 23, 2009 10:24AM
Blankfein and Goldman groom people for public service careers! I believe they should received federal income tax credits for this charitable purpose.
Just look at all the good that Governor Corzine is doing for the NJ budget (and when he's not speeding at 90mph down the turnpike, then crashing and attempting to pin the blame on some poor slob driving a pickup who was simply trying to get out of the way....)
Posted by Gus Levy's ghost , Sep 23, 2009 10:31AM
Long-term greed beats short-term greed every time.
(A long-term culture of competence and effective management doesn't hurt either.)
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 10:31AM
Spiegel: In rough percentage terms, how much less hubris were you feeling last October?
Blankfein: I would say roughly 98% less.
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 10:32AM
Kosher salt of the earth?
Schlomo Salzberg
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 10:36AM
How did Gollum get an interview with LB?
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 10:37AM
"Blankfein: Those who fail to recognize that the aid given by governments to the financial system benefited everyone are deluding themselves. ... I am not talking about Deutsche Bank. I am thinking of other people whose names I will not mention."
Posted by Tax Chick , Sep 23, 2009 10:38AM
Is greed just about money?! can't one greedily devour food (see MM)? Couldn't these people be driven by their greedy id (see Freud)?
Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction. (See Fromm)
I'm not fooled by your double-speak. Now where did I put that tinfoil?
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 10:46AM
@23- I award you no points and may god have mercy on your soul.
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 10:51AM
@23
I have an insatiable greed for giving to charity. Am I going to hell?
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 11:01AM
@23, extra sprint points for scope of material with citations
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 11:06AM
@23 Greg, for the last time, stop getting your jollies by posting under the name Tax Chick. The fact that your mother dressed you as a girl till the age of 12 isnt our problem
Posted by your taxes are not my problem , Sep 23, 2009 11:07AM
@27 FTW.
See, I knew Tax Chicky was a dude.
Posted by Tax Chick , Sep 23, 2009 11:09AM
@27
GFY with the handle of your Atari console, you basement dwelling cocksniffer.
I take great offense at being confused with Greg.
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 11:16AM
Tax Chick is very sensyble. Listen to what she says.
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 11:20AM
@11: GTFO
Posted by Investorcluzo , Sep 23, 2009 11:30AM
@tax chicky - I love it when you talk sensy! when are you going to let me me fill out your forms?
@27 - how could you ever confuse @23 for greg? have you been reading his posts? not even in the same stratosphere...
Posted by Investorcluzo , Sep 23, 2009 11:34AM
apoligies for the extra "me" I was a little excited...
Posted by Investorcluzo , Sep 23, 2009 11:35AM
apologies for the “apoligies” to my spell checking friends, damn it’s a rough day today!
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 11:58AM
It's alright, Cluz. We understand.
Take a break. Grab a cup of coffee, smoke a doobie, whatever. We'll wait.
Posted by Anal_yst , Sep 23, 2009 12:16PM
@ cluzo
Maybe ya wanna go clean out the pipes and then try again?
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 12:44PM
@18 s my d
Posted by Investorcluzo , Sep 23, 2009 1:32PM
@35/anal_yst@36 - word. was on the phone with "representative" trying to get the options trading in my ira account sorted out. apparently it was okay for me trade straddles and strangles, but not okay for spreads...I was preoccupied as I had to fill out an online form multiple times. appreciate the patience.
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 1:48PM
@ Cluzo, seriously the way the regulators bracket options trading is completely fucking rètarded.
Posted by yobo , Sep 23, 2009 2:09PM
there's another aspect he didn't mention: all the really greedy people leave goldman because they can get paid more elsewhere. obviously blankfein can't say this without causing uproar over at 85 broad. so i agree that most of the people who stay are not primarily motivated by money, but by other things like belief in the franchise, inertia, stability, etc.
Posted by call_me_daddy , Sep 23, 2009 2:24PM
@4: i don't mind porkin' some fatties
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 2:29PM
GS is full of people who adore me. You guys just haven't figured out that the reason for their divine success is... me. the Recession that made them rich? Me. The fall of LEH and Bear? Me. Gold plated balls and people in high places of authority? Me. The death of all who oppose them? Me.
-Jesus
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 2:48PM
@40/yobo, you make a good point.
Posted by Mail Girl , Sep 23, 2009 3:26PM
I like it when my bosses get a BIG bonus, that means i BIG things all night
Posted by guest , Sep 23, 2009 4:23PM
@19
Best post ever. It doesn't take long for these guys to believe their own hype.