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]
Blankfein, YOU LIE!
the solid gold balls must be chaffing and cold today.
only sensy people work for goldman sachs.
only fatties work for citigroup.
http://dealbreaker.com/2009/09/come-on-down-to-vikrams-house.php
@1… Well done!
@4 hey!
@3 let me fix that for you:
“only sensy people work for goldman sensy.”
matt taibbi, rebuttal?
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.
@9 we’d have to become white trash for that to happen, so don’t hold your breath.
-LB
@9 serious?
@11 yeah, man, serious. pass it on.
Salt of the earth = white trash Mr. @10.
Boom-stick
hmmm and why do they go into public service? to rep for their bros at gs.
@14 this is true.
-bob rubin
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?”
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….)
Long-term greed beats short-term greed every time.
(A long-term culture of competence and effective management doesn’t hurt either.)
Spiegel: In rough percentage terms, how much less hubris were you feeling last October?
Blankfein: I would say roughly 98% less.
Kosher salt of the earth?
Schlomo Salzberg
How did Gollum get an interview with LB?
“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.”
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?
@23- I award you no points and may god have mercy on your soul.
@23
I have an insatiable greed for giving to charity. Am I going to hell?
@23, extra sprint points for scope of material with citations
@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
@27 FTW.
See, I knew Tax Chicky was a dude.
@27
GFY with the handle of your Atari console, you basement dwelling cocksniffer.
I take great offense at being confused with Greg.
Tax Chick is very sensyble. Listen to what she says.
@11: GTFO
@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…
apoligies for the extra “me” I was a little excited…
apologies for the “apoligies” to my spell checking friends, damn it’s a rough day today!
It’s alright, Cluz. We understand.
Take a break. Grab a cup of coffee, smoke a doobie, whatever. We’ll wait.
@ cluzo
Maybe ya wanna go clean out the pipes and then try again?
@18 s my d
@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.
@ Cluzo, seriously the way the regulators bracket options trading is completely fucking rètarded.
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.
@4: i don’t mind porkin’ some fatties
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
@40/yobo, you make a good point.
I like it when my bosses get a BIG bonus, that means i BIG things all night
@19
Best post ever. It doesn’t take long for these guys to believe their own hype.