Video: Barney Frank won’t promise confidentiality to AIG despite death threats
posted at 4:35 pm on March 18, 2009 by Allahpundit
Here’s the lowlight from today’s hearings that has Shep drawing (overheated) comparisons to McCarthyism and the boss worrying, not unreasonably, that Congress’s spiraling anti-AIG demagoguery is going to get someone hurt or killed. Why this turd can’t promise to keep the names secret is beyond me; if simple decency isn’t a good enough reason, he might want to consider the effect this is going to have on the talent pools troubled banks are trying to draw from. Want to hear Barney Frank read your name on national television for the edification of every angry populist lunatic watching? AIG, Citigroup, and Bank of America are now hiring!
What makes this especially galling, of course, is not only Frank’s own culpability in the financial crisis — which he’s now going to “fix,” you’ll be glad to know — but the imperiousness he displays here and in his statements about asserting the feds’ “ownership rights” over AIG. What a wretch.
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Noted moron confirms suspicions.
blatantblue on March 18, 2009 at 4:37 PM
They should take the money and go Galt.
the_nile on March 18, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Time to go to Barney Frank’s house with pitchforks and torches….see how HE likes it.
HornetSting on March 18, 2009 at 4:39 PM
He’s trying to appear masculine by talking tough. It’s like Porky Pig trying to intimidate Vin Diesel, even when he’s talking to Nancy Pigliosi.
AubieJon on March 18, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Why aren’t Frank, Dodd, Schumer, etal in jail?
lorien1973 on March 18, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Barney Frank is a disgrace to humanity. Can we start a petition asking him to resign the human race? There must be some bunch of animals somewhere that he would fit right in.
petunia on March 18, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Calling it like it is. Allah, you have redeemed yourself. I luv ya!
HornetSting on March 18, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Is there a more despicable person in the country?
marklmail on March 18, 2009 at 4:40 PM
It is long past time for this clown to be EXPOSED for the sham that He is. And lets expose Barney Frank while we’re at it too.
gatorboy on March 18, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Barney Frank, like his master Nancy Pelosi, exemplifies everything that’s wrong with elected officials. He clearly thinks he’s better than us, and only he can solve this massive problem that he himself helped create. And by golly, he’s sure going to be smug and self-righteous while he does it.
I suppose we should be grateful to people like Barney Frank for ruling over idiots like us.
Enrique on March 18, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Barney Frank is despicable. Disgusting.
CarolynM on March 18, 2009 at 4:43 PM
The more air time this gets………
………… the more pieces to the puzzle people are starting to put together.
Keep flapping your gums, Banking Queen…….
……. Oh, look! They are installing teleprompters at Jay Leno’s show!
Seven Percent Solution on March 18, 2009 at 4:43 PM
So much hot air this guy blows, that his lips burned off.
What a despicable and reprehensible excuse for garbage. He is so repulsive.
jencab on March 18, 2009 at 4:43 PM
You’re assuming he has any decency to start with, which he doesn’t.
AubieJon on March 18, 2009 at 4:43 PM
Power corrupts.
kc8ukw on March 18, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Bwaney Fwank’s problem is that he spends too much time drinking from a semen tap.
csdeven on March 18, 2009 at 4:44 PM
I should have tried to quit smoking during REagan when things were so much calmer. bambi, barney, nancy, harry, chuckie & chris dodd make me want to eat a whole pack.
kelley in virginia on March 18, 2009 at 4:44 PM
AP sounds like you’re getting too worked up about the Banking Queen. Deep breath man. The party’s just getting started
youngO on March 18, 2009 at 4:44 PM
If I were one of these AIG people, I’d take part of the bonus just paid out and use it to publicize how Bawney Fwank got us into this situation as well as his home addresses in DC and Boston.
teke184 on March 18, 2009 at 4:44 PM
If even ONE person named gets harmed in the least, I wish Bawney Fwank could be charged as an accessory. Unfortunately the Imperial Congress doesn’t have to live within the law like we do.
The left in this country, Bawney’s allies, is at a stage where it is very deranged and VERY violent.
wildcat84 on March 18, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Yeah….then once some nutjob offs a few AIG exec’s, they can use it to reinstate the assault weapons ban.
Somewhere, Macchiaveli is nodding in admiration of these fucking fucks.
Gromulin on March 18, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Barney Frank threw Obama under the bus in that clip… he acknowledged that “you inherited it” but then he doesn’t accept that… Hhahaha
gatorboy on March 18, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Because he’s a pompous, spiteful old dowager, is why.
Kent18 on March 18, 2009 at 4:44 PM
I will quote another HA poster…I still laugh when I think about it.
Barney Frank: This is what happens when you abuse your mouth too much.
HornetSting on March 18, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Evil. Purposely Evil.
Zetterson on March 18, 2009 at 4:45 PM
no? then reject the bonus.
sesquipedalian on March 18, 2009 at 4:46 PM
That’d be a hwate cwime becawse Bawney dwills sewah.
If I were an AIG employee who got a bonus, I’d not give back one damn cent under these circumstances.
wildcat84 on March 18, 2009 at 4:47 PM
Right before this exchange, Barney Frank spouted off some double-speak about the retention bonuses and who took the money, what the purpose of the bonus was for and that sort of thing.
I couldn’t decide if he was being disingenuous or just plain stupid. I decided on the former, but it was a close one.
Otis B on March 18, 2009 at 4:47 PM
In the immortal lyrics of Paul Shanklin
—
Oooooooo
Oooooooooo
You can build.
You can buy.
Any house your heart desires.
Ooooo zero down.
Financing.
I am the banking queen.
Friday night and your cash is low.
I know a place that you can go.
Oh, get your house and use it
Go ahead abuse it.
You can do anything.
Go out and have a fling.
I am the banking queen.
Old and sweet didn’t do a thing.
Banking queen.
Don’t complain or you’ll hear me scream oh yeah.
You can build.
You can buy.
Any house your heart desires.
Oo zero down.
Financing.
I am the banking queen.
TheQuestion on March 18, 2009 at 4:47 PM
Oh my gosh…thank you. Thank you for saying my exact feelings.
Mommypundit on March 18, 2009 at 4:47 PM
you’d think his constituents would have by now…right?
Mommypundit on March 18, 2009 at 4:48 PM
How the hell did you understand the words…good job.
HornetSting on March 18, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Massholes…
HornetSting on March 18, 2009 at 4:49 PM
The most culpable are making the loudest whines and suggesting law breaking as a solution. Just wow.
.
WE KNEW much was wrong when obama and pelosi LEFT TOWN before the spendulus package ink was dry but REFUSED to allow a single soul to read it… for four days.
Now we know why, or a little bit of why. More to come I’m sure.
.
I have NEVER been so mad at the deceit and outright lies by a president and his admin in my life, attempting to blame anyone and everyone else but their own co-conspirators, going so far as to BREAK LAWS by hinting at destroying forever contract integrity in America. And by attempting to legislate punitive taxes at 100% retroactively to cover their own arses?
Obama should be impeached and thrown out.
Dodd – JAIL.
PELOSI- JAIL.
FRANK- JAIL.
Geithner- Jail… and asylum for the incompetent.
and this list will grow.
.
This, to me, is beyond just criminal, it borders on treasonous.
(a violation of allegiance to one’s sovereign or to one’s state.
-the betrayal of a trust or confidence; breach of faith; treachery.)
They swore to UPHOLD the Constitution of the US.
They are all at fault and in violation of their oath.
shooter on March 18, 2009 at 4:50 PM
I figure all Barney has to do is continue his blubbering about the government stepping in and assuming more ownership to “sue the bonus recipients” to set the Dow in free fall again. What a tool.
Otis B on March 18, 2009 at 4:50 PM
The good thing is that if Frank reads a name, people will be looking for Wobert Wewis instead of Robert Lewis.
Squarestate on March 18, 2009 at 4:51 PM
Yes, Nancy, ‘I want all the illegal alien votes’, Pelosi. She is a pig and a disgrace and should be run out of congress on a rail. How do these people get re-elected, and do they ever listen to themselves? What a bunch of turds we have in the Government. For the first time in my life, ” I am not proud of my country”…..*sigh*
clinker46 on March 18, 2009 at 4:51 PM
I think my desire to see Barney Frank get a smack down was over the line and was pulled…hhahahaa!!!!! That’s great! I’ve not ever seen one of my comments removed before…ah, to be unsuitable for HotAir…
Mommypundit on March 18, 2009 at 4:51 PM
Allah, your rehab is complete..
Why this turd can’t promise to keep the names secret is beyond me
Yep, AP’s back…
Keemo on March 18, 2009 at 4:52 PM
I’m so sick of looking at his disgusting, corpulent face.
You’re to blame for this whole mess to begin with, Bawney Fwank, you sack of rat crap.
spmat on March 18, 2009 at 4:53 PM
shooter on March 18, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Wow!! Love that energy & passion. We need for that stuff to spread around the country!
Keemo on March 18, 2009 at 4:53 PM
BTW, has anyone called to voice their displeasure at Nancy’s traitorous words?
HornetSting on March 18, 2009 at 4:54 PM
If this whole horrid mess works to open the eyes of the sheep and they throw the whole lot of these hypocritical, disgusting, self-serving bastards out, then it’s worth it. If not … well … then it’s over.
Rod on March 18, 2009 at 4:54 PM
In ths same way that Washington took over the mortgage market through Fannie/Freddie and create a monopoly, they’re going to use AIG to take over insurance.
Shareholders, you know, have to protect their interest.
beatcanvas on March 18, 2009 at 4:54 PM
How is Frank not in jail?
joey24007 on March 18, 2009 at 4:55 PM
Just a thought ~ what if Frank is using the implied threat of exposure as a gambit to get those folks to return the cash post haste?
tree hugging sister on March 18, 2009 at 4:55 PM
I wouldn’t swaawp Bawney Fwank wifout prowtection.
Besides the obvious genetic defects he has I don’t want to risk disease in any way.
wildcat84 on March 18, 2009 at 4:55 PM
Barny Frank was once the idol of the gay community. Now he’s an embarrassment and a liability to the gay community.
He’s come full circle…
Keemo on March 18, 2009 at 4:56 PM
Frank is a total piece of shit.
ddrintn on March 18, 2009 at 4:56 PM
Because Congress is basically exempt from anything, especially decency.
What, you don’t think the Emperors are going to lower themselves to being merely equal to the PEOPLE do you?
We smell too bad for them after all. Ask Harry Reid.
wildcat84 on March 18, 2009 at 4:56 PM
And that is the only relevant question right now.
With, of course, the addition of the speedy removal of Osama Obama.
MrScribbler on March 18, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Attention Daily Kos Kids…get out of that ‘Kloset’ and prove to America that you are, “Americans.” Stop protecting the people who are the “Here and Now” criminals. Stop chasing phantoms. History tends to repeat itself…you guys can help ‘burn the bridges’. The cost of Kool-aid may rise above your means.
JoeySlippers on March 18, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Man, these scumbags are going to have a rough time getting elected again, given the growing outrage. The ads and the anti-Frank anti-Dodd volunteers are going to crucify these crooks.
marklmail on March 18, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Is there a more despicable person in the country?
marklmail on March 18, 2009 at 4:40 PM
clinker46 on March 18, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Well, thanks, but actually, I just Googled, copied, and pasted. I heard it this morning and I didn’t get anything past “I am the banking queen.” which was hysterical in itself. Paul Shanklin is a genius.
TheQuestion on March 18, 2009 at 4:57 PM
How is Chris Dodd not in jail.
How is Sandy Berger not in jail.
How did a tax cheat become head of the IRS.
Above the laws that you and I must live by!
These people wonder why they are not trusted; in fact hated.
Keemo on March 18, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Oh, sure. Give him exactly what he’s always dreamed of, why don’t you…? ;)
Kent18 on March 18, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Aren’t the CEOs involved private individuals? Just sayin’. Barney Frank is a Douche.
theboss on March 18, 2009 at 5:00 PM
Kent18 on March 18, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Damn, that’s funny! :)
Keemo on March 18, 2009 at 5:00 PM
there’s got to be some way to run this bum out of town… (in such a way that he doesn’t enjoy the ride that is)
gatorboy on March 18, 2009 at 5:00 PM
Why would a Democratic congress care if they got people killed? Remember no one cared that congress got operatives working in the field Iran killed by releasing their names during the Iran Contra hearings.
- The Cat
MirCat on March 18, 2009 at 5:00 PM
I hate this drooling crapsack. He always sounds like he he has a mouthful of spit.
TinMan13 on March 18, 2009 at 5:01 PM
These Caligulan kleptocrats know the masses will cheer patricians being thrown to the lions in the Colosseum. And Fwankus Minimus stands in his luxury box, thumb downward.
Christien on March 18, 2009 at 5:01 PM
This man is an absolute reprobate.
Corky on March 18, 2009 at 5:02 PM
Dang, Barney looks like he’s holding back a laugh about this.
- The Cat
P.S. “If we give into these threats” . . . irony in two parts
MirCat on March 18, 2009 at 5:02 PM
I sorta/kinda wish he said that Shep Smith got all the bonus’ (boni plural?).
Fuquay Steve on March 18, 2009 at 5:03 PM
The weasels have already refused him membership saying he lacks sufficient integrity.
Likewise, the snakes cited his tendency for untrustworthiness for their exclusion of him. They did, however, express admiration for his elocution.
DamnCat on March 18, 2009 at 5:04 PM
Frank is sleazy. I cannot wait for Mark Levin’s take on this.
RobCon on March 18, 2009 at 5:05 PM
If only.
scalleywag on March 18, 2009 at 5:05 PM
They’ll get relected with 75% instead of 80%. It’ll be devastating.
lorien1973 on March 18, 2009 at 5:06 PM
The japanese have this thing they do when they fail, they apologize to their family and fall on their own sword.
I think Barney Frank should do that.
Vegi on March 18, 2009 at 5:06 PM
Yeah, liberals and ‘proud independents aka needalife’ don’t let “FACTS” get in the way.
I wish we had that sort of intelligence in this country, markmail.
HornetSting on March 18, 2009 at 5:07 PM
Barney Franks needs an enema. He’s so full of crap. I think he should be called the Phoney Faggot. If Anyone is killed by angry citizens as a result of Frank’s grandstanding, he should be arrested and tried for murder.
afotia on March 18, 2009 at 5:08 PM
Michelle is on Glenn right now. Get em, girly!
HornetSting on March 18, 2009 at 5:08 PM
Doesn’t Frank usually go unopposed in his district? Hard to believe.
ddrintn on March 18, 2009 at 5:10 PM
The tea party needs to turn to pitch forks and torches and take place on the streets of DC. The Pinnochio President and corrupt Congress critters and Senate Scum need to get the word load and clear.
We don’t like being lied to or being played for suckers.
Payoffs to congressmen in the form of campaign cash then bailouts to the donaters so they don’t have to file bankruptcy and give up their cushy salaries, pensions, bonuses even though some are earned, are criminal and must stop.
Same thing is going to happen with the auto industry if we let it. Save $70.00 per hour union wages by stealing Americans money to save them from bankruptcy and reorganization which is the capitalistic systems way of cleansing the pallet.
Frank, Dodd,Rangel, Raines, Johnson, Gorelic, and others should be in jail over Fannie and Freddie the beginning of this collapse.
dhunter on March 18, 2009 at 5:10 PM
This whole bonuses business is a distraction.
compared to the bailout, where focus should be.
Tzetzes on March 18, 2009 at 5:11 PM
I would rather be the only woman on a Greek freighter.
Then again, so would Barney.
Patrick S on March 18, 2009 at 5:11 PM
I visited Boston in September and it is beautiful. However, there were Obama stickers, acorn people in Cambridge, it is a democratic cesspool. Beautiful place, stupid people. Sorry to any hiding conservatives that live there.
HornetSting on March 18, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Cant stand Barney…..*vomits*
becki51758 on March 18, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Nah, baby – he brings home the pork (in more ways than one), so they hold their nose with one hand and put the checkmark by his name with the other.
uncivilized on March 18, 2009 at 5:12 PM
+1000.
This is truly a distraction. The bailouts and the democrats are the true trouble.
HornetSting on March 18, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Maybe they ought to let everyone know Frank’s address and phone number. There’s plenty to say to him about the financial mess our country is in.
katieanne on March 18, 2009 at 5:15 PM
A distraction is exactly what it’s intended to be. Political sleight of hand. One hand is drawing your attention away while the other picks your pocket.
uncivilized on March 18, 2009 at 5:15 PM
Go take a bromo you
shmuckand wake up feeling yourself Barney.This fool belongs in jail.
saiga on March 18, 2009 at 5:17 PM
So, we are blogging. What’s the next step. We need to be heard….
HornetSting on March 18, 2009 at 5:19 PM
I wish they were just picking my pocket. I didn’t even get a kiss……:)
HornetSting on March 18, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Since no one took a shot at Madoff, I’d be hard-pressed to believe these death threats.
Dr. ZhivBlago on March 18, 2009 at 5:20 PM
It amazes me how stupid those Boston yankees are. If things ever got tough, they would be eaten alive. They seem to live in a fantacy land.
saiga on March 18, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Broke Bank Mountain, starring Bawney Fwanks.
Over30 on March 18, 2009 at 5:22 PM
The dems have controlled all three for just a few months and already they have been a goat f#*k. It is a testiment to how stupified the American electorate has become to think they have a positive approval rating.
Too many new flunkies here, some homegrown, some from elsewhere. If we continue to water down the electorate, the people that make things happen and get things done will soon be overwhelmed, and the flunkies will have to wipe their own butts.
saiga on March 18, 2009 at 5:26 PM
Ok, the imagery that produced…..gahh
Barney Frank falling on a sword…
Let’s just not go there…….
BigWyo on March 18, 2009 at 5:28 PM
Memebers of Congress can’t even keep national security information secret, why would anyone expect them to keep this kind of information secret?
myrenovations on March 18, 2009 at 5:28 PM
Rep. Elmer Fudd (D) Mass would ask that any threat that be carried out be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Wow! That’s really big of him. Cold comfort to those killed or maimed, but really big of Rep. Fudd!
hburns on March 18, 2009 at 5:33 PM
Why should they? If they met the terms of the bonus arrangement, they should get it.
I’ll bet every company that took any of the “bailout” funds from the Feds are regretting it mightily. They’d have been better off in bankruptcy where the free market could pick up the pieces.
The economy would be better off too.
BacaDog on March 18, 2009 at 5:38 PM
What are we going to call our form of government when these clowns get done with it? Thugocracy? Or is that racist?
These DC scum are drunk with power. They are inciting class warfare to dangerous levels. It’s going to be (angry) mob rule. If anything happens to any AIG exec, or any other wealthy business person, Frank, Obama, Schumer and friends will be personally responsible.
Class warfare, telling people to “get in your face”, “knock on doors”, prop 8 intimidation, La Raza intimidation, card check…
This will get out of hand, especially when their policies fail and they have to up the rhetoric to save face.
reaganaut on March 18, 2009 at 5:40 PM
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