senator suggests aig execs follow japanese example: suicide

Look, the current state of the economy has got everyone an edge. And no one is cool with the executives at insurance giant AIG who were reportedly receiving bonuses from bailout money: Obama tries to stop AIG bonuses: 'How do they justify this outrage?'. But Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa seriously crossed the line when he appeared when he spoke on a radio station about the issue:

"I would suggest the first thing that would make me feel a little better toward them [AIG executives] is if they follow the Japanese example and come before the American people and take that deep bow and say, 'I am sorry,' and then either do one of two things: resign or go commit suicide," he said.

"And in the case of the Japanese, they usually commit suicide."

Wow. I didn't know Grassley had such deep, extensive knowledge of Japanese culture. I wonder if his knowledge of Japanese business practices extends beyond viewings of Gung Ho and Rising Sun. The Senator has since apologized, more for the suicide part, and backed up a bit on the Japanese part: Iowa Senator Says AIG Executives Should 'Resign or Commit Suicide.' No need for dramatics, Senator.