The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux) - Page 15

Alex · 04-18-2006, 08:39 AM

It took me longer to write the post than to compile the information. All it can be found in the 2005 ExxonMobil proxy statement. Not only that, it is all on just 10 consecutive pages of the proxy statement.

People are too afraid of SEC filings. Yes, they can sometimes be arcane but 90% of the time everything is laid out in relatively plain English. Just remember to read the footnotes.

scaeagles · 04-18-2006, 08:42 AM

What I am amazed by is that no reporters decided to do the same thing as you did. Laziness? Sensationalizing? Figuring the stupid public (which is what I think most in the media think of the public in general) couldn't grasp it?

Alex · 04-18-2006, 10:00 AM

I'm sure there are reporters who have done what I did. But most of the headlines you're seeing are based on the same wire story and wire stories are rarely re-reported.

And there is always the chance that I am wrong and there are other retirement package components I've missed. But the stories I found referenced the proxy statement so if it is in there I'm completely missing it.

Alex · 04-18-2006, 10:11 AM

And here's another logical flaw I'm starting to see pop up in the reporting. Admittedly this is from a blog but I've seen it elsewhere this morning:

Quote:

Now, as if to show off to the world just how awash it is in cash, ExxonMobil, the fattest of the fat has awarded its former CEO a retirement package worth four-hundred million dollars...

...Exxon’s generosity towards Mr Raymond is not limited to his platinum parachute. His 2005 compensation package was worth just over fifty-one million dollars

So not only is the $51 million included in the $400 million it is then highlighted to show just how out of line his compensation was for his last year of employment. This, of courses, counts the $51 million twice. It also fails to note that 70% of the $51 million is from compensation given in previous years and not compensation awarded in 2005.

Gemini Cricket · 04-18-2006, 10:16 AM

Getting rid of Rumsfeld is like firing Homer at the Springfield Power Plant. The real problem is Mr. Burns.

BarTopDancer · 04-18-2006, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

Getting rid of Rumsfeld is like firing Homer at the Springfield Power Plant. The real problem is Mr. Burns.

You must spread some Mojo around before giving it to Gemini Cricket again.

Ghoulish Delight · 04-18-2006, 11:58 AM

Moussaoui clearly wants to die. Whether it's because he's afraid of prison, or if he wants martyr status, who knows? Probably a little of both. But clearly he was just an annoying hanger-on, desparate for the attention, but completely on the outside of the real workings. So now he's just trying to bolster his role to make himself look more important. And, unless he's completely off the deep end, I can't imagine he thinks he's fooling Allah into givin' him the virgins, he must just really want some mortal recognition. I find myself leaning more towards pity for the pathetic bastard (not pity as in, "I think he's a good soul gone astray," pity as in, "You're gonna spend a miserable life in prison because you're filled with hate, and yet astoundingly ineffectual. Sucks to be you.")

Gemini Cricket · 04-18-2006, 12:28 PM

Regarding Moussaoui - Can a US court sentence someone to life in solitary confinement? He'd be too much of a hero or teacher while spending a lifetime in prison with others. That's not good.

Gemini Cricket · 04-18-2006, 12:39 PM

Quote:

President Bush refused on Tuesday to rule out nuclear strikes against Iran if diplomacy fails to curb the Islamic Republic's atomic ambitions.

Iran, which says its nuclear program is purely peaceful, told world powers it would pursue atomic technology, whatever they decide at a meeting in Moscow later in the day.

Source

Uh, that's kinda scary.

wendybeth · 04-18-2006, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

Source

Uh, that's kinda scary.

Well, you know, he is The Decider.

04-18-2006, 08:39 AM	#1
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	It took me longer to write the post than to compile the information. All it can be found in the 2005 ExxonMobil proxy statement. Not only that, it is all on just 10 consecutive pages of the proxy statement. People are too afraid of SEC filings. Yes, they can sometimes be arcane but 90% of the time everything is laid out in relatively plain English. Just remember to read the footnotes.
	Submit to Quotes

04-18-2006, 08:42 AM	#2
scaeagles I LIKE! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,819	What I am amazed by is that no reporters decided to do the same thing as you did. Laziness? Sensationalizing? Figuring the stupid public (which is what I think most in the media think of the public in general) couldn't grasp it?
	Submit to Quotes

04-18-2006, 10:00 AM	#3
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	I'm sure there are reporters who have done what I did. But most of the headlines you're seeing are based on the same wire story and wire stories are rarely re-reported. And there is always the chance that I am wrong and there are other retirement package components I've missed. But the stories I found referenced the proxy statement so if it is in there I'm completely missing it.
	Submit to Quotes

04-18-2006, 10:16 AM	#5
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	Getting rid of Rumsfeld is like firing Homer at the Springfield Power Plant. The real problem is Mr. Burns.
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04-18-2006, 11:58 AM	#7
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Moussaoui clearly wants to die. Whether it's because he's afraid of prison, or if he wants martyr status, who knows? Probably a little of both. But clearly he was just an annoying hanger-on, desparate for the attention, but completely on the outside of the real workings. So now he's just trying to bolster his role to make himself look more important. And, unless he's completely off the deep end, I can't imagine he thinks he's fooling Allah into givin' him the virgins, he must just really want some mortal recognition. I find myself leaning more towards pity for the pathetic bastard (not pity as in, "I think he's a good soul gone astray," pity as in, "You're gonna spend a miserable life in prison because you're filled with hate, and yet astoundingly ineffectual. Sucks to be you.") __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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04-18-2006, 12:28 PM	#8
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	Regarding Moussaoui - Can a US court sentence someone to life in solitary confinement? He'd be too much of a hero or teacher while spending a lifetime in prison with others. That's not good.
	Submit to Quotes