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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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5

Kids to AIG: 'Not All of USA Hates You'

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(Newser) – It seems fourth-graders have a greater store of empathy than the rest of this crisis-wracked nation. When a Houston teacher asked students how they felt about the AIG bonus scandal, it provoked the usual boos and hisses. But when she put the kids in an AIG employee’s shoes, they relented and wrote letters of support to beleaguered workers. The Washington Post takes a look at the result.

“Hi AIG. Not all of USA hates you,” goes one of the missives. “We know you’re not villains” and “Keep working hard, dudes! Keep eating your vegatabos!” are other examples. “To have reached out to us in such a heartfelt way is really a testament to your individual and collective humanity,” an AIG worker wrote in reply to the letters, which now hang on office walls.

An AIG financial products office in Connecticut.
An AIG financial products office in Connecticut.   (AP Photo)
Graphic shows breakdown of bonuses awarded to AIG employees.
Graphic shows breakdown of bonuses awarded to AIG employees.   (AP Photo)
A fifth grade student ponders remarks.
A fifth grade student ponders remarks.   (AP Photo)
Students recite the Pledge of Allegiance in the lobby of a Vermont primary school.
Students recite the Pledge of Allegiance in the lobby of a Vermont primary school.   (AP Photo)
Former AIG head Hank Greenberg testifies on Capitol Hill.
Former AIG head Hank Greenberg testifies on Capitol Hill.   (AP Photo)
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5 comments
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northeast
Apr 13, 09 3:55 PM CDT
We don't hate you, AIG....we just wish that the government let the free market take its course. Reply
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SPH
Apr 13, 09 4:48 PM CDT
An irresponsible insurance company...A company that took in hundreds of billions in premiums but failed to keep enough in reserve to cover their obligations....Yeah I hate 'em..... Reply
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veloslug
Apr 13, 09 5:14 PM CDT
Why am I not surprised it's a TX school. Creepy. Reply
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Vostok
Apr 14, 09 10:54 AM CDT
Putting kids in the shoes of working-class AIG employees is dishonest. Those people aren't to blame, they simply did their jobs. Its the filthy rats at the top who were behind this mess, not the working man. What a way to brainwash our kids. Reply
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wwwonderer
Apr 14, 09 11:39 AM CDT
Well, first off. I'm sure that teacher has no family or close friends that work(ed) for AIG. Secondly, Fourth graders, really? Fourth graders ALWAYS have a sense of logic and reason as it pertains to social justice. They just STOPPED writing letters to Santa Clause explaining why they deserve a certain toy because they've been good. Reply
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