Did you know that AIG, aka American International Group, is an American company?
Well, on NBC's "Tonight Show" Wednesday, Jay Leno didn't, and the supposedly brilliant Keith Olbermann wasn't sure.
Imagine that.
A company that has been a hot topic in the news for at least the past six months, and these guys not only didn't know it was American, but also thought its initials stood for American "Insurance" Group (video embedded below the fold, relevant section at 3:50):
JAY LENO, HOST: Can I ask you a dumb question? Is this -- it's called. what, American Insurance Group? Is that the name?
KEITH OLBERMANN, "COUNTDOWN" HOST: I believe that's it, yes.
LENO: Is this even an American company, or is this one of these sort of things when you're chopping down trees, you call yourself the Evergreen Preservation Society? You know, I mean --
OLBERMANN: It's a brand name.
LENO: Is it even American at all?
OLBERMANN: It probably was at some point.
It probably was at some point?
You guys have been talking about this company for months, and you don't know its real name or that it's been an American company since founder Cornelius Vander Starr moved it from China in 1949 as a result of the Communist takeover there?
After all, it's only the largest underwriter of commerical and industrial insurance in the nation, while its subsidiary American General is one of our largest life insurers.
Nicely done, gentlemen. You make your company proud.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Just because he doesn't
March 19, 2009 - 16:41 ET by Chris NormanJust because he doesn't know something to be true has never kept Olbermann from ranting about it - he just lies about the fact and then begins his liberal rant.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Comedian + Sports Analyst = Clueless
March 19, 2009 - 16:38 ET by RpeggioI can't imagine why a comedian and sports analyst would be clueless when discussing politics and wall street issues. I like Jay, but he's pretty clueless and leans left, and really should stick to jokes (same for Letterman who's a screaming lefty and not as funny anymore as a result). And Olbermann is a joke sports analyst guy that likes the sound of his own voice....he's ignorant and shameless.
NBC: OLBERMANN: It's
March 19, 2009 - 16:39 ET by MidAmericaNBC:
OLBERMANN: It's a brand name.
LENO: Is it even American at all?
OLBERMANN: It probably was at some point.
brand name
March 19, 2009 - 16:56 ET by SickofLibsCmon, who hasn't heard of AIG Margarine?
"...since founder Cornelius
March 19, 2009 - 16:49 ET by R D Helm"...since founder Cornelius Vander Starr moved it from China in 1949 as a result of the [Communist takeover] there?"
Looks like they are going to have to relocate again, and for the exact same reason.
See, history does repeat itself.
-Dave
This coup has gone on long enough. The time to put it down is NOW.
China
March 19, 2009 - 16:50 ET by JTPmay be a good choice. It also may be more corporate friendly.
"I need more cowbell!" SNL
JTP,
March 19, 2009 - 17:02 ET by R D HelmLOL-Wouldn't that make an ironic headline:
Six Decades Later, AIG Returns to Communist
China to Escape Even More Communist America
In this currently inverted and bass-ackward world, it wouldn't surprise me at all.
-Dave
This coup has gone on long enough. The time to put it down is NOW.
Darn right it's American..
March 19, 2009 - 16:48 ET by Gary HallDarn right it's American..
80% ownership by the US Treasury Department.
(;~/ w/ due respect to it's #1 and #2 campaign contribution recipients for 2008, Chris Dodd and Barack Obama.
I didn't think
March 19, 2009 - 20:21 ET by 10ksnookerYou had to be Amercian to give to Obama, Dodd et al.
A I G...
March 20, 2009 - 07:21 ET by danybhoyBathTubBoy has questions about A I G being an American company? I knew he was an idiot, but this big of an idiot? If a gov't, ANY gov't, owns a company, it is owned by the taxpayers of that company.
So if BathTubBoy is keeping score, Petrobras is a Brazilian oil company because it is owned by the Brazilian gov't. Gazprom is owned by the Russian gov't, making it a Russian company, & the American gov't controls 80% of A I G, thus making it an American company. What a dumb @$$. BTW, since A I G is owned by our gov't, can we the people change the name from American Insurance Group, to America's Incompetent Gov't.
"The Fairness Doctrine = Jim Crow laws for Conservatives". Jim Quinn from "Quinn & Rose"
Why in the world would Leno
March 19, 2009 - 17:00 ET by Clear thinkerWhy in the world would Leno have on this buffoon? Oooops, that's right, they work for the same company.
A Demand For Congress…
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
TOTUS please save us!
March 19, 2009 - 17:07 ET by RpeggioTeleprompter Of The United States, please save us! Please let the thoughts and words of David Axelrod make their way to the TOTUS so he can speachify and woo the masses...
Olberwomann was 'probably
March 19, 2009 - 17:09 ET by SickofLibsOlberwomann was 'probably American at some point', too, although it was decades ago.
But brave of him to come out in public from behind his Countdown desk, so everyone can see his big fat womanly ass in all it's splendor.
LMAO
March 19, 2009 - 20:39 ET by jdlybrandThat's a good one Sicko!
Best part of the youtube
March 19, 2009 - 17:16 ET by rwesleyBest part of the youtube clip was seeing how oddly shaped of a body Overbite has. The suit can't hide it, Keith.
Rocket Scientists on Display
March 19, 2009 - 17:39 ET by dboJay Leno: Can i ask you a dumb question? What color is an orange? Is it even orange?
Keith Olbermann: I believe that's it, yes.
Jay Leno: Is it even orange, or is that just one of those things that when you're chopping down trees you call yourself the Evergreen Preservasion Society? You know what I mean?
Keith Olbermann: It's a brand name.
Jay Leno: Is it even orange at all?
Keith Olbermann: It probably was at some point.
oh well
March 19, 2009 - 18:04 ET by candanceAt least he warrants Jay Leno worthy of leaving his bathtub.
Olbermann thinks Denver is West of the Rockies
March 19, 2009 - 18:17 ET by metaphorsbwithu... but does know that it is definitely an American city.
What would you expect from someone who who attended an Agricultural School (which is no knock on Ag schools - only Olbermann's condescension and phony puffing of his credentials) and insists that Denver is West of the Rockies?
metaphorsbwithu
I was thinking the same thing
March 19, 2009 - 18:23 ET by ArminiusI didn't realize Bathtub Boy was, well, so tubby.
No Brain Commentators.
March 19, 2009 - 18:44 ET by CrashI think it's time to do a 60 second documentary on Olbermann titled, The Dumbest Guy in the Room.
Well, looks like...
March 19, 2009 - 18:52 ET by MightyMouth...olbermann's ass finally caught up to his fat head.
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Funny, listening to
March 19, 2009 - 19:47 ET by BlazerFunny, watching Keith, I'm not sure he's American either,........or heterosexual.
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
You missed the part about the contract
March 19, 2009 - 19:48 ET by jeffinsacWhen Leno asked how long this contract and suggested a year,Obermonster stated about about that, but I watched the hearing and Libby stated this was a 2007 contract the bonuses were from. The MSM also does not mention about that.
Oh yeah
March 19, 2009 - 20:46 ET by jdlybrandMore pseudo intellectual mutual masturbation from the Peacock Network. Not sure if I have those adjectives in the right order, but you get the idea.
Keep in mind everyone, Bush
March 19, 2009 - 21:27 ET by bazzarworldKeep in mind everyone, Bush was the one that gave the very first, ripened bailout to AIG. Thanks Dubya.
Yes, we are aware of
March 19, 2009 - 21:31 ET by Free StinkerYes, we are aware of that.
Are you aware that you are replying to a post about how uninformed Keith Olberman is, not a post about who made stupid bailout decisions?
"Gov. Palin has been subjected to one of the most massive and dishonest pile-on smear attacks in the history of liberal media." -- Lowell Ponte
nah, just like pushing your
March 19, 2009 - 21:35 ET by bazzarworldnah, just like pushing your buttons. I like how all of a sudden you guys are acting like the bailouts are an "Obama" thing, when in reality they are a government thing. Screw big government.
You obviously haven't been paying attention
March 19, 2009 - 21:37 ET by Free StinkerYou obviously haven't been paying attention around here when Bush got criticised on the bailout, or in the past about the border, Dubai ports, appointing a croney (Myers) to SCOTUS, being overly concerned with not using his veto pen, etc.
I think "blazzer" is either
March 20, 2009 - 10:03 ET by marpelI think "blazzer" is either KO or KO's gay lover.LOL...
If something bad happens in the country, it must be Bush's fault....the Libs need to get a new strategy. They've worked that excuse to death.
Aww fFree, can't you just
March 19, 2009 - 22:08 ET by BlazerAww Free, can't you just feel the love? Someone obviously heart's Keefy . Who are we to stand in the way of true manly love ?
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
yeah
March 19, 2009 - 21:37 ET by RESTLESS 1and we also remember calling Bush to the carpet over it. That's the difference here, principles over ideology. We have them in the correct order, the left doesn't.
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
Jay Leno ws as usual making fun of the issue - he is a comedian.
March 19, 2009 - 21:44 ET by Trosp"JAY LENO, HOST: Can I ask you a dumb question? Is this -- it's called. what, American Insurance Group? Is that the name?"
I also have watched that episode here in the Philippines and I think Jay Leno's question was some sort of making fun out of anything like what he is always doing. But comedian Olbermann was very serious in their discussion. A really clueless specimen.
Olbercrud!
March 20, 2009 - 04:03 ET by blazermaniacMany of us don't believe that Olbercrud is an American citizen. He must be from another planet, because anyone from this planet isn't that stupid!
Ah, these two represent the
March 19, 2009 - 23:21 ET by RR GOPAh, these two represent the MSM as the fount of all knowledge-the intellectual role models of our youth and the only hope for the salvation of Mankind.
I marvel and my eyes become misty at the thought of Providence bestowing upon us such great minds.
Truly wonderful times we live in. I feel lucky to have modern-day Newtons and Copernicuses amongst us.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 61% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory (yep...approval for Congress now at 39%...do you believe that!?).