Goldman will be keeping that money, thanks for asking

The last year or so hasn't been a great one, PR wise, for Goldman-Sachs. They've been caught up in an orgy of public hate over their actions, populist rage over bonuses, spitefully insightful Matt Taibbi articles, damning news reports, shady dealings, tone deaf behavior, and a general sense they they would steal the internal organs of children if they could just find a way to leverage it in the financial markets. On the other hand, they've also been caught up in an orgy of money and probably an actual orgy or two. Which, considering the general looks and attractiveness of your average Goldman worker, could be considered a crime against decency and taste.

They are loathed and no one there seems to understand that or want to take any real action to stop a public hatred so palpable that I'm surprised Goldman execs don't have to hack through it with machetes just to get into the office in the morning. On the other hand, their shareholders do seem to get it. Unfortunately, the board seems to think the shareholders should shut the fuck up already.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc's (GS.N) board has rejected demands from shareholders that the firm investigate recent compensation awards, recoup excessive compensation and reform pay practices.

Wall Street's dominant bank, criticized for paying billions of dollars in bonuses soon after the taxpayer bailout of the banking industry, reported the board's decision in a regulatory filing on Monday.

Goldman reported the shareholder demands last year and said at the time that its board was considering them. The firm did not name the shareholders who made the demands.

Sure their dirty dealings, shady practices, and connections to the Treasury Department and Fed have basically given them a license to print money off the backs of taxpayers. On the other hand, they did cap bonuses at $16.2 billion instead of the $20 billion their employees "earned", practically dooming their brokers to a life of poverty... all in the name of the public good.

So shouldn't we shut up already about all the stuff they did and continue to do to leverage our pain, misery and money into more money for themselves? While we and their shareholders might say no, the GS board says yes. And really, shouldn't we listen to them? After all they are pretty damned rich. Let's shut up.