Maybe we are facing a violent populist revolution: A Republican senator and ranking member of the finance committee is inviting the death of those AIG executives who accepted $165 million bonuses.

Iowa Sen. Charles "Grassley says AIG executives should follow 'the Japanese example' by publicly apologizing and 'do one of two things: resign or commit suicide,'" reports the Associated Press, quoting an appearance by the senator on talk radio, naturally.

Grassley's spokesman is already backpedaling. Why? Not only is it futile, it's not like this is going to hurt Grassley's approval ratings.[AP via Dealbreaker]