The 101 dumbest moments in business

Business 2.0 has just published its own list of the 101 dumbest moments in business for 2003. Here's the winner (there are 100 more, though, and all interesting):

In August, the board of the New York Stock Exchange decides to give CEO Dick Grasso his $139.5 million pension up front, ostensibly to save the estimated $10 million it would cost to deliver the payout at retirement. Grasso offers a succinct if not altogether satisfying explanation: "I'm blessed." When a firestorm erupts over Grasso's payday, he graciously agrees not to take another $48 million he has coming to him. Then, a week later, Grasso "resigns"—and quickly claims he was fired, which entitles him to another $58 million, including the $48 million he had promised to forgo.