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"This was done as part of our plan to reduce the number of aircraft owned by Citi."

~ Shannon Bell, spokesperson for Citigroup, explaining the justification for the purchase of a new $50 million corporate jet after the bank had received billions of taxpayer dollars through TARP.

"Take the plane as collateral on the bailout money."  ~ Pete Sepp of the National Taxpayers Union.

Citigroup, facing growing criticism for this move from all sides, canceled the purchase and, to save face, issued a press release citing new guidelines for air travel that eliminate almost all first-class commercial tickets for employees.

Doesn't your heart just break for these poor folks that actually have to fly coach like the rest of us?

Next: Thanks for trying.