The NYSE's chairman, Marshall Carter , and its chief executive, John Thain , told members that the arrangement with Goldman (where Thain used to work, incidentally) was carefully vetted by former Chairman John Reed , who signed the engagement letter with the investment bank.

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But to paraphrase Oscar Wilde, a thing is not necessarily true because a brand dies for it, so here are some portions of his letter and some of our observations from a loyalty and engagement perspective.

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Obama's letter to Khamenei is in keeping with his publicly stated aim of engagement with Iran and his New Year's message in which he described a new way forward.

CNN: Obama sent letter to Iran leader before election, sources say