How?

By nearly going bust last fall, getting a cash bailout from the taxpayer, immediately denying that it ever needed any help, and then minting so much money over the next twelve months that it will pay 2009 bonuses in excess of $20 billion.

A couple of weeks ago, Goldman CEO Lloyd Blankfein then compounded the problem by going on a PR offensive in which he said Goldman was doing "God's work."

Goldman does provide a lot of valuable services, but it's hard to imagine in what universe they would deserve that description.

But after this gaffe, fortunately, Goldman got wise. First, Lloyd Blankfein thanked the government publicly for its help. And then, yesterday, he apologized for some of Goldman's actions in recent years.  In addition, Goldman - with a helping hand from Warren Buffett - announced a $500 million charitable project to assist 10,00 small businesses.

Americans are very forgiving. As long as public figures (and firms) express gratitude for help and contrition for perceived wrongs, Americans are happy to move on.

Americans also love winners--and Goldman is a major winner.

So the Goldman hatred has passed its peak and that the world will now move on?