Hightower Lowdown

The Olympics are underway in Greece, and, naturally, corporate CEOs are there among the globe-hopping celebrity scene—but what to do about terrorists who might target the games? Of course, the Greek government has assembled 40,000 police, 7,000 military troops, NATO jets, spy planes, and submarines. But the superwealthy swells of corporatedom need to feel extraspecial safe.

So, the top honchos of such outfits as American Express, Citigroup, and McDonald's are not staying in swank hotels, but in specially outfitted yachts anchored in the harbor near Athens. If there's a terrorist attack, the yachts can flee with their elite passengers.

Some package deals include helicopters, body-guards, armor-plated limousines, and a motorcycle escort to get the special ones to and from the Olympic contests. Citigroup's luxury ship has it all plus a yoga studio, and at $150,000 it's a pricey deal. That's $150,000 a day. Plus fuel, food and drink.

And guess who's subsidizing this high-life security cocoon for CEOs? You and me! The corporations will deduct the yacht packages for tax purposes, claiming them to be a "necessary cost of doing business."

These guys get the gold medal for Olympic-level excess.