"The Goldman transaction was a straight equity deal, with a big emphasis on dividends."

No. They were derivatives. Goldman was to pay those heavy dividends by executing credit default swaps they had purchased from AIG. Trouble is, the securities underlying the swaps were overcommitted, meaning the swap prices would be driven way down in an open market. And Goldman didn't own the securities. And the securities hadn't necessarily defaulted. And AIG had no money.

This was solved by the Munger/Buffet helping arrange for the taxpayer to pay off AIG's gambles at 100% without Goldman even delivering the securities underlying the swaps.

Make no mistake, the Goldman deal was a naked derivative play combined with brazen government corruption.