Miscellaneous 118

1) The problem with the greedy bankers theory (relative to the financial collapse) is that bankers and Wall Street have ALWAYS been greedy. That's a constant. Ergo, something other than that HAD to have been thrown into the mix, back in the 90s, to further unleash that pure greed. And I would argue that it was government policy; the FED distorting interest rates, the national and New York FEDs creating a bailout culture, various government initiatives to facilitate home ownership, regulators at HUD basically being asleep at the switch, the SEC giving special privileges to investment banks over commercial banks, etc.. I mean, I know that it's far more in-fashion to blame the private sector and all but, still.............2) Of all the professional sports halls of fame, the most perplexing to me is the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I just don't understand it. Take the case of former receiving great, Art Monk. When Mr. Monk retired in 1996, he was the NFL's second all-time leading receiver (trailing only at that time the great Jerry Rice). He ended his career with 940 receptions for 12,721 yards and 68 touchdowns. I mean, no, he wasn't the fast guy in the world and there were other receivers who were far more dangerous deep-threats. But in terms of moving the chains, going over the middle to make the tough catch in traffic (I only saw him drop one ball and when he did I pinched myself), there's never been anybody better than Art Monk. Sounds like a sure first ballot hall of famer, no? Well, not according to whoever it is who does the voting over there. Nope, those sons of bitches made Mr. Monk wait FOURTEEN YEARS (well, actually nine - everybody has to wait five). It was absolutely disgraceful, I think.............3) And they're damn doing it again! This go-round to Cris Carter and Tim Brown (both of who retired with over a thousand catches). I don't know, folks, they must have something against wide receivers or something.............4) That, or they're frigging idiots!