ThirstyFish

In a letter to his daughter, in 1784, Benjamin Franklin wrote:

• "...I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the representative of our country. He is a bird of bad moral character. He does not get his living honestly ... Besides he is a rank coward ... he is therefore by no means a proper emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America ... the Turkey is in comparison a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original Native of America..." * [Excerpt]

Given that the current Financial Crisis was avoidable if it were not for systemic breaches in accountability and ethics at all levels, maybe Benjamin Franklin was right; we should have chosen the Turkey.