Vikings:hmmm, maybe.  But not all banks went to the extremes that some banks did.  And they weren't  forced to insure these bad loans like they did.  When the loans went sour, the insurer was liable and of course, they couldn't  pay.  It's a huge mess and I agree that the government screwed up big time.  But the "fat cats" also messed up and here they are almost out of money, so they get help from the govt and what do they do?  They give the fat cats millions in bonus money.  That stinks more than a pig farm!