The new Corleone family

Remember the Godfather, when Michael goes to Las Vegas, meets with Moe Greene and offers to buy him out? He says no, and in the final moments of the movie, he ends up with a bullet in his head.

Well, the nine largest banks in America seem to have learned something from the movie, because in a recent meeting with Treasury Secretary Paulson, they get a single sheet of paper in front of them, giving the government permission to buy significant stakes in their companies. More: they where told that they have to sign it before they leave the room.

Which they did. Talk about "I'll make them an offer they can't refuse"-moment.

I guess they though that the Federal Government can find even more painful methods than death to use on them.

(via Peter).