No danger from risky behavior in high-wire acts

Magician David Blaine wowed the audience by jumping to the darkness in his "Dive of Death" Wednesday night after hanging upside down for 60 hours in New York's Central Park.

Except he didn't.

The modern-day Houdini actually came down every hour or so to go to the bathroom, get a drink of water, and be checked over by doctors. Yes, his blood pressure was fine, and all his internal organs were functioning normally.

Never fear; the understanding audience applauded at the end.

Houdini must be rolling over in his grave.

Blaine reminds us of some of the high-wire acts elsewhere in the city, investment bankers and other financial acrobats who worked without a net for years until they began to wobble.

Never fear; the understanding taxpayers will rush in to catch them now that they are in danger of suffering from the consequences of their risky behavior.

Adam Smith must be rolling over in his grave.