And now we're seeing the same thing with Greece.
Everyone understands that a Greek default would be horrific. And so everyone assumes that some gang of government operatives will step in to prevent it from happening.
Don't count on it.
Sometimes the irrational, unexpected, unbelievable event occurs. It doesn't matter that it shouldn't happen. It doesn't matter that it doesn't have to happen. It doesn't matter that it could be avoided.
There may still be a way to rescue Greece. But the price of rescuing Greece rises daily. And the odds get longer and longer.
Will Greece be the next Lehman? Only if we respond to the Greece crisis the same way many responded to the Lehman crisis: by assuming the worst wouldn't, couldn't happen.
____________________________________________
Questions? Comments? Email us atNetNet@cnbc.com
Follow John on Twitter @ twitter.com/Carney
Follow NetNet on Twitter @ twitter.com/CNBCnetnet
Facebook us @ www.facebook.com/NetNetCNBC