Mike Welch wasn't the only one in the GAC audience embarrassed by the banker vs. credit union debate. After returning from the conference, I seriously considered sending Ken Fergeson a letter apologizing for the treatment he received in Washington. Putting aside past history and the fact that the bankers' actions are guided solely by greed, you don't invite someone into your house and then proceed to treat them with disrespect and force them to be straight man for a bad comedy routine. I have to wonder if Jim Blaine would have the courage to engage in a debate in front of 4,000 bankers. Fergeson should get credit just for showing up. Blaine's arrogance, flip attitude and in some cases, lame arguments, proved to be a huge embarrassment to me and many of my colleagues I spoke with following the event. I sincerely hope he is never chosen to represent the credit union industry again. Gene Roberts CEO Financial 21 Community CU San Diego, Calif.