Assets vs. Asses

All this talk about "toxic assets" has me stymied. Even after listening to various so called experts trying to explain it, I am still left scratching my head. One journalist claimed to break it down to the simplest level by the use of apples being affected by worms. You didn't know what you had until you cut into it. If bank held houses were compared to apples, does that mean some houses had termites? See what I mean? Sounds like comparing apples to oranges to me. Now toxic asses I can relate to. I can only admit to being married to one, cause I know he doesn't read my blog. And if he does, I'll soon find out.