Regardless of the load time (and when 120 mods are all kicking a thread for a cape, and a thread for an update check, and a thread for a..., there will be a load time impact), the simple fact remains that it is not a needed check. Not everyone lives in a location where they can get un metered internet: Some people have caps and have to pay for overage. And while a few KB might not seem like a lot, that just means that it is one more thing that is not needed slowly nibbling at that. Note that a config option to stop that would simply end all of this, although it is still not as ideal of a solution as a hardcoded list. (I am not even really that against the vanity capes, I think it is silly personally, but if other people like them, go hard!)
GOD JUST LET THIS 2-MONTH OLD THREAD DIE PLEASE!