10 February 2009: Morning By The Morning News — 10 Feb 2009 The supervisory system "relied on self-regulation that, in effect, meant no regulation." The stimulus package's precise shape, flaws are negated under extraordinary circumstances: Speed is essential. Obama is not excessively didactic--though he did correct one reporter's characterization of the role of excessive consumer spending in the economic collapse. He's orderly. Eleven Democrats opposed the stimulus; more important are the 46 congressional Republican districts Obama won. Op: It looks like the G.O.P. has found a new way to find itself--by being the party that just says no. Evidence--or at least mounting punditry--shows Obama's Afghanistan gambit could be his Vietnam, tiresome though the analogy may be. Op: Comparing the American and Soviet offensives in Afghanistan is misguided; one can learn from the mistakes of the other. Bailout packages fare poorly in Russia; depending on one enterprise, whole cities are laid off. Braddock, Pa., is a town under distress--enough to warrant a rebranding by its mayor, enough to be the set of The Road. "Why are we bringing it back? Because there is sin in the world." Indulgences return to the Catholic church. Recalling The Crystal Maze game show, with video out-takes of unsuccessful teams. This is why you're fat; see also: Drop Dead Gorgeous.
