Zeitlinks

Here in Washington, we've finally entered the only six weeks of beautiful weather we get a year. It' seems it's been a tough week for almost everybody but hopefully a little good reading can cheer you up if you've been dismayed by stagnant debates and falling indices.

Nick

1. No Depression: In a week of drastic predictions and what seems to be the coming of a financial apocalypse, Clive Crook finds someone willing to take a contrarian view. I certainly hope they're right...most people are literally banking on it.

2. Does Ahmadinejad speak for Iran? Simply put, no. From my own studies and readings I can tell you I believe that this man will have no power by next fall's elections. The Ayatollah essentially selects the Iranian president. Khameini thought Mahmoud would be a weak puppet and when his marginal, firebrand Islam led him to start making absurd predictions the Ayatollah realized his mistake.

3. A whimsical take: The financial crisis as explained to the author's 14 year old sister. Can anyone tell me - what is a Charizard?

4. The other shoe drops: That "lesser fall" hasn't proved to be particularly applicable. But I stand by the contention that even as global markets mirror the US in their downward trends, the relations of global finance are much more equal and politically oriented.

5. Would a surge work in Afghanistan? Depends who you ask. I have made the argument that it won't for some time but there certainly doesn't seem to be any consensus. Both candidates want more troops. The commanding general needs more troops but not a surge and Petraeus says we need to talk to the Taliban. Who is in charge and do they have any type of coordinated plan for Afghanistan???

Patrick

(Geez, Nick, you don't know what a Charizard is? COME ON!)

1. The Bernson Plan: Yet another whimsical/metaphorical explanation of the financial crisis. But it made things remarkably clear for me, especially the newest arguments about recapitalization.

2. Let's call the whole thing off: Language is one of the oldest indicators of socio-economic status, and the Presidential Race is no exception. I will admit, the way Sarah Palin pronounces "Iraq", "Iran", and "nuclear" drives me up the wall. FWIW, I say "Eh-rahk" but not "Pah-kee-stahn".

3. The Burst Commodity Bubble: Very spot-on take of commodities prices.

4. Does the Free Market Corrode Moral Character? In a week when the Pope criticized the pursuit of wealth, I think this is a particularly timely rejoinder.

5. Stop Sending Mail You Later Regret. The newest libertarian paternalism craze: discouraging you from sending drunk emails. Seriously.