I think Obama is well aware of the stakes and the urgency. And I really do think he'll appoint someone he thinks can get the job done, and will expect that it get done.

I'm also sure he's more aware than anyone that he doesn't have much time for anything. I expect him to move decisively on a number of fronts sooner rather than later. The only real question will be how the economy shapes his plans.

We could very well see the sort of big thinking we've wanted for so long being put into action relatively quickly, simply for the fact that this crisis demands action, the people see the need for boldness and comprehensive approaches, and we have a new president who can see all this, and knows the window won't be there for long.

If 9/11 was the perfect pretext for a reimagined US from the hard right, our financial meltdown is the perfect context for progressive ideas on a number of interrelated fronts.

But I'm just going out on a limb here and guessing that there is a huge disparity in the overall number of lynchings in this country between those of white women and uppity black men.

So, yes, it's terrible, tut tut, for shame, but not the same in terms of the meanings loaded into the symbolism as hanging Obama in effigy.

I only clicked on this to see what kind of pomposity was going down.

I think I'll starting drafting "Rules for breathing my air."

WE generate wealth, together, in an economy.