Being off sick for a day sure gives perspective. One of the things we have to be thankful for is the need not to watch daytime TV when in the vice like grip of a cold because we can read a bazillion web based news services. It's one of the things I will miss in the coming collapse when first all the news services die and then the internet collapses. But in the meantime it sure is interesting to watch the Obama administration and try to figure them out. Just look at this bit of conversation from today's meeting with UK Prime Minister Gordie Brown:

Mr Obama also urged coordinated action, saying: "All of these steps, I think, are going to slowly build confidence but it is not going to happen yet. "We together have dug a very deep hole for ourselves. There were a lot of bad decisions that were made. We are cleaning up that mess. "There are going to be fits and starts in getting the mess cleaned up but it is going to get cleaned up and we will emerge more prosperous, more unified and more protected from systemic risks."

No tone of accusation, no wallowing in the moment with some ideological twist that the situation was inevitable or, worse, natural. Just people pitching in, getting on with getting the house in order. Or is he? We are also seeing the release of Bush II era legal opinions, some of which are a little unsettling as to the imperial vision of the executive's right to suspend constitutional rights. Again, they are placed out there without accusation. They are expected to speak for themselves. Giving any opposition voices little to take on. Getting the house in order. Or is he?