<The whole thing is nothing but a joke now, and it's a news story only because the Democratic toadies in the media are forcing it to be one.

Enron whines for government assistance

This prompts the media to propagates the public's need to know (not their want, but their need)

The requested government assistance fails to materialize, and Enron collapses

Which prompts the media to propagate the public's need to know

Realizing a media opportunity, certain politicians signify a need for political action

Which prompts the media to propagate the public's need to know

The requested action does not occur and certain politicians begin to look bad to their constituents. The smart dogs let go of the rag. The stupid dogs tear into it with increased vigor

Which prompts the media to propagate the public's need to know

Enron execs are called to the Congressional carpet to face possible charges

Which prompts the media to propagate the public's need to know

Enron execs offer the government as much aid as the government offered Enron

Which prompts the media to propagate the public's need to know

The resulting political action shows very likely no political action was ever required

Which prompts the media to propagate the public's need to know (you have to know -- it’s your patriotic duty to know all)

The resulting embarrassment demands a public political amendment from the effected politicians

Which prompts the media to propagate the public's need to know

It’s not gonna stop any time soon. This is going to drag on and on, and cost millions of tax dollars (that’s tax dollars for the investigation, not the proposed relief to the bad stock investors). Eventually, the media and politico cycle will wind itself down -- but only because the politicos have found a new target for the ravenous media-vultures to harp on.

Dan