Bernanke and Paulson were touting the strength of the economy well into the recession.
And then Bernanke and Paulson were the architects of the first bailout, signifying they either lied or knew nothing.
My guess, from the criticism of Obama for being candid, is that Bernanke and Paulson thought they were cheerleaders, encouraging their team even though it was behind at that point.
However, the Japanese have a quaint custom - preside over a catastrophe and commit hari-kari. Here they give themselves big bonuses.
Arf