I spent a lot of time reading The New York Times today, and the Old Grey Lady had some good stuff in it...

GM's bankruptcy could be unusual due to government participation in the process.

American auto workers are being put in a difficult position due to the looming possibility of bankruptcy for GM and Chrysler.

Another sign of hard times as people abandon ship(s) (boats, really).

Al Franken takes another step toward the title of United States Senator.

Israel's new Prime Minister offers conciliation, but not backing for a Palestinian state.

Thomas Friedman says the price is not right.

Joseph Stiglitz says the government bailouts are a bad deal for taxpayers.

Simon Critchley looks for a good cynic.

In The Washington Post, Richard Cohen takes a dim view of giving the automakers even more of our money.

In Britain, a disturbing story that some people believe says something about the decay of their civilization, as police officers held back citizens who wished to make a rescue attempt during a building fire that eventually killed a 3-year-old child and the child's parents. Should one or more of the officers, without proper equipment, have rushed into the building in an attempt to save the family? Should they have allowed the neighbors to try? Difficult questions, indeed, although I seem to remember one story from 9/11 about the NYPD officer who was just handing in his retirement papers when the call came in about the first plane striking one of the buildings. He dropped the papers on the desk and ran out the door, headed to the scene. He didn't live to enjoy his retirement.