As Albert Einstein famously observed, "politics is more difficult than physics."  The US congressional energy debate end-game these next two weeks seems destined to prove this out.

At its core is bipartisan recognition of an inchoate, nationwide, don't-just-stand-there-do-something groundswell.  Where this sudden, tidal upheaval leads in the months ahead is anything but certain.  While empiricism and reason may exert some gravitational pull over time, for now the political instinct is to pander.

A surefire indicator of hubris in American business is the misbegotten belief that success in one enterprise is a predictor of likely success in another, unrelated one.  Established companies periodically flirt with this conceit -- whether for executive ego gratification, perceived risk diversification, or earnings growth imperative.