What a good year 2008 has been, personally. This spring the sudden need for a double bypass surprised me. This fall the sudden drop of my modest life's savings by 25 percent surprised me. Neither was pleasant at the time, but since our purpose in life is to learn to trust God more, what's the value of pressure to trust God? Priceless.

WASHINGTON-Brushing aside Republican opposition in the House and Senate, President Bush endorsed a $17.4 billion plan Friday to bail out Chrysler and General Motors, with $13.4 billion available now and $4 billion in February. The other Big Three U.S. automaker, Ford, has indicated it can continue without government aid, but the other two are on the precipice of bankruptcy. The plan is designed to be a short-term fix for the industry, as Bush demanded the companies use the coming months to restructure.

For many nonprofit charities, economic recession delivers a two-pronged stick in the eye. Rising unemployment swells need for services. And the tightening of bank accounts shrinks donations.

That combination adds up to bleak headlines splattering the pages of newspapers throughout the country: "Food banks can't meet demand." "Dip in donations endangering Boys and Girls Club." "More need help, but fewer give to charities."

Since Sept. 7, when the Treasury Department assumed control of massive lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the search has raged for a smoking gun to pin blame for the near collapse on top executives-and so absolve government of its responsibility in encouraging subprime loans with affordable housing mandates. Capitol Hill now appears to have found just the evidence to fit that bill.

WASHINGTON - Negotiations in the Senate fell apart late Thursday night as Senate Democrats and the Bush administration failed to garner 60 votes to pass legislation for a $14 billion bailout to the auto industry.

Though the House of Representatives passed the bill, the Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell said he did not support it Thursday, which signaled the bailout's almost certain death.

"I dread looking at Wall Street tomorrow," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

WASHINGTON - Though the automakers' bailout appears to face insurmountable challenges in the Senate, the House of Representatives passed legislation in a 237-170 vote Wednesday night to provide the U.S. industry with $14 billion in loans, with the contingency that President Bush would appoint a "car czar" to oversee restructuring in the three companies-Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler.

The Senate plans to vote on the legislation later in the week.