But today's market ructions are a reminder that some day fairly soon they will have to decide whether and how to give Portugal additional support, and come to terms with the reality that the government is unlikely to be able to go back to borrowing on the global financial markets in 2013, as its current rescue plan assumes.

BBC: More market alarm bells on Portugal

In the absence of an even better offer, should it decide to stay independent and perhaps seek to become a predator itself, its shareholders might yet give it sympathetic support.

ECONOMIST: Mobile telephones

Congress is going to have to make a decision whether they decide to help unemployed Americans who are struggling, or whether we should make sure that we give them the experience and support that they need to get back in the workforce and build a better life.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama on the American Jobs Act in Millers Creek, North Carolina | The White House