But his healing hands soon also became indispensable to the Tsarina Alexandra who needed him to calm her nerves, cure her headaches, soothe her rages and echo back her own desires in the guise of the word of God.

ECONOMIST: Ra-Ra-Rasputin

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown sought to soothe troubles nerves by reiterating that his government will stand as the bank of last resort.

NPR: Europe Acts To Stave Off Financial Collapse

Nor has he committed himself to making the central bank independent, something many economists believe would do much to soothe nerves.

ECONOMIST: Now for round two | The