The important thing is that this crisis be defused in a manner that strengthens Thailand's democratic institutions rather than undermines them, and that will require restraint and responsibility on all sides of this equation.

What I wanted was to explore various different levels of the comfort-crisis aspect of the nation. It's like Greek tragedy; [Bush and Stewart] are feminine and masculine versions of us. There's humor in it, but I think their transgressions are most important -- are their attempts to organize their pathologies: for George, the psychotic, and for Martha, the neurotic.

Unless some crisis triggers action, it usually takes us years to get something passed. And we can only do one thing at a time because we're not allowed to go after things comprehensively. We think it will be helpful to have a dedicated group of legislators who are sitting down and looking at issues in a more intense, concentrated way.

Historically the bar has been set very high for His Majesty to involve himself in such matters. He is revered in Thailand and has tremendous moral authority but has been judicious in the exercise of that power.

That will require restraint and responsibility on all sides of this equation.

We really accomplished what we set out to do with the Recovery Act programs, which was to fill the lending gap created by the crisis.