INTERNATIONAL: "Slump Tilts Priorities Of Industry In China: Environment Loses In Push for Growth," by Jonathan Ansfield, New York Times, 19 April 2009.

When people feel their livelihoods are threatened, the environmental stuff goes right out the window.

People only care about the environment when basic needs are met. When times get tight, it's all about finding savings and restarting economic activity--a tough combo.

The smart thing to do, of course, is to take advantage of a downturn to upgrade your model (what the U.S. tries to do), but in China, the tendency is more to go back to old habits and put off the challenging changes.

Why? It is hard for Americans to imagine just how many people are suddenly unemployed or underemployed in China due to the downturn, and how much Beijing's masters fear that scenario.