In today's pages: Brassieres, the economy and one wrong Wright

New York University professor Robert E. Wright argues that when it comes to the economy, America needs a second party -- since Democrats and Republicans offer no choice at all. "Prozac Nation" author Elizabeth Wurtzel wonders what happened to feminism in a "Girls Gone Wild" world, and Jonah Goldberg explains why Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright is wrong for Obama:

A Rasmussen poll released Monday found that 29% of blacks surveyed said Wright's comments made them more likely to support Obama, while only 18% said the opposite, and half said Wright's comments would have no effect on them.

That is a symptom of a problem that platitudinous "hope" cannot alone remedy.

The editorial board eyeballs a controversial gun-control case being heard in the Supreme Court today, and shakes its head at the Fed's short-term thinking in the Bear Stearns disaster:

The Bush administration tried to dole out a ration of calm Monday. The country is going through challenging times, President Bush said, but "our capital markets are functioning efficiently and effectively." White House Press Secretary Dana Perino later added, "This isn't about bailing anyone out." Neither happens to be true, though, and that's why the stock market gyrated from open to close.

Readers also react to Rev. Wright's racially incendiary comments. Richard Hawkins asks:

If Obama is to be dismissed for his pastor's rantings, how am I to judge members of the Catholic Church who still attend in spite of its crimes against children? How do I judge members of evangelical churches when their pastors cry out, "I have sinned against God"? How far do we take guilt by association? ... To bind Obama to his pastor's every word is absurd.