The ‘Busy’ Trap

 By TIM KREIDER
If you live in America in the 21st century you’ve probably had to listen to a lot of people tell you how busy they are. It’s become the default response when you ask anyone how they’re doing: “Busy!” “So busy.” “Crazy busy.” It is, pretty obviously, a boast disguised as a complaint. And the stock response is a kind of congratulation: “That’s a good problem to have,” or “Better than the opposite.”

It’s not as if any of us wants to live like this; it’s something we collectively force one another to do.

Notice it isn’t generally people pulling back-to-back shifts in the I.C.U. or

Sport Football Euro 2012 Dominic Fifield: five talking points from Spain v Italy Euro 2012: Reign of Spain goes on as Italy trail in their stardust

Spain's players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Euro 2012 final against Italy. Photograph: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images

In the end, Spain were the best team in Euro 2012 by a considerable distance. They turned the final into a procession and, when they reflect on becoming the first nation to win three major tournaments in succession, the sense of jubilation should be greatly enhanced by this being the night when they were rewarded for having absolute conviction in their principles.
They never wavered in the face of great scrutiny and Vicente del Bosque's

Yingluck, Chalerm confident of court ruling

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra believes the Constitution Court will uphold justice in its consideration of the constitutionality of the charter amendment bill and has asked proponents and opponents of the legislation to act within the law.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra (Photo by Apichart Jinakul)

Ms Yingluck said this in reply to questions on Monday at Government House on the Constitution Court's scheduled hearing of testimony from both opponents and proponents of the bill on July 5 and 6, before ruling whether it contravenes Section 68 of the constitution.

It is not known when the ruling will be

Red shirts agree to delay bills

CHANGING AIM: Red shirt supporters rally at Lan Khon Muang near City Hall yesterday. The event was held by the Pheu Thai Party to clarify the government’s charter amendment bid.

Core red shirt leaders have backed off from

demands for immediate House deliberation of the four national reconciliation bills.
The leaders announced the change in position yesterday at a rally at Lan Khon Muang plaza in front of City Hall. The red shirts have organised a series of rallies across the country over recent weeks to promote the bills.
Yesterday's rally was attended