they say it with a straight face

Apropos Sideshow Marcroft's post I had the (dis)pleasure of listening to a auto industry "economist"* complaining that an auto bailout package that included increased emissions and mileage standards would cripple the industry because...wait for it.. wait for it... it would prevent the Big 3 from adapting to "the market". Cause, you know, they obviously have done such a good job adapting so far.