Not encouraging

In case anybody was wondering whether Jim Flaherty had given up on his well-established pattern of speaking softly and carrying no stick in dealing with banks on ATM fees, have no fear, as he made another media appearance today to prove that he's being just as ineffective as ever:

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says he's “encouraged” after talking with the major banks about bank machine fees.

The finance minister says he expects more announcements concerning banks and the fees they charge for automatic bank machines will come within days.

Mr. Flaherty didn't elaborate about what those announcements might be at a speech in Mississauga, west of Toronto.

Needless to say, the smart money is on any upcoming announcements consisting of still more media appearances where Flaherty publicly blusters about how progress is just around the corner. Though if there's any good news, it's that Flaherty's proven ability to declare optimism in the face of planned failure makes him a natural favourite to be the U.S.' new war czar.