2nd Chance Tuesday

There are many things that make the human race unique, but the one that shone out yesterday was our amazing ability to offer a reprieve to those who have erred. A cheetah hunting on the African savannah won't stop its chase of an exhausted gazelle to allow it to refuel, and a seal won't hesitate to favour her stronger calf when it becomes apparent that another is weaker. Humanity on the other hand, offers the hand of reprieval on a regular basis, often without a second thought. Our most popular religion is even founded on this very principle, that to err is human, to forgive (and reprieve) divine.

And over the past 36 hours, humanity has demonstrated its unique ability to perform this extraordinary feat in 3 different spheres.

Firstly of course, to America's behemoth (and that really is the only word to accurately describe its reach) AIG, which received an inordinate amount of money to stay afloat, and then gratefully fell into the sheltering arms of its repriever. AIG wasn't the first of course. Northern Rock, Fannie, Freddie, Bear Stearns and Merrill Lynch, all felt the power of reprieval from humanity, and as tonights buyout of HBOS shows, these institutions won't be the last either.

Secondly, to John Terry, reprieved and forgiven for his error and thus free to play on the weekend against his biggest rivals. Was it worthy of a red card? Certainly not, but was it worthy of a full reprieve? Absolutely not. England's least favourite Captain benefitted from an institution that offers reprieval a little too easily for most people's liking. A win on Sunday, and his reprieval will be complete, at least in his and his supporter's eyes.

Finally, perhaps the luckiest man to feel the hand of forgiveness, Gordon Brown. Ignoring the economic reality, ignoring the resentment of the electorate, ignoring even the resignation of a junior minister on grounds of failed belief, Brown's cabinet has offered him one last chance to prove that he has learnt his lesson and that he can turnaround the unturnroundable.

And to be fair to him, he's already seized his chance - dipping his fingers into the rescue of HBOS and broking the talks to lead them to safety via their own repriever, Lloyds TSB. A masterstroke from a man many believed had no such strokes left in him.

A pity then that no one explained the concept of human reprieval to the employees of Lehman Brothers. From what I hear, they sought solace in that other great human comfort zone - the humble chocolate bar.