I'm always amazed at how these things work. Ken Lay was dead set on testifying tomorrow and setting the record straight. But this morning his lawyer Earl J. Silbert, watched the Sunday shows and saw that Reps and Senators really take a dim view of his client. And he "instructed Mr. Lay to withdraw his prior acceptance" of the congressional invitation.

Obviously, Ken Lay is just bustin' at the seams to get in that chair and clear things up. But the hyper-cautious Silbert won't let him. Lay is like the hothead spoiling for a fight whose friends keep holding him back, even as he flails his arms trying to get into the melee.

Lay must be giving Silbert an earful tonight: Don't hold me back! Don't hold me back! Lemme at 'em!