Ben Bernanke actually said...

It would be a self-inflicted wound, I would say.

I would urge Congress to take every step possible to avoid defaulting on the debt or creating even any significant probability of defaulting...

I think they view this whole situation... as being a political issue and not an economic issue.

I agree with your characterization. It is just very poor business, very poor practices in terms of making sure that consumers were contacted...