Euros Eat Their Words as Own Bailouts Loom

European leaders are eating their words a week after criticizing the US for allowing its banks to run dry and engineering a system-wide bailout for financial firms, Bloomberg reports. Governments across Europe, including Germany, the UK, Belgium and France bailed out banks across the continent and pledged support for others as Europe faces its own financial meltdown.

“The gods of the markets are punishing those who showed hubris,” one analyst said. “Europe has been bashing the US, but it's realizing now it has its own problems.” Added another: “The US experience should send a clear message to Europe that you need a contingency plan. The fact there still isn't one will focus investors on the vulnerability of Europe's economy and financial system.” (More Nicolas Sarkozy stories.)