by Devin Dwyer

On yesterday's podcast we spoke with Steve Jakubowski of the Bankruptcy Litigation Blog about the feasibility of a "surgical" bankruptcy to save GM. He wasn't so hot on the idea, and he has company.

Mark Phelan of Detroit Free Press points out in today's paper that surgery always hurts and sometimes doesn't cure:

"It sounds, if not pleasant, at least quick, precise and scientific. A drastic treatment for General Motors Corp.'s many ills. The amputation of diseased limbs to create a stronger, healthier automaker.

Except this is experimental surgery. It's never been done before. There's no procedure, no prognosis, no track record to predict the survival rate.

While GM has tried to avoid filing for bankruptcy, new Chief Executive Officer Fritz Henderson has acknowledged that the possibility that it may be forced to seek protection has become more probable.

One thing's fairly clear: Anyone who promotes it as a quick, painless cure is wrong."