In testimony this morning to the House Financial Services Committee, Mr. Bernanke said a full review of consumer protection regulations was under way under existing regulatory authority. “The recent problems in subprime lending have underscored the need not only for better disclosure and new rules but also for more-uniform enforcement in the fragmented market structure… Continue reading Fed Chief Calls for New Mortgage Rules
Senate rejects habeas legislation.
In a 56-43 vote, the majority of the Senate today voted for legislation that would have restored habeas corpus rights to military detainees and given them “the right to protest their detention in federal court.” But the roll call fell four votes short of the 60 needed to cut off debate. From Think Progress »… Continue reading Senate rejects habeas legislation.
Webb Amendment Filibustered
You know that plan to make sure that the troops have as much time at home as they have in Iraq? Well… Senate Republicans have successfully filibustered the amendment to ease troop rotation schedules. Great job supporting the troops.
Paul Krugman’s Blog
I was born in 1953. Like the rest of my generation, I took the America I grew up in for granted – in fact, like many in my generation I railed against the very real injustices of our society, marched against the bombing of Cambodia, went door to door for liberal candidates. It’s only in… Continue reading Paul Krugman’s Blog
U.S. Weapons, Given to Iraqis, Move to Turkey
Weapons that were originally given to Iraqi security forces by the American military have been recovered over the past year by the authorities in Turkey after being used in violent crimes in that country, Pentagon officials said Wednesday. From U.S. Weapons, Given to Iraqis, Move to Turkey – New York Times Remember that story about… Continue reading U.S. Weapons, Given to Iraqis, Move to Turkey
Why Bush stands by his incompetents
The more radioactive his aides become, the more Bush embraces them. With Gonzales, the president was particularly alone in this stance. Conservatives who might otherwise defend Bush against Democrats were appalled by Gonzales’ incompetence and the utter waste of time and energy devoted to cleaning up his messy department. Why does Bush hang on until… Continue reading Why Bush stands by his incompetents
Republicans Plan to Penalize States on Primaries
The Republican National Committee plans to penalize at least four states holding early primaries, including New Hampshire and Florida, by refusing to seat at least half their delegates at the party’s national convention in 2008, a party official said Tuesday. From: Republicans Plan to Penalize States on Primaries – New York Times I like this.… Continue reading Republicans Plan to Penalize States on Primaries
Suspended Spitzer Aide Is Expected Back at Work
Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s communications director, who was a central figure in an attempt to use the State Police to embarrass the governor’s main rival, is expected to return to state government as early as this week, people briefed on the matter said yesterday. From: Suspended Spitzer Aide Is Expected Back at Work – New York… Continue reading Suspended Spitzer Aide Is Expected Back at Work
Armored Trucks’ Delivery Delayed
The United States military said Wednesday that it would deliver less than half the number of blast-resistant trucks to Iraq by year’s end than planned. A Pentagon spokesman, Geoff Morrell, said 1,500 vehicles, rather than 3,500, would be delivered because of the time it takes to equip them with radios and armaments and then deliver… Continue reading Armored Trucks’ Delivery Delayed
China Regulates Buddhist Reincarnation
In one of history’s more absurd acts of totalitarianism, China has banned Buddhist monks in Tibet from reincarnating without government permission. According to a statement issued by the State Administration for Religious Affairs, the law, which goes into effect next month and strictly stipulates the procedures by which one is to reincarnate, is “an important… Continue reading China Regulates Buddhist Reincarnation