NEW YORK TIMES: There was no single cause of the financial crisis, but a chief one was surely the way mortgage loans were made by people who believed they had no reason to care if the loan was repaid. That was why the Dodd-Frank financial overhaul law included risk retention — called “skin in the […]
Month: November 2013
Despite Filibuster Limits, a Door Remains Open to Block Judge Nominees
The new Senate rule clears the way for eight appeals court nominees who have already had confirmation hearings to win approval with simple majority votes, including three on the powerful Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which reviews federal policies and regulations.
A Draft from the Past- and a new clinical correlation
By Doctor Tom I don’t post every entry I compose. Some are saved as drafts for possible later use or because something else caught my eye before I got around to posting it. The following was composed in July, 2012, but never posted. Just this past month, I somewhat belatedly realized that an unusually high […]
Obama Visits Immigration Hunger Strikers in Washington
NEWSMAX: …”The president and the first lady are visiting individuals taking part in ‘Fast For Families’ on the National Mall and offer their support for those who are fasting on behalf of immigration reform,” said a White House official who asked for anonymity… Since Nov. 12, the immigrant rights activists, who have set up a […]
Fight Brews In Pennsylvania’s 13th District For Democrats’ Direction
She served one term in Congress two decades ago, and was cast out after voting for then-President Bill Clinton’s budget, which she initially said she opposed but agreed to support when leadership told her they needed her vote. Now, she has a more immediate Clinton connection: [Marjorie] Margolies’ son Marc Margolies-Mezvinsky is married to Chelsea Clinton, the Clintons’ daughter…
Health Care Site Rushing to Make Fixes by Sunday
The Health and Human Services Department announced that the site would be shut down for 11 hours on Friday night to put those upgrades into place, on top of the usual four-hour timeout for maintenance on Saturday night.
Gov. Tom Corbett signs bill allowing small games of chance in bars
HARRISBURG PATRIOT-NEWS: Gov. Tom Corbett on Wednesday signed into law the state’s first major gambling expansion since table games were legalized at its casinos in 2009. The new law allows bars and restaurants to offer pull tab games, daily drawings and raffles…d
U.N. Nuclear Inspectors Invited to Iranian Facility
NEW YORK TIMES: Days after Iran struck a landmark accord with world powers on its nuclear program, the International Atomic Energy Agency announced on Thursday that Tehran had invited its inspectors to visit a heavy-water production plant linked to the deal — the first tangible step since the agreement was concluded… The invitation was limited […]
Pope Names Private Secretary to Oversee Scandal-Ridden Vatican Bank
Since taking office in March, [Pope] Francis has moved to tackle years of financial scandals involving the Vatican bank, formally known as the Institute for Works of Religion, which is under investigation on suspicion of money laundering…
China sends warplanes into disputed air defense zone
USA TODAY: China said it sent warplanes into its newly declared maritime air defense zone days after the U.S., South Korea and Japan all sent flights through the airspace in broadening defiance of rules Beijing says it has imposed over the East China Sea.
Seeing enrollment slide, Penn State halves in-state law school tuition
PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: …With declining law school enrollment and a shaky job market for attorneys, Penn State University announced Tuesday it was cutting the price for in-state students to enroll in its Dickinson School of Law by almost half. The university’s “Commonwealth Scholars” program for Pennsylvania residents offers an annual $20,000 reduction off the $41,088 tuition […]
PPP: Corbett nation’s most unpopular Gov
PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Another brutal poll today for Gov. Tom Corbett: Public Policy Polling finds his approval ratings are underwater with voters in his own party, he would lose reelection to any of the main Democrats seeking to oppose him next year, and he’s less popular than a couple GOP congressmen who could theoretically mount a primary challenge.
IRS Moves to Close Down Political Speech of Non-Profits
NEWSMAX: …The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department proposed new rules that they said would prohibit such groups from using “candidate-related political activity” like running advertisements, registering voters or distributing campaign literature as activities that qualify them to be tax-exempt “social welfare” organizations… The rules would become final after a lengthy comment period, the […]
Men’s Wearhouse eyes Jos. A. Bank; investors win
USA TODAY: Men’s Wearhouse offered to buy Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Tuesday, turning the tables on an apparel retailing rival that has been trying to take it over. News of the offer was a win-win for investors, with stock in both companies jumping Tuesday. Jos. A. Bank shares closed up 11.3% to $56.29. Men’s Wearhouse […]