Like Jay-Z + the Beatles, But Worse


Fiasco Mash-up! Stumbling banking giant Citibank is helping build up Iraq's banking industry, reports Spencer Ackerman at the Washington Independent. (To those over 40 or otherwise culturally illiterate: Rapper Jay-Z...

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March 10, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (5)

Update: Help for Homeless Children


Last October, we looked at how the economic crisis was pushing thousands of U.S. children out of their homes, along with their families. Now, Sen. Robert Casey (D-PA) is calling...

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March 10, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (4)

Bush Era, Revised -- and with More Barbeque


Hindsight's 20-20? White House Web site deletes statement that ex-president Bush worked to create "a future of security, prosperity, and opportunity for all Americans." Adds, also, that ex-prez and ex-first...

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March 9, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (8)

The Tax Woman Cometh


Politico today names perhaps the most powerful woman in Washington, D.C. And unless you’ve been considered for a key Obama administration post –- or work for the Senate Finance Committee...

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March 9, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (1)

Paging Mr. Stanford: Antigua Called


They want their island back. Among other features, it's home to the rare West Indian whistling duck.

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March 6, 2009 in Stanford | Permalink | User Comments (1)

Who Are You Calling Partisan?


Sticks and stones may break bones, but name-calling will always make headlines. So when a flack for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) called a leading anti-earmark advocate a “partisan...

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March 6, 2009 in PMA | Permalink | User Comments (1)

Update: IRS Won't Use Private Debt Collectors


The IRS is said to be curtailing its use of private debt collection agencies to chase tax deadbeats. We've reported on the sometimes-abusive practices the private firms have used to...

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March 6, 2009 in IRS | Permalink | User Comments (6)

But Is It Art?


"Sir" Allen Stanford ruins avant-garde art exhibition: artist Chris Burden was planning to use 100 kilos of gold purchased from accused swindler R. Allen Stanford's empire in an art installation,...

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March 5, 2009 in Stanford | Permalink | User Comments (0)

PMA Scandal a Sore Point for Dems in 2010?


Will the PMA lobbying scandal will be an issue in the 2010 midterm elections? asks the Hill newspaper. For years, millions from PMA and its clients flowed to campaign coffers,...

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March 5, 2009 in PMA | Permalink | User Comments (0)

Down in Flames


Senators defeat Sen. Tom Coburn's (R-OK) quixotic effort to banish $8.8 million in earmarks destined for clients of PMA Group, now under federal investigation and soon to be defunct. Coburn:...

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March 4, 2009 in PMA | Permalink | User Comments (3)