“Thousands of Iraqis took to the streets Monday to demand the release of a reporter who threw his shoes” at President Bush during a press conference yesterday, praising the journalist as a “hero.” The television station that employs the journalist has also demanded his immediate release, saying it “fear[ed] for his safety.”
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich “has no plans of resigning today or tomorrow,” a spokesperson said yesterday. “He still signs bills as governor, and he wants to see details.”
A loophole in the bailout legislation may allow executives at Wall Street companies to continue to earn large compensation packages. Due to a last-minute change in legislative language sought by the Bush administration, Congress’ efforts to limit pay may prove toothless. “The flimsy executive-compensation restrictions in the original bill are now all but gone,” Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) said.
President-elect Obama will announce his energy and environment team — led by Dr. Steven Chu as Secretary of Energy — Monday afternoon at a press conference in Chicago, “continuing a steady roll-out of his Cabinet, which is now nearly complete.” Sen. Ken Salazar (D-CO) is the leading contender to be named Interior Secretary.
“The number of reported attacks against LGBT people increased 24 percent in 2007 over 2006″ and is expected to rise again this year after a “rash of attacks” in recent months, according to the New York City Anti-Violence Project.
Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Russ Feingold (D-WI) are teaming up once again, this time to pursue earmark reform. Roll Call reports that while the political climate may be receptive to their efforts, they may meet some resistance if they “look to move the authority for policing earmarks out of Congress, as many reformers have called for.”
Yesterday on ABC’s “This Week,” McCain said that he would not necessarily support Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) if she decided to run for president in the future. “I can’t say something like that. We’ve got some great other young governors. I think you’re going to see the governors assume a greater leadership role in our Republican Party,” he said.
“Widows of war veterans have been wrongfully denied up to millions of dollars in government benefits over the past 12 years due to computer glitches that often resulted in money being seized from the elderly survivors’ bank accounts.”
With unemployment claims “reaching their highest levels in decades, states are running out of money to pay benefits, and some are turning to the federal government for loans or increasing taxes on businesses to make the payments.” Benefits may become insolvent in 30 states over the next few months while funds in Indiana and Michigan have “already dried up.”
And finally: Expecting a tourist bonanza around Jan. 20, the DC Council recently “voted in favor of extending last call to 5 a.m. and allow bars and restaurants to serve food around the clock during inauguration week.” Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Robert Bennett (R-UT) objected in a letter to Mayor Adrian Fenty, however, saying that were “deeply concerned” that the plan “could seriously strain law enforcement resources.” In response, a group of Washingtonians has launched SaveTheParties.com. The petition backing the Council’s change reads: “The people voted overwhelmingly for change, and we want to celebrate that change big-time!”
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