Supplemental Appropriations: Opportunities Exist to Increase Transparency and Provide Additional Controls. GAO-08-314, January 31.

Bank Fees: Federal Banking Regulators Could Better Ensure That Consumers Have Required Disclosure Documents Prior to Opening Checking or Savings Accounts. GAO-08-281, January 31.

“What will be the consequence of losses of over $1 trillion and, possibly, as high as $2 trillion? That would wipe out most of the capital of most of the US banking system and lead most of US banks and mortgage lenders – that are massively exposed to real estate – to go belly up. […]

Counterpunch reports this item: A psychiatrist who has treated former military personnel at Guantánamo prison camp is telling a story of prisoner torture and guard suicide there, recounted to him by a National Guardsman who worked at Guantánamo just after it opened. Dr. John R. Smith, 75, is a Oklahoma City psychiatrist who has done […]

At the bottom of the post section is a widget that allows you to fill out and print a registration form to vote next November. I thought it might be useful for some to do now if needed. This has been a public service announcement.

The Union of Concerned Scientists has just published a paper on science and governmental regulatory bodies and policy advisory panels. The United States has enjoyed prosperity and health in large part because of its strong and sustained commitment to independent science. As the nation facesnew challenges at home and growing competitiveness abroad, the need for […]

My apologies for simply punting on the thread on Iraq, but I was not going to spend the time to evaluate each comment and post a note on why it was deleted. The policy was designed for individual and relatively infrequent use, not half the comments and taunts. Hence comments were deleted en mass, and […]

Bill Polley noticed that stats are getting worse. The news isn’t good. The PPI is on the rise. (MSNBC) WASHINGTON – Battered by bad economic news, consumer confidence plunged while wholesale food, energy and medicine costs soared, pushing inflation up at the fastest pace in a quarter century.The Labor Department said Tuesday that wholesale inflation […]

Lane Kenworthy discusses poverty. Also check Peter Whiteford’s comments.

Nouriel Roubini gave his two cents worth yesterday to Barney Frank and committee.