July 2010 Archive
A Reading List to Put the WikiLeaks 'War Logs' in Context
The WikiLeaks documents on the war in Afghanistan provide a closer look at Pakistan, civilian casualities and other long-building issues.
Why WikiLeaks' 'War Logs' Are No Pentagon Papers
The historical importance the Pentagon Papers far outweighs the probable impact of the new Afghanistan documents. And Nixon's response was likely far different than President Obama's will be.
Scientists Confirm Subsea Oil Plumes Are Definitively BP's Oil
After finally getting oil samples from BP, scientists have conclusively linked underwater plumes to the ruptured Gulf well. One researcher calls the spill a "three-dimensional catastrophe."
Gitmo Challenges Could Endanger Half of Convictions
Decisions on two legal challenges to the Guantanamo military commissions system, expected this summer, could undo half the convictions won so far and disrupt a number of pending cases.
OSHA Cuts Outdated Air Quality Rule From Oil Worker Training
OSHA says it is no longer training oil cleanup workers to follow some outdated air quality exposure rules, and says it is applying stricture guidelines.
Bogus 'Obama Mom' Grants Lure Students
With the availability of billions in new federal grants for financially needy students, some marketers are targeting "Obama moms" with ads that education officials call misleading.
Resources for Investigating Investor Restrictions on Mortgage Modifications
Our guide on how to investigate the investors' contract that governs your mortgage.
When Denying Loan Mods, Loan Servicers Often Wrongly Blame Investors
Homeowners who are refused mortgage modifications are sometimes given a reason that is false. Some loan servicers say that mortgage investors won’t allow the modification, but that is seldom the case.
Rep. Rangel's Ethics Wrangle: Get the Rundown
The New York Democrat will face the first formal House ethics hearing in eight years, announced the House Ethics Committee.
Slate Takes a Closer Look at the Tragedy of a Bullied Teenager
A Slate report delves into the case of Phoebe Prince and the teenagers accused of driving her to suicide.
Homeland Security's Heightened Political Sensitivity Meant Delayed Record Requests
A now-abandoned policy of the Homeland Security Department required that politically sensitive FOIA requests get special scrutiny. The Associated Press reports that the practice caused delays and confusion.
Gov't Testing Finds Air in Gulf Like L.A. on a Bad Day
Particulate pollution from the BP oil spill may be making the air unhealthy for some people in the Gulf region. An environmental group says the EPA's monitoring of air quality in the area is not sufficient.
Reverse Ferret! When Stories Bite Back
While politicians jumped the gun in the Shirley Sherrod saga, reporters once again showed the value of … reporting.
Loan Mod Backlogs Continue Despite Servicers' Pledges to Improve
Loan servicers in the federal mortgage modification program continue to have large backlogs, but the administration has not responded with penalties. Many homeowners continue to be stuck in trial modifications.
Lobbyists Promote Asbestos Use in the Developing World
Though it is banned or restricted in many countries, asbestos still has flourishing markets in Russia, China and elsewhere. An investigation looks at the lobbying effort behind it.
In Financial Regulation Bill, Increased Transparency for Loan Mod Program
The formula for testing homeowners’ eligibility for a mortgage modification will not be a secret anymore. The Treasury Department will now have to post the details online.
