WEDNESDAY’S MINI-REPORT…. Today’s edition of quick hits:
* The major Wall Street indexes finished down about 1% each.
* The shoe-throwing incident seems to sparked all kinds of political turmoil in Baghdad, including the resignation of Parliament’s Speaker.
* Speaking of Iraq, Blackwater may be finished in the country.
* OPEC is really cutting back on production, but prices keep dropping anyway.
* Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.) was considered the likely pick for U.S. Trade Representative in the Obama administration, but he’s passed up the chance and will stay in the House.
* At some point, I sincerely hope Bush White House officials learn not to say, “No one could have anticipated.” It’s just embarrassing — for all of us.
* Republicans want to go after Holder for supporting the Brady Bill? These guys do not wear desperation well.
* Sarah Palin’s friends on the Alaska State Officers Compensation Commission want to help give her a generous raise.
* When it comes to corruption convictions per 100,000 residents, the four worst states in the union are in the Bible Belt: Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Alabama.
* As the recession gets worse, welfare rolls are surging for the first time since the ’96 reform effort.
* Great line from my friend Melissa: “[I]f you want to be a parent, you’re better off being a gay male penguin in China than a gay male human in Arkansas.”
* Didn’t Giuliani already have a radio show?
* Congratulations to Sean Hannity for winning Media Matters’ “2008 Misinformer of the Year” award. On second thought, maybe “award” is the wrong word.
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
