TUESDAY’S MINI-REPORT…. Today’s edition of quick hits:
* President Obama signed a new national service bill into law today, which, among other things, triples the size of AmeriCorps.
* Might prosecutors drop the charges against the AIPAC lobbyists?
* Apparently, a criminal investigation is underway covering illegal activities associated with the financial industry bailout program.
* Chrysler reportedly preferred more expensive financing from the private sector than a government loan that restricted executive compensation.
* Christopher Hill moves one step closer to becoming the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq.
* Kathleen Sebelius moves one step closer to becoming Secretary of HHS.
* House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.) will hold hearings on the Bush-era torture memos.
* On a related note, whether officials are comfortable with the word or not, torture is torture.
* Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Pat Leahy (D-Vt.) would like to see Jay Bybee resign from the judiciary. Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) and Rep. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) also expressed concerns about Bybee staying on the bench.
* Under the circumstances, CNBC’s Larry Kudlow looked even more foolish than usual comparing President Obama’s handshake with Hugo Chavez to “Boyz N the Hood.”
* I wonder why the right didn’t throw a tantrum when George W. Bush shook hands with Uzbekistani President Islam Karimov.
* Know what’s tiresome? Listening to wealthy financiers complain about people not liking them.
* Nonprofit groups would like see the White House make its anti-lobbying rule a little more forgiving.
* The conflict(s) between Little Green Footballs and some of its former allies is pretty interesting.
* It’s really hard to believe Newt Gingrich has a degree in history.
* And just a reminder for anyone who might care, it appears I’m getting started with Twitter. I’m still figuring out what I’m doing, so keep expectations low, but feel free to sign up if you’re interested.
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
