FRIDAY’S MINI-REPORT…. Today’s edition of quick hits:
* Case closed: “After seven frustrating years probing the deadly 2001 anthrax mailings, the FBI closed the case Friday, concluding a mentally unhinged government researcher acted alone in the attacks that killed five people and unnerved Americans nationwide.”
* The mortgage crisis isn’t over: “President Barack Obama used a campaign push for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Friday to announce a new fund to support homeowners in five states hit hardest by the housing crisis.”
* In fact, the mortgage crisis may be shifting: “A mortgage crisis like the one that has devastated homeowners is enveloping the nation’s office and retail buildings.”
* Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) has a cancerous stomach tumor, but is expected to make a full recovery. He may miss some Senate votes, but intends to keep working throughout his treatments.
* Operation Iraqi Freedom becomes Operation New Dawn.
* When it comes to analysis of the federal budget, deficits, and government spending, Peggy Noonan is almost comically confused.
* The estimable Harold Pollack reminds us how truly ridiculous the Wall Street Journal‘s editorial page is on health care policy analysis.
* At CPAC, it’s apparently not too soon to tell jokes about anti-government radicals flying airplanes into buildings.
* In tough times, states put Medicaid on the chopping block.
* Time for concealed weapons at college?
* In a depressing sign of the times, former Rep. Bob Barr (R-Ga.) was booed at a CPAC panel today when he described waterboarding as torture.
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
