Tea Bird

AirTran expresses concern over fee increases at Pittsburgh International

From the Post-Gazette:

Another airline is objecting to the big fee increases being proposed at Pittsburgh International Airport next year to offset the effects of fewer flights, particularly by US Airways.

Assassination plot targeting Obama disrupted

Many, many people from both sides of the aisle I’ve talked to over the course of this campaign saw this coming. Likely the first of several:

WASHINGTON (AP) - The ATF says it has broken up a plot to assassinate Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and shoot or decapitate 102 black people in a Tennessee [...]

McCain Cuts Ad Spending in PA by 15%

According to an analysis by Evan Tracey of Campaign Media Analysis Group sponsored by Talking Points Memo, McCain ran 336 spots in Pennsylvania last Monday but only 284 this Monday. That is a week over week 15% drop in Pennsylvania ad spending by the McCain campaign.

Reid Asks Candidates to Stay Away and Debate the Economy

From Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid:

This is a critical time for our country. While I appreciate that both candidates have signaled their willingness to help, Congress and the Administration have a process in place to reach a solution to this unprecedented financial crisis.
I understand that the candidates are putting together a joint statement at Senator [...]

Up To $1 Trillion Needed to Prevent Meltdown

From Taegan Goddard’s Political Wire:

“Congressional leaders said after meeting Thursday evening with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that as much as $1 trillion could be needed to avoid an imminent meltdown of the U.S. financial system,” according to Politico.
According to Sen. Christopher Dodd, lawmakers were told last night “that [...]

Fed Close to Deal to Give A.I.G. $85 Billion Loan

This is about as close to a federal bailout as you can get. Wall Street for years eschewed regulation. Now look who has their hands out.
From the Times:

In an extraordinary turn, the Federal Reserve agreed to take a nearly 80 percent stake in the troubled giant insurance company, the American International Group, in [...]

Fee for the Gettysburg Visitor Center!

Say it isn’t so! First they tear down my beloved 50s-era buildings to build an edutainment complex, and now they want to charge an entrance fee! Boo! Hiss!
From the

Gov Rendell Will Sign PA Smoking Ban Into Law

Governor Ed Rendell is expected to sign the bill banning smoking in most private businesses and public places into law today at noon.  This will make Pennsylvania the 33rd state to ban smoking.
There are some exceptions including bars that have minimal food sales, some clubs, tobacco shops and sections of slots casinos.
Another exception is nursing [...]

Supreme Court Backs Detainee Rights in Guantanamo

The Supreme Court says foreign terrorism suspects held at Guantanamo Bay have rights under the U.S. Constitution to challenge their detention in U.S. civilian courts.

John McCain Town Hall in Nashua, New Hampshire

Town Hall Meeting on Thursday in Nashua, NH