US – Tuesday, February 9
National
Plant blast under investigation
Federal investigators headed to Connecticut yesterday to determine the cause of an explosion at an unfinished power plant that killed at least five workers and hospitalized dozens of others.
 
International
Pressure grows for sanctions
International pressure for new sanctions against Iran grew yesterday after Tehran announced plans to make higher-enriched uranium and add 10 nuclear sites in a year, raising Western fears it wants to develop atom bombs.
 
The Word
Stern: I’d do ‘Idol’ for $100M
Howard Stern took to his radio show yesterday to address the rumors that he’s a possible replacement for Simon Cowell for the next season of “American Idol.” To sum it up? He’s not going for it.
 
New York Arts
Dancing while the skinny lady sings
You’ve heard of the jukebox musical? David Parsons and singers AnnMarie Milazzo and Tyley Ross of the East Village Opera Co. offer a jukebox opera, playing nightly at the Joyce. Eleven Parsons dancers share the stage with Milazzo and Ross, who clutch microphones cranked to 11 and stroll through the action. On the recorded soundtrack, three drummers create a wall of sound so loud you — well, I — want to hide under the seat. Digital video of abstract patterns, natural landscapes and stunning architecture change for each song.
 
Business
‘Free’ ad leads to fraud suit
NEW YORK. A Wisconsin college student is suing credit firm Experian — the brains behind the ubiquitous FreeCreditReport.com jingles — for fraudulent advertising after she inadvertently signed up for a monthly $14.95 monitoring service.
 
My Wellbeing
Let me count the ways ...
‘Tis the season for writing love letters. But that can be a daunting endeavor, especially when you’re not sure where to start. Should you put it in verse, use flowery language, get erotic? As with almost anything in life, the simpler you keep it, the easier (and often better) it will be. It doesn’t sound that romantic, but think of your love letter as a laundry list of the reasons why you adore your sweetheart. It’s kinda like Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet 43: “How do you love your partner? Count the ways!” Here’s how to do it without rhyming or pulling out a thesaurus:
 
Updated 20:16, March the 17th, 2009
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It should be President Obama’s fight to take to AIG, but instead Congressmembers like Rep. Barney Frank swing with the hottest criticism.It should be President Obama’s fight to take to AIG, but instead Congressmembers like Rep. Barney Frank swing with the hottest criticism.
Photo: GETTY IMAGES
 

Obama’s defining moment: It’s time to stop the bleeding

Administration warned of public anger: So who dropped the ball?

 
 
Arianna says

"It’s a battle to see who is more tone-deaf: the AIG execs pushing for bonuses despite running the company into the ground or the members of the Obama administration who didn’t realize this would inspire such outrage."

 

 As public and political outrage over the AIG bonuses reached a crescendo last night, President Barack Obama was warned he could pay a heavy political price if he failed to take a rapid and determined stand.

Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said three options were being considered to claw back the  $165 million bonuses, but a former leading Democratic campaign chief said it “would be a crime” if Obama failed to “raise populist hell.”

Hank Sheinkopf, a political campaign consultant who has worked for President Clinton and currently works for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg told Metro: “If he doesn’t stand up and raise populist hell, the voters will be very unhappy. Failure to start screaming and yelling would be the crime here.

“The president has to prove he’s standing up for taxpayers and the enemy are the banks.”

Analysts said there was a danger of Obama being left “behind the curve” as public opinion hardened ahead of his ability to claw back the bonuses.

Pelosi said lawmakers were considering a surtax of up to 98 percent on the AIG payouts, allowing the Attorney General to claim back bonuses paid by companies receiving public subsidy, or clamping down on so-called “retention payments” to top staff.

But politicians and members of the public said yesterday that, even as government lawyers pored over AIG contracts to see if there was a way to reclaim the money, the situation should never have been allowed to reach this point.

Sen. Chris Dodd, of Conn., told The Washington Post that he warned the Obama administration that the bonuses would anger the public. “I warned them this would be met with an unprecedented level of outrage,” he said.  

METRO