Portside

For the first time, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may require oil refineries to regularly measure the air quality at their perimeters. These fence line measurements will give surrounding communities, largely low-income communities of color, data on the level of pollution they are exposed to each day. The new EPA rulemaking is in response to a lawsuit filed against the EPA for failing to adequately protect residents living near oil and chemical plants.

On August 21st Bank of America agreed to pay a record $16.65 billion in fines for selling "toxic" mortgage securities. Critics charge the settlement will do little to help struggling homeowners victimized by the banks' illegal practices. And that portion of the settlement designated to go to public agencies and the states may be tax deductible. Bank of America's stock shares "surged" 4% following the announcement of the settlement.

The information given the U.S. public on the exact scope and objective of the increased U.S. military role in Iraq is very "thin." Critics warn the increased air attacks could not only presage a wider war, but contradict other stated U.S. policies in the region and deepen the humanitarian crisis there as well.