Bank of America Settles for $335 Million in Latino Discrimination Lawsuit

This case, which is a long time in coming, disproves the myth that the housing collapse was caused by the government. Americans seeking the American dream were exploited by those greedy to sell a home by any means necessary. The right has been feeding us the myth that it was the poor who were to blame by buying homes they could not afford. The people who sold them the homes knew that they couldn't afford subprime loans. Not the buyers.

It also disproves the myth that it was the government that forced home sellers into selling homes at subprime rates:

According to the DOJ's complaint, Countrywide charged over 200,000 African-American and Hispanic borrowers higher fees and interest rates than non-Hispanic white borrowers with a similar credit profile. The complaint says that these borrowers were charged higher fees and rates because of their race or national origin rather than any other objective criteria.
"These institutions should make judgments based on applicants' creditworthiness, not on the color of their skin," said Attorney General Eric Holder. "With today's settlement, the federal government will ensure that the more than 200,000 African-American and Hispanic borrowers who were discriminated against by Countrywide will be entitled to compensation."

[...]The United States' complaint says that Countrywide was aware that the fees and interest rates that its loan officers were charging discriminated against African-American and Hispanic borrowers, but failed to impose meaningful limits or guidelines to stop it. By steering borrowers into subprime loans from 2004 to 2007, the complaint alleges, Countrywide harmed those qualified African-American and Hispanic borrowers. Subprime loans generally carried costlier terms, such as prepayment penalties and significantly higher adjustable interest rates that increased suddenly after two or three years, making the payments unaffordable and leaving the borrowers at a much higher risk of foreclosure.

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Argentine government wins control of newsprint

Argentine government wins control of newsprint - CBS News

This is not a good thing.

Disgraceful: U.N. pays tribute to North Korea's Kim Jong Il

U.N. pays tribute to North Korea's Kim Jong Il

The UN was created to promote human freedom and the rule of law. They dishonor that cause by this recognition of murderous dictator; even if it's for a minute.

Occupy protesters sue over free speech, force

Occupy protesters sue over free speech, force

Lawyers representing protesters have filed lawsuits — or are planning them — in state and federal courts from coast to coast, challenging eviction orders and what they call heavy-handed police tactics and the banning of demonstrators from public properties.

Some say the fundamental right of protest has been criminalized in places, with protesters facing arrest and charges while doing nothing more than exercising protected rights to demonstrate.

Secret US memo now key evidence in baby thefts

Secret US memo now key evidence in baby thefts

A long-classified memo describing a secret meeting between diplomats in a clubby Washington restaurant has become key evidence in the trial of two former Argentine dictators charged with stealing babies from political prisoners.

The 1982 memo was fully declassified by the U.S. State Department this week at the request of the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo. The human rights group has spent decades gathering evidence against the 1976-1983 military junta.

China Hackers Hit U.S. Chamber Of Commerce Last Year

China Hackers Hit U.S. Chamber Of Commerce Last Year

Hackers in China broke through the computer defenses of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce last year and were able to access information about its operations and its 3 million members, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.