Legislative update from the purple sofa

Here's the latest on some stories I've been following from Murky Coffee, whose free wireless I am sponging while I wait for Verizon to get a clue. Hats off to Murky.

• Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) is "seriously depressed" that enviros have been kicking his ass on Arctic Refuge drilling all these years. (WP) Interior Secretary Gale Norton places requisite pro-drilling op-ed in the NYT. It's on.
  
• Credit industry-backed bankruptcy bill passes Senate, is lampooned by Tom Tomorrow. Those of us who have, at one time or another, signed up for a credit card in exchange for a free Snickers bar wince at the memory, vow to make larger payments.
  
• DC area media develop full-blown obsession with mercury (the element) in wake of continuing contamination problems at Cardozo High. (see DCeiver's Mercury Panic Pictorial Threat Index; also coverage by Washington City Paper, Kojo Nnamdi Show.)