Breaking the Bubble

Senate committee set to vote on AG nominee

The New York Times reported that on Tuesday, the nomination of Michael Mukasey, President Bush's candidate for Attorney General, will be voted on by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Mukasey served as a federal judge in New York for 18 years.

Mukasey's nomination had been seen as a lock. However it has now been cast into doubt as some senators have not been satisfied with some of Mukasey's comments about harsh torture techniques.

"My hope is that by scheduling the consideration for next Tuesday, senators will have an opportunity to consider the recently received written responses from the nominee and will be prepared to debate the nomination and vote," said Patrick Leahy, the Judiciary Committee's chair.

Orrin Hatch, Republican senator from Utah, is one of Mukasey's supporters on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

"Both generally, and specifically, by any reasonable or objective standard, Judge Mukasey is eminently qualified to be our next attorney general. My Democratic colleagues have repeatedly said that the Justice Department needs new leadership and needs it now," Hatch said.

Several Democratic senators have stated they plan to vote against Mukasey's nomination when it comes to the Senate floor.. A "no" vote in the committee won't kill Mukasey's nomination, but it will hurt his chances when the vote comes up in the full Senate.

Wildfire blamed on boy playing with matches

Officials have blamed a California wildfire that consumed more than 38,000 acres and 21 homes last week on a boy playing with matches reported the Associated Press.

"[The boy] admitted to playing with matches and accidentally starting the fire," said Diane Hecht, Los Angeles County sheriff's sergeant.

The boy's name was not released, but Los Angeles County Fire Captain Michael Brown stated the boy was younger than 13. He was released to his parents and the district attorney's office is being asked to consider the case.

The fire was one of the 15 wildfires in California that destroyed 2,100 homes and burned 809 square miles from Los Angeles to the Mexican border.

Prosecutors have not yet determined whether the boy's parents would be held responsible for the financial damages as a result of the fire said Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Deputy Maribel Rizo.