| An obstinate liberal
A newspaper photographer seeking pictures of federal Judge William R. Wilson Jr. is invited to come by the Wilson mule farm at 9 a.m. on Sunday morning. There, the judge says, Sonny Simpson, former Little Rock police chief, and Bill Tranum, retired oncologist and former Razorback football player, will be helping him castrate and dehorn miniature goats. He hopes the photographer isn't squeamish. (The photographer made it through the assignment without incident, but the memory of the spurting blood stayed with him awhile.) A couple of things can be learned here: (1) Bill Wilson is a colorful sort, as federal judges go, and (2) he knows everybody in Arkansas, just about. These impressions are buttressed on another occasion, when the judge cuts short an interview so he can go to the races at Hot Springs with a bunch of fellows who played football at Little Rock High School under the legendary coach Wilson Matthews.
Banks warned against giving big unsecured loans
Dubai: The Chief of Dubai Police has warned five banks they will be named and shamed if they do not stop giving loans without guarantees and through big enticements, as many people have got into trouble for failing to pay off their debts. Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim said he will personally adopt a resistance movement against those banks which are also listed on Dubai Police's blacklist. He pointed out that 60 per cent of cases of bounced cheques or inability to pay back debts come from those banks. Their cases amount to 70 per cent of the total cases. Luxury items The warning came during an open discussion on the security of bank loans yesterday in which bank representatives, legal experts and economy experts took part. Dr Mohammad Murad, Director of Dubai Police's Decision Support Centre, pointed out that banks should contribute 50 per cent of the expenditure of inmates jailed for bank-related cases, as the cost of one inmate amounts to the cost of a person staying in a five-star hotel.
For Distressed Homeowners, Short Sales Stave Off Credit Ruin
Wednesday, April 4, 2007 | As a growing number of homeowners stare down the barrel of foreclosure, some are electing to negotiate with lenders to sell their homes at a loss, hoping to avoid the credit-marring implications of surrendering the home to the bank. Lenders might take losses of tens of thousands of dollars instead of repossessing the home and putting it up for auction. The auction process would incur additional costs for the bank and may result in a meager selling price. Homeowners, in turn, avoid getting slapped with a seven-year black mark on their credit. .
Land Bank CEO says he's 'on leave'
The Land Bank CEO Alan Mukoki is on leave from the bank, but will not say whether it was his or the department of agriculture's decision. He does however say that a number of the bank's controversial loans happened before he took over at the bank. Bruce Whitfield:
It has really been difficult to get a straight answer from the department of agricultural affairs yesterday on the situation at the Land Bank. Was anybody suspended? How much money really is being forwarded to the Land Bank by the Treasury? Alan Mukoki, the chief executive who was called Alan Mkoti by Steven Grootes earlier today which means Alan 'in a hole'. Is Alan in a hole? You are the chief executive of the Land Bank, are you still the chief executive of the Land Bank? Alan Mukoki:
Yes Bruce I still am.
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