| Lewis discusses issues facing public defenders
While still in law school, Tom Griffiths once spoke to a minister who told him that in serving as a public defender, he would have clients who would be dealing with the worst thing they have ever done.However, he noted, "we're all better people than the worst thing we've ever done.""There is no one who is beyond redemption," said Griffiths, now directing attorney at the Maysville office of the Department of Public Advocacy -- commonly known as the public defender's office. "A lot (of the clients) are facing problems that are overwhelming to them, and very often are under more stress than they have ever been under."That's why it is so important to have a strong public advocacy office. When facing a situation that seems overwhelming, with little resources of their own, a public defender can be a person's strongest ally.Griffiths and Amanda Mullins, an attorney also with the Department of Public Advocacy here in Maysville, know that sometimes public perception of what they do in representing defendants can be negative.
Bank of Montreal to take $320 million in debt-market writedowns
The Bank of Montreal announced today it is booking $320 million in writedowns arising from the turmoil in global credit markets.
BMO said the charges, to be booked in the fourth quarter ended October 31, are expected to amount to $210 million after tax.
The �valuation adjustments� at BMO Capital Markets include $170 million on trading and structured credit-related positions and preferred shares, $135 million on Canadian asset-backed commercial paper and $15 million on Links Finance Corp. and Parkland Finance Corp. structured investment vehicles (SIV).
The SIV writedown represents 21% of BMO�s $70-million investment in Links and Parkland. The bank also said it will take part in the effort to rescue these SIVs by contributing up to $1.6 billion.
In addition, BMO said �its strategy to reduce its commodities portfolio continued through the fourth quarter,� with losses of $25 million pre-tax.
HARDEV KAUR: Leaders must focus on the real issues, not Pakistan
THE Commonwealth Heads of Government will meet in Kampala, Uganda, later this month and Pakistan will be high on the agenda. The declaration of emergency by President Gen Pervez Musharraf means the issue cannot be ignored. Pakistan could face suspension from the 53-member grouping. If this happens, it will not be the first time Pakistan is out: it left in 1972, rejoined in 1989, and was suspended in 1999 after Musharraf seized power in an army-backed coup. The country was reinstated as a full member in 2004 after Musharraf promised to give up his dual role as president and military chief by the end of that year.
And now, just three weeks ahead of the meeting or CHOGM in Kampala, Musharraf has declared an emergency and suspended the constitution. The Commonwealth Action Group comprising foreign ministers meeting in Marlborough House on Monday sent a strong message to Musharraf to repeal the emergency and step down as army chief by the time the leaders meet from Nov 23 to 25.
Good credit can help you save on insurance, maybe even get a job
When one longtime St. Louisan saw his car insurance bill jump 28 percent, he was shocked.
He was even more irate when he learned the reason: an unresolved issue with a creditor had left a blot on his otherwise unblemished credit report. He didn't understand what his credit report had to do with his car insurance rate.
More and more, credit information is being used by businesses other than lenders or credit card issuers. Bad credit could hurt your search for a job or even leave you without a place to live.
Carolyn Gorman, vice president of the Insurance Information Institute, said the ease of obtaining credit data has prompted a variety of businesses to add credit checks to the tools they use to evaluate people. .
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