Today’s edition of quick hits.
* Oh my: “Sales of new homes in March plummeted to the lowest level since the housing recession of the 1990s, the government said on Thursday, as inventories rose to the highest point in more than a quarter century. Buyers vanished from the housing market last month at a swift rate. Sales of new homes fell 8.5 percent, a far sharper decline than economists had forecast. Sales are running at an annual rate of 526,000 after adjusting for seasonal factors, the lowest point since October 1991. Adding to the gloom, the Commerce Department lowered its initial estimate for February sales as well, to a 5.3 percent decline from 1.8 percent.”
* None dare call it rationing: “The two biggest U.S. warehouse retail chains are limiting how much rice customers can buy because of what Sam’s Club, a division of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., called on Wednesday ‘recent supply and demand trends.’ … The move comes as U.S. rice futures hit a record high amid global food inflation, although one rice expert said the warehouse chains may be reacting less to any shortages than to stockpiling by restaurants and small stores.”
* I didn’t think Hoekstra had it in him: “The senior Republican on the House Select Committee on Intelligence said that lawmakers felt ‘used’ by the White House after finally getting briefed today on alleged North Korean nuclear assistance to Syria. Rep. Pete Hoekstra warned of a ‘damaged’ relationship that could hinder the administration’s ability to get congressional approval for an agreement on the North Korea’s nuclear program.”
* John McCain visited New Orleans today, and most of the media coverage focused on his subtle criticism of the president’s handling of the Hurricane Katrina crisis. Even more interesting, at least to me, was McCain’s comment that he’d consider “tearing down” the Ninth Ward altogether.
* Hey, look! A bill Senate Republicans didn’t filibuster! “A bill seeking to outlaw discrimination based on genetic test results won overwhelming approval from the Senate Thursday, clearing the way for the measure to become law more than a decade after its introduction. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act would forbid insurance companies from denying coverage to workers due to a person’s genetic makeup. It would also prohibit insurers and employers from forcing employees to undergo genetic tests. The bill passed the Senate 95-0. The House is expected to pass it next week and the White House has said the president will sign the measure.”
* Are prosecutors really going to try that Seas of David cult again? Apparently so.
* For all of the Iraqis’ many problems, generating oil revenue apparently isn’t on the list.
* Where does nuclear waste go? Bradford Plumer has a very good item on the subject.
* McCain’s problem with his base continues — Jenna Bush isn’t sure if she’s going to vote for him.
* A really fascinating “decision tree” on who’s voting for which Democratic presidential candidate in the primaries.
* The Gallup Daily Tracking Poll continues to be all over the place. Obama now leads Clinton by five.
* Speaking of Obama, unfortunately, he’s decided to end his personal boycott and will appear on “Fox News Sunday.”
* Keith Olbermann gave it straight to Letterman last night: “Most of us in news are not smart enough to figure out what’s going on. We may pretend that we’re good enough to do that. But in fact, when we look you in the eye, in the camera, we’re really just making it up.”
* A gameshow called “Deal or No Deal” saw its ratings drop when Bush made a cameo appearance.
* And finally, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) wrote a song for John McCain in the hopes of helping his presidential campaign. Seriously. It’s called, “Together Forever.” The lyrics go like this: “Forever together / America is the land we’re fighting for / There’s a time in history / for a hero’s destiny / together forever more.”
Anything to add? Consider this an end-of-the-day open thread.