COUNTRYWIDE UPDATE: More “Friends of Angelo” are revealed. (Via Kaus, who comments, “Paul Begala, Friend of Angelo! … Plus: Holbrooke saved $15,000. … Suggested title for either man’s memoirs: ‘Dodd is my Co-Pirate!'”) Bottom line: “Through a program that provided loans on favorable terms to V.I.P. borrowers, the nation’s largest mortgage lender curried favor with politicians, government officials, and business partners who were in a position to influence policy, profits, or public opinion. While some may not have been fully aware of the special terms, many took the bait. Some, including Aldrich, appear to have skirted or violated conflict-of-interest rules or ethics policies.” Henry Cisneros is another Friend.

I like the instructions to avoid “junk” and “garbage fees” when serving V.I.P. customers — apparently, Countrywide saved those for the rest of us.