“Lawmakers Criticize CIA Director’s Review Order; Congress Wants to Protect Investigator’s Independence”: The Washington Post contains this article today.

And The Los Angeles Times reports today that “Lawmakers criticize CIA inquiry; Congress members of both parties express concern that the internal investigation could hamper the inspector general’s autonomy.”

“Former CEO Says U.S. Punished Phone Firm; Qwest Feared NSA Plan Was Illegal, Filing Says”: This front page article appears today in The Washington Post.

“Rights Case Against 50 Companies Is Reinstated”: The New York Times today contains an article that begins, “A divided federal appeals court ruled yesterday that a human rights lawsuit filed against 50 major corporations that did business in South Africa under apartheid should be revived and reconsidered by the lower court that dismissed it.”

My earlier coverage of yesterday’s Second Circuit ruling appears at this link.

“NOW says impeach Kent if he harassed”: The Galveston County Daily News today contains an article that begins, “The National Organization for Women said Friday that, if U.S. District Judge Samuel Kent is guilty of sexual harassment, he should be impeached.”

Best, as in most popular: The 2007 Weblog Awards are seeking nominations for the category of “Best Law Blog.” You can nominate a law blog to participate in the contest via this link.

If memory serves, “How Appealing” achieved second place in last year’s popularity contest, so it would be nice just to be nominated for this year’s festivities. The deadline for making nominations is Monday, October 15, 2007.

“Coming of age with Clarence”: Yesterday in The Wall Street Journal, Law Professor Jeannie Suk had an op-ed that begins, “I came of age during the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings.”

Justice Clarence Thomas’s book — “My Grandfather’s Son: A Memoir” — will debut at number one on the October 21, 2007 list of hardcover nonfiction best sellers as ranked by The New York Times.

“Portable Halls of Justice Are Rising in Guantanamo”: This article will appear Sunday in The New York Times.

“Death Penalty Stays”: Tom Goldstein has this interesting post today at “SCOTUSblog.”

“Class-action lawyer to fight federal charges; Six people, including Melvyn Weiss’ protege, attorney William Lerach, have made plea deals in the case”: The Los Angeles Times today contains an article that begins, “Melvyn I. Weiss, the co-founder of a law firm that was among the nation’s most successful in class-action litigation, vowed Friday to clear his name and beat federal charges that he participated in a kickback scheme that allegedly netted millions of dollars in illicit legal fees.”

The New York Times reports today that “Bail Is Set for Lawyer Who Sued for Investors.”

The Associated Press reports that “NYC lawyer posts $1.5 million bond in class-action kickback case.”

And Reuters reports that “Lawyer Melvyn Weiss free on $1 million bond.”

“Demystifying the U.S. Supreme Court’s Cert Granted Process”: The new installment of my “On Appeal” column for law.com can be accessed here.

“Appeals court to reconsider suit on roommate discrimination”: Bob Egelko has this article today in The San Francisco Chronicle.

My earlier coverage of yesterday’s Ninth Circuit order granting rehearing en banc can be accessed here.