The feds are reportedly investigating the ties between the Ponzi-scheming Sir Allen Stanford and U.S. lawmakers.

I’m sure there’s nothing to it since emails like this one to Stanford from Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX), the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, shortly after Stanford was charged by the SEC are the sort of courtesies we all get when the feds are hot on our tail: “I love you and believe in you…If you want my ear/voice — e-mail.”

The 9-millimeter Glock that Saddam Hussein was carrying when he was captured by U.S. forces — and which George W. Bush liked showing off to White House visitors — will have a permanent home at the George W. Bush presidential library. That and the day’s other political news in the TPMDC Morning Roundup.

We’ve gotten accustomed to low-level but largely contained protests in Iran since the June protests. But things appear to have escalated to a new level on Sunday with authorities resorting to lethal force to crush protests which coincided with the holiday commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (grandson of Muhammad).

At least 10 were killed, including the nephew of reformist leader Mir Hussein Moussavi.

Unlike most of the others killed during clashes between between protesters and security personnel, Moussavi’s nephew appears to have been assassinated.