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Focuses on the federal aid going to the Gulf Region of the United States in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Role of previous directors of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), James Lee Witt and Joe Allbaugh, as lobbyists looking for and winning contracts for clients; How the former government officials have been helping clients with their proposals and pitches for federal aid; Reasons why the services of Witt and Allbaugh are in great demand, noting their connections with government; Discussion of the so-called revolving door between government and the private sector, which has escalated in recent years with the buildup of Iraq and now the Gulf Coast.

Reports that United States legislators are increasingly involved in trips funded by corporations. Statement that House majority leader Tom DeLay traveled to Hawaii to participate in an aviation conference of the American Association of Airport Executives; Report that Congressional rules forbid travel financed by registered lobbyists and foreign agents; Statement that corporations and business associations sponsored more than 1,900 trips for legislators in 2004; Trip of Representative Joe Barton to Las Vegas, Nevada, funded by the Consumer Electronics Association; Changes made to the campaign-finance rules in 2002; Report that the House of Representatives paid $3.36 million for legislators to travel in 2004.

The author reflects on the challenges and benefits of the Public Private Investment Program (PPIP) unveiled by the U.S. Treasury in March 2008. He explores the feasibility of more leverage and securitization as a means to counter the impact of the credit crisis. He discusses four legal concerns of hedge-fund managers and other investors that must be addressed. The author also considers the PPIP as the most financially plausible proposal to date.

Focuses on drug development after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks designed to prevent the harmful effects from bacteria such as anthrax. Number of months it took scientists and researchers from Human Genome Sciences Inc. to develop a drug designed to treat and prevent an anthrax infection; Reasons why the company has shelved the drug after successful animal and human clinical testing; Comments from Dr. Craig A. Rosen, an executive with Human Genome, expressing his frustration that the U.S. government would not commit to buying the drug; Number of biotech companies that are developing technologies to detect or fight pathogens that could be used in an attack by terrorists; Discussion of America's "Project Bioshield," an initiative meant to speed research, development, production and stockpiling of vaccines and treatments; Recount of the legislative progress of "Project Bioshield," noting it is bogged down in Congress.

Focuses on the rise to power of Calisto Tanzi, the founder of dairy company Parmalat SpA, and examines the Italian power alliance between business and politics that gave Tanzi such prominence. Amount of political donations made yearly by Parmalat in an effort to curry favor and clout among the political system of Italy; Details of the fraud allegations against Tanzi that has landed him in jail; View of author that businessmen can rise to power in Italy by building relationships with politicians and the Catholic Church; Details of the deals Tanzi made that resulted in his arrest and the arrest of family members. INSET: All in the Family.