I don't know if anyone else picked up on this but Wal-Mart (formerly known as Satan's Five and Dime), just reached a settlement regarding child labor. From today's NYT:
"Wal-Mart and the Labor Department have reached a settlement over what the government said were 24 violations of child labor laws. Wal-Mart Stores, the nation's largest retailer, has agreed to pay $135,540 to settle federal charges that it violated child labor laws in Connecticut, Arkansas and New Hampshire.
Labor Department officials said most of the 24 violations covered by the settlement involved workers under age 18 operating dangerous machinery, including cardboard balers and chain saws. In the agreement, Wal-Mart denied any wrongdoing." Further down it says, "The Labor Department and Wal-Mart signed the agreement on Jan. 6, but made no public announcement. The department disclosed the settlement yesterday after a reporter questioned officials about concerns raised by several department employees that the agreement gave Wal-Mart special favors."
I would think that the govenment would want to tout the news that they are on the side of the "average citizen" and are robustly going after corporate wrongdoing.
In addition to denying wrongdoing, Wal-Mart got another little bonus for their 135 grand.
"A provision also promises to give Wal-Mart 15 days' notice before the Labor Department investigates any other "wage and hour" accusations, like failure to pay minimum wage or overtime."
Given the number of pending suits against Wal-Mart, our government has basically said we'll give them a 2 week heads-up before we look at their books. This should give them ample time to dispose of any damning evidence. Just one more example of this Administration doing all it can to hide government and corporate fraud.