Newslinks!

• Fired US Attorney in New Mexico alleges that "two members of Congress attempted to pressure him to speed up a probe of Democrats just before the November elections." The state's two Democrats have issued public denials; silence from the two Republicans.
  
  
• The housing market hasn't even begun to bottom out. "Sales of new homes plunged 16.6% in January... the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. It was the lowest sales pace in four years and represented the biggest percentage decline in 13 years."
  
  
• Florida town fires city manager of 14 years after he announces pending sex-change operation.
  

  
  Transgender activists on Wednesday called Stanton's firing a "shameful display of ignorance and bias." But they suggested Largo's quick decision to fire a respected government official may be the anecdote they need to convince Congress to extend employment protections to gays, lesbians and transsexuals.
  

  
  
  
• 1,646 Iraqi civilian deaths in February.
  
  
• Shame! Top military hospital officials knew about shantytown conditions. "But as far back as 2003, the commander of Walter Reed, Lt. Gen. Kevin C. Kiley, who is now the Army's top medical officer, was told that soldiers who were wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan were languishing and lost on the grounds, according to interviews."