Matt Taibbi

... of Rolling Stone magazine, continues to write the most engaging articles about the banking crisis, finance reform, and Wall Street. Here's a typically scathing description from a recent article about the influence of lobbyists in Washington:

"Chris Dodd, the influential chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, has set new standards for reptilian disingenuousness - playing the role of stern banker-buster while taking millions in Wall Street contributions. Dodd worked overtime trying to craft a "bipartisan" bill with the Republican minority – in particular with Sen. Richard Shelby, the ranking Republican on the committee. With his dyed hair, porcine trunk and fleshy, powdery-white face, Shelby recalls an elderly sumo wrestler in drag. I happened to be in the Senate on the day that Shelby proposed a substitute amendment that would have stuffed the CFPB into the FDIC, effectively scaling back its power and independence. Throughout the debate, I was struck by the way that Dodd and his huge black caterpillar eyebrows kept crossing the aisle to whisper in Shelby's ear. During these huddles, Dodd would gently pat Shelby's back or hold his arm; it was like watching a love scene in a Japanese monster movie."