Follow-up to previous postings related to ongoing investigations into U.S. Attorney firings, see this press release: Conyers, Judiciary Members Ask AG for Documents, Information on Alabama’s Siegelman Case and Allegations of Other Selective Prosecutions Request from Conyers, Judiciary Members to AG for Documents: “Today, House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) and Reps. Linda… Continue Reading
Accurate, Focused Research on Law, Technology and Knowledge Discovery Since 2002
Monthly Archives: July 2007
New GAO Reports: Federal Acquisitions and Contracting, Military Personnel, PBGC, USCIS Transformation
Federal Acquisitions and Contracting: Systemic Challenges Need Attention, GAO-07-1098T, July 17, 2007 – “In fiscal year 2006, the federal government spent over $400 billion for a wide variety of goods and services, with the Department of Defense (DOD) being the largest purchaser. Given the large and growing structural deficit, the government must get the best… Continue Reading
National Intelligence Estimate, "The Terrorist Threat to the US Homeland"
National Intelligence Estimate, The Terrorist Threat to the US Homeland, released July 17, 2007 (7 pages, PDF) State Department press release: “The terrorist organization al-Qaida remains a persistent and evolving threat to the United States, according to a new report from the U.S. intelligence community. “The main threat comes from Islamic terrorist groups and cells,… Continue Reading
DOD OIG Reports – Procurement Policy for Armored Vehicles, Governmental Purchases, and Customer Wait Time
Report Number D-2007-107 “Procurement Policy for Armored Vehicles (U)” (60 pages, PDF), dated June 27, 2007: “The Marine Corps Systems Command awarded sole-source contracts to Force Protection, Inc., for the Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal Rapid Response Vehicle even though Marine Corps Systems Command officials knew other sources were available for competition. In addition, TACOM Life… Continue Reading
Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms
Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms, Carnegie Resource Page, July 16, 2007: “With the worlds attention focused as never before on political reform and democratization in Arab countries, giving rise to often highly politicized debates, it is important to provide accurate, factual information about Arab political systems and reforms being introduced in the region.… Continue Reading
Competitive Conditions for Foreign Direct Investment in India
“India is a fast-growing destination for global flows of foreign direct investment (FDI), according to a new staff research study by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) Office of Industries. Competitive Conditions for Foreign Direct Investment in India looks at FDI flows into India by country and by industry and examines India’s investment climate through… Continue Reading
Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act Passes by House
Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act (H.R 2956 EH): “Passed by the House, this bill would require the Secretary of Defense to commence the reduction of the number of United States Armed Forces in Iraq to a limited presence by April 1, 2008.” See the Washington Post Votes Database entry on this legislation for additional information. Continue Reading
Vatican Apostolic Library Closes for 3 Year Renovation but Vatican Film Library Remains Open
Press release: “…on July 14…the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana (Vatican Apostolic Library) in Rome [closed] for at least three years of extensive renovation. For the Vatican Film Library at Saint Louis University, however, the world might just open up a little wider. The Knights of Columbus Vatican Film Library, located in Pius XII Memorial library, holds… Continue Reading
Statement on Global Security Assessment by DNI Deputy Director for Analysis
Statement for the Record – Global Security Assessment to the House Armed Services Committee (Dr. Thomas Fingar), July 11, 2007 (24 pages, PDF). Continue Reading
Salmonella Wandsworth Outbreak Investigation, June – July 2007
Salmonella Wandsworth Outbreak Investigation, June – July 2007: “Public health officials in OutbreakNet (the network of epidemiologists and other public health officials, facilitated by CDC, who investigate outbreaks of foodborne, waterborne, and other enteric illnesses nationwide) are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Wandsworth infections. Salmonella Wandsworth is a rare strain of Salmonella.” Continue Reading
Cory Doctorow's Commentary on How DRM Becomes Law
A Behind-The-Scenes Look At How DRM Becomes Law: “Cory Doctorow looks at the back room dealing that allowed entertainment companies and electronics companies to craft public policy on digital rights management.” Continue Reading
Information Security Oversight Office Reports Classification of 20.5 Million Documents
“Each year Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) gathers relevant statistical data regarding each agency’s security classification program. ISOO analyzes this data in its 2006 Annual Report to the President.” AP: “There were 20.5 million decisions to classify government secrets last year, and a report to the president found serious shortcomings in the process.” Related government… Continue Reading
