Hot off the GPO Presses

the 2008 Budget.

states of the union

Or, would the plural be "State of the Unions?"

Grammar aside, every single address of this nature is available and searchable at askSam. This search function is a pretty powerful feature-- let's say you want to see how many presidents made reference to "war" or "peace" or, potentially, both in the same speech? The search is a bit clunky, but well worth it to appease the lexicographer and political scientist in all of us.

And, for your reading pleasure, here's a paragraph from Thomas Jefferson's State of the Union, November 8, 1808:

Considering the extraordinary character of the times in which we live, our attention should unremittingly be fixed on the safety of our country. For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well organized and armed militia is their best security. It is therefore incumbent on us at every meeting to revise the condition of the militia, and to ask ourselves if it is prepared to repel a powerful enemy at every point of our territories exposed to invasion. Some of the States have paid a laudable attention to this object, but every degree of neglect is to be found among others. Congress alone having the power to produce an uniform state of preparation in this great organ of defense, the interests which they so deeply feel in their own and their country's security will present this as among the most important objects of their deliberation.

a website, by any other name...

Apologies for the lame Shakespeare reference notwithstanding, just a heads up that firstgov has changed it's name to the more obvious usa.gov. While the site still looks and feels the same, the new and improved version touts a real-time "chat with government" feature where English-speaking citizens can IM representatives regarding the agencies, benefits, programs and services offered by the federal government.

couldn't have said it better myself

LLRX is a blog, of sorts, that's a must read for those who are fascinated with the law. This post is a great explanation of how things happen in Congress, specifically the authorization/appropriation conundrum that is essentially the entirety of the legislative house of our government.

interrogation techniques

The Federation of American Scientists released a report about interrogation techniques-- or, more accurately, the lack thereof. The report, titled Interrogation: Science and Art, Foundations of the Future (be careful opening this 374 page PDF; it may take a while if your connection is slow) was published by the the Defense Intelligence College and explains that there's not really a whole lot of information out there regarding interrogation. While the Bush administration supports "aggressive interrogation tactics," the report essentially states that there hasn't been enough research to prove whether or not it works. For more information about the report, read about it in the Washington Post.

wikileaks

A new website, wikileaks, has pretty huge ambitions. The site, which visions itself to be a resource for bringing unclassified government documents of all nations to light, has the idea that it "may become the most powerful "intelligence agency" on earth -- an intelligence agency of the people." The site's FAQ explains that this site, run by 22 people, is born out of the Chinese dissident community. While the launch is set for sometime in February or March, there's already a media buzz. The interface is familiar, though there seems to be some elements to be worked out (for example: in order to download the sample leaked document, you're going to have to unzip a few files and save to your hard drive). In any case, with articles in the Post and the folks over at Secrecy News commenting, this is a site to keep on your watch list for the near future.

dramatic readings from the Congressional Record

In an homage to the start of the 110th Congress, and the debates that will be taking place over the First 100 Hours, we're starting a feature here at GovDocs@Gelman: Stage Your Own Dramatic Readings from the Congressional Record. The first installment comes from the 30-Something Working Group's meeting January 10th, 2007 (found in the print version on page H324).

Mr. Delahunt, Uncle Bill, we are so happy, sir, that you are a part of the 30-Something Working Group. We are so happy that this is your inaugural night in the 110th Congress, where we are in the majority, your joining us here on this floor.

We talked about your contributions last night. We said that we have a Medicare recipient within our midst. We talked about individuals that are drawing down on one of the pensions that maybe you received in your long career of public service. But we appreciate the fact that you are continuing, and we said we will continue our commitment.

Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Long, long, long years.

Mr. DELAHUNT. Well, again, I am honored to be here. I heard that last evening my name was mentioned here in the House, and I presume that it was mentioned in a way that was kind and generous to a senior citizen, a senior citizen that has the Medicare card to prove that.

Talking about Medicare, we are going to address Medicare in this session of Congress, and we are going to do something about that so-called prescription drug benefit program that was passed over the objections of almost every Democrat and a few courageous Republicans several years ago. Because as you know, Mr. Meek, and you know, Tim Ryan, there was a provision in that particular legislation that prohibited the Medicare Trust Fund from negotiating with the large pharmaceutical companies for a discount.

In other words, whoever is the director of the Medicare Trust Fund can't go into a room and sit down with the drug companies and say, ``Let's discuss a fair price, because we are going to purchase in large quantities prescription drug benefits,'' for people like myself, ``and we are going to effect real savings, like they do in the Veterans Administration.''

I have seen estimates of savings that range from 30 to 80 percent on drugs where discounts could be made available and effected, drugs that save the lives of people and enhance the quality of life for those of us who have reached the golden years.

It is extraordinary in terms of helping people who have worked hard all their lives from not having to make those tough choices between food and heat, or air conditioning in the case of Mr. Meek and the young lady who just became the chair of a very powerful subcommittee here in the House, who is now known as Cardinal Wasserman Schultz.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. She is a rabbi.

Mr. DELAHUNT. I guess. I am just using a term that we often use here. But she is certainly dressed like a cardinal this evening.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Thank you, Mr. Delahunt.

Mr. DELAHUNT. But I have to tell you, I am really proud of the work that your generation has done over the course of the 109th Congress to bring home that message to the American people. You did it effectively. You are helping my generation and you have our profound gratitude. Because it was clear the message that the three of you and other colleagues of ours in the Democratic Caucus spoke to over the course of 2 years resonated with the American people.

I am so proud of each and every one of you. Congratulations. I think we can all share great pride in what has been accomplished since we took our oath of office just a week ago. It is extraordinary. There is a new tone.

You know what is particularly gratifying to me is to see so many of our colleagues, our Republican colleagues, our good friends, our dear friends, join with us in really moving forward an agenda that benefits all Americans.

just what did he say?

While this should end up in the Public Papers of the President, read and listen to President Bush's prime time address to the nation.

government docs in the news: more on signing statements

A month ago, the President signed H.R. 6407 into law, otherwise known as the The Postal Enhancement and Accountability Act. According to an article in the Washington Post (1/5/07), Bush's signing statement (which have already come under scrutiny) hints to the idea that this Bill will allow the reading of personal mail without a search warrant. The key phrase in question:

"... which provides for opening of an item of a class of mail otherwise sealed against inspection, in a manner consistent, to the maximum extent permissible, with the need to conduct searches in exigent circumstances, such as to protect human life and safety against hazardous materials, and the need for physical searches specifically authorized by law for foreign intelligence collection."

While the original law does provide for circumstances which may involve explosives or powdery substances that may, in fact, harm human life, that last part might need to be unpacked a bit.

What happens when America's Attic Gets an Overhaul?

D.C.'s own Smithsonian Institution is in some luke warm water over a deal made with Showtime (luke warm because it's pretty much a done deal), essentially giving the media company exclusive rights to the institute's films. A report published by the Government Accountability Office, released last month details that the deal is unfair filmmakers. Boiling it down: filmmakers have about a 30% change of being able to use important, historic material.

The Smithsonian offered a response to the report

what color is your journalism?

How many of us read blogs to get our news? Several, I'm sure. The Blog-o-lution, particularly in the field of journalism, has proven a small but mighty sword (okay, perhaps maybe more like a Swiss Army knife) for all that media deregulation.The Daily Kos is getting in on that action with the Congressional Committees Project. Read the blog entry that started it all for all the details, but the short version: some people decided to take news reporting in their own hands by creating this wiki in order to keep tabs on the new committees once the new Congress starts. Heck, you can even pick your favorite committee and contribute.

you want cloned fries with that

Yesterday, the Food and Drug Administration announced that the meat and milk produced by cloned cows was of no threat to humans. It took a whole 678 pages to detail the arrival to this decision, but really what you want to know is: so what happens now?

A great question, and one that will allow me to demonstrate just what happens when a new regulation is proposed. See, before the FDA can get cloned cows to fly, the proposed regulation (that's what this is, because the agencies can't make laws, only Congress can do that) must be subject to comments from the public first, and a notice published in the Federal Register (which hasn't actually happened yet). Right now, this regulation is in the comment phase, and that means that the public gets to weigh in on this issue. So go ahead and exercise your right as a citizen of these United States and tell the FDA yay or nay. But do it quick! You've only got 90 days!

Gerald R. Ford: 1913-2006

The only president not officially elected to the office, President Ford leaves behind a legacy of leading the nation under a time of stress, most of which he inherited from the Nixon. The Gerald R. Ford Library and Museum provides a highlight reel of Ford administration documents.

is it 2010 yet?

The Census Bureau is gearing up for the next Decennial Census electronically by posting the 2010 Census page on their website. At this point, it's just an offering of information about the 2008 Dress Rehearsal and how to get a job as an enumerator. What it doesn't cover: how they're going to negotiate this being the first Decennial with no long form questionnaire!

what's your sign?

In another case of newspapers-as-government information portal news, check out the Washington Post's Votes Database, a list of all Congressional votes back to the 102nd Congress (that's 1991, for those of you keeping score). What does this site do that, say, Thomas doesn't? Well, aside from the regular, Democrat and Republican denominations, you can see how the votes split according to geography, age (though here, it's called "boomer status"), gender, and astrological sign. For example, we all know how HR 810 split along party lines, but betcha didn't know that the Tauruses had the most number of nays.

newspapers as government documents

A visit to the Library of Congress' Newspapers and Current Periodicals Reading Room might allow you to look at Colonial newspapers, particularly those that printed versions of state constitutions and the Declaration of Independence. These documents are pretty spectacular pieces that indicate the use of something we expect to show up on our doorstep (or in our internet browser these days) can function as a vehicle for posterity.

While perhaps not as dramatic, today's Washington Post includes a PDF of the Iraq Study Group Report's Executive Summary. A tiny morsel to give the general public information about those that govern.

For those who want to read the whole thing, go here

the Gates

Georgetown's Law Library has compiled everything you ever wanted to know about Robert M. Gates, the nominee to succeed Donald Rumsfeld as Secretary of Defense.

World AIDS Day

December 1st is the day we pause to honor those who have passed away and to recognize the efforts fighting this deadly disease. aids.gov details the government information about research, awareness, and resources.

Just Say No

Today, as proclaimed by President Bush, is National Methamphetamine Awareness Day. Meth use has increased greatly, particularly on the East coast (as opposed to the Midwest, where the most cases of meth abuse occur). The Justice department has published information on it's website educating the public about the drug and it's terrifying effects. Meth Awareness which gives users some pretty graphic illustrations (and I mean graphic! This site may not be suitable for folks with an aversion to disgusting images) of what meth can do to a person, and the more blog-like Meth Resources.

Yesterday, in Congress...

the House passed a resolution congratulating the St. Louis Cardinals on their World Series victory.