A new web site, Open CRS, aims to make widely available to the public certain government reports about topics from terrorism to Social Security that congressional researchers prepare and distribute now only to lawmakers.
Open CRS links to more than a half-dozen existing collections of nearly 8,000 reports from the Congressional Research Service. According to Open CRS, american taxpayers spend nearly $100 million a year to fund the Congressional Research Service, a "think tank" that provides reports to members of Congress on a variety of topics relevant to current political events. Yet, these reports are not made available to the public in a way that they can be easily obtained.
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
More Boys than Girls?
Monday, June 27, 2005
AFI's Top 100 Quotes from U.S. Filmmaking
The AFI (American Film Institute) is a national organization providing leadership in screen education and the recognition and celebration of excellence in the art of film, television and digital media. AFI is known for their cinematic countdowns and recently they announced the top 100 movie quotes within the last 100 years of American filmmaking.
1. "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" Gone With the Wind (1939)
2. "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse." The Godfather (1972)
4. "Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore." The Wizard of Oz (1939)
5. "Here's looking at you, kid." Casablanca (1942)
6. "Go ahead, make my day." Sudden Impact (1983)
8. "May the Force be with you." Star Wars (1977)
10. "You talking to me?" Taxi Driver (1976)
15. "E.T. phone home." E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
22. "Bond. James Bond." Dr. No (1962)
26. "Show me the money!" Jerry Maguire (1996)
29. "You can't handle the truth!" A Few Good Men (1992)
44. "I see dead people." The Sixth Sense (1999)
54. "There's no crying in baseball!" A League of Their Own (1992)
68. "Here's Johnny!" The Shining (1980)
76. "Hasta la vista, baby." Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
80. "Yo, Adrian!" Rocky (1976)
85. "My precious." The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (2002)
94. "I feel the need-the need for speed!" Top Gun (1986)
100. "I'm king of the world!" Titanic (1997)
1. "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" Gone With the Wind (1939)
2. "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse." The Godfather (1972)
4. "Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore." The Wizard of Oz (1939)
5. "Here's looking at you, kid." Casablanca (1942)
6. "Go ahead, make my day." Sudden Impact (1983)
8. "May the Force be with you." Star Wars (1977)
10. "You talking to me?" Taxi Driver (1976)
15. "E.T. phone home." E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
22. "Bond. James Bond." Dr. No (1962)
26. "Show me the money!" Jerry Maguire (1996)
29. "You can't handle the truth!" A Few Good Men (1992)
44. "I see dead people." The Sixth Sense (1999)
54. "There's no crying in baseball!" A League of Their Own (1992)
68. "Here's Johnny!" The Shining (1980)
76. "Hasta la vista, baby." Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
80. "Yo, Adrian!" Rocky (1976)
85. "My precious." The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (2002)
94. "I feel the need-the need for speed!" Top Gun (1986)
100. "I'm king of the world!" Titanic (1997)
Thursday, June 23, 2005
OpenNet Initiative Monitors Worldwide Censorship
OpenNet Initiative is collaborative endeavor between researchers of Harvard University, the University of Toronto, and the University of Cambridge. Their mission is to investigate and challenge state filtration and surveillance practices.
Their latest reports have been compiled on Iran and China. Each of the studies includes a press release which provides a summary of their investigation findings and a full report which includes details of Internet infrastructure, media regulations, testing methodology and analysis.
The website includes reports on Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
Their latest reports have been compiled on Iran and China. Each of the studies includes a press release which provides a summary of their investigation findings and a full report which includes details of Internet infrastructure, media regulations, testing methodology and analysis.
The website includes reports on Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
New Medicare Prescription Drug Program
From the U.S. Social Security Administration office in Oklahoma City:
In January 2006, a new Medicare Prescription Drug Program (Part D) will take effect, providing a prescription drug benefit to seniors and persons with disabilities who have Medicare coverage. Under this new program, Medicare beneficiaries who meet limited income and asset limits may be eligible to receive financial help which reduces or eliminates the monthly premium and significantly lowers the co-payment for prescription drugs.
From June through August 2005, Medicare beneficiaries who may be eligible for the extra help will be mailed an Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs (Form SSA-1020). If you receive an application you should complete and return it as soon as possible. If you do not receive an application in the mail or do not want to wait, you can get one by calling at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Beginning July 1, 2005, you can also apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov.
Have questions about basic aspects of social security or reform issues? Please consult this guide for further information.
In January 2006, a new Medicare Prescription Drug Program (Part D) will take effect, providing a prescription drug benefit to seniors and persons with disabilities who have Medicare coverage. Under this new program, Medicare beneficiaries who meet limited income and asset limits may be eligible to receive financial help which reduces or eliminates the monthly premium and significantly lowers the co-payment for prescription drugs.
From June through August 2005, Medicare beneficiaries who may be eligible for the extra help will be mailed an Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs (Form SSA-1020). If you receive an application you should complete and return it as soon as possible. If you do not receive an application in the mail or do not want to wait, you can get one by calling at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Beginning July 1, 2005, you can also apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov.
Have questions about basic aspects of social security or reform issues? Please consult this guide for further information.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Recent Data on American Education
2003 International Adult Literacy and Lifeskills (ALL) Survey
The report shows that America’s adults performed worse than their counterparts in Bermuda, Norway, and Switzerland, but better than those in Italy. There was no measurable difference between the performance of Canadian and U.S. adults. ALL reports on the literacy and numeracy skills of adults ages 16-65 in six countries.
Men outscored women on the numeracy scale in every country. In the United States, men scored 15 points higher than women on the literacy scale. White U.S. adults outscored Black, Hispanic, and other adults in both literacy and numeracy. There was no measurable difference between the performance of Blacks and Hispanics in literacy or numeracy.
Revenues and Expenditures for Public Elementary and Secondary Education: School Year 2002-03
Released by the National Center of Education Statistics, this National Public Education Financial Survey is to provide district, state, and federal policymakers, researchers, and other interested users with descriptive information about revenues and expenditures for public elementary and secondary education.
The report shows that America’s adults performed worse than their counterparts in Bermuda, Norway, and Switzerland, but better than those in Italy. There was no measurable difference between the performance of Canadian and U.S. adults. ALL reports on the literacy and numeracy skills of adults ages 16-65 in six countries.
Men outscored women on the numeracy scale in every country. In the United States, men scored 15 points higher than women on the literacy scale. White U.S. adults outscored Black, Hispanic, and other adults in both literacy and numeracy. There was no measurable difference between the performance of Blacks and Hispanics in literacy or numeracy.
Revenues and Expenditures for Public Elementary and Secondary Education: School Year 2002-03
Released by the National Center of Education Statistics, this National Public Education Financial Survey is to provide district, state, and federal policymakers, researchers, and other interested users with descriptive information about revenues and expenditures for public elementary and secondary education.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Flag Day History
On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress replaced the British symbols with a new design featuring 13 white stars in a circle pattern on a field of blue and 13 red and white stripes. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that established Flag Day on June 14.
It is observed across the country by displaying the American Flag on homes and public buildings. Other popular ways of observing this day include flag-raising ceremonies, singing of the national anthem, and the study of flag etiquette and the flag's origin and meaning.
"Flag Day, June 14" Henderson, Helene, ed. Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations of the World Dictionary. 3rd ed. Detroit: Omnigraphics, 2005. Ref 394.26 H732
For more information about the observance of this day, please visit the website of the National Flag Day Foundation.
It is observed across the country by displaying the American Flag on homes and public buildings. Other popular ways of observing this day include flag-raising ceremonies, singing of the national anthem, and the study of flag etiquette and the flag's origin and meaning.
"Flag Day, June 14" Henderson, Helene, ed. Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations of the World Dictionary. 3rd ed. Detroit: Omnigraphics, 2005. Ref 394.26 H732
For more information about the observance of this day, please visit the website of the National Flag Day Foundation.
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