Last Open Tabs of the Day: CRS Reports

Every week, the Congressional Research Service (CRS) issues reports done at the request of Congress. They answer to majority and minority alike. Why a few people, usually on the very far right dispute the objectiveness of CRS reports, virtually everyone else lauds them for their thoroughness and objectivity.

Although the reports are government documents, they are not part of the Federal Depository Library Program run by Congress’ own Government Printing Office. Over the years, key Congressmembers have blocked efforts at wide distribution, insisting that people ask their Members of Congress for reports. Of course, there is no free index to CRS reports, so you have to somehow know that it exists before you can ask your Member of Congress for it.

Fortunately, once a report does get into the hands of the public, it can be reproduced at will because as a government work for hire, a CRS report is in the public domain. Two sites that collect, preserve and provide copies of publicly accessible CRS reports are Open CRS and the University of North Texas CRS project. Open CRS even provides an RSS feed, making it easy to keep track of new research reports.

Which brings me to my last “open tabs” from my Bloglines account. Here are some CRS reports that I think will be of interest to people around the ‘Net:

Iran: Profile and Statements of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

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Iraq: Regional Perspectives and U.S. Policy
Iraqi Civilian Deaths Estimates

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Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia: Political Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests

Intelligence Estimates: How Useful to Congress?

Copyright Protection of Digital Television: The Broadcast Video Flag

From now on, I’ll make a better effort to share stuff before it starts going stale in my Bloglines closet.
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If you’re visiting Alaskan Librarian for the first time, let me assure you I have never before posted more than twice a day. Today is a fluke. Please don’t let today’s volume scare you away!