Traveling over the Holidays?

If you are one of the folks lucky enough to be flying somewhere this Thanksgiving week you might have been watching with interest all the discussion on airline security. In addition you might have been wondering exactly which leftovers can go in your carry-on. Here are some web pages to check out.

Traveling Tips

• Traveling With Food and Gifts There is nothing worse than packing some leftovers in your carry on and having them be taken by the security guard. So this is a short list of some of the things you should stuff in your checked bag (or send home if you can't stand to pay the bag check fees).
• Liquids Policy Okay, at this point most travelers know about the 3-ounce rule, but in case you need a refresher, check out this 3-1-1 plan.
• MyTSA Mobile This is a mobile optimized web site for searching the TSA site using your smart phone. Interestingly, this is now the only way to view security gate wait times. The non-mobile version has been taken down for improvements.

Security Debate

1. First, let's take a look at the TSA's information:
• Advanced Image Technology This is the machine that is causing all the debate. It will scan through your clothing and let the operator see if you are carrying anything. To see what the operator sees, check out these images. It is possible to decline the machine and instead ask to be patted down.
• Pat-Downs Want to know what triggers a pat-down and what rights you have during a pat-down? Check it out here to find out more. You can also link to a very brief statement that TSA provided on the fact that changes are coming to the pat-downs. It is these changes (which are not spelled out) that have triggered some of the debate.
• TSA Statement from Administrator John S. Pistole This statement was released yesterday regarding the security debate.
  
2. Second, let's check out some polling.
• CBS's Poll This poll states that 4 in 5 people support full-body scanners. This does not ask if people would be comfortable using this machine.
• Wall Street Journal Poll This poll asks if folks "Would you be willing to undergo a body scan examination before boarding a plane?" 76.3% said they would be willing.
  
3. Finally, what do you think? This is a unscientific poll of our readers to see if you would be willing to undergo a body scan at the airport.

Would you be willing to undergo a TSA body scan before boarding a plane?
Still want more? Check out the library's guides to transportation and travel information.

New Documents of Note for Nov. 22: Child Health, Obesity, and the Great Recession

This week's selection of notable government publications recently received at the CU Boulder Libraries come from a variety of sources.

Child Health USA 2010, published by the Health Resources and Services Administration, is the latest of an annual, statistics-filled publication that has also been fully reproduced online. This publication reveals the ongoing discrepancies in child health and welfare, particularly where those differences involve race. For example, you may be startled to realize that State numbers for infant mortality demonstrate that black infants in Colorado suffer more than double the number of deaths per live birth versus white children in the state. These are important figures to remember as we use the holidays to seek out opportunities to positively affect our neighbors' lives.

From the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, or "OECD," CU Boulder has received, "Obesity and the Economics of Prevention." Surprising almost no-one, the United States ranks first in obesity, with 36% of women and 32% of men labeled as such (Mexico and South Africa come in shortly behind the U.S.). Countries with the lowest rates for obesity are India (1% of men and women both) and Indonesia (0% of men, and 3% of women). Clearly, these numbers were taken just after we all ate last year's Thanksgiving dinner.

"From Crisis to Recovery" is another timely OECD publication. The short book explores "the causes, course and consequences of the Great Recession," and reveals interesting trends. For example, the illustration below shows which countries (in blue) saw positive economic growth during 2009. Nearly all of them are in the Southern Hemisphere, revealing the interdependency of Western economies in vivid terms.



Each of these publications are available in print from Norlin Library and online thought the links above.

World Bank releases World Development Report

The World Bank has just released another collection to us that was previously not available for free to everyone (see post on free data report from April 2010)! The title is the World Development Report and you can now find them back to 1978 (press release). The World Development Report is the in-depth analysis of a particular research topic, for example last year in 2010 the report looked at Development and Climate Change.

Want to learn more about the World Bank? Check out the library's guide.

GAO Reports and Releases

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) which is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This past week GAO investigated defense, environment, international , and other issues. If you would like to know more about GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• Social Security Reform: Raising the Retirement Ages Would Have Implications for Older Workers and SSA Disability Rolls. GAO-11-125, November 18.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-125
• Nuclear Weapons: National Nuclear Security Administration's Plans for Its Uranium Processing Facility Should Better Reflect Funding Estimates and Technology Readiness. GAO-11-103, November 19
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-103
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11103high.pdf
• District of Columbia Public Education: Agencies Have Enhanced Internal Controls over Federal Payments for School Improvement, But More Consistent Monitoring Needed. GAO-11-16, November 18.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-16
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1116high.pdf
• Defense Logistics: Additional Oversight and Reporting for the Army Logistics Modernization Program Are Needed. GAO-11-139, November 18.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-139
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11139high.pdf
• Private Pensions: Changes Needed to Better Protect Multiemployer Pension Benefits. GAO-11-79, October 18.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-79
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1179high.pdf
• Health Information Technology: DOD Needs to Provide More Information on Risks to Improve Its Program Management. GAO-11-148, November 17.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-148
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11148high.pdf
• Federal Transit Programs: Federal Transit Administration Has Opportunities to Improve Performance Accountability. GAO-11-54, November 17.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-54
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1154high.pdf
• Recovery Act: FEMA Could Take Steps to Protect Sensitive Port Security Grant Details and Improve Recipient Reporting Instructions. GAO-11-88, October 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-88
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1188high.pdf
• Defense Infrastructure: Actions Needed to Improve the Navy's Processes for Managing Public Shipyards' Restoration and Modernization Needs. GAO-11-7, November 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-7
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d117high.pdf
• Health Care Delivery: Features of Integrated Systems Support Patient Care Strategies and Access to Care, but Systems Face Challenges. GAO-11-49, November 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-49
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1149high.pdf
• Financial Audit: Securities and Exchange Commission's Financial Statements for Fiscal Years 2010 and 2009. GAO-11-202, November 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-202
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11202high.pdf
• The Federal Government's Long-Term Fiscal Outlook: Fall 2010 Update. GAO-11-201SP, November 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-201SP
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11201sphigh.pdf
  Podcast - http://www.gao.gov/podcast/watchdog_episode_37.html
• Mortgage Foreclosures: Additional Mortgage Servicer Actions Could Help Reduce the Frequency and Impact of Abandoned Foreclosures. GAO-11-93, November 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-93
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d1193high.pdf
  Podcast - http://www.gao.gov/podcast/watchdog_episode_38.html
• Financial Audit: Office of Financial Stability (Troubled Asset Relief Program) Fiscal Years 2010 and 2009 Financial Statements. GAO-11-174, November 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-174
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11174high.pdf
• Financial Audit: Federal Housing Finance Agency's Fiscal Years 2010 and 2009 Financial Statements. GAO-11-151, November 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-151
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11151high.pdf
• Afghanistan Development: U.S. Efforts to Support Afghan Water Sector Increasing, but Improvements Needed in Planning and Coordination. GAO-11-138, November 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-138
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11138high.pdf
• Combating Terrorism: U.S. Agencies Report Progress Countering Terrorism and Its Financing in Saudi Arabia, but Continued Focus on Counter Terrorism Financing Efforts Needed. (Arabic version). GAO-11-190, November 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-190
  

Correspondence

• Surface Coal Mining: Information on Clean Water Act Section 404 Permit Reviews under Enhanced Coordination Procedures in Appalachia, Focusing on West Virginia. GAO-11-101R, October 19.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-101R
• The Cooperative Model as a Potential Component of Structural Reform Options for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. GAO-11-33R, November 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-33R
• Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Preliminary Assessment of Federal Financial Risks and Cost Reimbursement and Notification Policies and Procedures. GAO-11-90R, November 12.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-90R
  Podcast available - http://www.gao.gov/podcast/watchdog_episode_36.html
  

Testimonies

• Military and Veterans Disability System: Preliminary Observations on Evaluation and Planned Expansion of DOD/VA Pilot, by Daniel Bertoni, director, education, workforce, and income security issues, before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. GAO-11-191T, November 18.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-191T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11191thigh.pdf
• Small Businesses: Tax Compliance Benefits and Opportunities to Mitigate Costs on Third Parties of Miscellaneous Income Reporting Requirements, by James R. White, director, strategic issues, before the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. GAO-11-218T, November 18.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-218T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11218thigh.pdf
• DOD Personnel Clearances: Preliminary Observations on DOD's Progress on Addressing Timeliness and Quality Issues, By Brenda S. Farrell, director, defense capabilities and management, before the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce and the District of Columbia, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-11-185T, November 16.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-185T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d11185thigh.pdf

Special Publications

• U.S. Government Accountability Office: Performance and Accountability Report, Fiscal Year 2010. GAO-11-2SP, November 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-2SP
  

The FDA Bares Its (Yellow) Teeth on Tobacco

Tomorrow, November 18, is the 35th annual Great American Smokeout, a day when health-related organizations across the country encourage those who indulge in cigarettes to ignore the habit and live a day as a non-smoker.


According to a short history from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Smokeout began in 1972 in Randolph, Massachusetts, when a high-school guidance counselor challenged locals to donate their day's cigarette money to a scholarship fund.

The CDC's Web site also provides multiple online publications dedicated to information about the effects of Smoking and Tobacco use. These reports include information on women and tobacco specifically, recent Federal legislation and policies on tobacco use, and extensive amounts of data, such as this page of highlights on Colorado and the Surgeon General's reports on smoking and tobacco use from the past decade.

A recent addition to the national conversation on smoking comes from President Barack Obama, himself a smoker, who last summer signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. One of the main pieces of the Act -- which at 161 pages comes in fairly short for legislation -- was to transfer regulative authority over tobacco to the Food and Drug Administration, and give the FDA discretion over the advertising and promotion of tobacco products. The President, who has been badgered by both the press and his own family about smoking, discussed the risks and costs of smoking, and his own habit, at the signing of the Act on June 22, 2009.



Whether or not President Obama still smokes, the FDA has taken its new charge seriously, and this past Friday unveiled a set of proposed imagery to be added to packages of cigarettes as more visually intrusive warning labels. Some of those labels have been reproduced below.







Will these labels be effective in discouraging tobacco use? Do the messages speak well to their intended audience? The longterm answers of the campiagn are unknown, but the evidence of smoking's -- and secondhand smoke's -- effect on individual health is irrefutable. Unless, of course, you work for a tobacco company. We do hope, however, that if you choose to smoke, you will choose not to smoke tomorrow.

FULL DISCLOSURE: The author of this post is himself a former smoker, and now a frequent runner. His secret to quitting was to take more naps and to eat a lot of carrots. Good luck!