Watchdog Blog

Archive for January, 2011

POGO: Unposted Inspector General Reports Showcase SEC Misconduct

By Michael Smallberg, crossposted with the Project On Government Oversight A few months ago, we questioned why many of the investigative reports issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Office of Inspector General (OIG) are nowhere to be found on the agency or the OIG’s website. Since then, we’ve obtained many of these unposted [...]

Herb Strentz: Odes to Plank 10.11

Plank 10.11 of the Iowa Republican Party platform says, “We believe public university, college and school buildings should not restrict possession of firearms by those legally possessing a concealed carry permit, as this endangers our children.” Mary had a little Glock With an extended clip. And everywhere that Mary went She packed it on her [...]

Herb Strentz: The 50th Anniversary of ‘Ask Not’

Here we are marking the 50th anniversary of John F, Kennedy’s inaugural address and his challenge, “And so, my fellows Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” The “Ask not” line will be subject to more replays on our TVs and in our newspapers [...]

Myra MacPherson: Of Assange, I.F. Stone, Secrecy and, Last, Sex

Unless they are diehard supporters or detractors, the first thing some people say when they talk of Julian Assange—which seems curious to me—is that he is creepy or weird looking, and then there is a quiet murmur of dissent: “What if he releases something that could damage someone or get people killed? My answer is: [...]