Yearly Archives: 2012

Border Security – It’s Not Just for the Southwest

In late July the House Committee on Homeland Security held a hearing on whether DHS’s international agreements really help to provide the actionable intelligence needed for US border security. This testimony followed on the heels of the release of the DHS Northern Border Strategy, announced by DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano in June. What makes thisRead… Read more »

The Myth of Nuvo Quo

The older I get, the better I was. A legend in his own mind. Five miles to school, uphill both ways. Memory is selective. From time to time, story to story, we remember the parts that support our chosen message. Nuvo quo is when we selectively improve what we remember of the old status quo.Read… Read more »

Facebook & Free Speech: Gov Workers Fired for Clicking “Like”

While most users of Facebook and similar social media sites may assume that all online activity is protected free speech, this might not always be the case — including for public sector employees. One recent judicial ruling, which has set off alarm bells among online free speech advocates, should cause govies to take notice sinceRead… Read more »

Reinforcing the thin digital line

One of the benefits of my current role is getting to travel around Australia and meet many of the public servants working in the Government 2.0 and open government areas. There’s some fantastic people doing great work, often hidden in the most unlikely places. It has also made me aware of how few people thereRead… Read more »

Contractors and Procurement Officials: Customer Service Is A Two Way Street

There seems to be a development that is coming more and more to the forefront: the case of the out-of-control Contracting Officer (KO). There are usually two paths to interactions with a KO, one being the KO who is overwhelmed with the workload, doing the best they can to handle it, and simply have veryRead… Read more »

Is it Friday yet?

Never understood why certain people looked forward to Fridays as much as they do. Original post

Conducting Media Interviews: Ten Tips

Speaking to the news media can always be a tricky business, especially if you are not an official government communicator, former journalist, or have other expertise in the area of media relations and strategic communications. Therefore, these tips should be useful if and when you must face the “Beast” — particularly, if you’re conducting yourRead… Read more »