Federal Eye - July 4, 2010

State Department's Katie Stanton moves to Twitter

Katie Jacobs Stanton, a special adviser at the State Department and former White House staffer and Googler, is heading to Twitter to work on international business strategy.

By Ed O'Keefe | July 9, 2010; 3:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Revolving Door
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'Don't ask, don't tell' survey released

A Pentagon survey sent this week to 400,000 active duty and reserve troops does not ask about a participant's sexual identity, but asks whether they have shared rooms or showers with gay and lesbian colleagues and how such behaviors might change if the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy is repealed, according to a copy of the questionnaire obtained Friday.

By Ed O'Keefe | July 9, 2010; 12:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (135)
Categories: Military
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Rules eased for filing PTSD claims

Veterans organizations are eagerly anticipating changes in government policy designed to ease the burden of proof for receiving disability benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder, saying new rules should help veterans receive fair compensation for the mental scars of war.

By Ed O'Keefe | July 9, 2010; 9:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Military, Workplace Issues
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James Mattis: 'It's fun to shoot some people'

President Obama's pick to lead military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and the Middle East is an experienced ground combat commander, but earned a stern rebuke in 2005 for controversial comments about military operations in Afghanistan.

By Ed O'Keefe | July 9, 2010; 6:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (108)
Categories: Eye Opener, Military
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Peter Orszag: Ready to hit the speaking circuit?

Outgoing Office of Management and Budget chief Peter Orszag has plenty to do before he leaves his job in the next few weeks.

By Ed O'Keefe | July 8, 2010; 7:40 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Administration
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Byrd's staff must sort 'a lifetime of work'

Robert C. Byrd was known for many things -- his mastery of Senate rules, his oratorical skills, his ability to quote long passages of poetry from memory. At one time, he was apparently also considered quite the looker. "If you ever decide you've had enough of the Senate (which would be the country's loss) you can always model men's wear for Brooks Brothers," one female admirer wrote Byrd in April 1978. "What a super model you'd make."

By Ed O'Keefe | July 8, 2010; 1:26 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Congress
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Gay rights group warns service members not to take 'don't ask, don't tell' survey

A leading gay rights group pushing for a repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy is warning gay and lesbian service members not to participate in a Defense Department survey distributed this week to active duty and reserve troops.

By Ed O'Keefe | July 8, 2010; 9:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (60)
Categories: Military
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Can you crack the Cyber Command code?

What does 9ec4c12949a4f31474f299058ce2b22a mean?

By Ed O'Keefe | July 8, 2010; 8:44 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (39)
Categories: Military
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2nd annual SAVE Award starts Thursday

Federal workers with thoughts on how to save taxpayer dollars can start submitting their cost-conscious ideas Thursday as part of a White House-backed contest.

By Ed O'Keefe | July 8, 2010; 6:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Eye Opener, Workplace Issues
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Federal workers, drink up!

The government's top human resources official is reminding federal agencies to keep workers hydrated amid the record-breaking heat wave.

By Ed O'Keefe | July 7, 2010; 6:31 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Workplace Issues
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Government giving away lighthouses

If you've in the market for some waterfront property, here's your chance: The government is looking to part ways with at least 11 federally-owned lighthouses to cut down on costs.

By Ed O'Keefe | July 7, 2010; 12:04 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Agencies and Departments
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Use of non-compete contracts drops

Not too long ago, which means through the end of the Bush administration, the rate at which Uncle Sam contracted government work out to private companies was growing by leaps and bounds. President Obama promised to stop that rapid growth and figures released Wednesday indicated he has had some success.

By Ed O'Keefe | July 7, 2010; 11:33 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Contracting
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TSA harassment allegations probed

Homeland Security Department investigators plan to visit Transportation Security Administration workers in Orlando and Tampa next week as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of harassment against gay, lesbian and African American workers there, according to e-mails obtained by The Federal Eye.

By Ed O'Keefe | July 7, 2010; 6:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Oversight, Workplace Issues
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Federal Eye: July 4, 2010 - July 10, 2010