Cornell Law Library's InSITE Website Reviews

Reviews published in the October 6th, 2008 issue of InSITE:

• FOIAnet: Freedom of Information Advocates Network
• Revolving Door
• Tax Fraud Alerts
• Worldwatch Institute

FOIAnet: Freedom of Information Advocates Network

FOIAnet--the Freedom of Information Advocates Network--is an international organization dedicated to the principle that the "right of access to information is an important human right, necessary for the enjoyment of other human rights," and that the "right to information is essential for transparent and accountable government." For U.S. researchers, FOIAnet provides an international perspective on a right in most cases taken for granted in the United States. The site is clearly intended for activists (i.e., an "Experts" tab exists solely to invite submissions of new information on how to acquire government-held information in different countries) and its greatest potential usefulness for researchers and citizens lies in the "Members" tab, which lists constituent NGOs in different countries around the world, and under "Resources" where are listed procedural guides to laws in various countries regarding citizens' right to obtain government information. Regrettably, the "News" tab does not seem to function and the "Projects" page only lists activities for the annual Right to Know Day, held on September 28 each year. No search engine is available but the site is, at present, quite limited in scope. [JPC]

Revolving Door

The Center for Responsive Politics is a nonpartisan, donor-supported research group dedicated to tracking money in U.S. politics and its effect on elections and public policy.  Revolving Door is a new addition to the Center's revamped OpenSecrets.org website (annotated in vol. 8, no. 9 of InSITE).  Named for the "revolving door that shuffles former federal employees into jobs as lobbyists, consultants and strategists just as the door pulls former hired guns into government careers," Revolving Door aims to "reveal the relationships between those who represent special interests and those in government who regulate those interests."  Revolving Door provides links to information about members of Congress, federal agencies, Congressional committees, lobbying firms and organizations with a strong presence in DC.  The site's database is searchable by name or keyword identifying the government position or employer, and by employment.  The "search by name" feature includes a separate drop down menu for former members of Congress.  The employment search allows researchers to see where administration, agency, congressional, and committee staffers have come and gone. Data is available for staffers from the Ford administration to the current Bush administration. Each individual's information includes a graphic employment timeline and an employment history reflecting time in lobbying firm, private sector, federal government, or state/local government.  The site also lists industries represented and the person's expertise and interests. Revolving Door is a successful effort to provide transparency to the workings of the federal government. [JC]

Tax Fraud Alerts

The Internal Revenue Service has a website to alert citizens to the growing problem of income tax evasion and fraud.  The site's "Tax Fraud Alerts" section covers topics such as Corporate Fraud, Money Laundering, Nonfiler Enforcement, Abusive Tax Schemes, and various other scams.  These detailed alerts summarize the issue and provide related statutes and penalties from the U.S. Code when applicable, as well as statistical data dating back to fiscal year 2005.  A useful resource for reference librarians is the PDF publication "The Truth About Frivolous Tax Arguments," which debunks at length some of the leading tax-evasion arguments, such as "Payment of tax/filing of a tax return is voluntary."  The site is generally well-organized and designed to appeal to laypeople; however, the only available search engine is the one which covers the entire IRS website.  Searchers are simply advised to include the term "fraud" if they want to find a particular topic page. [BWK/JPC]

Worldwatch Institute

Worldwatch Institute (WI), founded in 1974, is an independent research organization that seeks to provide resources "that empower decision makers to create an environmentally sustainable society that meets human needs."  The Institute's priorities focus on climate change, resource degradation, population growth, and poverty.  To confront these challenges, WI publishes data and strategies in 100-plus countries via the Internet and news media.  The website offers information on WI's publications, programs, and partnerships.  Publications include State of the World, WI's flagship annual, and World Watch Magazine.  Reports and papers cover topics from fish farming to the global meat industry to Chinese development.  Summaries from these publications are available online, but full-text must be purchased.  The site also provides description of WI's priority programs.  These programs include building a low-carbon energy system, creating a healthy future for agriculture, and developing a sustainable global economy.  The Global Partners section provides details of WI's 150 partners.  These partners include NGOs and United Nations organizations, as well as various groups that publish with WI.  A clickable map is available to users who want more information about these partners. [MM]

InSITE contributors:  J. Callihan, J.P. Cusker, B. Kreisler, M. Morrison, J. Pajerek (editor)

InSITE highlights selected law-related Web sites in two ways: as an annotated publication issued electronically and in print; and, as a keyword-searchable database. The law librarians at Cornell evaluate potentially useful Web sites, select the most valuable ones, and provide commentary and subject access to them. This information can be accessed via the channels below, in addition to this mailing list:

   1. Searchable database or by browsing current and archived issues on the web: InSITE home page   
   2. RSS feed
   3. Print format for the Cornell Law School community.