Metroblogging Pittsburgh: Propelling Pittsburgh The official bylaws of the Commission say that we're not supposed to reveal Commission business to the media without the Chair's permission (that'd be the Mayor), so I'm going to confine myself to vague generalities.Okay, if the Mayor came into the meeting with no preconceived notions about what should be done and what should NOT be done, then how do you explain the first part of the post -- not revealing business of the Commission.
Of course there were preconceived notions.
Of course the notions were about teaching the people in the group that they had better march along and follow orders.
On the flip side, thanks for taking off the muzzle and posting to the blog. You've done well.
When you meet again -- get that code of silence taken off the charter of the commission. Or, some other person will have to run the the Ethics Hearing Board and spank those that talk. Or, spank the members of the group for being so mindless as to agreeing to the silence.
For the record, Ravenstahl is NEVER serious about soliciting ideas from me. There has NEVER been a hint of follow through from him.
Here is a major question. Is it ever okay to have government silence others, be they whistle blowers, commission members, or employees.
If so, when.
Why.
How.
You all are doing the work of the public. You should have everything in the public domain.
If you want to have secret elements at meetings and approval to speak, then operate in the private sector. Join forces and start a business. Then it won't be anyone's business but yours. This effort, with the Mayor there, within the walls of our house, must be open, honest, and free.
Be free.
Our kids need one thing above all else -- Liberty. A propel commission that aims to better our shared public spaces and public process must have full rights for all.
If that doesn't get them to hate you, then you can call for a vote. Call for a non-binding straw poll on each committee.
Move the agenda with democracy.
If you can do those things -- I'll smile as there might be some hope that my children will be able to grow up in Pittsburgh and have a city worth living in.
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Help Create Democracy 2.0
Week Released: September 17-21, 2007
The Millennial Generation, including myself, is interested in being an
active part of changing public policy. This interest led me to be a part of
Mobilize.org¹s Democracy 2.0 Campaign.
On July 4, Mobilize.org began the Democracy 2.0 project to call attention to
the ways that our democratic process and institutions are properly serving
and failing to serve the interests of Americans, specifically young
Americans. The purpose of Democracy 2.0 is to call attention to the main
problems of our current political system, highlight the distinct
characteristics of the Millennial Generation, and provide guidelines for
change to help cultivate a renewed political process in America.
Currently, our political system is trying to manage a 21st century society
with 18th century political institutions. Democracy 2.0 will upgrade our
current political system, empowering citizens to identify community
problems, propose solutions, be a part of the implementation of these
solutions, and change the way politics is done in this country.
To begin this endeavor, Mobilize.org asked a series of questions and
collected data from youth, ages 16-30 that will be reviewed and evaluated by
Democracy 2.0 Ambassadors at the Democracy 2.0 Summit on October 3, 2007,
with the intention of releasing the Democracy 2.0 Declaration of Our
Generation. The Declaration of our Generation is a short statement of
principles describing a citizen-centered approach to democracy. The
Declaration will focus on three themes: 1) What currently works and what
does not work in our democracy; 2) What defines our generation; and 3) What
Democracy 2.0 should look like.
The Declaration will call attention to areas in which the government is
succeeding and failing to serve the public interest, highlight the unique
and defining characteristics of our generation, and provide guidelines that
will serve as a call to action for American citizens to help create this
renewed form of democracy.
I wanted to mention this opportunity since every posting here has an
interest in this. Mobilize.org is looking for people who want to serve as
Democracy 2.0 Online Ambassadors to be a part of the drafting process. If
you have any questions, please shoot me an e-mail at brendan.chan@mail.utexas.edu.
Thanks for the heads up.
You know, I'm not young enough to be considered, I guess.
I'm in favor of mentoring too.
Some of us old farts have been working on eDemocracy since before 1999.
This eVote,
http://www.Deliberate.com
could be part of your offerings.
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