Author: Emmett O'Connell (Page 159 of 177)

Interesting:

Our political leaders may aim to spread democracy abroad, but the lessening role of government in the lives of Americans – as manifested by recent cuts to the federal budget – does little to nurture the democratic process here at home. …the budget emerging from Congress reduces spending on social and educational programs while extending tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans.

These budget cuts continue a quarter century of governance guided largely by the idea that, in Ronald Reagan’s words, “Government is not the solution … government is the problem.” But an assessment of these decades reveals that as government’s role in citizens’ lives diminishes, so, too, does active civic engagement.

While I agree that trust in government is linked to civic engagement, I never thought of government engagement as being linked directly to greater civic engagement. I’ve thought that private industry, government and the civic sectors as being seperate spheres competing for attention. But, I can see how good government, not necessarily bigger government, can lead to more civic engagement.

Whether people believe that they trust each other enough to develop a government that serves the needs of everyone in society would have a lot to do with whether they want to engage in that society.

It’s a good read overall:

For these citizens, to whom government seems at best irrelevant, political participation makes little sense. In return, they are easily forgotten by political leaders paying attention to the needs of the affluent and organized.

Until liberals realize that government exists not only to extend rights and social services but also to foster active citizenship, and until conservatives learn that market institutions alone fail to engender that outcome, democracy at home will continue to diminish.

What are all these people doing downtown with laptops? Craziness:

“It creates a third place,” Olson said. “You’ve got your office and your home. Sometimes you need to get away from the distractions and escape.”

Wi-Fi hot spots aren’t widely publicized — though Zhonka publishes a list online — but people have found a way to locate them. Banner said she looks for the distinctive “Zhonka” sticker in shop windows or looks for other laptop users. Word has spread through word of mouth for Caffe Vita, Fink said.

Two years ago, the city of Olympia studied the idea of a fiber optic network and Internet access, but officials aren’t actively pursu-ing it now, said Subir Mukerjee, assistant city manager. A new technology known as Wi-Max is surfacing that would have an extended range at a lower cost. Because the technology is advancing so fast, the city is taking a wait-and-see stance, he said.

One half of my humble proposal came true on Monday when the Tumwater, Olympia and Lacey libraries all launched wireless networks:

Timberland Regional Library (TRL) is pleased to offer free wireless Internet access to patrons in 24 TRL libraries in Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Thurston counties. Service began Monday, December 12. Access is available during each library’s regular open hours.

Wireless networking in the library offers patrons numerous benefits:

It allows patrons to bring their own laptop computers to the library where they can access the Internet and the library’s research databases, catalog, and other TRL Web page resources.

Patrons do not need to wait for an available library Internet computer.

It allows the public more computer and Internet access in the library, while saving the library the cost of buying additional computers.

Patrons can use their wireless computers in most areas of the library; they are not restricted to the designated library computer areas.

There is no charge for the service and it is not necessary to schedule time in advance.

This also an important step in making libraries greater centers of civic culture here, that libraries become functional in a real way for citizens. Libraries shouldn’t just become repositories for books and agencies established to aid in recreational reading. They should be active agents in encouraging civic dialogue.

I know my train of logic from wireless network all the way to civic libraries isn’t all together obvious. But, having wireless in our libraries increases their viablilty as Third Places.

Wireless Internet Access – General Setup Information
Wireless Internet Access – Frequently Asked Questions

I think I’ll write him an email:

“The Great Good Place” argues that third places build community, social capital and civic solidarity. Perhaps, but my immediate worry is that they won’t be there for me when I need them.

I suppose a case could be made for the gym as a latter-day third place. Likewise, the beauty salon or the sports bar. But listen to Oldenburg:

“The lure of a third place depends only secondarily upon seating capacity, variety of beverages served … or other features. What attracts the regular visitor to a third place is supplied not by management but by fellow customers. … It is the regulars who give the place its character and who assure that on any given visit some of the gang will be there.”

And that describes perfectly the newsroom of The Washington Post, except that it was — and is — a job site. I need a new third place.

Update: My email to him:

Third places are created, not just pursued

Mr. Raspberry:

I enjoyed reading your column this morning, but I’m afraid you skipped over a concept that is vital to the existence of third places. The idea of citizenship, that people are active participants in their communities, is vital to creating so-called third places. In a sense, third places are populated by citizens, not worker bees or consumers, but rather people engaged in their environment and who feel a sense common purpose. I’ve been reading recently about how some places, like libraries, are well suited to become such centers of civic culture.

I also wanted to say that I’m saddened that your leaving the Post. I began college at Delaware State University’s print journalism program, and the dean there held you up as an example of what a journalist could be. Even though I didn’t end up pursuing reporting, I continue to respect your work.

Thanks and good luck,
Emmett

Talking about community.

Lynn Allen at Evergreen Politics:

…the top down, “you’re either with me or against me” skills of this last era are the wrong ones for what is coming now. Now we need a Party Chairman/Chairwoman who can rally the base for the grassroots and technologically savvy campaign we desperately need to stay blue and extend that blueness into the red and purple areas.

Paul was one of the first Democrats in this state to support Howard Dean, first as President then as DNC Chair. He sees and understands the future but he hasn’t seemed to want to change the way he plays the game. So, even though he’s been a Dean supporter, the state Party has not been in alignment with the changes the national Party is working through.

What I want the next chair to talk about: social software, community, and grassroots.

Paul Berendt will resign, and I’ll miss him. Mostly miss watching both the governor and state Democratic Party chair walk into mass after me, but for other reasons too.

I won’t miss him picking a talk-show host over an already established candidate for Congress though.

What this does give us is a chance to open up the party a bit more. Not that I think Paul was against that, but changes in leadership do offer chances for change. The one thing I’d like to see is a change in purpose with our state website, or maybe a new stand alone website for state Democrats along the same lines as Grow Ohio (or at least what it used to be before Sherrod Brown started running for Senate).

A statewide grassroots community website for Democrats, liberals and progressives to come together, dialog, and organize. All paid for by the state Democratic Party.