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News & ArtsMonday, August 31, 2009
Politics McGinn 2.0
Posted by Unpaid Intern on Mon, Aug 31, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Post by news intern Garrett McCulloch
With the promise of a "Government 2.0 Policy Summit," mayoral candidate Mike McGinn drew about 25 bloggers and geeks to the Northwest Film Forum this evening. "Government 2.0" is a bit of a buzzword, centered around the concept of integrating social networking and other interactive technology into government services. "It acts as a complement to what's happening in the real world," McGinn said from the front of the room.
Most of the people in the theater (which gets uncomfortably hot on late-summer afternoons) came from technical backgrounds, and McGinn admitted some of the jargon was over his head. It did get a little confusing at times—for a journalism major—but some people had some surprisingly practical ideas. One woman proposed a way to track city legislation online (current public disclosure is apparently an archaic process involving several steps of printing and scanning). Someone else complained that the city's Department of Planning and Development doesn't update contact lists.
Better government access was the point of the meeting, but it was really a way to stir up attention in blogging and technology circles for his new Website, Ideasforseattle.com, which launched earlier this afternoon.
McGinn's new site uses a simple concept: Users post their ideas for whatever they think the city should be doing, and others can use a limited number of votes to support or oppose those ideas. "Some ideas are better than others," McGinn says. One post on the site proposes to "measure street capacity in terms of seats, not just vehicles," for example. "Having that group have that discussion is how they discover where their ideas stand."
The new site could be a good move for the McGinn campaign, assuming enough people find it. So, um, go find it.
1
Interesting.
Maps would be nice too.
And ones that work on Linux and Mac with Firefox, not just all the crunky IE stuff.
Maps would be nice too.
And ones that work on Linux and Mac with Firefox, not just all the crunky IE stuff.
2
??? This is a substitute for a hard hitting campaign??
Who is this nerd? By the way he just invented the town meeting .... used for centuries. Congrats.
Who is this nerd? By the way he just invented the town meeting .... used for centuries. Congrats.
5
The idea of an interactive government is great. But who's going to pay for the literally millions of dollars in hardware and software necessary to make that happen? The city just got around to getting Outlook, for God's sake.
In my job, I use six software programs to create a single work order. four of those programs were created in-house (with the developers long gone), one is an off-the-shelf program no one really understands, and one program is four versions out of date.
Good luck with the government 2.0. A more realistic goal might be government 1.037
In my job, I use six software programs to create a single work order. four of those programs were created in-house (with the developers long gone), one is an off-the-shelf program no one really understands, and one program is four versions out of date.
Good luck with the government 2.0. A more realistic goal might be government 1.037
6
I love the one about Bill Gates helping to extend mass transit. It would really solidify this as the major means of transportation. Plus WTF else is he doing with the money? Heal the world? Puh-lease.
The Gates Foundation’s humanitarian concerns are not reflected in how it invests its money. In the Niger Delta—where the Foundation funds programs to fight polio and measles–the Foundation has also invested more than $400 million dollars in companies including Royal Dutch Shell, Exxon Mobil Corp, and Chevron. These oil firms have been responsible for much of the pollution many blame for respiratory problems and other afflictions among the local population.
They also have investments in sixty-nine of the worst polluting companies in the US and Canada, including Dow Chemical. They hold stakes in pharmaceutical companies whose drugs cost far beyond what most AIDS patients around the world can afford.
Other companies in the Foundation’s portfolio have been accused of transgressions including forcing thousands of people to lose their homes; supporting child labor; and defrauding and neglecting patients in need of medical care.
Overall, the LA Times says nearly $9 billion in Gates Foundation money is tied up in companies whose practices run counter to the foundation’s charitable goals and social mission. Including 750,000 shares of McDonalds.
If he's going to run around the world and play Mr. Fix It, let's guilt him into throwing down 20 or 30 billion for some long term solutions right here in our backyard.
The Gates Foundation’s humanitarian concerns are not reflected in how it invests its money. In the Niger Delta—where the Foundation funds programs to fight polio and measles–the Foundation has also invested more than $400 million dollars in companies including Royal Dutch Shell, Exxon Mobil Corp, and Chevron. These oil firms have been responsible for much of the pollution many blame for respiratory problems and other afflictions among the local population.
They also have investments in sixty-nine of the worst polluting companies in the US and Canada, including Dow Chemical. They hold stakes in pharmaceutical companies whose drugs cost far beyond what most AIDS patients around the world can afford.
Other companies in the Foundation’s portfolio have been accused of transgressions including forcing thousands of people to lose their homes; supporting child labor; and defrauding and neglecting patients in need of medical care.
Overall, the LA Times says nearly $9 billion in Gates Foundation money is tied up in companies whose practices run counter to the foundation’s charitable goals and social mission. Including 750,000 shares of McDonalds.
If he's going to run around the world and play Mr. Fix It, let's guilt him into throwing down 20 or 30 billion for some long term solutions right here in our backyard.
7
@5 - you mean like how Australia just implemented a $1.4 million open source Linux radar system instead of a $20 million one?
Um, easy, open source and Linux.
Um, easy, open source and Linux.
8
Yo yo, wut he be talkin' 'bout, dis social networkin' bro? Is that like when I hangs out with me bro's at 23rd and UNion? Man this homey is whitey white.
9
This is actually the 3rd ranked "Idea".
"Get Bill Gates to extend mass transit to the Eastside.
Microsoft caused disproportionate wear on, and derived disproportionate benefits from the bridges over Lake Washington.
Whereas Bill might not wish to be considered a mooch to the taxpayers whose collective infrastructure helped him build his empire and
Whereas Bill might not want to see and hear several more lanes of traffic from his lakefront mansion and
Whereas Bill has an opportunity to help solidify his legacy as a generous, environmental citizen and neighbor for generations to come,
I hereby suggest that we collectively pressure Bill into building the "Gates line" to Bellevue and Redmond."
Ugh! There is so much wrong with this. Bill does not live in Seattle. Like the rest of us he is free to do what he wants with his money. Unlike the rest of us he has committed he has already committed his fortune to education and fighting disease globaly. You could also argue that his economic activity has paid for a disproportionate amount of infrastructue considering the taxes Microsofties have paid.
The City already has numerous channels for submitting ideas by phone, mail, email, and in person by meeting or testimony. Similar to those avenues many ideas are floated with a very few being worthwhile.
I find it telling that there was zero content on the Internet Infrastructure catagory considering it is one of McGinn's top priorities.
"Get Bill Gates to extend mass transit to the Eastside.
Microsoft caused disproportionate wear on, and derived disproportionate benefits from the bridges over Lake Washington.
Whereas Bill might not wish to be considered a mooch to the taxpayers whose collective infrastructure helped him build his empire and
Whereas Bill might not want to see and hear several more lanes of traffic from his lakefront mansion and
Whereas Bill has an opportunity to help solidify his legacy as a generous, environmental citizen and neighbor for generations to come,
I hereby suggest that we collectively pressure Bill into building the "Gates line" to Bellevue and Redmond."
Ugh! There is so much wrong with this. Bill does not live in Seattle. Like the rest of us he is free to do what he wants with his money. Unlike the rest of us he has committed he has already committed his fortune to education and fighting disease globaly. You could also argue that his economic activity has paid for a disproportionate amount of infrastructue considering the taxes Microsofties have paid.
The City already has numerous channels for submitting ideas by phone, mail, email, and in person by meeting or testimony. Similar to those avenues many ideas are floated with a very few being worthwhile.
I find it telling that there was zero content on the Internet Infrastructure catagory considering it is one of McGinn's top priorities.
10
that looks like the seattle great city initiative graphic. but SGCI is a 501c3. are they doing this on behalf of the mcginn campaign (because that would be illegal)?
11
I'm glad to hear that he's interested in what the public has to say, but as a voter, I'm more interested at this point in the campaign about what HE has to say.
Other than his stance on the tunnel, which is wrong. If he stands on the tunnel issue alone and wants to stir the pot back up by delaying decision-making through withholding permits, I cannot in sound mind vote for him in Nov. even though I voted for him in the primary.
What are YOUR ideas for starting to address the City's problems, McGinn? Especially given the budget shortfall, pending furloughs and programmatic cuts? Answer me that and THEN I'll tell you my ideas.
Other than his stance on the tunnel, which is wrong. If he stands on the tunnel issue alone and wants to stir the pot back up by delaying decision-making through withholding permits, I cannot in sound mind vote for him in Nov. even though I voted for him in the primary.
What are YOUR ideas for starting to address the City's problems, McGinn? Especially given the budget shortfall, pending furloughs and programmatic cuts? Answer me that and THEN I'll tell you my ideas.
12
Par for the course.
It reminds me of a reply McGinn made during the Electionland Q&A/unpaid advertisement/whatnot, when a reader asked McGinn who he was thinking of to be his Deputy Mayor. McGinn replied something like, "I dunno, do you know anybody?"
It comes off as the usual McGinnish wry evasiveness, but there's this weird thing where if you've spent much time with him you realize it might actually be true.
It reminds me of a reply McGinn made during the Electionland Q&A/unpaid advertisement/whatnot, when a reader asked McGinn who he was thinking of to be his Deputy Mayor. McGinn replied something like, "I dunno, do you know anybody?"
It comes off as the usual McGinnish wry evasiveness, but there's this weird thing where if you've spent much time with him you realize it might actually be true.
13
I love this! It's a great start to an engaging people-centered campaign. I would love it if the city interacted with it's citizens this way!
14
Radio station KVI had to list their on-air support and advocacy of I-912 a couple years ago as an in-kind donation to the campaign. Is the Stranger/Slog going to file a similar in-kind donation to the McGinn campaign?
15
Gee, it reads to me like, "Give me some ideas because I have none of my own"
But, hey, Mike Bikes, that should be enough, no?
But, hey, Mike Bikes, that should be enough, no?
16
HAAAAAAAA!!
I love the idea about Bill Gates/ Microsoft buying mass transit. Give a little back guys... its not like you actually made anything of value. Oh, except Windows, and MS Office, 20 YEARS AGO.
I'm putting on my overalls, grabbing my pitchfork, and heading over to the 520 bridge.
I love the idea about Bill Gates/ Microsoft buying mass transit. Give a little back guys... its not like you actually made anything of value. Oh, except Windows, and MS Office, 20 YEARS AGO.
I'm putting on my overalls, grabbing my pitchfork, and heading over to the 520 bridge.
17
@11 FTW about McGinn
It is really swell of SLOG to provide us so much fodder on why NOT to vote McGinn!
Now maybe we can get some equal time for Mallahan and his plans for the city upon his election.
You are really making this too easy...
It is really swell of SLOG to provide us so much fodder on why NOT to vote McGinn!
Now maybe we can get some equal time for Mallahan and his plans for the city upon his election.
You are really making this too easy...
19
@10 I was thinking the same thing. Same graphics. Hmmm, and same volunteers. But I am sure it's a coincidence since GC is a non-profit.
And the 100 ideas isn't new. Matt Fiske suggested this in an article on Crosscut months ago. A few candidates have already embraced the idea.
Typical McGinn.
And the 100 ideas isn't new. Matt Fiske suggested this in an article on Crosscut months ago. A few candidates have already embraced the idea.
Typical McGinn.
20
The problem with these web plebi-sites is that they are used to justify intended actions of the elites rather than offering alternative or better answers than the politicians themselves.
Breaking news: I've just discovered something even more cloying and middlebrow than "Seattle Artists"...Portland Artists! See the film The Auteur.
Breaking news: I've just discovered something even more cloying and middlebrow than "Seattle Artists"...Portland Artists! See the film The Auteur.
21
god you guys have the biggest hard on for this guy.
he goes and does basic shit like say, "some ideas are better than others" and you give him 7 paragraphs.
nice way to really develop young, objective journalistic talent. you'll go far in the propaganda machine, Garrett.
he goes and does basic shit like say, "some ideas are better than others" and you give him 7 paragraphs.
nice way to really develop young, objective journalistic talent. you'll go far in the propaganda machine, Garrett.
22
I love how he thinks that internet access is a major issue in Seattle (go look at his webpage) Our fucking libararies are struggling to stay open and he's running campaign slogans from 1998!!
And then Mallahan is trying to buy the Mayors office... We are so fucked we can't even explain how screwed we are at this point.
Maybe we are going back to a strong council/weak mayor formula for city government?
And then Mallahan is trying to buy the Mayors office... We are so fucked we can't even explain how screwed we are at this point.
Maybe we are going back to a strong council/weak mayor formula for city government?
23
@22 internet access is a huge issue. Where do you live? Huge swaths of our city (Beacon Hill where I live) has NO ACCESS to high speed internet.
24
@22 lack of internet access and the library closing for a week are RELATED. Now folks who depend on the library for their internet/computer access will go ... where???
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