[Tfug] Fwd: Open Government Initiative

[Joshua Zeidner]

On Mon, May 7, 2012 at 5:02 PM, John Gruenenfelder
<jetpackjohn at gmail.com> wrote:
> On May 7, 2012 4:36 PM, "Joshua Zeidner" <jjzeidner at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hi Keith,
>>
>>  I'm suspicious as well.
>>
>>  Most of these programs aim to appeal to ideas such as 'transparency',
>> 'information access', etc. but typically want to promote some kind of
>> political bias.  In the case of Tucson and Phoenix, demographics data is a
>> CRITICAL NATIONAL ISSUE and I doubt very much that some local initiative
>> would have the political clout to simply start publishing it on the net.
>>
>>  -jmz
>
> While I have no desire to be used or lied to, doesn't it seem
> counterproductive to assume ill will and malfeasance from the start?  Let's
> face it, this isn't something that has been tried repeatedly and ended in
> failure.  At least, not in Arizona and Tucson.

  The risk here is that ALL efforts to publish information will be
under the aegis of said organizations (which as claimed are private
non-profits).  If any efforts don't coincide with their political
goals, then they don't get implemented.  These kind of things are
constructed to appear to be positive and neutral.

>
> It would best to take the offer at face value until there is some sign that
> the goal is something other than open government.  I should think it would
> be fairly obvious to detect being jerked around.
>
> I also don't understand your statement about the demographics data.
> Regardless of whether or not the data is nationally important, why wouldn't
> a local initiative be able to place it online?

  If a local sheriff cannot enforce State and Federal law without
constant interference and harassment from the Federal government, do
you really think that a local IT initiative is going to be able to
operate without interference?  of course not.  Being that this group
seems both legit and unconcerned about these risks speaks loud and
clear.

  -jmz



>  And if dark forces come out
> of the woodwork to block this, then at least we'll know who opposes it.
>
> --John Gruenenfelder
> Systems Manager, MKS Imaging Technology, LLC.
> Try Weasel Reader for PalmOS -- http://weaselreader.org
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>
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