[Tfug] Fwd: Open Government Initiative

[Joshua Zeidner]

 A recent example of an information service being attacked legally:

   http://www.ktar.com/?nid=6&sid=1539115

 Unfortunately, they had to take the site down.  I'm sure similar
services are also legally bullied.

 -jmz


On Mon, May 7, 2012 at 5:28 PM, Joshua Zeidner <jjzeidner at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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
>> "This is the most fun I've had without being drenched in the blood of my
>> enemies!"
>> --Sam of Sam & Max
>>
>>
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>
>
>
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