Home » Users » rich^kolker » Blog » PUBLIC SQUARE for TUESDAY...
Democracy for America personal blog for rich^kolker
PUBLIC SQUARE for TUESDAY (Open Thread)
Linked to groups: Bloggers, blog for America Test and Poll Group
All topics are on topic, and the Good Doctor is always first!
Those of us who were Deaniacs remember that a theme of the campaign was that we were responsible for building and maintaining "The Great American Conversation." It all tied together: "In your hands, not mine, lies the future of this nation," the Doc would tell us, and we'd believe it, and go forward. We generated posters, bumper stickers, software, campaign tools. in a way that had never been done before.
In those days, the blog was the center of a lot of these activities. You know what the first "DFA training" was? It was when I suggested Meetup groups kick in $20 each and send representatives to the 21st Century Democrats training in DC, and that those representatives bring the information back to their groups and pass them on. We had jc's and demetrius' and others art - better than what the "pros" were putting out, all shared here, generated from ideas begin here, and refined through conversation.
Now we are told "The Great American Conversation" is to be shunted off the "the watercooler." We need to be more serious and issue oriented. Our comments need to relate to the main post. This is a mistake as well as being a betrayal of the history and heritage of this blog.
Synergy happens when seemingly unrelated actions interact in unexpected ways. This can only happen when there is a critical mass of activities and those activities are unfocused. This is the power of what has become a buzzword, but is still valid, "outside the box" thinking. Follow down the normal trail and there is no solution. Step off the trail, and there's no telling what you will find. Bread mold may become penacillin.
BFA will not become stronger by being more like Kos. BFA will become stronger by promoting what it is. BFA will become stronger when DFA HQ uses it like Dean for America did -- as a window into DFA operations, a place to discuss future activities, plan and synergize, and build community. There have been folks who have left, but not because of the conversational tone. Generally, it's been because of specific posters and postings. That can be controlled now with the rating system. Go out and actively invite perople back. Open the shutters between HQ and the blog again and make this the organizational and creative tool it was during the campaign.
We don't need another Kos. We have one already.
I see we're on the same page today, just different threads :-) Think I'll put up a post on mine that we're over here... can migrate to that one whenever it seems the thing to do to whoever's on.
...Rich -- hope our friends at HQ read it.
...actually going to be the first response on the thread, but it's more than 1000 characters!
:-)
rich -
segwaying, I was wondering what your take on the two McCains' (II and III) is on the subject of the USS Liberty and the USS Forrestal ?
In other words, the MSM does not list the Liberty (34 US servicemen killed) as a coverup by McCain II and does not list the Forrestal (134 US servicemen killed) as caused by a "wet start" ( http://judicial-inc.biz/wet_start_mcCain.jpg ) by a young "hot-dog" pilot McCain III ?
Thus, are these just rumors by those who are jealous of the McCains' and their family military history ?
...no unique knowledge of either, but let me say this.
If Obama is going to win this election, it should be because of who he is and what he will do as President. Digging through the past to embarass McCain only embarasses those who do the digging.
Hitting back citing some of his recent flip flops and self-contradictions ("I did not say timeline") would appear to be both fair and informative, as the media are continuing to let him off the hook (Countdown excepted, of course)
...no unique knowledge of either
My intention is not to embarrass McCain but rather to inquire about his military history and his character. After all, that is his strongest campaign point -- his experience regarding national security and foreign affairs. He's using his military experience (obviously) as a big part of who he is and what his character/temperment would be as US President and as US Commander-in-Chief.
I've always been long on being FOR Obama and only short on being AGAINST anyone, including McCain.
That's not about to change but I think I, as an American, deserve the truth about who McCain is and what formative decisions he's made in his life.
one more from your last night thread...
Comment Code - actually, we asked about rules and we asked for the comment box phrase to be changed. What we called Blog Rules have a new name, much more technical writing style, and include the legalese of today's blogospere.
(the) ...rules aren't personal against us or anyone, they're generic for anyone who visits the site. I see them as a starting point, modification is always a possibility.
It's not personal.
bbl :-)
...captures 1.0/2.0 beautifully. I'd like that back, too. Agreed there's no need for duplicating what already is and that the Great American Conversation needs to continue. The single thread structure is unlikely to return, but there's no reason for us not to Dean on. The tools are here, it's up to us.
(was responding over on last night's thread, actually on this very topic. Gotta run so here's a snip from there...)
It's not staff doing all the postings anymore, it's a wider community of writers and it's up to the writer if they want on topic comments or open threads... therein lies my openness to that issue.
...If this were still a single-threaded linear discussion site and there were no open thread available - well, of course, altogether an unacceptable idea...
...with multiple threads to choose from, including an open thread, why not respect the new authors' wishes to have those not designated as 'open' stay on topic? We always did it for guest bloggers, bookclub, etc.
1000 of 1000.
Yeah, Tim, it could use a boost :-)
~ ~
dang, almost got the edit in in time.
'the single thread structure is unlikely to return...'
Do away with the limit entirely. Some issues deserve and require long posts.
Judy and Monica elevated the information content and the tone of the blog with their 2-3K and longer posts.
You'll note they're not posting here anymore.
It will as soon as current HQ occupants vacate the premise. We had to put up with it when the last dictator was there and she didn't last long.
The only way things will change is if we all agree to not post on any "Theme posts". I simply don't agree with the notion that "new authors" should be allowed to burden the main page with narrowly-focused, often trivial topical posts.
The open thread should be a permanent, main page feature, and the interesting bake sale by Podunk DFA should be available on the sidebar
Observation from the road:) the myway highway may be comfortable in it's long straight stretches w/o change, but winding, hilly roads are an exploration into new adventure & learning~
W/ multiple posts from which to choose a front page post isn't necessarily going to have the most comments. Think Cheryl posted it works out that way on other blogs. There's nothing 2nd class about a post not front paged- most aren't.
lol, bet we differ on which posts are interesting/not. Agree some aren't stellar, but many are excellent. We can choose to read others & post or not.
Personally, I like campaign news from across the country: what they're up to, firsthand news about red dist's turning blue... I don't see picnic events as trivial- great for: visibility/access to a candidate, recruiting volunteers, thanking volunteers... & having fun/fundraising/relaxing. I chose a 'picnic post' campaign as one to support. Best of all, that same post put me back in touch w/ a former Deaniac/lurker!!!
...we're being "dissed".
The Great American Conversation isn't important enough to be the main thread. We're allowed to live off in our own little ghetto so long as we run it, and we pass all the checkpoints along the way.
The Great American Conversation should always be the main thread, as it has been, and topic threads can compete off on the sidebar. That's what this blog was. That's what made it special. We were a community.
Excellent perspective. My gosh, there is an adult about!
Here's the link just in case:
https://pol.moveon.org/donate/29guesses.html?r=3987&id=13351-8027152-1bg2Wvx
Glenn Greenwald and Ed Kilgore debate the virtues of challenging incumbent Democrats, or as Ed puts it, "settling scores." I think a more basic problem needs to be addressed first, the bizarre penchant of the Netroots to concentrate its resources on electing Dems like Travis Childers and Heath Shuler. Now I have nothing against either of these Dems - they represent the views of their particular districts. My problem is with a so called Progressive Netroots wasting its resources working to elect candidates who basically disagree with their view of what the Democratic Party should be.
I guess, in a way, this puts me in the Kilgore camp, of not being for "score settling" against Dems like Shuler, Childers, Ben Nelson, Gene Taylor and the like. I am for getting "better" Dems in districts that will support better Dems.
Marjorie Cohn | End the Occupation of Iraq - and Afghanistan
http://www.truthout.org/article/end-occupation-iraq-and-afghanistan
Truthout contributor Marjorie Cohn writes: "In light of stepped-up violence in Afghanistan and for political reasons - following Obama's lead - Bush will be moving troops from Iraq to Afghanistan. Although the US invasion of Afghanistan was as illegal as the invasion of Iraq, many Americans see it as a justifiable response to the attacks of September 11, 2001, and the casualties in that war have been lower than those in Iraq - so far. Practically no one in the United States is currently questioning the legality or propriety of US military involvement in Afghanistan. The cover of Time magazine calls it 'The Right War....' The invasion of Afghanistan was not legitimate self-defense under article 51 of the Charter because the attacks on 9/11 were criminal attacks, not 'armed attacks' by another country. Afghanistan did not attack the United States.... Those who conspired to hijack airplanes and kill thousands of people on 9/11 are guilty of crimes against humanity. They must be identified and brought to justice in accordance with the law.
Are we being forewarned of continuity of gov't?
US Headed for "Heightened Alert" Stage
http://www.truthout.org/article/us-headed-heightened-alert-stage
Pierre Thomas reports for ABC News: "Government officials have been quietly stepping up counterterror efforts out of a growing concern that al Qaeda or similar organizations might try to capitalize on the spate of extremely high-profile events in the coming months, sources tell ABC News. Security experts point to next month's Olympics as evidence that high-profile events attract threats of terrorism, like the one issued this past weekend by a Chinese Muslim minority group that warned of its intent to attack the Games. Anti-terror officials in the U.S. cite this summer and fall's lineup of two major political parties' conventions, November's general election and months of transition into a new presidential administration as cause for heightened awareness and action. This is what the Department of Homeland Security is quietly declaring a Period of Heightened Alert, or POHA, a time frame when terrorists may have more incentive to attack."
'the single thread structure is unlikely to return...'
And why, pray tell is that?
Because too many of us are willing to make nice with the control freaks at HQ, and meekly accept whatever they decree
it's a websurbin' surfin' world. The blogosphere is evolving and growng.
:-) I'd say my posts express unhappiness with much of the goings on here and that I'm looking to work for more of our requests to come to pass. I can only imagine how my personality grates your nerves in much the same way as your negativity can grate mine. Up to you if the different tone of voice, opinion(s), and that I see some good things among the bad leads you to also dismiss me as a kiss-ass, mindless twit of a doormat. ...pretty sure that's what wou were saying. I know myself pretty well and believe otherwise. We disagree once again.
I admire you greatly Thankful. You're right though, we do disagree a lot, mainly on how to reassert control of the blog by those who make it go.
Rest assured, I feel no personal animosity toward you.
The bottom line here is that the main page should serve as a vehicle for a free exchange of ideas, whether from a continuously running open thread, or a laissez-faire policy on off-topic posts which has characterized this blog for most of its life, certainly for the most vibrant and exciting part of it.
Remember the 300-post threads back in 03-04?
They were very exciting, timely and produced worthwhile (if sometimes heated) exchanges of views.
I don't visualize you as a kiss-ass. I just don't see the point in humoring these dictatorial geeks who have a perverted view of what a blog should be.
We veterans KNOW what a good blog is, and BFA under it's current constraints is a lousy blog.
That's the main reason we don't see the thought-provoking and challenging posts from Judy and Monica.
Shit!
This thread is about to run off the list.
Where is everybody?
This is exactly why this format isn't working. I want to *see* my friends, read the latest news and post.
This is beyond ridiculous. Threads falling off the cliff...just like putz running the country over the cliff.
And I won't start with the brownshirts.
Senator Stevens Indicted in Corruption Inquiry
http://www.truthout.org/article/senator-stevens-indicted-corruption-inquiry
David Stout of The New York Times: "Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, the longest-serving Republican senator in United States history and a figure of great influence in Washington as well as in his home state, has been indicted on federal corruption charges. Mr. Stevens, 84, was indicted on seven counts of falsely reporting income. The charges are related to renovations on his home and to gifts he has received."
- We don't need more than one thread at a time
By Denise in San Mateo County on Jul 29, 2008 4:10 PM EDTThis on topic, off topic stuff is just crazy. I can't find where anyone is anymore. And the 1000 word limit is not enough for some of us to express our opinions. Pat has to post three times just to continue her thoughts - ridiculous!
I highly doubt if the folks, who are very welcome, that post about a certain topic really care if we post about other stuff at the same time on "their" threads. No one has said anything about it since the beginning of the WC. Even Kate said she had not been one to complain.
One thread at a time - keep it simple.
True, Denise. Divided we fall. Some people go to HEP, and god only knows where the rest of us are.
The earthquake should be old news by now.
**&&*^$#
I mean it's news but jeez....
I'm happy to hear about Ted Stevens - both news articles posted an hour or so ago by Renee on HEP, by the way.
might need a recommend from someone besides me
G@d bless you in all you do. As I suspect he has. ;-)
Add your comment
(to reply directly to a comment, click the reply icon for that comment)Post closed to commenting
 |
|
 |
My DFA |
|
Members |
|
Groups |
|
Events |
|
Candidates |
 |
|
Blog for America
-
How to Maintain Focus
By Thomas Janowski on Jan 3, 2009 8:47 AM EST -
Buying American-made Toys
By Stephen Crockett on Dec 28, 2008 2:18 AM EST -
Obama's Team says it's our turn to lead
By Susan Rowe on Dec 16, 2008 3:35 PM EST -
Those six southern GOP Senators are Traitors
By Kenneth C on Dec 12, 2008 12:23 PM EST -
GOP Copy Cats
By Dave Santucci on Dec 10, 2008 9:09 AM EST
Recent Blog Posts
-
Epiphany Party for the Poor
By Edra Bogle on Jan 9, 2009 6:09 PM EST -
DCCC Change suggestion request
By Sonia Sheridan on Jan 9, 2009 3:03 PM EST -
Change Begins At Home President's Day Gala
By Ania D on Jan 9, 2009 1:54 PM EST -
Friday Finds
By Gerry L on Jan 9, 2009 8:00 AM EST -
Entry #1
By Joe H on Jan 9, 2009 2:53 AM EST
- First
By rich^kolker on Jul 29, 2008 8:59 AM EDTHoward Dean, Dean for America, Blog for America 1.0.