Digital Infrastructure and Public Interest
Kevin Taglang tracked down (BENTON'S COMMUNICATIONS-RELATED HEADLINES for SATURDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2008) this little gem, which I highly recommend. Thanks Kevin!
- Stehle, Vince. Digital Infrastructure and Public Interest, Grantmakers in the Arts Reader, Fall 2008.
"What is the best way to promote a vibrant and diverse exchange of educational information, cultural expression, and political discourse over the Internet? What type of service—commercial enterprise, government agency, or non-commercial organization—can be counted on to insure that quality and diversity are reflected prominently? Recent experience suggests that a new type of hybrid organization, driven by a strong non-commercial mission but operating with success in the consumer marketplace, may offer the optimal balance of financial sustainability and commitment to the public interest."Hmmm... a new type of hybrid organization.... non-commerical.... commitment to the public interest...? Hmmm... Ok, say it loud and say it proud! "The Library" Continue reading
67 Days to Government Information Liberation
Today I got to thinking about history and the concept of significant time events to either mark change or anticipate it. Much has been made of the historic quality of last week's national elections and how many pundits and writers spoke of the electoral changes as, possibly, the first electoral event to anticipate the needs, or demands, of the 21st century. Which made me wonder -- how many state governments incorporated the concept of the 21st century into their observations, recommendations or attempts to reorganize how they do things. Briefly, here is a small sample of what I discovered using Google government search and usa.gov. California -- Commission on the 21st Century Economy Minnesota -- Governor’s 21st Century Tax Reform Commission. North Carolina -- 21st Century Transportation Committee Texas -- Ten Principles for Texas in the 21st Century Which got me thinking how libraries could use this wide spread policy and programmatic interest in change at the state level and get some civic discussions going by linking it to the huge interest in what is happening at the national level. One doesn't need ground-breaking national election to help their communities make the connections at the state level. See you day 66. Continue reading
Plum Book becomes political
We've posted previously about the Plum Book and how this simple US govt phonebook has been surreptitiously changed to further a political agenda. Now Think Progress has picked up the story. They point out that both the 2004 and 2008 editions offer a startling — and erroneous — assertion: The office of the Vice President is not in the executive branch. Both versions put the description of the VP’s office last under “Appendices,” rather than in the Executive Branch section:
The Vice Presidency is a unique office that is neither a part of the executive branch nor a part of the legislative branch, but is attached by the Constitution to the latter. The Vice Presidency performs functions in both the legislative branch (see article I, section 3 of the Constitution) and in the executive branch (see article II, and amendments XII and XXV, of the Constitution, and section 106 of title 3 of the United States Code). The 1996 and 2000 versions unambiguously include the Office of the Vice President in the executive branch. Continue reading
Yes, Public Papers of the President
Daniel,
Good eye! that is The Public Papers of the President over the shoulder of President Elect Obama in his video address today.
Continue reading
Lost in Transition
The National Journal and Government Executive have created a new web site, Lost in Transition, for "Helping you navigate the Presidential Handover." Categories currently covered include: Appointments, Earlybird, Events, Insider Interview, Paper Trail, and The Short List. Continue reading