Magnitude Media » obama

Government 2.0 Topics on Fire Recap

Leslie — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:12:19 +0000

We had a great podcast, during which we touched on themes of implementation of social media in a bureaucracy, the push for transparent government, the push back from outdated systems, how the President-elect may be hampered by existing rules and how he might effect real change and cause a trickle down effect. We also touched on privacy issues, who and what government people and entities are active in the social media space around the world, and ways the public could help install transparency, as well as realistic expectations of the roll out of government 2.0 as a reality. Please listen to the entire podcast for the full effect – my guest panelists Leslie Bradshaw, Triston McIntyre, Justin Herman, Andrea Baker, and Alan Silberberg were fantastic! I have included the file here, and have put the unedited links from the chat room and podcast below the embedded audio for you to check out.

http://twitter.pbwiki.com/USGovernment

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/16/us/politics/16blackberry.html

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/11/16/obama-ditch-beloved-blackberry/#

http://www.sunlightfoundation.com/

http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/

http://magnitudemedia.net/2008/11/16/obama-and-his-blackberry-parting-isnt-a-sweet-sorrow-at-all/

http://www.opencongress.org/

http://sunlightlabs.com/

http://www.congresspedia.com

http://www.kstreetcafe.com

http://www.opencongress.org/

open-government@googlegroups.com

http://www.c-spanarchives.org/

http://debatehub.c-span.org/

http://dnc08.c-span.org/

http://rnc08.c-span.org/

http://www.you2gov.org/index.php/Take-Action.html

http://www.you2gov.org/index.php/Transition-2008.html

http://www.you2gov.org/index.php/Links

http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/194507/bush

http://dodlive.blogspot.com

http://www.flickr.com/commons/

http://www.SoMeElection08.ning.com

http://twitter.pbwiki.com/USGovernment

PodCast

Obama and his Blackberry: parting isn't a sweet sorrow at all

Triston — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:47:25 +0000

But it could be a necessary sorrow. Leslie recently wrote a piece on Tech.Blorge.com suggesting that Obama, an avid user of his hip-holstered Blackberry, might have to give it the boot once he is sworn into office.

The reason he’ll most likely have to abandon his beloved handset really has very little to do with compromising national security or anything like that. If he were to choose to keep his Blackberry, there is little doubt that it would simply be a medium of correspondence with those closest to him — friends, family and loved ones.

The problem with keeping his Blackberry, if he so chooses, is that the records of his communication would be completely accessible by Congress if they chose to investigate his communications. The legislation that would allow for this, the Presidential Records Act, was enacted shortly after the Watergate Scandal of Reagan’s presidency. Reagan claimed executive privilege, which allows the president to withhold information within the executive branch to keep Congress from acquiring the taped recordings regarding the scandal.

However, as the Supreme Court found, the president only has the right to withhold information that could compromise national security or involves sensitive information which, if released to the public, could be detrimental to the country. Since that precedent was established, there has been little dispute that the private communications of the executive are fair game, and subject to subpoena by Congress.

It would be a pretty fair bet to make that if Obama chose to keep his Blackberry, there will be some politicians very interested in finding out exactly what he’s saying on it. However, it is important to note that there really isn’t anything explicitly barring him from using it.

In fact, choosing to keep his Blackberry might be beneficial to the executive office. If Obama were to keep his Blackberry, in spite of common knowledge that it could be subject to seizure by Congress, Obama could project a transparency and normalcy that hasn’t been seen in the presidency to date. Obama could be seen as open and honest, simply because he chooses to keep his Blackberry, even if the Democratic-controlled Congress doesn’t sift through his conversations.

Personally, I’d like to see Obama keep a laptop in the Oval Office and a Blackberry at his hip. He has displayed great competency in communicative mediums thus far, and he can make a huge impact on the adoption of new technology, social media and communications by breaking the mold during his tenure. Parting doesn’t have to be sweet or sorrowful. Just refuse to part.

Topics on Fire, Episode 9: Government 2.0 and what it means for social media and technology

Leslie — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:53:06 +0000

Tonight’s episode of Topics on Fire will center around Government 2.0 and what it means for social media, technology and the nation under the new President-elect, Barack Obama. There are inherent legal and security concerns with Government 2.0 implementation and use, as well as issues with how to fit technology, social media and transparency into the existing sluggish bureaucratic structure.

Joining us on tonight’s panel will be myself as moderator with my partner, Triston McIntyre, and panelists Leslie Bradhsaw, Andrea Baker, Justin Herman and Alan Silberberg. Leslie Bradshaw works for NMS and Jess3, and spearheaded CSPAN’s recent social media and politics campaign during the elections. Andrea Baker is Director of Technology, Navstar Inc. and a Social Web Evangelist for the U.S. Government. Justin Herman is a former Air Force Public Affairs officer and Congressional staffer, and now does Communications and media for a national medical advocacy office in DC, as well as free-lance projects like Voter Registration Night. Alan Silberberg is CEO of start up You2Gov, a site that helps people stay on top of political issues and build communities of trusted news sources.

Tune in to the call at 11:00 PM Eastern time tonight on TalkShoe. There is always a lively chat room going on, and we definitely encourage questions from chat and active participation. You can also “Follow” the call series on TalkShoe to receive updates before each new episode.

PodCast

Government 2.0, Implementation Under A Technology President

Leslie — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:26:58 +0000

Obama was elected as our next President by one of the largest margins in recent election history, ushering in a new administration under what I think can safely be called a mandate. Already he is being touted as the Technology President, and geeks everywhere are in spasms of ecstasy over the potential for technology, new media and social media. Many are even going so far as to say that he was elected by social media, though I disagree. It is my stance that he was elected by us after using his firm grasp of social media and technology to show the nation how to network on a global digital scale.

This week on Topics on Fire, Episode 9 we will be addressing the concept of Government 2.0 (a concept which one of our scheduled panelists, Dr. Mark Drapeau, would like to rename). We will be discussing the expectations we have for the administration, how accessible they are, what the embracing of technology really means for implementation in an old bureaucratic system like ours, and generally figuring out what social media means for government, agencies working with the government, privacy issues, and more.

It is my opinion that the time is ripe for a true transparent government using technology and social media. To what degree that transparency should be is something we need to assess as a nation. Technology and the accessibility and transparency it brings with it come with some inherent issues, such as security, privacy, legalities, defense and more. Walking blindly into a technological age of government without caution could have some drastic results, something I recognize even as I embrace this new frontier with all of my colleagues, friends and clients.

In preparation for the podcast, I’d like to hear your thoughts on Government 2.0, and your suggestions for moving us forward in spite of the weight of our heavy bureaucracy and often out dated systems of governing. If you sent email or direct messages asking to be part of the podcast, I am sifting through them on a first come, first served basis while I travel over the next two days. I look forward to seeing your comments, thoughts and ideas. See you on TalkShoe Sunday at 11PM!

PodCast, Social Networks

Politics and Technology

Leslie — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:50:49 +0000

Today on Blorge I’m talking about politics and technology. My post on what an Obama presidency could mean for technology and science is up now, and my post on the meaning of a McCain win will follow a bit later tonight. I’m interested to hear your thoughts. Which president do you think will have a more positive impact on us as a technology community and as a nation, and why? Did you agree with the points made in the Topics on Fire episode dealing with the issue of politics and technology?

Topics on Fire, Episode 7: Politics and Social Media/Technology

Leslie — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 16:16:14 +0000

The show was a lively one. The panelists were fantastic, and we opened up the phone lines at the end for broader discussion as well. Each person on the call gave a take-away for the listeners before we signed off for the night, something they could do to bring politics into their lives using online tools and social media.

Tonight’s Topics on Fire will be a lively one, as the topic is Politics and Social Media / Technology. Catch it live at 11 PM Eastern on TalkShoe.

Leslie Bradshaw from New Media Strategies and JESS3 will be joining us on the panel. Leslie is a frequent panelist here at Topics on Fire and was on the episode that generated the Strong Women in Tech initiative.

Sadly, Leslie Bradshaw is ill. Taking her place will be Andrew Feinberg of Capitol Valley and Technosailor.

New panelists this week are Justin Herman, creator of the Voter Registration Night with the Nationals and the Mets and former Hill staffer and Amy Greenlaw of PortalVideo.

Tune in on TalkShoe at 11PM Eastern and participate in chat. If you follow the call on TalkShoe you also get notified when each new episode is coming up.

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