Wow ... this one ends up by finding Obama's "Sitting at the Table!"
Good morning! Guess what? It’s SATURDAY!!! This is the good stuff. We made it through the week and seem to be doing pretty good so far. I’m so happy we have a couple of days off though. It seems that we’ve been doing pretty well at work, but there is always too much to do and not everything gets done. I am happy though that we got as much done as we have. We had 10 group meetings over the week. That’s a lot of stuff to be getting done. Basically, the meetings were four times with Group 1 and working on the computer money program, then there was four meetings with the Circles program, and then there was the … hmm. We’re having a brain freeze. We can’t concentrate on what we’re trying to think. We have to back off here a moment. Things are all of a sudden too hard. Our brain is having a fit. It doesn’t seem able to pull together any coherent thought.Maybe we have to relax a little. We’re going to try and calm it down.
Wow! Didn’t see that coming - It’s me again, but it’s now 2 hours later. We lay down and really zonked it out. I didn’t realize I could be so tired. I didn’t go to bed that late last night – I napped during Rich’s watching TV and he had to wake me up to put me to sleep. I thought waking up at 5:30 am was like I was waking up fairly late, I had felt ready to write, but it was a very uncomfortable period because I was really spinning my wheels trying to think a thought and I couldn’t pull one out of my mind. Let’s see if that’s been fixed.
I had left off trying to think of what the 10 meetings were. Now, I think I can … there were the 4 Group 1 meetings, the 4 Circles meetings, 1 Administration meeting, and 1 Thinking group meeting. I think that’s about it, right? Yup, yup. One way or another is that thinking seems to be back on track. I think that other is part of what Dr. Marvin calls parts coming in and out and limiting information flow. I don’t think he says it exactly like that, but it’s something like that.
Ok, like average thinking at least. Don’t feel anything profound happening here.
Ok – let’s not get that way … of course we don’t REALLY think profoundly often, but just in case we did, you know? Ok let’s not get goofy.
Where should we start? I guess the regular rate thing to do is let you know where Rich is at. He left this morning at 5:30 am to go get his fishy boat. He had to drive to Bud’s (and his mother’s) first to trade his car for Bud’s van because it has a trailer hitch, and then he was going to drive WITH Bud out to Indiana. I think it was supposed to be a four or five hour trip. Then of course, he has to do all that in reverse. I’m soooo glad that he took Bud with him. It’s unusual for Bud to get out that much and I really do hope that Rich’s mother is ok on her own.
There thinking was that she wouldn’t even wake up until they were 4 hours through with the trip, so that she really wasn’t going to be left up and alone too much.
Every time she’s on her own it’s a risk, but the fishy thing was pretty demanding on everyone’s mind.
Bud is going to house the boat over the winter and I think he was about as excited about Rich getting the boat as Rich was. You know it’s a guy fishy to fishy thing.
They would have plenty of time to talk about things in general and the boat in particular and they’d keep themselves very good company. Rich of course has the phone, so they are in close contact with Rich’s mother. I should remind Rich that if necessary I could get myself out to Rich’s mothers if they were way out. I don’t know how much I could do, but I would do that for them.
I’ve talked a little to Rich about it already. I told him that maybe what should happen is that if Bud wants to go out with Rich and Rich has that in mind, that maybe I could go stay with his mother. She would most likely talk or do her own thing, it would give me a chance to know her and on the side she could do her regular things like watching her cooking shows, where I could use their computer.
If not that, I could use Rich’s while he was gone. It would be a good alternative.
I don’t know how Rich’s mother would mind the substitution of me and Bud, but I’m thinking that she’d look forward to the opportunity to be getting to know me too.
We’ll keep suggesting that all along and then maybe bring it up at Christmas. I think that at Christmas Rich and us will get another chance to eat at his mother’s at least she’s already suggested it. I think being out there with her, would give Rich and Bud a lot more comfort in being gone. I know that Rich is going to take fishing too, but it’s nice for him to go with Bud too who would know something about fishing and be able to share and enjoy with Rich. Plus, not only is it good for me to have time with his mother, it’s also a good bonding time with Bud and Rich. I really believe that if something happened to the mother that Rich would continue his relationship with Bud. I’m not sure how long Bud and Rich’s mother have been together, but I’m thinking it’s happened for many years – like backed up to Rich being just married. We’ll have to ask about that.
Ok, that’s pretty much that for the time being. After a while I’ll give Rich a call … let me figure out his time. Left here at 5:30, get to Bud’s at 6:30 – that put them about 2 ½ hours out. They are supposed to get there early enough because the fishy place closes at 1 I think. Maybe then I’ll call them in an hour at 10 am. By then they should be getting in pretty close. Don’t want to rush them much. I think that Bud would let Rich drive the van. He’ll certainly drive it home with the boat. I know he was a little concerned in that he didn’t want to pick up the boat when it was snowing, but I think it’s done snowing now … it was 90% chance of it snowing 1 inch this morning and that had already happened and it was only 40% chance in Indiana that it was going t snow.
Whoops just looked outside now and it seems like it is snowing still. Well, we’ll let that thought go now too, but let’s just say a little prayer.
Ok, that’s done … I feel better now.
Wow the news just said oil trading at $41 a barrel and they are talking about gas selling for $1. I sure don’t understand all that. I would think that the oil people with all Obama’s talk of turning America green would lead them to cloud the issue of buying a green car or another gas chugger. There’s been a lot of news this week as to what to do with the 3 big car company’s bail-out. They want now 34 billion to keep going. And they are talking about those companies and others as affecting the jobs of 1 ½ million people. I think it’s really a lot of the car companies holding US at hostage. I think that I go with the plan where they have to turn over the company’s to new management and they have to retool to green machines. I know there is time that would be necessary to get that all in order – more time for development, but for all I know someone has already unlocked those keys and there’s stuff in the wings.
I think those people should be working, but then again … if the government has to get this involved, you really have to wonder if management should be taking profits at all. Maybe they should get a cap like if they are as I hear getting over a million … that might be more than is necessary. I did hear one of them was going to give up his salary for a year, but then why stop it there. Obviously, he and the others have a lot of money invested and it must be very difficult owning or running a car company and they do have a right to be compensated, but if they are running the whole industry into the ground then there’s something wrong there. I think mostly they are blaming the economy and I’m thinking it’s more that they haven’t come up with car alternatives that were healthy for the public and the environment.
They’ve taken so much profit out of the companies over time that is money being drained for research and development.
I guess in this respect I’m only partially for the bailout. I’m thinking they should get the bridge, but as well they really have to take some new command over turning it into a green company … Right now I hear someone from the House of Representatives saying people just have to start buying cars … but if the cars aren’t good for anyone … what the hell kind of advise is that? HMPF!
Hmm, that’s another news story of the week. They seem to have decided to put OJ away from 9 to 31/33 years … don’t remember exactly which one. They are running something on the TV now of saying how much trouble he was in with the law in all these 13 years since the murder trial of his wife and her boyfriend. People really seem to be playing that there is retribution for all those years. The judge on this case says she didn’t know before the trial if he was arrogant, or just plain stupid, but she said she’d now come to the conclusion that he was both. That seems to fit the bill with all the run-ins with the law they mentioned. I never think too far into those kinds of situations – like as to whether he was guilty or not because I trust the system. There’s parts of me that feel bad because he’s such a big star, but if you do wrong, you do wrong and have to take the established punishment.
I’m not a real big proponent though on punishment … I think 33 years is a lot of time when someone else was holding a gun and no one was shot. I’m still of the thought that people with mental lapses can be fixed. Even the people that do commit the worst of crimes – I just don’t see holding them for nothing, but to be related in the prison gangs. I think they might have to be kept, but there should be rehabilitation efforts. I don’t think that’s really happening … so while people who get lifelong sentences are not killing at least on the outside, they are just really wasted lives which I think is like putting a person through living hell. It just doesn’t seem to make any sense.
They are saying that Simpson is being put in medium security and at that he is going to be more guarded or kept from the general population due to all the concerns of people thinking he deserves retribution. I think too that people would try to really hurt or sodomize him just to say they took down a former US Football giant.
That really seems to be a lot more punishment than anyone deserves.
Hmm, now they are talking about putting homeless people in vacant homes. It sounds like a good matching program, but again … you have to think what’s fair. Middle class Americans are being turned out … and maybe some is warranted from getting in over their head especially in this economy, but why then do the poorest deserve help over the middle class. People are people and you have to wonder then do the middle class then have to reach rock bottom before they are helped as well. Maybe over the weeks to come we will need to question punishment again. Be a good time to look it up in the Great Books. I’m pretty sure there is something on punishment in there.
It seems to be the uniting factor in all these issues we’ve brought up this morning. I think it must be hard when people are in charge of deciding what is fair, because there are so many variables like freedom and justice involved. I’m pretty sure though that’s way over my head this morning. But, thanks for your patience in letting me go ahead with these thoughts.
One other thing … I just want to list one more fact. There have been 1.9 million people who have lost their jobs this year. Here I think that Obama really has to open some doors. He talked over his election about opening up green jobs and jobs fixing the infrastructure. I think this is very important to be done. I heard this week though that it has to be done at double the pace Obama suggested … I have more mixed ideas of taking jobs out of the country. Because I figure other people have to live too, but there should be jobs specific to our country that are for our country. I’m more in favor of shifting jobs out of the country for business’ doing work in other countries, but for goods here in the US they should be more US based.
Hmm, it occurs to me now, but it’s a new thought that I haven’t heard before. I wonder with things being overly integrated if that could be done. Basically then company’s can work in other countries, but there’d be very little shipping of things from cross the ocean. Would that work?
I guess there would be questions if thing like for example a foreign country making iPods would be able to market them in their lesser economy, but if they were good for people in America – then I would hope then that other countries share wages with their own people to allow them to afford some things we all things of as essential here. Just think how much that would support their own country. I know there is a lot of integrating the world, but it doesn’t seem to work that all the jobs are outsourced just because they are cheaper. That would seem to feed those people in other countries not making enough to survive on the levels we demand for ourselves.
Nope, nope nothing fair about that!
Pshwoo. I feel like I’ve had an important thought. It be a win-win solution all over the place. Sure would be difficult to put in place, but it be interesting none-the-less.
*Sigh* ok, I think I’m really up to not thinking so hard – just want to leave one more thought on that whole thing. We should allow time to think it through more, or at least post it toward something from CNN – maybe look for an opportunity to present it to the McCafferty File. That’s the place on CNN where they look every day for comments to questions affecting the world and the really good ones they mention on the news. I’d like to do something like that. But, for now … let’s move on. K?
Hmm, waiting for our screen to unfreeze on the Internet - we just thought today is Dr. Woollcott’s birthday and we want to send him something. Damn it’s being uncooperative. We closed that bad boy down.
There note went out … WOOHOO!!! Do you want to know what we just found? Look at this!
Dear Ann,
Everyday, we meet with organizations that present ideas for the Transition and the incoming Obama-Biden Administration. In past transitions, meetings like this have been held behind closed doors.
Not anymore. Today, every Obama-Biden Transition staff member received a memo outlining the "Seat at the Table" Transparency Policy. I've included a copy of it below.
The policy is pretty simple: the people and groups we're meeting with, the subjects of the meetings, and any documents shared in the meetings will now be made available on Change.gov. Most importantly, the American public can weigh in with comments or their own materials.
Read the memo and watch our "Seat at the Table" video:
This is our latest step toward a more transparent and accessible Transition. We look forward to benefitting from the many more voices that will now be a part of the decision-making process.
Thank you,
John
John D. Podesta
Co-chair
The Obama-Biden Transition Project
________________________________________
MEMORANDUM
From: John Podesta
To: All Obama-Biden Transition Project Staff
Date: December 4, 2008
Re: "Seat at the Table" Transparency Policy -- EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
Overview:
As an extension of the unprecedented ethics guidelines already in place for the Obama-Biden Transition Project, we take another significant step towards transparency of our efforts for the American people. Every day, we meet with organizations who present ideas for the Transition and the Administration, both orally and in writing. We want to ensure that we give the American people a "seat at the table" and that we receive the benefit of their feedback.
Accordingly, any documents from official meetings with outside organizations will be posted on our website for people to review and comment on. In addition to presenting ideas as individuals at www.change.gov, the American people deserve a "seat at the table" as we receive input from organizations and make decisions. In the interest of protecting the personal privacy of individuals, this policy does not apply to personnel matters and hiring recommendations.
Scope:
The following information will be posted on our website:
1. Documents: All policy documents1 and written policy recommendations from official meetings2 with outside organizations.
2. Meetings: The date and organizations represented at official meetings in the Transition headquarters or agency offices, with any documents presented as noted above.
This scope is a floor, not a ceiling, and all staff are strongly encouraged to include additional materials. Such materials could include documents (recommendations, press releases, etc.) presented in smaller meetings or materials or made public by the outside organization without a connection to an official meeting.
If you have any questions as to whether documents should be included, please email [REDACTED].
Process:
Prior to an official meeting with an outside organization or organizations, Obama-Biden Transition Project staff members will inform attendees that any documents provided will be posted on our "Seat at the Table" website found at www.change.gov. Suggested language for email invitations is: "By presenting or submitting any document at a meeting with the Obama-Biden Transition Project, you agree to allow the document to be made public and posted on www.change.gov." At the completion of each meeting or upon receipt of such documents, Transition staff will provide the documents to [REDACTED] with the date of the meeting, a list of the organizations in attendance, and the topic of the meeting.
Notes:
1) This policy does not apply to non-public or classified information acquired from the Agency Review Process and internal memorandum.
2) An "official meeting" is defined as a meeting with outside organizations or representatives of those organizations to which three or more outside participants attend.
Oh man oh man … this is stupendous. They even have a link so if you have an idea not listed here it gets to go somewhere. The video at the link above explains briefly that everything submitted will be read. This is just terrific. I sent a copy to Rich, the boys, Vickie, V and Dr. M. This is really super cool. They just started the program 5 hours ago and they’ve already got 14 docs on the board. Let me see if I can cut and paste the initial documents. I don’t know how fast this list is going to go, but I’m going to try keeping up with it. Seems that way I’m going to know more than not. There will be other things though I’m guessing that will keep me informed. I haven’t heard about this on CNN, but my guess is it will be noted before the end of the day … I hope so. It’s good to get the word out.
Disclaimer: The PDFs listed below do not represent the views of the Obama-Biden Transition team, or the views of the current administration. These documents were created by the organizations and individuals listed, and delivered to Transition team members with knowledge that all materials would be made public on Change.gov.
Have a seat: If you have questions or suggestions that don't exactly match the topics below, let us know. This is an open discussion -- share your comments.
DESCRIPTION / GROUP NAME
DOCUMENTS
National Council of La Raza Institute for Hispanic Health Dec. 5, 2008
“Pfizer and NCLR’s Institute for Hispanic Health formed an alliance to develop a promotores de salud community outreach program.”
View or leave a comment | Submit ideas or documents about this entry
Documents:
20081205_NCLR.pdf
Latino Leadership Report to Congress Dec. 5, 2008
“An Evaluation of OPM’s Efforts to Improve Hispanic Representation in the Federal Workforce”
View or leave a comment | Submit ideas or documents about this entry
Documents:
20081205_NHLA.pdf
Testimony of Timothy Sparapani Dec. 5, 2008
“Opposing the Creation of a ‘No-Work’ List through Mandated Employment Eligibility Verification Prescreening”
View or leave a comment | Submit ideas or documents about this entry
Documents:
20081205_ACLU.pdf
Women Business Owner’s Platform For Growth Dec. 5, 2008
“The women’s business community has come together to present the economic principles that allow small businesses to flourish in a global market.”
View or leave a comment | Submit ideas or documents about this entry
Documents:
20081205_wbo.pdf
American Civil Liberties Union Dec. 1, 2008
“Actions for Restoring America: Transition Recommendations for President-elect Barack Obama”
View or leave a comment | Submit ideas or documents about this entry
Documents:
20081201_aclu.pdf
Advancing Reproductive Rights and Health in a New Administration Nov. 25, 2008
“The next President will have the opportunity to advance a reproductive health agenda that will make a profound difference.”
View or leave a comment | Submit ideas or documents about this entry
Documents:
20081125_arrh.pdf
The Green Group Nov. 24, 2008
“These recommendations, respectfully submitted to the transition team for its consideration, were compiled by a broad coalition of leading national environmental and conservation groups.”
View or leave a comment | Submit ideas or documents about this entry
Documents:
20081124_gg.pdf
Business Roundtable Nov. 24, 2008
“Business Roundtable lauds the selection of Timothy Geithner and Lawrence Summers as the next U.S. Treasury Secretary and Director of the White House National Economic Council, respectively.”
View or leave a comment | Submit ideas or documents about this entry
Documents:
20081124_br.pdf
Space Solar Power (SSP) — A Solution for Energy Independence & Climate Change Nov. 23, 2008
“We urge the next President of the United States to include SSP as a new start in a balanced federal strategy for energy independence and environmental stewardship.”
View or leave a comment | Submit ideas or documents about this entry
Documents:
20081123_ssp.pdf
U.S. PV R&D Program: A University Perspective Nov. 22, 2008
“Expressing concerns with the present photovoltaics R&D program and recommending how to restructure the program.”
View or leave a comment | Submit ideas or documents about this entry
Documents:
20081122_cfpr.pdf
Disclaimer: The PDFs listed below do not represent the views of the Obama-Biden Transition team, or the views of the current administration. These documents were created by the organizations and individuals listed, and delivered to Transition team members with knowledge that all materials would be made public on Change.gov.
Have a seat: If you have questions or suggestions that don't exactly match the topics below, let us know. This is an open discussion -- share your comments.
DESCRIPTION / GROUP NAME
DOCUMENTS
National Water Policy Dialogue Nov. 20, 2008
“Summary of the September 2007 Water Policy Dialogue and a copy of the letter sent to the President, all governors, and key leaders in Congress.”
View or leave a comment | Submit ideas or documents about this entry
Documents:
20081120_nwp.pdf
Western Governors Association Nov. 20, 2008
“Western Governors are very concerned that during our nation’s deepening energy crisis, the United States lacks an effective long-term energy policy.”
View or leave a comment | Submit ideas or documents about this entry
Documents:
20081120_wga.pdf
Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Nov. 14, 2008
View or leave a comment | Submit ideas or documents about this entry
Documents:
20081114_lccr.pdf
21st Century Right to Know Nov. 10, 2008
“Taken in total, the recommendations in this report propose a transformational role for government. It calls for reconnecting our government with all of us, “We, the people.””
View or leave a comment | Submit ideas or documents about this entry
Documents:
20081120_RTK.pdf
Oh something else too. Rich called just a few moments ago. He’s coming home already I guess he and Bud never left because the snow was too bad. Rich watched someone flip in front of him it crossed traffic and flipped over in the ditch. He said it was hard to drive on the roads and that it would take away from the window of time to get down there before the place closed early. He says that instead he’ll probably go down sometime during the week. This seems to be a good deal. I told him to be careful, but otherwise we’ll have to adjust our mindset. Likely that he’s going to want to see us working on the house earlier than we’re ready – YIKES!
I haven’t folded the white load and it’s already after 10 am, I’m still writing and listening to CNN. I’ve been having a marvelous weekend … hate to see it all grind to a stop so I can clean house. I am going to do that, but I needed to SLOWLY work up to it. I thought I had a whole day with Rich gone. I’m thinking he’ll be home in about an hour. Better grasp that too, but for now, I want to look at the very first document “21st Century Right to Know. WOOHOO
Oh Lordy! Long document. It’s got a real nice cover, but is 112 pages long. Have to work through these kinds of crinkles!
Government secrecy profound and negative making us less safe
We the people – 21rst century
Represent different groups and values and levels of expertise
Trust that which isn’t hidden – accountability – decision making to all
Multi-dimensional solution requiring change of mindset and climate within government
Belief that Obama can do all this
Models to study like Floriday Governor Christ who issued an executive order to government ethics
Training on public records
Open meetings
Records retention
Required comprehensive reviews of agencies’ performance in public access
Plain language to make info understandable
Principles (verbatim) for policy vision:
An informed public is essential to democracy and can help create a more effective, accountable government;
Government should commit to openness as a principle, complying not merely with the letter of openness laws but with the spirit of transparency;
Information available to the public should be defined as broadly as possible, including multiple formats such as electronic communications, audio, photos, and video;
Exemptions to disclosure should be as narrow and specific as possible – and the burden of proof should lie with the government when exemptions are used;
Access to records or meetings should not require people to provide name, address, or purpose for seeking access except in specific and narrow circumstances;
Government should make greater use of redaction to release partial documents when it cannot provide full disclosure, as opposed to withholding the entire record;
Information should be made available in a timely manner and should be accurate, complete, and authentic;
Interactive technologies can improve access and use of information while decreasing long-term costs; and
To the extent government outsources functions, contractors should comply with openness requirements
1 State of Florida Office Of The Governor Executive Order Number 07-01
http://www.flgov.com/pdfs/orders/07-01-outline.pdf
Organization of repor
Chapter A provides information on the problems in doing transparency
Chapter B things that should be done the first 100 days
Chapter C National security and secrecy stuff
Chapter D Usability of information
Chapter E Recommendations for new government environment
Appendices information on development of the report (contributors, timeline & methodology)
Ok, good this breaks things down to only 90 pages I have to read through Hehehe
Yikes better move fast if Rich is coming home soon
High-priority recommendations
Instruction to the governmental agencies to disseminate information
Launch a new initiative for searchable data about government integrity (the actors, incentives, money spent, lobbying efforts, whose involved at the executive branch, who’s working for that branch, and follow-up to after service (how are people making use of information trade-offs)
Having enough money to fund the incentive paying back in trust, effectiveness, and efficiency
OMB – Office of management and Budget
OMB asks agencies to assess their budget allocations for the project aggressively or if they are not funded and should receive government assistance
Woefully behind in disclosure – Interrelated problems
Formats difficult to access, search and find
Lack of leadership on cutting-edge technology
Need to store info in electronic formats to preserve and give public access
Restrictions on information going to the public
Need to bring info to Web 2.0 world to improve connections people to government including government using commercial services the public is already using and that info should be syndicated
Government as Roosevelt claimed “bold persistent experimentation” Such as linking information to companies presenting info
Not hiding behind national security and sensitive unclassified labels
System will be classified to adequately protect but to challenge current beliefs as a means of safer government
Right to know project by time president and 2009 congress starts
Chapter A Intro
Info as artery in keeping democracy healthy – pride in nation – bedrock principle
Senator Moynihan – secrecy is for losers
Bad stats as to how open the public thinks government is (74% against fed, 44% against state)
Secrecy seems to be growing – closed doors
Creating national tension (journalists) – traditions issues developed through history
Apparent common sense law today
FOIA – Freedom of Information Act (1966)
TRI – Toxics release Inventory (1986)
Secrecy due to post 911 era – but to gain executive power (imperial preseidency)
Faulty assumption secrecy means safety
Alternative argument transparency means safety – dangers can be fixed or dealt with and costs less by addressing problems
Government as misleading public with faulty info – censors and undermines whistleblowers, warrantless surveillance or detensions
‘Thomas Jefferson said, “…as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times.”” (p. 13)
Transparency as critical agenda – combination of policy, attitude and practice
Background
SKIP
Problems:
Cultural problems secrecy is preferred
Policy problem encourages withholding
Operational problem – agencies unfit
Decisions without info exposure can be made poorly or not at all
Need a new infrastructure that allows commercial search engines to search all government info – open programming interfaces
A Recent Example of Using Technology
SKIP
Government’s website launched in December 2007 – contracts & money flow
Transparency Act –summer 2008 – affirmative responsibility, but needs to be flowed between state and federal to avoid skeptics – correct info
Strengthening public participation in government decision making
Enhances communication
Trust
This project
We had a number of common beliefs about government information:
An informed public is essential to democracy and can help create a more effective, accountable government
Government should commit to openness as a principle, not simply complying with the letter of openness laws but with the spirit of transparency
Information available to the public should be defined as broadly as possible, including in multiple formats such as e-mail, audio, photos, and video
Exemptions to disclosure should be as narrow and specific as possible – and the burden of proof should lay with the withholder when exemptions are used
Access to records or meetings should not require people to provide name, address, or purpose for seeking access except in specific and narrow circumstances
Government should make greater use of redaction to release partial documents when it cannot provide full disclosure as opposed to withholding the entire record
Information should be made available in a timely manner and should be accurate, complete, and authentic
Interactive technologies can improve access and use of information while decreasing long-term costs
To the extent government contracts out functions, contractors should comply with openness requirements
SKIP – process
Chapter B – the first 100 days
Defining a new administration and setting future tone
Need for change: special interests, greater controls opaque decision-making, public protections, accuracy and oversight, proper working of government – honest and accountable
President sets precedent in inaugural address
President instructs agencies to be more open and make info available and searchable
Evaluate practices of handling sensitive info
Also – White House to reduce use of executive privilege, invocation of state secrets and avoidance of statutory requirements
President to also comply to disclosure requirements
Create a government transparency officer to oversee implementation
Fund the project
Invite the public to identify docs and databases – online survey
Remove impediments to historical records
Instruct attorney general to advice on FOIA and announce required training on new methods
Chapter C National security and secrecy
SKIP – methods of abuse by current administration
Restore appropriate checks and balances on the exercise of government power
Make missteps and outrages revealed - accountability and responsibility
Recommendations in this section are divided as follows:
Overclassification: Using National Security Secrecy as a Pretext to Shroud
Controversial Policies
Pseudo-secrecy: Controlling Unclassified Information to the Detriment of our
Security and Public Accountability
State Secrets Privilege: Using Secrecy to Thwart Justice and Accountability
Federal Secrecy Imposed on State and Local Officials: Interfering with
Safety, Security, and Accountability at Home
Failed Checks and Balances: Unrestrained National Security Policy Run Amok
The Imperative of Real Accountability
SKIP abuses of the past
SKIP short and long-term recommendations (how to do stuff)
SKIP states secrets privilege used to thwart justice and accountability
Fusion center – combination of federal, state and local governments sharing, collecting and disseminating domestic intelligence, but oerpating under authority and control of state and local government
SKIP Failed checks and balances – unrestrained national security policy run amok
Imperative of real accountability
Maintain power to protect security exercised more responsibly
Restore public trust by examing executive polices over the last eight years
SKIP recommendations
CHAPTER D – Usability of Info
Assist public in finding info
Ease of interpretation of info
Quality of info
Making info accurate, complete and timely
Difficulties – storage, restrictions, leadership, lacking of adequate procedures to preserve and give public access
Using the Internet to promote interactivity
Give federal government agencies expertise in using Internet – user friendly interfaces
Develop and promote cross-agency interactive and public-facing applications
Encourage agencies to implement interactive and transparent Web 2.0 technoligies
Exactly:
“The government faces the same challenges and opportunities in online contexts as citizens do – that citizens and government can share ideas and information to create more effective governance, but only through proactive engagement in online projects and communities. Administrators should clearly encourage agencies to recognize the public as partners in effective governance, setting up pilot projects in citizen production and collaboration, and urging a culture of transparency and disclosure.
Wikis, comment sections, collaborative projects, public review of pending policies, and online dialogs are all relatively simple ways to start experimenting online. (p. 67)
Allow search engines to “crawl” federal agencies
Metadata should answer who, what, when, where, why and how about every facet of the data that is to be documented – develop metadata standards
Minimize copyright claim on government-sponsored materials – things become copyright free
SKIP Electronic records management
SKIP scientific openness and the media
Develop guidelines and require agencies to adopt policies to ensure free and open communication between scientists and researches on one hand and to the media, policymakers, and the public on the other
Agency policies should make it clear that employees are accurate and maintain integrity by approval from public affairs officer (PAO)
PAO’s must not become “gatekeepers of info”
SKIP Publications and presentations
Chapter E Creating a government environment for transparency
“Instead, government employees have a strong incentive not to share or disclose information; for fear that such information will embarrass the agency or spur a controversy that may eventually result in reprimand, demotion, or discharge.”
Working in a fishbowl
Political manipulation
Resources
Differences in Agency cultures
Policy statements – need to be reviewed
SKIP – recommendations on how to establish transparency in government – inner workings on current conditions
Government to use existing library networks to help increase transpierces
SKIP resource requirements
GAO Government Accountability Office
CIO Chief Information officers and leads a council of the same name – to build infrastructure web 2.0 based and create agency homepages
Establish a tech assistance fund to support agencies with significant backlog problems
Transparency should become a factor in federal employee performance evaluations where it is part of the job requirement
Government to create an “annual transparency scorecard” based on the metrics established by the working group for each agency with an overall lreport by the OMB as a part of the e-government act report or larger management reporting structure which should be competitive
“Competition is a great incentive when seeking fast changes in performance.
Government should create such a competitive incentive by requiring publicly disclosed Transparency Scorecards covering a wide range of agency dissemination activities. Congress should receive the annual OMB report and could request a report from elsewhere, such as GAO, on a regular basis. The possibility of adapting the Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) should be explored. A PART review helps identify a program’s strengths and weaknesses to inform funding and management decisions aimed at making the program more effective. The assessment would have to be adjusted to both catch transparency/dissemination program failures and analyze why a program falters, as well as what is necessary to strengthen it to accomplish the goals of transparency and dissemination.”
Transparency Awards should be given – highest performing office, most innovative efforts, best tools
SKIP improved oversight/enforcement
IG – Inspector Generals to check excessive spending, abuse of power and misleading the public
New central office of transparency (run by GTO)
ISCAP – interagency secuiryt classification appeals panel – working for the public as a forum for further review of classification decisions
Congress should establish a criminal penalty for willful concealment or destruction of non-exempt agency records requested under FOIA or failure to comply with CUI polices – including a private civilian bringing a lawsuit against a government body for engaging in conduct prohibited by statute.
Long-term Vision government transparency
“Our national right-to-know policy framework is inadequate and outdated for the 21st century. On the surface, the policies provide a comprehensive approach to public access, with the backbone being the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), complemented by classification, declassification, and reclassification policies, the Sunshine in Government Act, the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Presidential Records Act, the Privacy Act, whistleblower protections, the Paperwork Reduction Act, and laws addressing specific programs. Notwithstanding these laws, there are still significant problems.”
A functioning democracy requires an informed and active citizenry
There should be a curricula for our public schools that teach how to access government data, how to use FOIA, and what national security classification and declassification are.
WOOHOO Done!
Wow! Ok, that took some time … I should have timed it, but it seems that I narrowed about 90 pages down to about 9 pages … so I’d like to think I got the best 1/10th out of it. I’ll have to reread to check that out.
Hmm, I got through most of the reading, except the last 4. I’m starting to run out of time and we found at the end that our minds were working to incorporate all this knowledge. The place I ended up was the thought of using something like the Paper Tiger to keep the information flowing from the papers and reports that have been generated. So far there are 14 reports gathered. I don’t know if there isn’t going to be like 100 or 1000 added by the next week. It seems a lot of communities will be submitting information to Obama as directives for his priorities.
I’m wondering now and checking if it couldn’t better be run by the Microsoft Access program. We’ll have to see … I’m going to open it now.
posted by Ann Marie @ 12/07/2008 07:17:00 AM
Comments: 0
