Blogger Boy
I'm in Tennessee speaking on technology and policymaking.
Mostly, I'm highlighting our legislative website.
UPDATE (6 p.m. -- back home): One of the questions I get the most about blogging is how much time it takes. To answer that, and to show attendees how easy it is, I wrote and posted the entry above at the start of my presentation (while I spoke).
The theme of my presentation was that blogs (or any other technology) aren't the show. Rather, they are tools. The three main tasks of a governmental leader are to (1) get elected (to be in a position to unleash his/her particular genius on the state), (2) enact good policy, and (3) promote the institutions of representative democracy. Each of those tasks requires interactivity. Blogging is one of the best tools around to foster that interactivity.
Preparing the presentation, I thought back to 2001 when I entered the legislature. Then, it was very difficult to track how a representative voted on a particular issue. Part of it, I believe, was a fear that voters would "misinterpret" the data -- giving an individual vote inordinate weight, rather than consider it as one of many votes that arguably should be considered when assessing a leader's performance. However, no surprise here, the public is doing just fine with the tremendous ease to information it currently enjoys in Utah. More information serves to invite the public into the process and makes policymakers better as a result.
Mostly, I'm highlighting our legislative website.
UPDATE (6 p.m. -- back home): One of the questions I get the most about blogging is how much time it takes. To answer that, and to show attendees how easy it is, I wrote and posted the entry above at the start of my presentation (while I spoke).
The theme of my presentation was that blogs (or any other technology) aren't the show. Rather, they are tools. The three main tasks of a governmental leader are to (1) get elected (to be in a position to unleash his/her particular genius on the state), (2) enact good policy, and (3) promote the institutions of representative democracy. Each of those tasks requires interactivity. Blogging is one of the best tools around to foster that interactivity.
Preparing the presentation, I thought back to 2001 when I entered the legislature. Then, it was very difficult to track how a representative voted on a particular issue. Part of it, I believe, was a fear that voters would "misinterpret" the data -- giving an individual vote inordinate weight, rather than consider it as one of many votes that arguably should be considered when assessing a leader's performance. However, no surprise here, the public is doing just fine with the tremendous ease to information it currently enjoys in Utah. More information serves to invite the public into the process and makes policymakers better as a result.
posted by steve u. at 8/17/2006
Subscribe
9 Comments:
I blogged your Nashville appearance...
http://billhobbs.com/2006/08/liveblogging_from_the_ncsl.html
Here's that link again: LINK
Aw, man! I would have LOVED to meet you! But, I didn't know you were there. (I should have asked if there were any bloggers in the house).
I almost gave you a shout out. When I mentioned how LaVar Webb and UtahPolicy.com do me and other political bloggers the great favor of linking to our sporatic posts on UtahPolicy's daily offerings, I almost said, "Like Bill Hobbs does for Tennessee."
I feel ripped off now!
Well, shoot.
I arrived a bit late and sat against the back wall, plugged in and blogging.
At the end, I was going to come talk to you but one of my Tennessee legislators, Stacey Campfield, who blogs, was in the audience and he came up to talk to me and by the time we were done, you were gone.
Wish I'd checked your blog before my response on Bill's blog. "blogs aren't the show" That was exactly my criticism-Bill makes the blog the show!
Bill,
I thought that was Stacey sitting middle, right (from my perspective), and I wanted to talk w/ him. But, by the time I finished chatting with the other panelists, I had lost track of him and had to hoof it to the airport to catch my plane. My loss on both counts.
Nashville was wonderful! I hope to get back soon.
Now Steve, let's be honest, the main task of an elected leader is to help our citizens to unleash their particular genius on the state, especially since you and I don't have any.
John, don't be absurd. You're a pretty smart guy. Steve on the other hand...
Hey now!
<< Home