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Submitted by enpen on Sat, 01/06/2007 - 2:29pm.
The combination of the recent Olympian article on Doug Mah's potential mayoral candidacy and reading we the media has me thinking about OlyBlog's place in local politics. Dan Gillmor, the author, discusses the South Korean citizen journalism website OhmyNews and the political impact it allowed South Korea's citizenry (the site is credited with substantially aiding in the election of President Roh Moo-hyun). What Gillmor's examples make plain to me is that it is up to us, as citizens, to help future elected officials see the true value of dialogue with the community.
» As Olympia mayoral elections approach, I think as many of us as possible should send out e-mail invitations to potential candidates encouraging them to post a platform Blog here, open to the community for comments, and to actually enter into a dialogue between candidates and citizens. What say you, fellow OlyBloggers?
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yes
Submitted by Rob Richards on Sat, 01/06/2007 - 7:13pm.Anyways, I'd love to hear their take on things. We should extend that invitation.
“One man scorned and covered with scars still strove with his last ounce of courage to reach the unreachable stars; and the world was better for this.
a timing issue
Submitted by enpen on Sat, 01/06/2007 - 9:59pm.Emmett's previous posts about councilperson blogging (lack thereof) make me think that elections offer the best opportunity to get our politicians to blog and actually enter into a public dialogue. I want to see what happens when somebody is elected because of a willingness to actually take a chance and converse online.
"Anybody who doesn't know that politics is crime has got a few screws loose."
yes
Submitted by Rob Richards on Sun, 01/07/2007 - 3:49am.“One man scorned and covered with scars still strove with his last ounce of courage to reach the unreachable stars; and the world was better for this.
Because they blog prior to
Submitted by Ehver Green on Sun, 01/07/2007 - 3:04pm.Because they blog prior to the election, they'll win? If it were only that easy, they'd all be blogging! I can see how a candidate like Mah would turn down your invite. First, he might have 5 votes from people who blog or comment here. Maybe another 20 in curious visitors - maybe less, likely not more. Secondly, it's more than hostile. Look back at the Hyer/Kingsbury debate a few weeks ago. Mah was saved for some reason - Kingsbury was hammered and Hyer wasn't too far behind him. This isn't the presidency, you don't take your platform into a hostile environment, especially one with no end. Face to face is the only way to debate against adversaries. There's practically nothing he can say that will change your vote and he knows that. Am I wrong here? I think it makes perfect sense to stay clear of Olyblog unless you are a like-minded candidate.
I think you're missing a bit
Submitted by Rob Richards on Sun, 01/07/2007 - 4:28pm.“One man scorned and covered with scars still strove with his last ounce of courage to reach the unreachable stars; and the world was better for this.
yes yes and more yes
Submitted by enpen on Sun, 01/07/2007 - 9:00pm."A candidate who neglects this blog will only hurt her/his chances."
I think that's precisely it. While I wouldn't be shocked to see OlyBlog be instrumental in a candidate's success, I'm already relatively certain that OlyBlog could bring down a candidate's campaign. For example, bubbaz recently posted regarding campaign contributions to Doug Mah's last campaign and noted that one contributor was The Heritage Foundation. This prompted me to check into this fact through the Washington Public Disclosure Commission where I found the record of Doug Mah receiving a campaign donation from "Heritage Foundation Vietnamese". I do not know whether or not Doug Mah's donor is related to the hawkish corporate think tank so I sent him an e-mail; however, had Mr. Mah been active on the blog he could have instantly cleared up this matter before any political damage erupted and silenced an adversarial claim before it took on a life of its own as local rumor.
I think Rob is right: future Olympia politicians will campaign without OlyBlog at their own risk.
"Anybody who doesn't know that politics is crime has got a few screws loose."
In defense of Mah...
Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 01/07/2007 - 9:06pm.When I first read about this "Heritage Foundation" i was like, holy crap, Mah is on the GOP payroll..
I even posted a rant about it last night, that I later pulled..
The GOP Heritage Foundation we are all thinking about actually does not lobby..
So Doug Mah is actually not on the GOP payroll..
Apologies..
Submitted by bubbaz (not verified) on Sun, 01/07/2007 - 9:12pm.Doug Mah's response
Submitted by enpen on Mon, 01/08/2007 - 1:43pm."Jason - The donation is from the Vietnamese Heritage Foundation located in Lacey. This group advocated for recognition of the yellow flag with three red stripes as the symbol of Vietnamese American heritage. The donation is not from the organization you listed and the two groups, to the best of my knowledge, are not associated. - Doug"
"Anybody who doesn't know that politics is crime has got a few screws loose."
Just a few quick comments in
Submitted by Ehver Green on Mon, 01/08/2007 - 3:30pm.Just a few quick comments in rebuttal - respectfully.
No doubt this blog is influential, I don't believe it has reached the point where it will be a deciding factor in a council race. If I'm wrong here, I'll be the first to admit it!
<...>To conclude, if Mr. Mah, or any other candidate<...>
I said this hostile environment. I'm sure he's up for debate in the proper forum (if he runs). This is an open-ended forum with no end in sight. I can see answering community questions on a stage, not here.
thanks Sky,
Submitted by Rob Richards on Mon, 01/08/2007 - 5:10pm.I think you're right about this blog's place. I agree that it hasn't shown the fruit of it's potential YET, but it's also only a year and a half old, run by volunteers, with no budget. I think this upcoming election can be one where OlyBlog, if the community chooses, can assert itself as a newssource and viable media outlet for candidates. I would love to see debates take place right here on the blog. Anyhow, OlyBlog is at a tipping point right now.
“One man scorned and covered with scars still strove with his last ounce of courage to reach the unreachable stars; and the world was better for this.
Maybe something for the issues forum idea?
Submitted by emmettoconnell on Sun, 01/07/2007 - 4:12pm.Issues forum...
Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 01/07/2007 - 4:26pm.Awesome..
A neutral place where issues can be discussed, free from Ad Hominem forms of diversion..
We should do this..
excellent idea
Submitted by enpen on Sun, 01/07/2007 - 8:16pm.An issues forum sounds like a good idea. And who knows, it may even inspire a local or two to research and report on a predetermined topic...?
I would, however, be shocked if some (or most) candidates didn't take to blogging here as it provides an existent audience. Modern politics is providing more and more examples of successful campaigns that used online media to advantage.
"Anybody who doesn't know that politics is crime has got a few screws loose."