Do you use any of the tools for transparency currently available to you? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Cynthetiq · 02-19-2009, 06:13 PM

I was reading "http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/tilted-...s-package.html" and watching the video, and was thinking to myself,"People don't give a crap if it's 'transparent' we've got lots of transparency and no one cares about it."

So I thought let's start from the simplest of simplest... Do you watch CSPAN? specifically, do you watch the Congressional sessions at all? Ever? Once in a while?

C-SPAN - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I try to watch it when I can, usually it's dry and boring. This fact makes me not so interested in watching it again in the future.

Do you read Thomas?

THOMAS (Library of Congress)

I try to from time to time when there are bills that I am interested in. As of late, I've been very busy so it has fallen off, but I generally will just pick up the phone and call my Senator. I normally forget to call my US Representative, in fact I cannot name who mine is currently.

Tully Mars · 02-19-2009, 06:59 PM

I used to watch CSPAN when I could stay wake. Something about it makes me sleepy. I don't get it anymore. Which odd because I get something like 800 channel. Ah, nothing like watching Filipino baseball in Tagalog at 3am. But I have and continue to write my congress woman and Senators when an issue spikes my interest. While I live outside the US I still pay taxes and I still vote.

I must confess ignorance as I've never of Thomas. But I will check it out when I have more time.

Sun Tzu · 02-19-2009, 07:08 PM

I watch CSPAN regularly. All of my representatives hear from me (well indirectly as I have never spoke or met with them personally), both senators McCain & Kyl are useless. The senate needs clearing out, congress needs clearing out.

snowy · 02-19-2009, 07:18 PM

I watch CSPAN sometimes, use THOMAS sometimes when I feel the need to read up on a bill, and write my Senators and Representative on a regular basis. I am particular vociferous when it comes to reproductive rights issues.

sunstone · 02-25-2009, 10:18 AM

Although I'm hearing Republicans say that Obama snuck the Stimulus Package through Congress and that most of them have not read it and that citizens are not able to read it, it, along with so much more is now provided online by the Obama team. Anyone can read everything that is going on in Washington that affects their lives -- I've not seen such transparency before. It is bound to be effective. If nothing else, it will either quiet those that don't believe the right things are happening ....... or it will hold the current administration's feet to the fire to stand behind their promises. What more could you ask for except the full participation of America's citizens in their government?

Xazy · 02-25-2009, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunstone

Although I'm hearing Republicans say that Obama snuck the Stimulus Package through Congress and that most of them have not read it and that citizens are not able to read it, it, along with so much more is now provided online by the Obama team. Anyone can read everything that is going on in Washington that affects their lives -- I've not seen such transparency before. It is bound to be effective. If nothing else, it will either quiet those that don't believe the right things are happening ....... or it will hold the current administration's feet to the fire to stand behind their promises. What more could you ask for except the full participation of America's citizens in their government?

You can ask but sadly the citizens will not answer.

The sad truth is most people do not use these tools and believe religiously what they hear from the media. And the media is very biased.

Daniel_ · 02-25-2009, 11:42 AM

I'm not American, but there are equivalent tools available to the British for awareness of our own system and most people ignore them, sadly.

I know my local MP, have invited him to community meetings that I set up about local planning issues that affect many of my neighbours and myself (which he came to and subsequently acted on our behalf through channels).

inBOIL · 02-25-2009, 01:33 PM

This is the first I've heard of THOMAS. I will use it in the future.

View Poll Results: Do you use any of the tools currently available for tranparency in government?
I watch CSPAN regularly	1	8.33%
I watch CSPAN sometimes	9	75.00%
I never watch CSPAN	1	8.33%
I use THOMAS	0	0%
I sometimes use THOMAS	3	25.00%
I never use THOMAS	5	41.67%
I call/write my senator or representative	7	58.33%
I never call/write my senator or representative	3	25.00%
I just can't be bothered.	1	8.33%
I don't live in the US but still follow with these things.	2	16.67%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 12. You may not vote on this poll

02-19-2009, 06:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	Do you use any of the tools for transparency currently available to you? I was reading "http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/tilted-...s-package.html" and watching the video, and was thinking to myself,"People don't give a crap if it's 'transparent' we've got lots of transparency and no one cares about it." So I thought let's start from the simplest of simplest... Do you watch CSPAN? specifically, do you watch the Congressional sessions at all? Ever? Once in a while? C-SPAN - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia I try to watch it when I can, usually it's dry and boring. This fact makes me not so interested in watching it again in the future. Do you read Thomas? THOMAS (Library of Congress) I try to from time to time when there are bills that I am interested in. As of late, I've been very busy so it has fallen off, but I generally will just pick up the phone and call my Senator. I normally forget to call my US Representative, in fact I cannot name who mine is currently. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

02-19-2009, 06:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tully Mars Living in a Warmer Insanity Super Moderator Location: Yucatan, Mexico	I used to watch CSPAN when I could stay wake. Something about it makes me sleepy. I don't get it anymore. Which odd because I get something like 800 channel. Ah, nothing like watching Filipino baseball in Tagalog at 3am. But I have and continue to write my congress woman and Senators when an issue spikes my interest. While I live outside the US I still pay taxes and I still vote. I must confess ignorance as I've never of Thomas. But I will check it out when I have more time. __________________ I used to drink to drown my sorrows, but the damned things have learned how to swim- Frida Kahlo Vice President Starkizzer Fan Club

02-19-2009, 07:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sun Tzu Conspiracy Realist Location: The Event Horizon	I watch CSPAN regularly. All of my representatives hear from me (well indirectly as I have never spoke or met with them personally), both senators McCain & Kyl are useless. The senate needs clearing out, congress needs clearing out. __________________ *To confine our attention to terrestrial matters would be to limit the human spirit.- Stephen Hawking* Last edited by Sun Tzu; 02-19-2009 at 07:36 PM..

02-19-2009, 07:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
snowy Kick Ass Kunoichi Location: Oregon	I watch CSPAN sometimes, use THOMAS sometimes when I feel the need to read up on a bill, and write my Senators and Representative on a regular basis. I am particular vociferous when it comes to reproductive rights issues. __________________ If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

02-25-2009, 10:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
sunstone Upright Location: Pacific Northwest	New transparency in gov't Although I'm hearing Republicans say that Obama snuck the Stimulus Package through Congress and that most of them have not read it and that citizens are not able to read it, it, along with so much more is now provided online by the Obama team. Anyone can read everything that is going on in Washington that affects their lives -- I've not seen such transparency before. It is bound to be effective. If nothing else, it will either quiet those that don't believe the right things are happening ....... or it will hold the current administration's feet to the fire to stand behind their promises. What more could you ask for except the full participation of America's citizens in their government?

02-25-2009, 11:42 AM	#7 (permalink)
Daniel_ Evil Priest: The Devil Made Me Do It! Location: Southern England	I'm not American, but there are equivalent tools available to the British for awareness of our own system and most people ignore them, sadly. I know my local MP, have invited him to community meetings that I set up about local planning issues that affect many of my neighbours and myself (which he came to and subsequently acted on our behalf through channels). __________________ ╔═════════════════════════════════════════╗ Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air, And deep beneath the rolling waves, In labyrinths of Coral Caves, The Echo of a distant time Comes willowing across the sand; And everthing is Green and Submarine ╚═════════════════════════════════════════╝

02-25-2009, 01:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
inBOIL I have eaten the slaw	This is the first I've heard of THOMAS. I will use it in the future. __________________ And you believe Bush and the liberals and divorced parents and gays and blacks and the Christian right and fossil fuels and Xbox are all to blame, meanwhile you yourselves create an ad where your kid hits you in the head with a baseball and you don't understand the message that the problem is you.