The Other Side of the Coin - X

I apologize for the break in continuity -- I had hoped to develop some discussion before this point, so, obviously, I am readjusting my approach.

On Friday I received an e-mail from Jane Hamsher, Firedoglake asking the question, "What Comes Next?" I don't know Jane, personally -- I found her as a result of her contact with Glenn Greenwald, whom I admire greatly. You know, any friend...

Jane wrote:

At long last, we've got a new Congress and Obama is sitting in the Oval Office. However, this is by no means the end of our work as a community of activists. So, the question I now put to everyone in the Firedoglake community is; "what issues are important to you?"

All the Firedoglake contributors have discussed and put together a list of what we think are the main issues we should cover across all the Firedoglake blogs. Now we want to hear from you. Please take a second to vote on the list of issues we've compiled or propose your own:

We've got our work cut out for us this year covering the wealth of new policy and political maneuvering that will emerge from Washington and holding the media and our elected officials accountable. There are lots of options of what new projects and campaigns we could take on, but I want to know what you think Firedoglake should take on in the coming year:

Now, this is an admirable effort -- make contact with your readers -- get them involved -- nobody can argue with that kind of a move, right?? She said that I should vote on the list of issues that they have compiled -- or propose my own. 

Well, the problem with their list is that it needs a lot of work -- I am supposed to vote for my first three choices and I don't understand what the issue entitled Africa, for example, is all about. In other words, someone needs to write a paper about each issue so that readers can participate in discussions designed to educate and improve understanding with the ultimate objective of developing a consensus that can be communicated to the politicians.

Obviously, that is the first part of my proposal -- somebody proposed each issue for their list -- that person should post a paper explaining their thoughts about the issue for discussion.

But, I want to talk about process -- the process of getting organized -- the process of publishing content -- the process of educating -- and the process of reaching consensus -- in short, the process of building infrastructure -- as opposed to another "house of cards".

I have several more pages to write and will do so within whatever discussion framework I can develop -- What do you say, Jane?? Can we talk??

Doug Skoglund skoglund@pdmsb.com

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