Politics Department

The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools.
Herbert Spencer

HOT News from August 16, 2004

County Voter Database Opens at Reasonable Price

A major victory for open government was obtained in August, 2004. Thanks to David T. and the ACLU for bringing the case against the elections department before a judge. Watch the news that features David and Celeste. Next, PIIN wants its $1,000 refunded as it purchased the info.

CLOH.Org Vision

CLOH.Org can mean, Campaign Lessons of Humility. Same too for Candidate Lessons of History. As a larger community, we should take time to debrief about past campaings and past candidate campaigns.

Why did the Living Wage fail from a tactical standpoint? What were the reactions from the key players? Why did five Democrats enter the Mayor's race in 2001 -- and did the larger field help or hurt various issues and outcomes?

A good deal of folly is in our ranks in Pittsburgh politics. Let's not sweep it under the rug so quickly. Let's set some benchmarks for others to witness and understand. Then the candidates of the future can enter into decisions with a hope of understanding what has happened in the past. These issues need to be talked about and documented, in detail, warts and all.

Much in life is about politics and power. This department covers politics, as best as we can, with an all-partisan approach. This coverage flows freely in non-ballot specifics. CLOH.Org aims to be honest and open with many perspectives. We fail ourselves when we ignore certain dynamics in our web of life. As to any specific matters concerning ballot measures -- CLOH.Org won't participate. But, other organizations, such as Political Action Commitees, can be listed.

Ballot Matters Elsewhere

When matters call for direct action about a specific ballot measure, CLOH.Org is going to step over and under the issue and allow other Political Action Committees to engage.

CLOH.Org is NOT a Political Action Committee. CLOH.Org will NOT endorse candidates. CLOH.Org will not solicit political donations.

A firewall to PACs is to be built and understood. Specific mentions on how to vote on candidates and issues in active ballot pursuits is not part of the Politics Department. These matters are to be a part of the duties of Political Action Committees. PACs are a part of the community.

Op-Ed

Common Life Opinion Huddles has much to do with politics..See http://op-ed.CLOH.Org.

Politics Policy Manual

The Department of Politics needs to vote upon and set a clear aganda for ground rules on matters of ballot specifics so as to be open and honest. The people who are expected to be engaged in the efforts with CLOH.Org, at leadership, sponsorship, and participation levels do CARE about matters of politics and it is going to show.

Instructional manual for Political Action Committee involvement is posted at: http://PAC.CLOH.Org.

CLOH.Org Political Goals

Let's actually talk policy rather than platitudes. We want to treat ourselves, our constituents, our classmates, our customers and our teachers like sentient adults rather than checkbooks with lips.

We can not sit in an office behind a big desk and simply showing gifts and art work received from others. Instead, sit with us, mingle in chairs and on benches in front of the office for forty minute stretches. Let's have engaging talk with mutual and real learning. It can be radical.

Political Web Sites

US Mayor's Organization Resolutions

It seems unusual that more campaigns haven't created deeper, more rosbust sites to reach their constituents," wrote F. Gary Bivings, President of the Bivings Group, regarding a study finding that only 29% of incumbents have a campaign web presence. However, 42% of those sites accepted secure, online donations.

Given the computer labs, we'll spend some time surfing campaign sites and clammor for depth in their content.

Act 47 PDF

Interesting read on the details of Act 47.

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