White House press release:
The Open Government Directive, called for by President Obama on his
first full day in office, puts accountability and accessibility at the
center of how the federal government operates. It instructs agencies
to share information with the public through online, open, accessible,
machine-readable formats. Agencies are to inventory existing information
and establish a timeline for publishing them online to increase
agency accountability and responsiveness; improve public knowledge of
the agency and its operations; further the core mission of the agency;
create economic opportunity; or respond to need and demand as identified
through public consultation.
Agency accountability and responsiveness! What a novel idea.
Why I wonder if such a thing could be tailored to local governments?
Second, it aims to instill the values of transparency, participation, and collaboration into the culture of every agency by requiring every agency to formulate an Open Government Plan and website. Specifically, each agency will be required to develop its own, unique roadmap in consultation with the American people and open government experts, rather than prescribing a one-size-fits-all approach. Once again, these ideas came directly from the public’s suggestions.
Government listening to the public’s suggestions?
Local government department accountability?
As Gandhi is reputed to have said about western civilization: “that would be a good idea!”
Occupy Valdosta exceeds participant’s expectations,
Occupy Valdosta march with over 100 students, teachers, and other members of the Valdosta community. I was excited that I got to shed my title of Spectator reporter and
editor for a day and actually fully take part in an event. The turnout was, in a word, amazing. Honestly, I was trying not to get my hopes up too high for this.