Portland, OR mayor starts a blog
Portland, Oregon mayor Tom Potter launched a web log in April this year in an effort to improve communication with the community and to get feedback about city programs. The blog is called Mayor Potter's Perspective, and although it contains the usual puff-piece public relations fodder, it also has some interesting insight as to why the city is choosing to pursue certain programs, and posted comments by readers are encouraged.
Subscribers may choose to have periodic "newsletters" emailed to them, or simply sign up to the RSS feed the same as any blog.
The comments section has the most interesting content, in my view. The city reserves the right to delete offensive remarks, but there is still spirited debate. On one particular posting, the mayor "exposed" an attempt by the local FBI office to gather information about the inside operations at city hall. Mayor Potter issued an open letter to the community giving his opinion, resulting in 389 comments that ranged from "atta boys" to jibes for trying to hide nefarious dealings.
As it turns out, there are a surprising number of government blogs out there. A huge directory of blogs can be found at BlogFlux.com, where the listing of government-related blogs reveals official and unofficial sites tracking everything from regulations to corruption and human interest.
Irreverent or bureaucratic, it is clear that blogs have come of age and are quickly becoming the communication method of choice for pundits and insiders. Where else can you reach thousands of people with a message that is not censored or squelched. And those blogs allowing comments become self healing when readers take serious objection to what is being said. One gets a sort of "Point / Counterpoint" view by reading the blog posting and the related comments agreeing and disagreeing with the blogger.
To be sure, bloggers should be aware of the legal pitfalls of libelous and slanderous statements. However, the free and unfettered exchange of information in the blogosphere is refreshing. I'm glad to see government is not slow to join the parade.
Chris Crawford
www.justiceserved.com
Comments
07 02 06
FairChance Editorial
Humboldt County CA Right Wing Insider Case In Point
Chris Crawford, a well-known right wing politico and North Coast Tech Center blogger in Humboldt County, posted an interesting piece on government blogs a few weeks back, Portland, OR mayor starts a blog.
Crawford, president of Justice Served, a private company involved in court consulting and management, closed with his affirmation of the positive benefits of blogging and stated he was glad to see government participation in the medium. He also noted the danger of posting comments that could harm the reputation of others.
"To be sure, bloggers should be aware of the legal pitfalls of libelous and slanderous statements", Crawford blogged.
Perhaps ironically, an anonymous comment published Thursday, June 29th on a local political blog suggested Eurekan Chris Kerrigan, a local elected official, was involved at the least in unethical or at the most criminal behavior. The commentator identified his self as Chris Crawford. Full text follows in bold print.
Anonymous said...
Just a reminder, Eric ... Chris K took $12,000 from Pierson, his family and business during the 2004 re-election campaign, which was approx 18% of the total cash raised. I and many others think that not only gives a strong impression of undue influence and vote buying, but it may border on criminal. Did Debi August do any less to warrant criminal prosecution? Why he isn't recusing himself on these votes is puzzling to me.
Chris Crawford
4:15 PM
Blogger Eric vs Kirk, registrant of the blog, responded, full text follows in bold print.
Eric V. Kirk said...
Well, a good point, except that pols never recuse themselves from issues pertaining to campaign donations, or special interests wouldn't make them. Your $500 suggestion would nip the problem in the bud if it's upheld. Thing is, Kerrigan would be opposing the balloon track/tract proposal regardless of the Pierson donation. We both know that. And this isn't an issue that directly effects Pierson. Personally, I think Piersons would continue to flourish with a Home Depot in town. They've earned a great deal of customer loyalty. Home Depot in Santa Rosa sure hasn't put Friedman's out of business.
4:46 PM
Eric V. Kirk appears to believe he is communicating with the aforementioned Crawford. Kirk, an attorney, had indicated in several previous post on his site and others that he sometimes monitors the IP addresses of commentators.
To be sure, blogging on the internet has it ups and downs. People that offer up comments that cause harm to others reputations should be prepared to back it up with valid, legally accepted, information.
While posting anonymously on blogs is important for free speech, to sign off under the name of a public figure, or anyone else for that matter, is dead wrong.
Erik V. Kirk should remove that comment slamming Kerrigan if Crawford is not the author.
Posted by: michael smith | July 2, 2006 10:34 PM
Dear unnamed commenter ...
A. That WAS my post on Eric's blog,
B. The donations in question to Mr. Kerrigan's campaign are a matter of public record,
C. Donations of that size certainly create the impression of undue influence peddling, and
D. You do a pretty good job of attempting to impugn my reputation by referring to me as "a well-known right wing politico."
Let us both reserve the rights of our opinions even if they widely differ.
CHRIS
Posted by: Chris Crawford | July 2, 2006 10:47 PM
Okay, well now I know it was your post.
Didn't know you had a blog though. Next you know the Jones will have a blog!
Posted by: Eric | July 3, 2006 08:52 AM