The Observation Deck

dl meckes wrote:

Gary Rice wrote:Will posting our names enable you, or anyone, ever to identify the person with the vote cast?

There is no record, no line in a database, that says this address, at this time, voted for this person.

Gary

I can even go further. One of the things we are working on in the next version of the LO Online project is finally combining the two parts. What I call the front with the Observation Deck.

This is something we have been working on for months. As we were ready to combine, we made a small breakthrough in thinking and coding. It was decided we could move the entire project well forward of where we are now, but making the project act more like a city. ie Social Networking.

This could be used to incorporate all of the groups we are now hosting, and bring people together in whole new ways.

So the front, with voting, is not even connected to the member list in the back on the Deck. This is why you must register for each.

From day one we have had zero interest in secrets or controlling any information for any reason. We are working to bring a city together to know themselves. Secrecy, and control would break the city apart.

I think if you look at the board you will see some of the most open people of record. Especially Ken Warren, and DL Meckes. DL made a stand against very close friends that had gathered email for one thing non political and the some of the group then wanted to use it for political reasons. She erased the information.

We are very serious about security and the trust shown to this project.

.

Thanks Jim,

As I trust you are already aware, I have every confidence in the integrity of the Observer Project; but you and I both know that there have been some, who from time to time, have questioned aspects of the project.

Therefore, I thought I'd bring a few questions up, so that people would better understand things, particularly if they have not been on board for very long.

Thanks for the clarification.

Kumbayah

Gary Rice wrote:Thanks Jim,

As I trust you are already aware, I have every confidence in the integrity of the Observer Project; but you and I both know that there have been some, who from time to time, have questioned aspects of the project.

Therefore, I thought I'd bring a few questions up, so that people would better understand things, particularly if they have not been on board for very long.

Thanks for the clarification.

Kumbayah

Gary

You have been to our secret meetings. Oh wait we do not have any.

I have to believe that you understand no person is more dedicated wo openness than Ken Warren. From day one he has brought an open civic source mandidate to this project. I have learned and grown so much from when I started this. The secret to the Observer project is trust, freedom and openness.

The thought of retaining and controling information has NEVER come up at any discussion with the advisory board.

This thread has upset many on the board. For over 4 years now we have dedcated ourselves to equality(1 voice one name) and openness(suggest anything, come to any meeting, it is all open), yet we fight "thought police" "secret agendas" and other things all design to keep this project back from growing.

.

Gary Rice wrote:Thanks Jim,

As I trust you are already aware, I have every confidence in the integrity of the Observer Project; but you and I both know that there have been some, who from time to time, have questioned aspects of the project.

Therefore, I thought I'd bring a few questions up, so that people would better understand things, particularly if they have not been on board for very long.

Thanks for the clarification.

Kumbayah

Gary

You have been to our secret meetings. Oh wait we do not have any.

I have to believe that you understand no person is more dedicated to openness than Ken Warren. From day one he has brought an open civic source mandate to this project. I have learned and grown so much from when I started this. The secret to the Observer project is trust, freedom and openness.

The thought of retaining and controlling information has NEVER come up at any discussion with the advisory board.

This thread has upset many on the board. For over 4 years now we have dedicated ourselves to equality(1 voice one name) and openness(suggest anything, come to any meeting, it is all open), yet we fight "thought police" "secret agendas" and other things all design to keep this project back from growing.

It does offer insight into personalities as they express the fears in their mind. What they might do with this powerful tool.

.

Jim,

There's one big reason, above all, that keeps me playin' that banjo for you.

It's not your friendship, though I value that beyond measure.

It's not the fact that ya'll decided to accept this old teacher's columns regularly for the paper, though that's been quite an honor too.

It's not the totally increased friendships and local civic interchange that I've experienced, nor has it been the monumental inspiration coming from seeing young Lakewoodites like Ivor make good with the American Dream right here in our town.

No, it's just the simple fact that there are no agendas hiding behind predispositions about the Observer Project.

Don't you just despise people who come at you; hiding some secret agenda behind their back?

Nor can I countenance those who put philosophies, programs, or procedures above plain old people.

'Course, we do have a few of them 'thar kind of bootlickers around this 'Deck, but at least they are (hopefully) known by their names. (I do also think however, that we might just have a few false-namers out there too, but I don't know that for sure- I just know that, considerin' what gets written here at times, I sure wouldn't want MY real name behind it!)

It's classic Chaos theory. You know- the supposition that a moth flapping his wings, say, in Latvia creates some tornado in Kansas. Words are powerful things.

Up then, the banner of journalistic liberty and free expression!

Long live the power of thought!

Hmmm....do we even have a LO flag yet?

Gary Rice wrote:
Hmmm....do we even have a LO flag yet?

Gary

We do have two very powerful logos/

But we all march under the same flag.

It is the same flag that the Rockport militia gathers under.

It is the flag of Lakewood.

Oh wait we do not have a flag, that is right, and no where to hang it!

.

Jim O'Bryan wrote:

Gary Rice wrote:
Hmmm....do we even have a LO flag yet?

Gary

We do have two very powerful logos/

But we all march under the same flag.

It is the same flag that the Rockport militia gathers under.

It is the flag of Lakewood.

Oh wait we do not have a flag, that is right, and no where to hang it!

.

I thought that a former mayor made the rainbow flag the flag of Lkwd

I can't even believe the issue of fairness and objectivity by the LO is being discussed.

The openness and fairness of the Observer Project is beyond reproach. You don't even have to drop Ken Warren's name to get me to buy into their open approach.

I know that no one's information or posting is tagged or tracked. I have dealt with DL Meckes on this issue during past LHS class reunions and the dealing of classmates information. She is non-compromising on issues of personal security and privacy.

The work of all involved in the LO has been a testimony to transparency of the process.

This is Jay's way of being nice. I've gone into full meltdown mode over sharing information.

It isn't pretty. I've left scorched earth all over this town.

The information that is collected is extremely sensitive. We don't trust anyone with information gathered here. It isn't shared, it isn't sold, it goes nowhere.

Jim O'Bryan wrote:You can ask Matt Markling. My answer to him was, "We know all about it and will have it tight on Monday. We are using this as a civic experiement into morals."

That is exactly what Jim said.

Lynn Farris wrote:Other than Bryan who had problems with the poll, what did it tell you other than Matt Markling is observant, knows who to contact when there are problems and is moral? All good points in his favor - but I'd like to know more about him and his ideas for the schools - maybe he can post in a separate thread for the school board candidates.

Sorry for coming in late on this thread. I will be posting information on the Candidate Forum section and encourage everyone to visit www.marklingforlakewood.com for detailed information about me and my platform.

Matt