Electronic Democracy and Elections - EDEM-ELECT
Member Introductions - Volume 1
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Info and Archive: http://e-democracy.org/intl/forums/

Electronic Democracy and Elections - EDEM-ELECT

EDEM-ELECT ----------------------------------------- Introductions

INDEX

Scott Aikens
Steve Clift
Rick Anderson
Lawrence Winans
Marshall Kragen
Shuan Su
Nelson Griswold
Katryn, Esq.
Coleen White
Shelly Swandal
Bruce Gronbeck
John Deardeuff
Craig Cheslog
Darin Barney
Shazia Rafiullah Miller
Michael James MacPherson
Walter Bays
Andrea Charlton
Emily Sandblade
Bart-Jon Flos

EDEM-ELECT ----------------------------------------- Introductions

From: "G.S. Aikens"
Subject: Intro, G.Scott Aikens

G. Scott Aikens
Minnesota, USA and UK
gsa1001@cus.cam.ac.uk
http://www.dar.cam.ac.uk/gsa1001

I will be a host for this forum along with my colleague Steve Clift.

I created and directed the Electronic Debates [E-Debates] for Minnesota Electronic Democracy in 1994. During the two E-Debates candidates for Governor of Minnesota and the United States Senate responded to questions and rebutted each others responses on the internet. These responses and rebuttals were forwarded into an electronic public discussion forum in which over 650 citizens participated. In 1996 I will again be working on the E-Debates for MN E-Democracy.

I'm also a core member of UK Citizens Online Democracy, a group in the UK based on MN E-Democracy. We will be active this fall and winter in preparation for the General Elections in the UK next Spring.

Finally, I'm a U.S. citizen completing my Ph.D. in political theory at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. The title of the Ph.D. work is "American Democracy and Computer-Mediated Communication--A Case Study in Minnesota."

You can find a paper I presented in Montreal titled "A History of MN E-Democracy. (You'll also find a theoretical paper I presented at Princeton on new technology, old media and democracy)

EDEM-ELECT ----------------------------------------- Introductions

From: Steven L Clift
Subject: Intro: Steven Clift, Minnesota, clift@freenet.msp.mn.us

Steven Clift, Minnesota, clift@freenet.msp.mn.us
http://freenet.msp.mn.us/people/clift/
Board Chair, Minnesota E-Democracy
http://freenet.msp.mn.us/govt/e-democracy/
EDEM-ELECT co-list manager with Scott Aikens
http://freenet.msp.mn.us/govt/e-democracy/intl/

Back in July 1994 I wrote and distributed a proposal for a non-partisan, citizen-based online election project called Minnesota E-Democracy. Within days the necessary information infrastructure was donated, the media decided it was a story, and volunteers came forward. Something about the model we developed and expanded into general citizen participation and discourse on the Internet is worth sharing. EDEM-ELECT is one of the ways our project can continue to learn from others and be able to offer our experiences.

Professionally, I am the project coordinator of the State of Minnesota's North Star WWW project (http://www.state.mn.us). I now work for the new Minnesota Office of Technology and have provided staff support to the Government Information Access Council for the last few years. Prior to launching Minnesota E-Democracy, I worked for the Center for Democracy and Citizenship during graduate school, a project run by Harry Boyte at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota. In 1993 I started the Public Policy Network - PUBPOL-L an international public policy e-mail forum. Also, in May 1996 I worked for the Swedish Agency for Administrative Development and gave presentations on government online and electronic democracy.

EDEM-ELECT ----------------------------------------- Introductions

From: Rick Anderson
Subject: Intro: Rick Anderson, Seattle WA, rcajr@serv.net

I am a volunteer parent activist. Most of my efforts are concentrated in official PTA activities. I am a team leader representing two counties in the campaign to defeat the two school voucher initiatives in this state and I have worked on a campaign to pass our local school levy. The PTA does not permit its members or officers to campaign for candidates as members of the PTA. Therefor, as a private citizen, and not a PTA member, I am quietly working on behalf of a candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction. In my official capacity I am helping to organize public candidates forums.

PTA affiliation given for identification purposes only. The views expressed here are my own and do not reflect the position of the PTA, its staff, board or officially designated representatives.

Rick Anderson AIA
Region 7 Co-Legislative Chair
Beverly Elementary PTA Legislative Chair
1141 "A" Avenue
Edmonds, Washington 98020
(206) 778-2085 (voice, fax)
rcarj@serv.net

EDEM-ELECT ----------------------------------------- Introductions

From: Lawrence Winans
Subject: INTRO: Lawrence A. Winans, Mpls MN, wlaw19@skypoint.com

Lawrence A. Winans, Mpls MN, wlaw19@skypoint.com

Organizational Affiliation: None to speak of, former DFLer, now politically independent with progressive-leanings

My interest in "electronic democracy" is more in the second-half of the term: democracy. The electronic part seems to be a tool appropriate to use at this time.

Experience: As a formerly active Democrat, I've been delegate to two State Conventions and countless CD and SD conventions. I've participated in campaigns on many levels including as paid staff with the title :"issues coordinator". I've lobbied the legislature on several occasions, drafted bills, drafted municipal ordinances and so forth. I am an attorney but not currently practicing, altho' I retain my license to do so. I currently manage a shelter for the homeless.

No idea on projects at this time.

My areas of interest: (1) U.S. presidential politics, (2) U.S. congressional politics, (3) U.S. constitutional politics, (4) Minnesota gubernatorial politics, (5) metro area politics, (6) 3d Cong. Dist politics, (7) Dakota County-Burnsville politics, (8) land use planning, (9) court reform, (10) world politics....

EDEM-ELECT ----------------------------------------- Introductions

From: Marshall Kragen
Subject: Introduction

I am Marshall Kragen of Rockville, MD. I have been an attorney for 27 years, but have recently launched a new exciting career as a webmaster for Intelligent Solutions, Inc., of Falls Church, VA. ISI has long been a leading provider of software by which Members of Congress handle their massive correspondence.

I work on a new project called CitizenDirect. Through it we intend to provide an official site for corresponding with your Congressmen and Senators via the Web. Provided by the Congressmen will be a web site by which it will be ascertained you are their constituent and secure facilities provided to correspond, with your reply coming back to a private web page. The intention is that even if you don't have e-mail you can still reach your Representatives by going to a public site such as a library. Using your unique key you will have access to your page wherever you are. Congressmen will also be asking input on important issues pending before them.

The system is currently being tested via the webpages of 3 House Members: Eshoo, Seastrand, and Barton. More will be added in a few days and the main website will be up very soon.

EDEM-ELECT ----------------------------------------- Introductions

Subject: intro: Shaun Su, NYC
From: adviser@juno.com (Shaun Su)

Shaun Su, New York, NY adviser@juno.com
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/1744
SOTA

My interest in electronic democracy is based on the ability of everyone on the Internet having a voice, it doesn't matter where you come from or who you are, someone out there is bound to listen to you. I have not been involved politically, but like to find out where and how to start. Currently I have no career aspiration in politics, but have a nagging interest in international politics.

EDEM-ELECT ----------------------------------------- Introductions

From: Nlgriswold@aol.com
Subject: Intro: Nelson L. Griswold, TN, NLGriswold@aol.com

AS REQUESTED:

Nelson L. Griswold, TN, NLGriswold@aol.com
Vice President for Policy, The Family Institute, Nashville

A former political strategist, I'm interested in the uses of technology in elections and political campaigns. I recently co-founded a pro-family PAC for TN that has possible uses for this technology.

My operational interest is limited to TN.

EDEM-ELECT ----------------------------------------- Introductions

From: ddtkat@ix.netcom.com (Kataryn)
Subject: Intro:Kataryn Esq:Sacrametno,CA:ddtkat@ix.netcom.com

Kataryn Esq: Sacramento,CA: { ddtkat@ix.netcom.com }

No Home Page:
Organizational Affiliation: Independant Health Systems Consultant, Lawyer, Registered Nurse, Political Consultant

My interest in "electronic democracy": As a political consultant, developing position statements , I am primarily concentrating on health and welfare issues, for those seeking state and federal office. My expectations are those of hoping to find conceptual exchanges among members of this list. I would like to develope a more in depth understanding of the utilization of the Internet in promoting a political campaign. Your concept of developing citizens forums sounds most interesting in the formating of a campaign.

EDEM-ELECT ----------------------------------------- Introductions

From: Colleen White
Subject: Colleen White, Washington, DC, cwhite@highway1.org

Colleen White
Washington, DC
cwhite@highway1.org
http://www.highway1.org
Highway 1 (Director, Federal and State Programs)

Highway 1 is a nonprofit organization funded by leaders in the technology industry (Apple, AT&T, IBM, Novell, Microsoft, Lotus, Kodak, Adobe). Our mission is to educate Congress and other government leaders about how to use technology to communicate with the American people. We run seminars, work on projects with agencies and congressional staffs, and do other educational outreach to the government community. We serve as advisors to the Internet Caucus and help in that group's mission to encourage Members of Congress to use the Internet and email.

Current projects include focuses on educational technology and campaign technology.

We work primarily with the federal government, but are interested also in working with state/local governments.

EDEM-ELECT ----------------------------------------- Introductions

From: "Shelly Swandal"
Subject: Shelly Swandal, ND, sswandal@ndsuext.nodak.edu

Shelly Swandal, ND, sswandal@ndsuext.nodak.edu

Shelly Swandal, North Dakota, sswandal@ndsuext.nodak.edu
North Dakota State University

I am a member of a legislative committee that is comprised of classified staff from NDSU. Our mission is to promote legislative awareness and to convey concerns of all classified staff to our local legislators. We are currently working on a survey of staff to assess how they will be keeping abreast of the upcoming legislative sessions. We want to promote communication between our legislators and staff using any and all available means.

At this time I have very little experience with politics. I had an interest in serving on this committee in order to promote NDSU staff interests. We are primarily interested in North Dakota legislative concerns but will be looking at any issues that deal with higher education.

sswandal@ndsuext.nodak.edu

ph. 701-231-7442
fax.701-231-7400

EDEM-ELECT ----------------------------------------- Introductions

From: Bruce Gronbeck
Subject: Bruce E. Gronbeck, Iowa, gronbeck@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu

Bruce E. Gronbeck, Iowa, gronbeck@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu
Department of Communication Studies, University of Iowa

I write and teach courses about "electric rhetoric," the impact of the electronic media on (especially American) political processes: the search for power (elections), legitimation of power (ritual), and exercise of power (political policy making and action). Most of this work appears in journal articles and book chapters; a recent book I did with Arthur H. Miller is PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS AND AMERICAN SELF IMAGES (Westview, 1994). I have had particular interest in Iowa as the first caucus state, and have pursued the construction of politics and policy for the mythos of the "midwest" or "prairie" citizen.

EDEM-ELECT ----------------------------------------- Introductions

From: "John C. Deardeuff" <74157.2335@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: John C. Deardeuff, NY State, <74157.2335@compuserve.com>

John C. Deardeuff, NY State, <74157.2335@compuserve.com>

Home Page URL (None)
Private Citizen

I'm an Internet junkie with a passion for ideas. I love discovering why people think what they think. I believe that the Internet holds the key to destroying the media monolith that is subverting the culture of the United States.

My two favorite organizations are the Center for the Study of Popular Culture and the Media Research Center. I'd love to participate in projects that force our political class to be accountable to the will of the people.

Term limitation for all elected officials and using constitutional amendments to limit the percentage of taxes collected would be a great start. Of course, before this can happen, citizens of NY must acquire the "initiative process" used in States like California and Missouri. This is a remote possibility with the current makeup of the Albany legislature.

Edem-elect is interesting to me. I'd prefer to observe at first and see where things go.

EDEM-ELECT ----------------------------------------- Introductions

From: craig@netreach.net (Craig Cheslog)
Subject: Craig Cheslog, Philadelphia, craig@netreach.net

Craig Cheslog, Philadelphia, craig@netreach.net
http://www.netreach.net/~concord/craig.html
Pennsylvania State Director of The Concord Coalition
http://sunsite.unc.edu/concord

I am interested in helping to spread information about public policy issues in an efficient way using the internet and other sources. I currently help with the maintainence of the Concord Coalition's web page, and I am the list owner of the Concord Coalition's listserv discussion group (concord@vm.marist.edu). In Pennsylvania, I maintain a state chapter web page for Concord, and am interested in using the internet and other on-line services to keep keep our membership informed of the issues and to help them to become more involved.

EDEM-ELECT ----------------------------------------- Introductions

From: Darin Barney
Subject: Intr: Darin Barney, Toronto, Canada, dbarney@chass.utoronto.ca

Darin Barney, Toronto, Canada, dbarney@chass.utoronto.ca

Dept. of Political Science, University of Toronto

I am a doctoral candidate in political philosophy at the University of Toronto, currently at work on a dissertation investigating the democratic potential of network technology. My dissertation is primarlily theoretical, but I am also interested in the experience of actual efforts at using the Net for democratic purposes. My interest in this forum is thus primarliy observational. However, my politics are on the left side of the left, and so I anticipate enjoying the substance of the discussions on this list, along with their formal character. My next project plans to be more empirical, comparing the democratic implications of telecommunications policy in the United States and Canada, and I am sure I will find much of use in this regard through this forum.

EDEM-ELECT ----------------------------------------- Introductions

From: shazia-miller@nwu.edu (Shazia Rafiullah Miller)

Shazia Rafiullah Miller, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois,
shazia@nwu.edu

I'm a graduate student in Human Development and Social Policy. I am interested in promoting more democratic participation and less passive, consumerist citizenship, which sounds related to the intent of this group.

EDEM-ELECT ----------------------------------------- Introductions

From: mjm@berlin.snafu.de (michael macpherson)
Subject: Intro: Full Name, Geog. Area, E-mail

Michael James Macpherson, Berlin Federal Republic of Germany
Organisation: Psycho-Social and Medical Research PSAMRA launching "Integral Studies"
URLs:
1)"Democracy in Action": http://www.gbar.dtu.dk/~itsjg/macpherson.html
2) INTEGRAL STUDIES: proposals, opportunities to co-operate: http://www.snafu.de/~mjm/

We have promoted a debate on ways to improve democracy, "DEMOCRACY IN ACTION" which may be reviewed at our cooperation partner's WWW site in Denmark .

Background: Our World Wide Web pages present background to the programme "Integral Studies" along with suggestions to further develop interdisciplinary work grounded in human ecology and polemology (the science of conflict, war and their prevention). Selected and prepared "fields" are put forward, in order to locate colleagues with similar interests who may wish to collaborate. Our research topics include aspects of coping with extreme stress, human involvement in global change and citizen participation in political life. We promote public discourse in our fields of interest and expertise. A "new venture" is outlined, which can lead to improvements in quality of Internet-assisted academic and educational work, and may contribute to paradigmatic leaps in human thinking, research and communication. Cooperation partners are sought, see "Some challenging work"

EDEM-ELECT ----------------------------------------- Introductions

From: Walter Bays
Subject: Intro: Walter Bays, San Francisco Bay Area, walterb@best.com

Walter Bays, San Francisco Bay Area, walterb@best.com >
http://www.best.com/~walterb
> Organizational Affilation: Citizen Interest/Group Name
Alliance for a New Moffett Field (ANMF)
> Org URL if representing a "group"
http://www.best.com/~walterb/moffett

ANMF opposes a proposal to fly air cargo jets over us at night, and favors open consideration of redevelopment options for the former Moffett Naval Air Station. With us are local residents. Against us are powerful corporate interests. The power of special interests is money, and the Internet equalizes the power of information. We use the web for research and for communications with residents. I maintain email lists for ANMF which supplement postal mailings.

EDEM-ELECT ----------------------------------------- Introductions

From: Andrea.Charlton@das.gov.au
Subject: Intro: Andrea Charlton, Canberra, Australia, no room...

Andrea Charlton Canberra Australia, andrea.charlton@das.gov.au
http://gov.info.au
Office of Government Information and Advertising, Commonwealth
Government of Australia. Not a representative, a staff member.

Government is a delicate balance of power and obligation, facilitated through communication at many levels and varying degrees of symmetry. I am currently working on a Masters in Communication about government public relations in Australia, especially in regard to its effectiveness. On-line democracy is an exciting development which promises opportunities for additional participation - I am keen to see what develops. I am most interested in Australia, but also in any federal government initiatives, particularly social issues based, and in Canada, Japan and the UK as well as the US.

EDEM-ELECT ----------------------------------------- Introductions

From: emilys@megamed.com (Emily Sandblade)
Subject: introductions

I'm interested in how "deep" information is discovered, packaged, and relayed to the voter base. I'm specifically interested in issues concerning opposition research, wire services, freedom of information (FOI), and the use of intelligent agents.

emilys@megamed.com

EDEM-ELECT ----------------------------------------- Introductions

From: "Bart-Jan Flos"
Subject: Bart-Jan Flos, the Netherlands, B.J.Flos@Kub.nl

Bart-Jan Flos, the Netherlands, B.J.Flos@Kub.nl
http://www.dds.nl/~ipp/teledemo/ww/index.htm
http://www.dsv.nl/~vbadvies/reactions.html

Citizens Interest Group: Instituut voor Publiek en Politiek
(Institute for Public en Politics)
http://www.dds.nl/~ipp

Company: VB-Advies (VB-Consultancy)
http://www.dsv.nl/~vbadvies

I'm a student of Tilburg University (The Netherlands) and I'm a volunteer on the Decisionmaker project of Marcel Bullinga http://www.xs4all.nl/~roesderz/english/teledemo/index.html (Institute for Public and Politics). We want to give citizens the opportunity to express their believes in a way the politicians can learn from it.

Besides that I'm doing a survey (among others) to the possibilities of new media (Information and Communication Technology, ICT) for local government. The aim of the survey is to give recommendations to local government in what way they can improve the participation of citizens in the political process with the help of ICT (a survey sponsored by the Dutch VB-Groep, a larg Dutch consultancy firm).

The results of the survey will be presented at the Thorbecke Congress, november 1996. The Thorbecke Congress is held, once every two years, to keep the thoughts of Thorbecke, the founder of the Dutch constitution, alive. The results will also be published.

When you're interested in the survey, we opened a site. This site makes it possible for you to participate in a discussion about the effect of Internet on (local) democracy (the site is always under construction). I would like to invite you to visit our site to join the discussion, check:

http://www.dsv.nl/~vbadvies/index-english.html

At the end of this message I must say sorry for the bad English I used.

Greetings from the Netherlands!
Sincerely, Bart-Jan

Teledemocracy and the future, WebWise with teledemocracy, check http://www.dds.nl/~ipp/teledemo/ww/index.htm (in Dutch).

Interactive communication between citizens and their government can change decission- and policy-making radical, join the debate (in English and Dutch), check: http://www.dsv.nl/~vbadvies

EDEM-ELECT ----------------------------------------- Introductions