Friday, March 12, 2004
American hypes the "Revolution"
One reason why America represents a culture that I do not favour is the weight they can put in words without proper proof. In the field of e-democracy, the American SPECIAL REPORT ON THE YEAR OF INTERNET AND POLITICS 2004 beats about everything.
It speaks about Howard Dean as if he a (winning) candidate in the race for the White House.
One story that it also brings that I was not fully aware of is South Korea, althoug it is from 2003.
In early 2003 South Korea staked claim to be the most advanced online democracy on the planet with the inauguration of a president who styles himself as the first leader fully in tune with the internet.
A little known candidate named Roh Moo-hyun, a self educated human rights attorney from a poor family, mobilized the power of the Internet to win the election. (...) Before Dean ever came on the scene in the US, Asia already had its internet President.
Approximately 300 Roh supporters established the online support group in April 2000 after Roh unsuccessfully ran in the National Assembly elections. While the U.S. was still debating whether a hanging chad meant a vote or a perforation error, South Korea was preparing for a revolution in political campaigning.
All total, Roh raised the equivalent of approximately $1 billion from more than 180,000 individual supporters.
Comments-[ comments.]
One reason why America represents a culture that I do not favour is the weight they can put in words without proper proof. In the field of e-democracy, the American SPECIAL REPORT ON THE YEAR OF INTERNET AND POLITICS 2004 beats about everything.
It speaks about Howard Dean as if he a (winning) candidate in the race for the White House.
One story that it also brings that I was not fully aware of is South Korea, althoug it is from 2003.
In early 2003 South Korea staked claim to be the most advanced online democracy on the planet with the inauguration of a president who styles himself as the first leader fully in tune with the internet.
A little known candidate named Roh Moo-hyun, a self educated human rights attorney from a poor family, mobilized the power of the Internet to win the election. (...) Before Dean ever came on the scene in the US, Asia already had its internet President.
Approximately 300 Roh supporters established the online support group in April 2000 after Roh unsuccessfully ran in the National Assembly elections. While the U.S. was still debating whether a hanging chad meant a vote or a perforation error, South Korea was preparing for a revolution in political campaigning.
All total, Roh raised the equivalent of approximately $1 billion from more than 180,000 individual supporters.
Spain hit by terrorists
Yesterday, Spain was hit by terrible assaults on their train infrastructure. It is quoted as to be an attack on democracy. Thinking about such acts, always brings me to the weapons industry.
I have always argued firm state control on the arms and weapons industry. Availability of arms, weapons, explosives is more than a proven threat, in the hands of just anybody. The best way to control it, is in my opinion to scrutinize the production and delivery of all these products. Call me naive and Hell, no it won't simply stop terror but you can't convince me that the sources of arms should just be the international market's toy.
Comments-[ comments.]
Yesterday, Spain was hit by terrible assaults on their train infrastructure. It is quoted as to be an attack on democracy. Thinking about such acts, always brings me to the weapons industry.
I have always argued firm state control on the arms and weapons industry. Availability of arms, weapons, explosives is more than a proven threat, in the hands of just anybody. The best way to control it, is in my opinion to scrutinize the production and delivery of all these products. Call me naive and Hell, no it won't simply stop terror but you can't convince me that the sources of arms should just be the international market's toy.
15 Year Old in top 25 Influencial sites
On the newsrunner site politcsonline a selection was made of the top 25 individuals, organizations and companies, that are having the greatest impact on the way the Internet is changing politics.
In itself, this list is a wealth of information on e-democracy. Very remarkable is the listing on number 6, fifteen-year-old Ben Casnocha. He is Founder & Chairman of Comcate, Inc. of San Francisco. After holding focus groups with local governments for 8 months in California, Ben launched his own e-government company and is now considered a pioneer in the Silicon Valley for sparking the e-government vision for many California governments. At such a young age, Ben frequently speaks authoritatively with governments on e-government, technology in government, and how the Internet will affect government's day-to-day operations and political structure.
Please note that the top 25 is in alphabetical order, all the ones listed are considered to have impact.
Comments-[ comments.]
On the newsrunner site politcsonline a selection was made of the top 25 individuals, organizations and companies, that are having the greatest impact on the way the Internet is changing politics.
In itself, this list is a wealth of information on e-democracy. Very remarkable is the listing on number 6, fifteen-year-old Ben Casnocha. He is Founder & Chairman of Comcate, Inc. of San Francisco. After holding focus groups with local governments for 8 months in California, Ben launched his own e-government company and is now considered a pioneer in the Silicon Valley for sparking the e-government vision for many California governments. At such a young age, Ben frequently speaks authoritatively with governments on e-government, technology in government, and how the Internet will affect government's day-to-day operations and political structure.
Please note that the top 25 is in alphabetical order, all the ones listed are considered to have impact.
