Filed under: government, politics, pop culture | Tags: bray, mahjoo, obama, technology, white house
Will Obama’s White House be as tech-savvy as his touted, tightly-run campaign? Two spins on the same subject: Slate’s Farhad Manjoo is skeptical:
This will be difficult; online communities are fragile, tenuous associations, and Obama’s Web coalition—millions of people with various competing interests—could very well splinter when tasked with working toward specific policy goals.
Meanwhile, in the glass half-full camp, the Boston Globe’s Hiawatha Bray believes the pending White House will be wired and ready for all-citizen access:
If Obama gets his way, all Americans will have broadband Internet access, whether they live in big cities or remote villages. Online life will be safer, with better defenses against cybercriminals. And there will be greater access to government, with online services to let anyone question members of the president’s Cabinet or track every dime of the federal budget.
Too early to tell? One thing’s for sure–all those folks who donated $5 to Barackobama.com are ready to for more open, less secretive policies than those of the George W’s administration. [second life image from barackobama.com]
Filed under: government, politics | Tags: boston, gay marriage, prop 8, protest
If you haven’t already heard, on Saturday there will be protests across the country to repeal Proposition 8, California’s discriminatory law that bans gay men and lesbians from marriage. Our recent election showed that Americans do care, and do take action, and will show up in multitudes in support of a common cause.
Boston’s protest takes place at City Hall beginning at 1:30 pm. Don’t sit idly by, show up and fight for the civil right of marriage for all. [img from Flickr user backseatpilot]
Filed under: government | Tags: driver's license, Massachusetts government, motor vehicle, rmv
Well, the Registry of Motor Vehicles has figured out a way: stop all those damn mailings. Beginning immediately, the RMV will cease mailing the helpful renewal letters for Driver’s Licenses and vehicle inspection that we’ve all become accustomed to. Not to mention reducing business hours at many branches.
I guess you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do. And I admire the RMV for being proactive. Now the burden of avoiding those inevitable late fees fall on the individual (I just paid the City of Boston several hundred dollars in late parking tickets–for parking on the wrong side of my street–but this is a longer, more whiny post for the future).
When are your licenses next up for renewal? Mark your calendars.
