I've had one commentary article on the op-ed page of the Star Tribune over a span of six or seven years and while my letters to the editor often get printed, they also get chopped. I admit it, I'm an inveterate writer and I have contributed many would-be column inches to this list.
So have many others and sometimes the give and take gets pretty hot. We can't do this with daily, weekly, bi-weekly and monthly hardcopy outlets. Without question, these online dialogues have quickened the pace of discussion around town. We also benefit from the clearinghouse function that alerts us to nifty stuff elsewhere on the web - look how quickly redistricting material has landed under our collective noses. This clearly pushes the public process and shines a great light on those of us who must negotiate our way through this decennial task. When the legislative district outlines are published on the web at 1:00 pm on March 19, a whole bunch of people will jump on the information and they aren't likely to be concerned about the "undue influence" potential some find troubling. What's yet to be explored is the potential for routine public access beyond the thousands of home computers - Internet kiosks like those already in place at the University of Minnesota - and a wide understanding in our population that this information vehicle can be as normal and as accepted in our lifestyles as the electronic traffic control grid that drivers and pedestrians depend on every day. What's new is the interactive part and on that point we've hardly scratched the surface. Broadly based access to information improves our sense of community and civic engagement and that lesson is already being taught throughout the educational system. It's the learning curve for adults that needs attention and Mpls-Issues is a great tool for this. Information doesn't just come to us, we send information back - opinions, helpful hints, announcements, you name it! No point in being grumpy about this because the trend is irresistible and fun besides. Fred Markus Horn Terrace Ward Ten _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
