Frank wrote:
You're still not making sense. In the theoretical example *you* (not Ray)
originally used, the decision about what content to teach was made by the
agency, not by UCD. UCD's support would theoretically be forthcoming no
matter what content was chosen.
You're not following my point, Frank. In my example, "The Literacy Program,
Inc." is a hypothetical non-profit agency engaging in a controversial public
activity. It is not being "supported" by UCD. It is exactly comparable to
University City District, which is a non-profit agency engaging in a
controversial public activity. The Literacy Program, Inc. can decide to
engage in its controversial activity all by itself. UCD can decide to engage
in its controversial activity all by itself.
All non-profit agencies engage in activities that are potentially
controversial. UCD is no different in this regard. One more time:
controversy is not illegal, not even for a 501(c)(3). Controversy cannot be
publicly regulated in the first place, and there is no City Office of Public
Controversy Regulation to do any of this illegal regulating. That's why it
is absurd to propose what Ray is proposing. Limits on 501(c)(3) activities
are quite specific and they already have regulatory mechanisms. Before Ray
reforms them, he have to take time out to learn what they are in the first
place. Have you seen any evidence that he is doing so?
You make pronouncements about the way things "are" which completely
disregard different methods of communication than the ones, if I can
presume, you work best in.
Important decisions *do* get made without all of the parties involved
talking face to face. I am reminded particularly of my involvement in
Provincetown Community Television and the Provincetown Cable Advisory
Board. Most of our negotiations, even controversial ones, with both
Comcast and Outer Cape Television happened through email. The parties
involved were just too geographically separate to be in the same place at
the same time very often.
I conduct important internet decision-making all the time. But in University
City, you are not isolated at the tip of a long peninsula. You are a
15-minute trolley ride from City Hall. And you are talking about community
life in a city where three-quarters of the citizens are not capable of
engaging in an internet dialog.
Here, you will be expected to meet with people face to face at times if you
want to engage in political and administrative discussions with millions of
dollars at stake. That is especially true if you wish to complain about
Agency X to City Hall, or participate in an ambitious plan to redesign
Agency X from the outside.
Don't trust me? Go ahead and try it. Start emailing Jannie Blackwell about
this issue and let us know how you make out. Be very clear from the outset
that you refuse on principle ever to meet either with her or any
representative of Agency X face to face, because of your success with the
Provincetown Cable Advisory Board, which, in your opinion, constitutes a
better way of doing business than actually looking her in the eye. I'll be
fascinated to find out what the Councilwoman's reaction will be.
-- Tony West
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