28 April 2009

On staffers and the internet

| johnboy
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So Saturday’s Canberra Times dragged RiotACT into the issue of staffers and public comment.

This morning Mark Parton had me on 2CC to talk about it. We didn’t really tackle the bigger issues and in a lot of ways I was just a curtain raiser for Jorian Gardner to cavort on air.

Anyway, I have no idea whatsoever as to whether RiotACT posting has lead to ructions in Senator Humphries’ office. I do know that of the ACT’s federal politicians Senator Humphries has been the most engaged on this site, but has in our experience always been completely transparent and above board.

I generally find though that paid staffers are either such horrid shills that they’re counter-productive (I often wonder if they’re not cunningly working for the other side), or they’re trying so hard to fit in with a community, making such balanced and measured remarks, that they’re a joy to have around.

Having said that, while we provide an opportunity for a sense of anonymity there’s no requirement for public figures to use it. Longer term thinkers might choose to save themselves some trouble by coming clean from the start.

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Gungahlin Al said :

I personally think it is easier to come clean up front. It does mean you have to be a little more measured than you’d like to be at times, but then isn’t that a principle that has served communication in civil societies well for many years PRIOR to anonymous blogging?

That was my working theory.

…Unfortunately I found out that the inner self righteous know it all jerk cannot be caged for long.

There have been some benefits though. Having completely torpedoed the possibility of an elected political career (and I mean elected to distinguish parliamentarian from other political jobs), the newfound freedom to speak my mind and not have to kiss butt is an unbelievably good feeling. I also enjoy calling out the ‘anonymous’ hacks on this site!

Gungahlin Al5:05 pm 28 Apr 09

I personally think it is easier to come clean up front. It does mean you have to be a little more measured than you’d like to be at times, but then isn’t that a principle that has served communication in civil societies well for many years PRIOR to anonymous blogging?

Interestingly Mark Parton called me by my RA handle during our interview this morning…

Mark’s making an interesting start to his new role – Ross Solly may have some competition.

A Noisy Noise Annoys An Oyster2:45 pm 28 Apr 09

ant said :

Deadmandrinking said :

Slow news day at the CT?

Isn’t it always?

The words “news” and “The Canberra Times” are mutually exclusive.

Deadmandrinking said :

Slow news day at the CT?

Isn’t it always?

johnboy said :

Indeed, brainfade.

Thanks George.

DMD, no idea which one it was. Seriously it was all news to us.

wasn’t it possibly the discussion on DeDomenico – http://the-riotact.com/?p=11634

humphries was mentioned….

Deadmandrinking12:44 pm 28 Apr 09

Slow news day at the CT?

Well, I’m certainly puzzled. Some government people are (something) about Riotact. Or something.

Indeed, brainfade.

Thanks George.

DMD, no idea which one it was. Seriously it was all news to us.

Deadmandrinking11:28 am 28 Apr 09

So which topic did the staffer ‘come unstuck’ in?

Hmmm, it is ‘Humphries’!

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