ObamaForTechnology.com | Technology For Obama
Our Mission and Purpose:
Obama for Technology is a national support group organized to develop a broad-based technology platform initiative for use by Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential campaign.
Join Obama For Technology | Technology For Obama on My.BarackObama.com
Senator Barack Obama Delivers Historic Speech in Selma, AL
Part 1 of 2
Barack Obama speaks to Brown Chapel congregation commemorating "Bloody Sunday."
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Senator Barack Obama Delivers Historic Speech in Selma, AL
Part 2 of 2
Barack Obama speaks to Brown Chapel congregation commemorating "Bloody Sunday."
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Cleveland Rocks with Barack Obama
Home to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Clevelanders sang along with rising star Barack Obama. Check out the video.
Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller and State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald Endorse Barack Obama for President
Officials Say Early Iowa Endorsement "no Ordinary Occurrence," but Obama is "no Ordinary Candidate"
AMES, IA - U.S. Senator Barack Obama's campaign today announced that Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller and Iowa State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald have endorsed Barack Obama for President.
"Between the two of us, we have served the great state of Iowa for nearly 50 years, and we share a deep respect for this state and for the Iowa caucus process," Miller and Fitzgerald said in a joint statement. "Endorsing a candidate this early is no ordinary occurrence in the Iowa caucuses - but Barack Obama is no ordinary candidate. He spoke out in opposition to the war in Iraq before it started, and today he has an aggressive plan to redeploy our troops out of Iraq by the end of March of 2008. We believe that Senator Obama has the vision to meet the challenges America faces, and that his message of hope and unity will lead us to a new kind of politics where we are not defined by our divisions but united by our love of country."
Attorney General Miller and Treasurer Fitzgerald will join Obama Sunday at a campaign rally in Ames. On Saturday, Obama attended packed events in Cedar Rapids and Waterloo.
"I am honored and humbled that two public servants with such distinguished records of service have offered their support, their counsel, and their endorsements to my campaign," Obama said. "I look forward to working with them, hearing their ideas, and listening to the hopes and concerns of thousands of Iowans as we work together to change our politics and our country."
Posted 02-20-07 8:30AM CST
by Edmund Dantes Hamilton
My.BarackObama.com Access Limited
Access to community building tools designed to empower the thousands of grassroots supporters energized by Barack Obama's run for president was slowed as the website grinded to a halt. Clicking on the My.BarackObama.com reloaded the home page as users tried to gain entry to blogs, messages, calendars and monitor critical fundraising efforts.
The following statement was posted online at BarackObama.com late Monday evening:
If you're seeing this page, it's because we are temporarily limiting access to the My.BarackObama.com tools.
The response to Senator Obama's call for a new kind of participatory politics has been overwhelming -- in just a short time, tens of thousands of people joined and thousands of local and national grassroots groups have been created. We are working hard to add capacity to accommodate the response.
Our apologies for the inconvenience, and thank you for your support and patience.
-- The BarackObama.com Team
According to an email from David Plouffe, Campaign Manager, Obama for America "Over 50,000 new supporters across the country signed up and hit the ground running." This partially explains why the site has been slow to open and in many cases not even accessible.
Plouffe states "an astonishing fact, unmatched by any presidential campaign in history: in the first 48 hours, supporters founded over 1,500 unique local and national grassroots groups in support of Barack's campaign."
Illinois Senator Barack Obama Launches My.BarackObama.com
in '08 Presidential Bid
by Edmund Dantes Hamilton, editor
Barack Obama launched a new website that mixes part MySpace with cutting edge tools designed to empower anyone on the web to connect directly with the 2008 presidential campaign.
Delivers on Promise
My.BarackObama.com expands upon the preview announcement in which Obama promised to deliver a way everyone can get involved in the entire election campaign process. This is the way.
Register and Connect
After registering, MBO allows you to write a blog, upload a photo, create a profile. But that's not all. Connect with your friends (like MySpace), plan events, establish a fundraising goal and chart your progress, and interact with other groups - or start you own.
Web 2.0 Application
MBO is clearly a Web 2.0 application and Barack Obama is poised to become the Technology President.
Go Obama '08!
03-07-07 Drupal CMS Install Conference Call Playback:
- MP3 for iPod or MP3 player:
http://podcast.obamafortechnology.com/Devante_CMS_ConfCall_03_07_07_MP3_64Kbit_44kHz_mono.mp3
- Download Agenda: http://obamafortechnology.com/dl/CMS_Agenda_03_07_07.pdf
- Download Skillset Summary Form: http://obamafortechnology.com/dl/SkillsetForm_02-20-07.pdf (complete and email if you would like to work on the Drupal CMS WebDev project)
Bruce Montgomery, Chief Technology Officer, ObamaForTechnology.com will provide video and photos here soon from Texas. .
02-20-07 CMS Conference Call Playback:
- MP3 for iPod or MP3 player: http://podcast.obamafortechnology.com/O4T_Audio_Conference_Call_022007_MP3_64Kbit_44kHz_mono.mp3
- Movie for iPod or Quicktime Player (this is a MPEG4 recording of the 02-20-07 Conference Call): http://podcast.obamafortechnology.com/O4T_Audio_Conference_Call_022007.m4v
Download Agenda: http://obamafortechnology.com/dl/Agenda_02-20-07.pdf
Download Skillset Summary Form: http://obamafortechnology.com/dl/SkillsetForm_02-20-07.pdf
About The Group
The group is still in the formative stages. Therefore, I prefer not to attempt a "definition" until after members meet and we have a general consensus. Suffice to say we are focused on all things "technology" as it relates to Barack Obama's campaign for President of the United States of America.
Tuesday's Meeting Agenda
There is an Agenda posted in PDF format online. Download the Agenda here: http://agenda.obamafortechnology.com. Bruce Montgomery is the host for this meeting and I am the facilitator.
The meeting will last ONE HOUR and disband promptly. Please arrive on time.
Conference Call Option
There is an option for a conference call because someone asked for this. Please Note: This is not your typical "conference call" so there will be no operator and call center support staff. See the instructions posted above in the Agenda link. There is a max limit of 30 for the conference call.
Group Photos and Video
We will be taking photos for the website and some video possibly. Feel free to bring your cameras.
NO Fundraising
This is NOT a fundraising event. No donations will be accepted. We are not selling anything. Please refrain from bringing any items for sale or purchase to this meeting.
However, you are welcome to bring some refreshments if you like, but no alcoholic beverages.
Refreshments
We plan to have on hand a limited amount of pastries, coffee and bottled water. First come first served.
Questions
Please direct questions to me VIA EMAIL and I will answer them as quickly as possible.
Thanks again for joining Technology for Obama on My.BarackObama.com and coming out to the meeting.
Meeting 4 - Agenda and Instructions - Drupal CMS Conference Call - Wed., March 07, 3:00 PM - 3:20 PM
03-07-07 Drupal CMS Install Update Conference Call:
- MP3 for iPod or MP3 player:
http://podcast.obamafortechnology.com/Devante_CMS_ConfCall_03_07_07_MP3_64Kbit_44kHz_mono.mp3 - Download Agenda: http://obamafortechnology.com/dl/CMS_Agenda_03_07_07.pdf
- Download Skillset Summary Form: http://obamafortechnology.com/dl/SkillsetForm_02-20-07.pdf
CMS Conference Call Instructions - Call at 2:55 PM CST to be connected. Call will begin at 3:00 PM and end at 3:20 PM
- Conference Call Number 641-678-3404 extension 668
- limited to 30 callers
- 641 = Iowa area code
- INSTRUCTIONS:
- Dial the EasyConference number 641-678-3404 extension 668
- Subsequent attendees call the EasyConference number and simply enter the room after they enter the three digit extension.
- Entrants are not announced automatically, so all attendees should state their name upon joining the call.
- Please Note: There will not be any audio "playback" feature or "rebroadcast" of this conference call.
02-20-07 CMS Conference Call Playback:
- MP3 for iPod or MP3 player: http://podcast.obamafortechnology.com/O4T_Audio_Conference_Call_022007_MP3_64Kbit_44kHz_mono.mp3
- Movie for iPod or Quicktime Player (this is a MPEG4 recording of the 02-20-07 Conference Call): http://podcast.obamafortechnology.com/O4T_Audio_Conference_Call_022007.m4v
Download Agenda: http://obamafortechnology.com/dl/Agenda_02-20-07.pdf
Download Skillset Summary Form: http://obamafortechnology.com/dl/SkillsetForm_02-20-07.pdf
CMS Conference Call Instructions - Call at 9:55 AM CST to be connected. Call will begin at 10:00 and end at 10:30 AM
- Conference Call Number 641-678-3404 extension 668
- limited to 30 callers
- 641 = Iowa area code
- INSTRUCTIONS:
- Dial the EasyConference number 641-678-3404 extension 668
- Subsequent attendees call the EasyConference number and simply enter the room after they enter the three digit extension.
- Entrants are not announced automatically, so all attendees should state their name upon joining the call.
- Please Note: There will not be any audio "playback" feature or "rebroadcast" of this conference call.
Download Agenda
Please Download the Meeting Agenda PDF File below, thanks!
2-Page Agenda
- Conference Call Number (for those who can't attend) 641-678-3404 extension 668
- limited to 30 callers
- 641 = Iowa area code
- INSTRUCTIONS:
- Dial the EasyConference number 641-678-3404 extension 668
- Subsequent attendees call the EasyConference number and simply enter the room after they enter the three digit extension.
- Entrants are not announced automatically, so all attendees should state their name upon joining the call.
Chicago Meeting Summary
Download Meeting Minutes PDF Below (5 pages)
View online: http://platform.obamafortechnology.com
Meeting Minutes Coming Up
Special thanks to Isadora J. Wagner for preparing the first draft of the meeting minutes. They are being formatted for the website and will be available online in a few hours. The five-page document is a work in progress and represents a first draft.
Keep in mind the Barack Obama presidential campaign is only days old now. We have a 100+ group (private group) with 70+ that reserved for our first meeting. ObamaForTechnology.com is functional website. I say all of this because when you review the meeting notes you will fell as if you are involved in a burgeoning dialogue that will only get more intense and reach a fever pitch in the months ahead.
Now that you are salivating for the document, check back after 5:00 PM CST and on the My.BarackObama.com Technology For Obama national support group blog.
Photos On Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/obamafortechnologycom/
The above link contains photos taken at the Technology for Obama meeting on February 13, 2007. Thanks to everyone who came out in blizzard conditions early in the morning!
Meeting minutes and notes will be posted as soon as they become available.
Conference Call
Many people tried the conference call and received silence. That was due to the meeting starting officially at 10:30 and the dial into the setup the conference call did not happen until minutes after the start of the meeting. Please accept our apologies for this but the inclement weather played a major factor.
Attendees & Special Thanks
There were 20 attendees to the meeting, which took place in the TechNexus Lobby area on the 15th floor. Special thanks for Fred Hoch, president of ITA and to Fastroot for providing the expanded meeting facilities. Originally the meeting was planned for Bruce Montgomery's office and this was moved to accommodate more than expected attendees.
CANTV Technology Access Television Taping - "Technology Powers the Political Agenda"
After the meeting Bruce Montgomery and E Dante Hamilton taped a 30-minute broadcast at Chicago Access Network TV studios (CANTV) to air at a later date. The segment is available on DVD and will be uploaded to YouTube.
YouTube.Com Channel - ObamaForTechnology.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/obamafortechnology
This will be the channel where you can find the video. It may be uploaded in several parts. Should be online in a few days.
Next Meeting TBA
We are reviewing notes and will be scheduling a new meeting soon. Stay tuned for that information. It will be posted online here: http://agenda.obamafortechnology.com and on My.BarackObama.com in the Technology for Obama group section.
Technology Access Television Presents
Technology Powers the Political Agenda
Veoh.com Video
Bruce Montgomery, host and producer of Technology Access Television (CANTV), discusses how Technology Powers the Political Agenda with E. Dante Hamilton, ObamaForTechnology.com founder and webmaster.
The show was taped immediately after the Technology for Obama kickoff meeting earlier Tuesday, February 13, 2006.
Posted Online: 02-21-07, 5:40 AM CST
Technology Access Television Presents
Technology Powers the Political Agenda
Google Video
Bruce Montgomery, host and producer of Technology Access Television (CANTV), discusses how Technology Powers the Political Agenda with E. Dante Hamilton, ObamaForTechnology.com founder and webmaster.
The show was taped immediately after the Technology for Obama kickoff meeting earlier Tuesday, February 13, 2006.
Posted Online: 02-15-07, 2:40 AM CST
If the above player does not work please check iTunes for the enhanced podcast or download directly from below links.
Download Enhanced Podcast: http://obamafortechnology.com/TATV_ObamaForTechnology.com_Podcast_021307.m4a
TATV "Technology Powers the Political Agenda" Audio Podcast .MP3 Available
Time: 25:38
Size: 6 MB
Date: 02-13-07
Quality: Broadcast Studio
Facility: CANTV Studios, Chicago, IL USA
Download: http://podcast.obamafortechnology.com/TATV_ObamaForTechnology.com_Podcast_021307.mp3
Draft Platform (Unofficial)
ObamaForTechnology.com
Technology for Obama National Support Group
National support group organized to develop a broad-based technology platform initiative for use by Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential campaign.
Minutes of the February 13, 2007 Inaugural Meeting, 10-11AM
Held at the FastRoot Wi-Fi Technologies LLC Office Suite 15th Floor,
200 South Wacker Street, Chicago, Illinois
1 Note: The views of the Obama for Technology National Support Group as expressed in these meeting minutes, by member statements, or on the www.ObamaForTechnology.com public website, or any document or content accessible from said website, reflect neither the views of Senator Barack Obama personally, nor of his Campaign Committee for the 2008 Presidential Election.
DRAFT VERSION
TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM INITIATIVE
I. INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME1
Edmund Danté Hamilton opened the inaugural meeting by thanking participants for braving the rough weather to contribute their ideas on how to structure a National Technology Platform for Senator Barack Obama’s 2008 Presidential Campaign. He stated that he was pleased to see so much interest in the initiative, as evidenced by the twenty or so participants who had come by word-of-mouth and the event posting on the Mybarackobama.com website, and the more than 100 more who had expressed interest in future involvement through the website. He explained that the group was organized by Mr. Bruce Montgomery and himself in response to the challenge Senator Obama raised in his Springfield, Illinois campaign launch speech on Saturday, February 11, 2007 to “be the generation that reshapes our economy to compete in the digital age,” and comments about technology, education, broadband access and research and development made in the same speech.
Hamilton next introduced key organizers for the group and their interest in technology—the host, FastRoot Wi-Fi Technologies LLC, a long-time supporter of statewide technology initiatives and sharer of its office space with the community-based Illinois Technology Association; Mr. Montgomery, a leading technology consultant for the state government of Illinois; and himself, a web developer and broadband publisher specializing in the non-profit and small business sectors. Mr. Montgomery is a member of Mayor Daley’s Chicago Technology Initiative and has known Senator Obama for a number of years. He has served as the technology advisor for several State Congressmen, including Congressmen Rush and Davis. For the past seven years, he has run a weekly “Technology Access TV” television program on CA-TV.
II. MISSION AND GOALS
Mr. Montgomery led the next segment of the meeting by clarifying his goals for the initiative and asking participants to briefly introduce themselves and their interests in joining. He stated that Senator Obama’s comments on Saturday raise many issues at the community level and present an opportunity to organize and suggest solutions that will help steer the future national debate in a positive direction. His aim in organizing the National Support Group specifically is to (1) get everyone together to place their ideas on the table concerning technology solutions in answer to Senator Obama’s national call to action on Saturday, and (2) involve others from the technology community who can further develop the issues and deepen the discussion. From Mr. Montgomery’s perspective, Chicago is the natural place to headquarter this effort, as Senator Obama is preeminently from the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois.
The role he envisions for the National Support Group is to help place technology on the front burner of Senator Obama’s 2008 Presidential Platform by articulating the issues that face the nation and providing critical thought leadership, position papers, research, and a publicly-available ObamaForTechnology.com website that will help counsel his campaign in the right direction. The group would articulate and embrace solutions not only for the software and information technology industries, but for the whole spectrum of technology, including biotech, nanotech, education, infrastructure, broadband access, intellectual property, research and development, smart homes construction, and mobile wi-fi technology. By including members from a broad range of disciplines and expertise areas, it would represent, at a community level, the concerns and interests facing our nation collectively—in the classroom, in small businesses, before large multinationals, for independent developers of new technology solutions, etc., etc.
III. MEMBER OUTLINE OF TECHNOLOGY ISSUES
At the conclusion of Mr. Montgomery’s remarks, members presented the issues that brought them to the group, focusing on the tie-in between Senator Obama’s technology comments on Saturday, and their own interests and concerns as citizens and specialists in the IT industry. The issues are summarized by topic below.
A. Net Neutrality & Other Monopolistic Issues
At least three members cited growing concerns about challenges to the neutrality of the Internet if large Internet Service Providers (ISPs) such as AT&T move to crowd out competitors by denying or delaying access to their broadband routes. Under this scenario, a consumer who subscribes to AT&T as their ISP and purchases their Internet video services might be prevented from accessing similar services offered by competitors if AT&T chooses not to honor the customary protocol of allowing that company’s traffic on its broadband routes. Search engines such as Google.com would also be affected, as queries for the competitor’s service would be unsuccessful or unable to link to actual pages from the AT&T customer’s perspective. This has sparked an industry-wide debate on the equality of the Internet, in terms of speed and access to services and information, and the pros and cons of allowing large media companies to move away from the indiscriminant sharing of available broadband space.2
Another member expressed concerns about regional monopolistic practices whereby large media companies prevent consumers in one area from performing the same tasks and accessing the same services as consumers in another. He gave the example of movie downloads in South Korea: citizens there can download an entire new movie in five or so minutes, whereas this is impossible in America—not due to technology limitations, but to monopolistic licensing issues that are getting in the way of real progress and/or consumer wants.
B. Education
Members viewed the education-technology connection from several angles, as highlighted below.
1.) Practical Hands-on Training for Tomorrow’s Technologists. The question of reshaping our economy for the digital age is as much a training issue as it is a matter of providing much-needed IT resources to schools across America. Children must be provided with hands-on practical experiences that place the technology—and the future of the technology—in their hands, thereby demonstrating that there is much to be done beyond the passive consumption of online media entertainment and instant messaging. In addition, the critical skills and knowledge areas that back the digital age—math, science, computer programming, research and development, etc., etc.—will need to be strengthened in public school curriculum to prepare today’s youth to compete in tomorrow’s hi-tech future.
2.) Better Utilization of Open-Source Internet Solutions for Teachers. One teacher from the South Side observed that the Internet is not being utilized to its fullest potential for school teachers across America. She suggested that a National Repository of Best Practices for Teachers be created; in this repository, for example, a video of the nation’s best Social Studies teacher could be posted for downloading on a particular lesson plan—both for the educator to learn and expand his or her teaching skills, and for the students to learn from one of the nation’s best educators on that subject. This would be available nationwide and might help to standardize curriculum across regions. Likewise, lesson plans and assignments could be posted in multiple languages—English and Spanish, for example—for those students attending schools in rural areas that do not have a resident ESL program, thus ensuring that the learning content is still accessible to them.
It was also suggested, by another member, that the government take a strong role in developing nationwide open-source solutions for teachers as a cost-saving initiative. The example was given of a $20 grade recording package used by many schoolteachers; if instead of $20 per license, the school received an open-source solution from the government for free, that money could be dedicated to important school initiatives rather than the software companies.
2 For more information about this topic, see the following Wired online news article dated 31 May 2006
(http://www.wired.com/news/technology/internet/0,71012-0.html) and Wikipedia article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_neutrality).
3.) Better Capitalization of Wireless Mobile Technologies. Today’s youth are avid consumers of wireless mobile technologies such as cell phones, instant text messaging and iPods. Their use outpaces that of adults and yet the hi-tech tools are often overlooked as potential depositories or conduits of educational content. One member of the group suggested exploring this as part of the National Technology Platform.3
4.) Better Oversight of Computers & Computer Services Contracts to Public Schools to Prevent “Dumping,” “Bid Rigging,” and Other Such Unsavory Practices. Two members referenced the 2004-2005 E-Rate Scam whereby a nationally-recognized computer manufacturer and others conspired to rig the bidding process for the provision of computers to disadvantaged public schools in San Francisco, resulting in the award of the contracts to pre-selected companies (unfair competition) and the sale of the computers at inflated prices.4 It was suggested that perhaps the group look at ways to help schools avoid similar mistakes as part of a National Technology Platform.
5.) Better Funding for Computer Programming Services Departments at Universities and Schools. A representative from the IT Department at a local public university observed that the school did not get an adequate amount of funding from the national government. This impaired the school’s ability to obtain updated computers and software programs, provide training to students, teachers and technicians, and afford broadband services. He stated that the school’s broadband services bills from a local telephone provider were so expensive that they could not be paid out of the IT Department’s budget and therefore, came out of the school’s infrastructure budget, thus hindering plans to build a much-needed new facility. He further noted that because of the training issues, students mostly used the school’s computers for entertainment, not educational, purposes, and felt that better funding would help address this by empowering the school to train its students to use their computer time more productively.
C. Research & Development Funds
Members who represented small businesses, independent consulting companies, and area universities cited government funding for increased research and development into hi-tech solutions as a critical component of a National Technology Platform. This piggybacks on another concern raised by the group, which was the sense that other countries are outpacing the U.S. in technological advancements—e.g., the need to catch up.
3 One possible direction for this is the delivery of foreign language training through cell phones, as has been done in South Korea for several years now.4 For more on the E-Rate Scam, see the following articles: San Francisco’s City Attorney’s Office Report
(http://www.sfgov.org/site/cityattorney_page.asp?id=33631); Todd Oppenheimer’s report for The Nation, dated 29 January, 2004
(http://www.thenation.com/doc/20040216/oppenheimer).
D. Broadband Access Issues
At present, big businesses are driving broadband access policy discussions and shifts; however, this is not necessarily in the best interest of individuals and small businesses. There is a need to get outside perspectives on the following issues specifically: (1) FCC spectrum policy; (2) unlicensed wi-fi access; and (3) privacy issues in the digital age.
E. Slash.dot Issues & the Freedom of Information Act
Members suggested that a uniform open-source policy be established for the posting of Freedom of Information Act documents, noting that some government organizations appeared to be subverting the spirit of the law by making the information difficult to access on the Internet. Such a policy would insist that open-source and Word-based documents only be posted. The recent decision by the State of Massachusetts to move to a comprehensive Open-Doc Policy to ensure the easy, unencumbered public access of public information was commended as a potential model for a National Technology Platform policy position.5
F. Privacy Issues
Two members listed protection of individual privacy rights as a critical area for focus within the group.
G. Intellectual Property Issues
Most, if not all, of the independent consultants and small business owners within the group raised intellectual property concerns as a major area of focus for an Obama ’08 National Technology Platform. They felt that big media companies were deliberately conflating patent, copyright and trademark issues in order to hinder competition from small businesses that might actually offer better, or similar, services. There is a critical need for patent reform in particular since the current system has allowed gross injustices to happen such as Amazon.com’s patenting of its “one-click-to-buy” button, a web design solution that is clearly generic and widely available but over which Amazon.com now fights other companies for the exclusive rights to employ. Such practices are rampant across the IT industry and cause many small businesses and consultants to falter as they attempt to roll-out legitimate new solutions, only to have them pushed back off the market by larger companies’ claims of patent infringement. For this reason, the members suggested that the National Technology Platform include some provision to help small businesses fight and overcome unfair charges and practices.
H. Further Development of Open Source Solutions as a Workaround to Monopolistic Practices by Large Media Companies.
It was suggested by several members that the government take an active role in sponsoring research and development for the creation and promotion of publicly-available, free open-source solutions that will eliminate the need for many expensive software programs such as Microsoft Windows. For example, an average Windows license costs $100 USD; schools, businesses and private individuals would save $100 for every free open-source program with the same capabilities that is installed in its place.
I. De-escalation of Protectionist Rhetoric in the IT Industry and within the Democratic Party More Broadly.
A member of the group who ran an IT business in India and had many friends and associates who had benefited from the current Bush administration’s sponsoring of work visas and technology exchanges with Indian companies, but was attracted to Senator Obama’s 2008 Presidential Campaign, asked if Senator Obama would continue to support similar cooperative initiatives with foreign governments if elected to be President of the United States. While this question could not be addressed by the group, it sparked a general discussion as to how Senator Obama could position himself on this issue and differentiate himself from other Democratic candidates. It was observed by one member of the audience that the Democratic Party seemed to be leaning heavily on the side of protectionism when the reality was that there was much public good, though loss of some jobs, to be gained from the regular exchange of technology solutions and specialists with other countries. Senator Obama’s National Technology Platform may be a good area to show he’s not taking the route of over-protectionism, thereby distinguishing himself from other candidates.
5 For more information about the Massachusetts Open-Doc Policy, see the following articles: 12 February 2007 zdnet.com blogspot
(http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=1812).
IV. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Montgomery wrapped up the discussion by thanking participants for sharing their concerns and insights and promising to convey the discussion to Senator Obama’s staff. He reiterated that the purpose of the group was to establish a community of interested persons who would act as thought leaders on the subject of technology for Senator Obama’s 2008 Presidential Campaign, pulling on their own reservoir of experience and articulating the issues through research and position papers that would be both publicly available through the ObamaForTechnology website and shared with the Senator’s campaign committee to help steer the national debate on technology. He stated that he felt that the group had made good progress in its first discussion, and invited members to reach out to others within the IT and educational communities who could help broaden and deepen future endeavors. Mr. Hamilton added that members were encouraged to post relevant articles, research pieces and discussion blogs on the group website at MyBarackObama.com—until such time as the ObamaForTechnology website was fully set up.
The meeting was adjourned shortly after 11a.m., with the next one set at the same time and location in two weeks.
1 Note: The views of the Obama for Technology National Support Group as expressed in these meeting minutes, by member statements, or on the www.ObamaForTechnology.com public website, or any document or content accessible from said website, reflect neither the views of Senator Barack Obama personally, nor of his Campaign Committee for the 2008 Presidential Election.
Minutes Prepared by Isadora J. Wagner
© 2007 ObamaForTechnology.com
Official Donation Link to BarackObama.com Website
You can make a campaign contribution directly to the Obama for America Obama '08 by clicking here or the Obama'08 / red Donate button below. All contributions are handled directly through the official BarackObama.com website. ObamaForTechnology.com does not accept any fundraising contributions.
Technology Issues, News Articles, Backgrounders, Events and Blogs
Look within below panels to become familiar with important technology issues, news articles, events, blogs and Senator Barack Obama's background on key technology related legislation.
Good Government, Responsible Spending
Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act
Senator Obama worked closely with Senator Coburn, to draft and ultimately pass the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act. President Bush signed this measure into law in September of 2006.
This important bill will bring badly needed transparency to Federal spending by creating a user-friendly website to search all government contracts, grants, earmarks, and loans, thereby opening up Federal financial transactions to public scrutiny. This measure was cosponsored by more than 40 Senators and received the support of more than 100 outside groups from all parts of the political spectrum. It was also endorsed by dozens of editorial boards across the country from the Wall Street Journal, to the Chicago Sun-Times and The Oklahoman.
Link: http://obama.senate.gov/issues/good_government_responsible_spending/index.html
NTCA’s Crothers Urges Policymakers to Enhance Broadband Deployment: Says universal service key to availability of advanced services, sustainable network support
March 1, 2007, Arlington, Va. - The United States remains a second tier nation in its commitment to broadband deployment, and policymakers should seek ways to accelerate that deployment rather than limit the universal service program, according to National Telecommunications Cooperative Association’s (NTCA) Government Affairs Committee Chairman David Crothers.
Attachments:
Testimony (PDF 30K)
Local Tech Execs Open Wallets for Obama
Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) is tapping into a new and lucrative fundraising source: Washington's tech community.
Valley movers and shaker's roles in presidential race
With the early dawn of a wide-open presidential contest for both parties, the stakes have grown. More candidates are vying not only for high-tech cash, but the cool-factor that comes with hanging out with iPod-generation icons.
Leading Media Executives Take Center Stage at The Cable Show ’07
Washington, D.C. – Continuing a tradition of featuring leading executives from the cable, media and entertainment industries, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) today announced a robust Tuesday General Session panel lineup for The Cable Show ’07, its 56th Annual Convention & International Exhibition at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, May 7-9, 2007.
The Cable Show (formerly The National Show) is where cable and telecommunications executives make appearances, make deals and make news. Now in its 56th year, The Cable Show where you’ll find out what’s behind the alliances, innovations and ideas driving a vibrant global industry.
The largest tradeshow floor in the telecommunications industry – bursting with the latest technology, program content and innovation.
Cable Show Location
The 2007 Cable Show:
Mandalay Bay Convention Center
May 7-9
3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Website: http://www.thecableshow.com/
CTIA Wireless 2007 in Orlando FL
CTIA WIRELESS® is the world’s largest technology event dedicated exclusively to wireless, broadband convergence and mobile computing technologies, covering the entire industry from network infrastructure to microprocessors to applications to content to end-user hardware.
What wireless is to a young man growing up in Beijing, can be dramatically different than what it is to a woman in India or a college student in NYC. With the explosion of new technologies, content, applications and network capabilities wireless is:
- The Quadruple Play
- Mobile Enterprise
- Mobile Entertainment
- Social Networking & Mobile Communities
- Advertising
- Globalization ... just to name a few.
Wireless is something different to everyone.
The CTIA WIRELESS 2007® convention is... the world's largest convergence marketplace with tens of thousands of attendees, over 400,000 square feet of exhibits, 20% international participation from over 100 countries, and represents a $500 billion global industry with 2.3 billion subscribers worldwide.
March 27-29, 2007
Orlando, FL, USA
Orange County
Convention Center
Website: http://www.ctiawireless.com/
CEA Washington Forum: The Consumer Electronics Industry's Premier East Coast Event
Join hundreds of innovators, influencers, and the entire spectrum of the CE industry at CEA's Washington Forum March 26-27, 2007 at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, DC.
The Forum, a two day progressive event on the must-attend list for policymakers and CE industry leaders, is the product of the former Entertainment Technology Policy and HDTV Summits.
As the voice of the CE industry in Washington, CEA developed the Washington Forum to address the full spectrum of policy issues confronting our industry and its partners. Hear from tech savvy government insiders, CE heavy-weights and industry allies who work to guide CE-related policy.
Website: http://www.ce.org/Events/event_info/default.asp?eventID=CEAE07
NXTcomm07 - http://www.nxtcommshow.com/
NXTcomm Unveils Stellar June Keynote Lineup. AT&T, Bell Canada, Cisco, GE/NBC Universal, Motorola, and Verizon CEOs Will Share Perspectives at Must-Attend Industry Event.
Conferences: June 18 – 21, 2007
Exhibits: June 19 - 21, 2007
Location: McCormick Place • 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive • Chicago Il, USA
ObamaForTechnology.com Blogs
- Main Blog: http://Blog.ObamaForTechnology.com
- Research Blog: http://Research.ObamaForTechnology.com
Hope Action Change Community Kickoff Set
Kick-off the Campaign
Millions of Americans are building this campaign one community at a time. On March 31, we’ll all come together in a day of community gatherings around the theme of “Hope. Action. Change.” We’ll kick off this campaign to change America and to restore faith in our political process.
On Saturday, March 31 at 3:00 pm Central time, Barack will be speaking to a small group gathered in the home of an Iowa family. It will be a candid discussion, streamed live at www.barackobama.com, about the challenges facing us today and how we can work together to change America.
Join Barack in this discussion by opening your homes on this day and gathering friends and family to watch the live webcast. For those who would like to host an event but do not have access to the Internet, sign up to receive a conference call number to dial into and listen to the Iowa discussion.
After signup you will receive an email confirmation:
- Thanks for RSVPing to the conference call with Barack on March 31.
- Dial-in information for the call will be distributed in the days preceding the event.
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| Event Name: | Technology Platform Issues Panel Discussion, General Meeting and Kickoff (March 31 Kickoff Event) |
| Time: | Saturday, March 31 at 1:00 PM - 3 hours |
| Location: | To Be Determined (Chicago, IL) |
| Associated Groups: | Obama for Technology | Technology for Obama |
| Purpose of Hope Action Change | On March 31, people across America open their homes to friends, family, and neighbors to kick off a week of support for a movement Barack Obama and the movement to change America. Obama For Technology | Technology For Obama national support group will host a Technology Panel Discussion, general meeting and Community Kickoff event. More details will be available here as they become available. |
| Schedule | The event will start prior to the Barack Obama webcast. A tentative schedule is below: 1:00 PM: Event Setup |
| RSVP Here: | Event Details: Obama for Technology | Technology for Obama on My.BarackObama.com. |
Photo: BarackObama.com Flickr
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