Blacknell.net

Politics, open government, and safe streets. And the constant incursion of cycling.

Month: January 2009 Page 8 of 10

Getting Used to Competence

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On January 8, 2009

In Law, Policy

Having a really hard time adjusting out of the past eight years, I’ve discovered, especially when it comes to the appointment of qualified people:

Cass Sunstein, a longtime University of Chicago legal scholar and prominent author, is set to take up a key cause in the Barack Obama administration: regulation.

[ . . . ]

Obama has promised an overhaul to federal regulation, specifically of the U.S. financial markets, and Sunstein’s job description suggests a sweeping agenda.

“This office is in charge of coordinating and overseeing government regulations,” a transition official said Wednesday, “and a smarter approach to regulation is key to making government work better and getting better results in terms of protecting health, the environment, etc.”

Regulatory rulemaking and enforcement is probably one of the least-sexy and most misunderstood functions of our Federal government, yet it provides some of the most tangible benefits (and costs) to citizens.  Given that the rulemaking environments vary drastically from agency to agency, it’ll be interesting to see what Sunstein hopes to – and can – accomplish in this post.

Biking to the Inauguration

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On January 8, 2009

In Cycling, DC, Politics

Washcycle carries the WABA press release:

The bike valets will be located on the south side of the Jefferson Memorial and on 16th Street NW between I Street and K Streets NW.  Both will be open from 7am to 5pm.  In case of extreme weather, the valets will be closed, but the unattended bike parking racks will still be available for use.

“Bike valets are very similar to car valets,” said Henry Mesias, project manager at WABA. “You simply ride up to the valet, a volunteer will attach one half of a claim ticket to your bike and hand you the other half.  The volunteer will then park the bike in a safe enclosure while you head off to enjoy the inauguration.  When you want to leave, you show us your half of the claim check and we get you your bike and you ride off.  It’s quite simple.”  Mr. Mesias says that the association is prepared to park well over 1000 bikes.

More details at Washcycle.

Midweek Makeover: Not Really Here Edition

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On January 7, 2009

In Music, Personal

RJD2 – Smoke & Mirrors

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPuv6QE28yc[/youtube]

Marion Black – Who Knows

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-2i8xvw-B4[/youtube]

Interconnected

By

On January 7, 2009

In Distribution, Personal, Society

Like many, I’m fairly cynical about blogs in most of my conversations about them.  But that doesn’t mean I don’t see enormous value and potential there.  This video reminded me that I should say that more often.


Iran: A nation of bloggers from Mr.Aaron on Vimeo.

Late Night Track

By

On January 6, 2009

In Music

The video is horrible, but I quite dig the music:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRcFq9ptcTM[/youtube]

Get Your Inaugural Race On

By

On January 6, 2009

In Cycling, DC

My friend Demoncats is at it again:

The Inaugural Alleycat- January 20th, 2009- Free Alleycat and Free Beer‏
In two weeks time, Barack Obama will be sworn in as President of the United States and the DemonCats have a small free alleycat to celebrate!

Fee: $0.00 Prizes: None- Just bragging rights, free beer and the chance to say you were in D.C. on the day it happened!!!

Date/Time: January 20th, 2009 @ 2:00pm Where: Washington DC at the Spanish Steps.

What you need to bring: A bike and yourself! Maps will be provided at the start.

After-party: Keg and Music.

If anyone in DC can host the after-party, let me know!

Racing for Victory and free beer!!!

Up for it? Watch this space.

Petty Things

By

On January 6, 2009

In Personal, Politics

Ah, schaedenfreude.

The Oath of Office: It’s About the Constitution

By

On January 6, 2009

In Personal

This is what our elected – Representatives, Senators, and President – are sworn to do:

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.”

The Constitution is the center of this.  Not district, not party, not President, not God.  The Constitution.

What’s In Your (File) Wallet?

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On January 6, 2009

In Law, Society, Travel

This enterprising fellow asked for – and got – a look at the records that DHS has been keeping of his travels:

My biggest surprise was that the Internet Protocol (I.P.) address of the computer used to buy my tickets via a Web agency was noted.

[ . . . ]

The rest of my file contained details about my ticketed itineraries, the amount I paid for tickets, and the airports I passed through overseas. My credit card number was not listed, nor were any hotels I’ve visited. In two cases, the basic identifying information about my traveling companion (whose ticket was part of the same purchase as mine) was included in the file. Perhaps that information was included by mistake.

Some sections of my documents were blacked out by an official. Presumably, this information contains material that is classified because it would reveal the inner workings of law enforcement.

Interesting.  If you think so, too, check out the end of the article, which provides easy to follow instructions about filing your own FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request for your government files.  There were a couple of years where it seemed that I was getting SSSS (direction for secondary security) scrawled on my tickets every time I flew, and I’d meant to file a FOIA request to see if there were any clues about that.  But then it dropped off, and I forgot about it.  I’m curious again.

New Visitor Policy at the U.S. Capitol?

By

On January 6, 2009

In DC, Politics

We learned many things from Roland Burris’ visit to the U.S. Capitol today.  While I’m not sure if any of them are particularly useful, this part stood out:

Capitol police officers tried to clear a path for Mr. Burris. “You can’t keep a regular citizen from walking into the Capitol,” one officer shouted.

News to me.  Have you tried walking up those steps, lately?  Any one want to try out this new policy on their lunch break tomorrow and report back?*

*No guarantee of bail express or implied.

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