VasGk | Κοινωνικό Νερό

Keeping with current events, I want to share with you a speech that President-elect Barack Obama gave at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Washington, DC.

T he GOP is trying to rebuilt, so the RNC has launched Rebuilt The Party , Republican For A Reason , there is a RNC facebook group , with a Twitter account , and many more spin offs from the official GOP.com But, why are there two websites with the same content but different names? www.RNC.org and www.GOP.com? Why the party needs spin-off websites to rebuilt? Can't it do that from the official GOP.com? Do people need a different website to become republicans for a reason? Why doesn't the GOP promote the facebook page that it has, but created a new group named Republican National Committee - Official Group? Is this Grass-root online development, or just sporadic moves that hope for the best? The republican party's online presence says one thing right now: ME TOO! The GOP is copy-pasting stuff from BarackObama.com and Change.gov; It needs to do more, it needs to have a Republican online presence, with tools and technology that reiterate GOP values.

I've been rather busy of late, but I did manage to read some articles on how social media have promoted democracy, and how people are more involved with politics, elections, campaigns ... and with one another... due to web 2.0 tools. I also had a read about democracy (and direct democracy ) and social media . I believe that the Internet has given an opportunity to all people to be more involved, share their views and take action ...oh and donate money... So, people are more engaged and their views are out there for politicians to take them into consideration. But wait... just because I Blog and use facebook and social groups or use twitter to write what I'm doing does not make me an active citizen in my community in real life. Sure, it makes me an active member, but, in an online constituency, sharing my views with like minded people. Participatory democracy needs people to be involved, and YES you can be involved through social media. You will also need to act in real lif...

I came across this very interesting article in the New York Times I believe that given the "change theme" of the new Presidency, President Barack Obama should keep on emailing directly to the people that sign up for email updates from change.gov or whitehouse.org It is the power of direct communications that can provide the Obama Presidency a straightforward link to concerned citizens, and create a no-clutter, media bias free, message delivered directly to a huge base already gathered from the campaign. Security issues need to be addressed, but the opportunity of the President being able to speak to the people should not be missed. People got used to being so engaged with politics during the election, they expect to be so during the tenure of the new administration.

Internet communications make a difference in changing government and shaping new policies.  You see, President-elect Barack Obama isn't the only one that believes in the power of the people, or how direct communications between citizens and politicians play a big role.   President G. W. Bush at the Mercantile Exchange in 
Chicago, Illinois on March 6 2001  is quoted:  See, I believe in the power of the people. I truly do. I do. I believe that when you email a congressman or a senator, it makes a difference. It makes a difference. And so that's why I'm traveling the country. And that's why I came here. I'd like for you to contact your congressman, and contact your senator, and tell them to come on the side of the people, when it comes to what to do with your money. Listen to this quote:

hey everybody, So many thing have been written about the President-elect, some argue that expectations are so high that Barack Obama will need to do it's best in the first 100 days in office. I would like to share my experience of http://www.change.gov/ It is a first, a move from the transition team of the President-elect to provide information openly about the new administration and the planing on how change will happen. It is a great example of change 2.0! I am sure that business strategists and academics will create excellent case studies and simulation exercises based on the "change politics" of campaign Obama. Let me just suggest some reference books on "Change Management": Burnes, B. (2004) Managing Change, London: Prentice Hall. Hayes, J. (2002) The Theory and Practice of Change Management, London: Palgrave Brockbank, A. McGill I and Beech, N.(2006) Reflective Learning in Practice, London:Gower Somekh, B. (2006) Action Research: A Methodol...

Many comments are to be written about the new President to be, most of which far better than my own, IMHO, I believe that U.S.A. has proved that "if you will it, it is no dream". U.S. citizens voted for a man who is progressive in principle and patriotic at heart. His presidential campaign is a beacon of sound communication strategies; but most of all excellent organization and human resource management. Will analyze my views on "Online Communications Strategies" in later posts.