IRC log started Thu Aug 4 19:59:31 2005
-:- Topic (#pashdown): changed by pashdown: Welcome to Pete's weekly chat.
pashdown	One of these days I'll remember to change the topic after the chat is over.
pashdown	bdh, you mentioned something last week that I skipped over because I missed it
bdh	right
pashdown	about bringing tech jobs to Utah?
bdh	and i finally read the logs from earlier - i'll start using . and ? :)
bdh	yes
pashdown	only worry about the . and ? if we've got a lot of people on
bdh	ok
pashdown	I think one way to attract high-tech is not to scare them away.
pashdown	When our representatives take an anti-tech stance, I think it makes Utah look bad to investors and outside tech.
bdh	The same can be said for the US as a whole.
pashdown	I find this news interesting
pashdown	http://slcspin.blogspot.com/2005/08/mark-cuban-vs-senator-orrin-hatch.html
pashdown	Now do you think Cuban would invest in a Utah company when he feels that way about Hatch?
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bdh	Good news for you.
pashdown	FEC limits what Mark can do though.  I'd like to see more general interest from techies on the net in this race.
bdh	Considering that - have you considered a gated online collaborative speech writing system? eg an internal wiki
pashdown	I haven't, but that is an interesting idea.
pashdown	It wouldn't be hard to setup.
pashdown	Access would have to be tightly controlled on it though to keep out the competition.
bdh	Of course.
bdh	However, it could be done, especially if you're meeting these people in real life.
pashdown	We use a wiki at XMission to document procedure and policy.  It works great.
bdh	Whereas I doubt Hatch even knows what a wiki is.
pashdown	One thing to add to that tech business question.  I think its important to support small businesses and tech startups.
pashdown	Utah is good at this, but not great.  There was a tech initiative in the 80's that helped launch a lot of companies, but that support has dwindled.
pashdown	XMission did seek support from the government in starting but it was denied by the state and delayed by the feds.
bdh	I really believe that there is a lot of entrepreneurial spirit that is wasted because of opacities in dealing with the government and because few with money or power understand the newest technologies.
bdh	You would be a valuable exception.
pashdown	This idea of "interested observers" that I'm exploring could be applied to evaluating small business ideas.
pashdown	In the same way that "open source" works, I think the same can be done for many areas of government, with people volunteering because they have knowledge or interest in a field.
pashdown	Instead of a tangled bureaucracy we reach towards collaboration with the public.
bdh	How can you break through the initial attitude of many in Utah of "I'm not doing to vote for a Democraf." ?
pashdown	There are the hardcore Republicans which will never stray from the party line.  I don't think there is anything I can do to make them consider me.  However, most of the Republicans I have met respect me for my roots, my background, and how I've helped the community.
bdh	I heard one person say "I'm not going to vote for him, he looks gay." =(
pashdown	Democrats have also told me that I don't fit the mold of Democratic candidates in the past.
pashdown	I suppose those people can't be helped either.
bdh	You don't fit my idea of a politician, more generally.
bdh	Too smart. =)
pashdown	Heh.. Thanks.  I don't feel a desperation to win this race.  I just want to give it my best shot and enjoy doing it.
gthornock	While there are quite a few Republicans in Utah who won't consider a candidate outside that party, I'd like to believe I'm not the only one who cares less about party affiliation than about the individual candidate's ideas and qualifications.
pashdown	I think the majority of Utahns believe that.  The struggle comes in connecting with them.
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bdh	Hello bcs.
bcs	hello
pashdown	bcs, we're in between questions if you have one
bcs	working one sec....
pashdown	I have to get up tomorrow to drive to California at 5AM, so I can't take tonight's session past 9.
bdh	I'll ask one while bcs types then. How do you feel the US can best help Africa develop.
bdh	?
pashdown	one sec
pashdown	Clean water costs about $2500 per village.  Mosquito nets with insecticide are about $5 a pop.  I think we should cover Africa with both and put an American flag on it all.  Then support AIDS drugs and condoms to bring that epidemic under control.  These are all relatively inexpensive ways we can help Africa.
bdh	There are a lot of efficient things that can be done. You may have heard of fundable.org - all the stuff there is chump change for the US government. Direct aid not losing money to corruption at every step makes a big difference.
pashdown	Fundable.org is another great use of Internet collaboration.
pashdown	I've also been amazed at what Rotary does since I joined the local club last year.
bdh	If you need doctors, make a deal with India where we split the cost of med school tuition for promising students in exchange for them spending time in Africa doing simple but vital surgeries?
bdh	Heh.
bdh	Thanks Pete.
bdh	Bye.
pashdown	Adios
bcs	sorry its a bad night in the E.R., wish I had more time
pashdown	You're in an ER right now?
bcs	blood bank
bdh	Well thanks to bcs too then.
bdh	I spend time in ARUP myself.
bdh	Bye.
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bcs	see you next time
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pashdown	Then thats a wrap.  Thanks everyone.
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IRC log ended Thu Aug 4 20:56:46 2005

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