shahab on soap! - Anonimity and community building

["Shahab Mesbah" <moscadmin@moscow.com>]

dearest friends,

I have to say that, to me, the democratic process involves communication; I
believe the process requires accountability and responsibility. team
building, community building, and cooperation all require personal contact,
trust, and individuals dedicated to the betterment of society. it is of
course up to the individual to decide for themselves if they want to do this
but in my humble opinion it is impossible to be a community builder and not
know your community one on one. this is why I have been calling for more
meeting between the friends. as exemplified last Saturday when we got
together in the spirit of friendship and cooperation we energize each other
to action. we can not be anonymous and contribute in a real way to the
social well being of our community; we can contribute money; we can
contribute ideas; but we can never really effect our brothers and sisters
until we look them in the eye... hold their hands with ours... and honor
them. it is amazing how the human touch can effect others. I saw
apprehension just melt away as friends greeted one another with such love
that unified us and set us ablaze with excitement and hope for the future of
our civilization.

Your brother in arms,

Shahab...

Shahab Mesbah
Technical Director
City of Moscow
----- Original Message -----
From: "JS M" <jbiggs50@hotmail.com>
To: <MoscowSam@moscow.com>
Cc: <vision2020@moscow.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2000 11:03 AM
Subject: Re: P&Z and rural residential



>But, out of curiosity, who are you, anyway?  I don't
>want to have to search the FSI site to figure it out.
>Your address bears no name matching your initials.
>
>There IS MERIT to Shabab's proposal.  For those WHO
>ARE WILLING, a small photo and/or biosketch would
>be helpful on a rapidly accessible website.

Maybe, but anonymity is one of the attractions of the internet.  I always
respond personally to questions directed to me.  You'll notice that on this
listserve many city and county officials and elected folks are listening,
but they don't PARTICIPATE.  I'm sure it's because they think that by
participating they will be asked to represent some official position.
There's a difference between a public and private life, but many government
officials and electeds feel the line is too thin for comfort.  Sure, they
may not participate because they're WEAK, but my point is that some want the
anonymity of the listserve to continue.  Always remember, someone is
listening...
jm

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