FC 2011-05-26 transcript
From Pirate Party of Canada
[21:04] <+rintaran> Hey man. That's quorum. Shall we get started then? Vulliez should be along shortly. [21:04] <+MikeBleskie> Hopefully. [21:04] <+MikeBleskie> I'm ready. [21:05] <+rintaran> Here's the agenda. Anything to add? [21:05] <+rintaran> https://www.pirateparty.ca/forum/index.php?topic=1169.0 [21:05] <+MikeBleskie> Nothing for me this week [21:07] <+MikeBleskie> If Nuitari has nothing, I suppose we move to Reports? [21:07] <+rintaran> I guess so. [21:07] <+rintaran> Mikkel sent his report via e-mail. [21:07] <+rintaran> He mailed the t-shirt order, and arranged a replacement regional distributor [21:08] <+rintaran> He's still waiting on post-election reports from some candidates, and neglected to send me the contact information for the candidates [21:08] <+MikeBleskie> If I knew which ones were incommunicado, I'd do the rest [21:09] <+rintaran> I'll get to that in my report I guess. Bleskie, I believe you're next. [21:10] <+MikeBleskie> Yes. I am awaiting reply from the Czechs, hopefully someone who is open to english communication for the next few months will be available for consultation. [21:10] <+MikeBleskie> The German Embassy never returned calls. [21:11] <+MikeBleskie> Very disappointed in that bit seeing how they promote their human rights record on their site. [21:12] <+MikeBleskie> And my last item on the list is the VPN. What I need to do is tie it more into what a VPN is, which I will be honest, I know little about. The thematic details are in, as well as a context of our international actions. [21:13] <+MikeBleskie> I'll be sending off a draft tonight, I don't think it's ready for a pad. [21:14] <+MikeBleskie> Last item is that I have heard from Samir that the PPI will be setting up permanently in ye olde port of Brussels, Belgium. [21:14] <+MikeBleskie> I hope to learn more of that development. [21:14] <+MikeBleskie> That concludes my report. [21:14] <+rintaran> Alright, well I'm next on the list. [21:15] <+rintaran> I got the press release template on the wiki, and tacked on a short bit on what makes a press release interesting for the reader, ie what might actually get it printed or used by the press. [21:16] <+rintaran> I wrote the "Lawful Access" animation "script". There are actually two of them. One is 1:30, and the other is 1:00. I believe we'll touch on the script more later on tonight. [21:17] <+rintaran> I did get confirmation from Travis, and have since received his article for the newsletter. Additionally, the PPDE, Volunteer, and Donation bits are all put together. It's currently sitting in a pad. [21:17] <+rintaran> I sent out e-mails to all of the former candidates @pirateparty addresses, and e-mails to the people that wanted to be candidates. [21:18] <+rintaran> So far, I've received replies from Travis McCrea and Rene Kabis. Both are interested in being a part of a shadow cabinet. [21:19] <+rintaran> I'm assumming that the Mikkel, Bleskie and Bakhos are way too busy to worry about shadow cabinet positions with their jobs here in the Federal Council, but I sent ya'll the e-mail anyways. :P [21:19] <+Nuitari> no need for me :) [21:20] <+MikeBleskie> Maybe if there are no takers. /maybe/ [21:20] <+rintaran> The only thing I wasn't able to complete from my long list was the update of the volunteer jobs. With our new FC responsibilities, the people that they report to have to be switched up. [21:20] <+rintaran> I put some suggestions in the Federal Council Responsibilities pad, and we just have to approve them tonight and I can move ahead on that. [21:21] <+rintaran> Other than those items, I did learn that the Tunisia blogger, thought to have been a PP Tunisia member who was appointed minister of sport stepped down from his position in protest. [21:21] <+rintaran> Don't have much else as far as details concerning that, but it may be something worth looking into. [21:22] <+rintaran> And that's my report... A minute long but still good. [21:22] <+rintaran> Nuitari? [21:22] <+Nuitari> not much to report, started mailing out the donations receipts and membership cards [21:23] <+Nuitari> I've started the setup of our new server for PPRU / piratepad [21:23] <+Nuitari> Where do you want the short article on the VPN ? [21:23] <+rintaran> http://pr.piratepad.ca/102 [21:23] <+rintaran> It's "Article 2" [21:23] <+Nuitari> ok [21:23] <+Nuitari> I'll write it there [21:25] <+rintaran> I take it that's your report? [21:26] <+Nuitari> yes [21:26] <+rintaran> Nuitari, can you give Svulliez voice? [21:26] <+rintaran> :) [21:26] <+svulliez> thank you. [21:26] <@MikeBleskie> Excellent, just in time for your report =D [21:27] <+svulliez> My report? [21:27] <+svulliez> Sure. [21:29] <+svulliez> The PR meeting on the 23rd went pretty well. We only had two show up, but I think that was due to the hasty organization and the accidental coincidence of having it fall on a holiday. [21:29] <+svulliez> Both volunteered to head initiatives, and we've seen some decent progress on the Linux project. [21:30] <+svulliez> By the time the next meeting rolls around, I'm quite sure we'll have many more attending. [21:31] <+svulliez> I have been making the rounds on the forums trying to encourage discussion, but I am yet to update each individual committee forum the way I intended to. [21:32] <+svulliez> I have been recruiting in Vancouver, to some success. I believe I will have at least two regional representatives officially volunteering soon. I also have some leads on possible Pirate clubs at universities. [21:33] <+svulliez> I have a little surprise for the council, which is that I am working on a local committee for the regular production of streaming video content, but it's still quite developmental. [21:34] <+svulliez> I have multiple talented hands volunteering to help with the production currently. Some of which helped on the 2 minute ad for CBC. [21:35] <+svulliez> I'm going to be starting production on a lawful access animation that Shawn has written the first draft of very soon. [21:35] <@MikeBleskie> Yay! [21:35] <@MikeBleskie> I love good surprises like that. [21:36] <+svulliez> And I am meeting with Libby Davies tomorrow to discuss the pirate party's issues and how they compare to the NDP. [21:36] <+svulliez> That is my report, sorry for going long. [21:37] <+rintaran> Alright. Now we have up to 20 minutes for issues arising from the reports. [21:37] <+rintaran> As I mentioned, I need approval from the council to move forward on my committee report-to bits of the volunteer jobs. [21:38] <+rintaran> I modified this pad to show how I think it would fit, with minimal extra work, and would ask everyone to have a peak and let me know if it's good, or something needs to be changed. [21:38] <+rintaran> http://pr.piratepad.ca/99 [21:40] <+rintaran> The suggested committee heirarchy is at the bottom of the document. [21:40] <@MikeBleskie> Just added a quick point on In/Ip Rel. [21:40] <+svulliez> good point too [21:41] <@MikeBleskie> These roles seem okay to me so far [21:41] <@MikeBleskie> Just picking apart the hierarchy in my head [21:41] <+rintaran> We can always change them later on, but I didn't want to assign responsibilities before we had a look at it. [21:42] <+rintaran> Vulliez, Bakhos, seem good as-is? [21:42] <@MikeBleskie> I think if a director has a good idea or a particular interest, there should be no stopping them from assisting as long as they have their assigned tasks in good command [21:42] <@MikeBleskie> Aside from that, I'm fine with it [21:43] <+svulliez> Pretty good to me, especially if we can modify to suit our needs [21:43] <+rintaran> Of course, just as far as a heirarchy of reporting is concerned. Most of these committees should operate without our direct interaction. they just report to us, or are prodded by us as necessary. [21:44] <+rintaran> Ok, i'm going to assume Bakhos' silence is agreementish. [21:44] <+rintaran> Any other business arising from the reports? [21:45] <@MikeBleskie> 1 question [21:45] <@MikeBleskie> to svulliez [21:46] <+svulliez> Sure [21:46] <@MikeBleskie> I suppose the hands from Vancouver you found know of the BCPP initiative? [21:47] <+svulliez> A few of the local members have mentioned it at past meetings, I'm not aware of where it is at now [21:47] <+rintaran> Well, that is our next topic on the agenda. [21:48] <@MikeBleskie> Okay, we can move on, then, since that's a focus for me at the moment [21:48] <+rintaran> Ok, so did everyone get the chance to read teh document gregb sent concerning his proposal for a BCPP? [21:50] <@MikeBleskie> Yes. [21:51] <+rintaran> Bleskie, can you voice gregb. I'd like him to have a chance to elaborate a little bit. [21:52] <+rintaran> I'd also hate to destroy many of his incorrect assumptions without his input... [21:54] <@MikeBleskie> 1 moment [21:54] <+gregb> Hello, ready to be destroyed. [21:54] <@MikeBleskie> =DDD [21:54] <+rintaran> I don't really want to destroy you. [21:55] <+rintaran> But basically all of your "assumptions" about how municipal and provincial politics are setup were false... [21:55] <+gregb> That is OK, I like being wrong or rather I want to find out what is right. [21:55] <+gregb> So, municipalities are federally organized? [21:56] <@MikeBleskie> Provincially [21:56] <+rintaran> No municipalities are organized by themselves. [21:56] <+rintaran> Just as the provinces are organized by themselves. [21:56] <@MikeBleskie> I'll prove my arguement >_> [21:56] <+rintaran> Yes, the initial license is issued by the step above, but the step above does not determine the organization of the municipal government. [21:57] <+rintaran> Some municipalities use a ward and mayoral system, but many do not. [21:57] <+rintaran> Many are actually moving away from that system. [21:57] <@MikeBleskie> According to Section 92(8) of the Constitution Act, 1867, "In each Province the Legislature may exclusively make Laws in relation to... Municipal Institutions in the Province." [21:57] <+gregb> what do they use? [21:58] <@MikeBleskie> My example is Ontario, Rintaran, since I know Ontario best. Mike Harris wanted to create smaller government through reorganizing municipal structures [21:58] <+rintaran> Some just elect councillors city wide. There are a few without mayors that operate as a council exclusively. [21:59] <+gregb> Some just elect councillors city wide - which is the situation I described. [21:59] <+rintaran> And some don't have councillors. [21:59] <+rintaran> The number of councillors is different one city to the next. so assuming 8 is normal, is off. [21:59] <+gregb> Which is what I said, no? [22:00] <+gregb> I know Nanaimo has 8 and Vancouver I think. [22:00] <+rintaran> And usually you only get 1 vote, not 8 [22:00] <+gregb> No, you get 8 votes, unless I imagined it in all the places I've lived and voted in BC. [22:00] <+rintaran> A few use FPTP, some use AV. [22:01] <+gregb> Why else would parties run a slate of candidates. [22:01] <+rintaran> Generally, they don't. [22:01] <+Nuitari> in Quebec a lot of positions are elected by acclamation too [22:01] <+rintaran> Most municipal politics don't have parties. [22:01] <+Nuitari> rintaran: so ? [22:01] <+gregb> True, but what does it matter? [22:01] <+rintaran> Doesn't. Just pointing out that you can't make a single one of the assumptions you made... [22:02] <+gregb> Did I not say I expected to be wrong? [22:02] <+rintaran> Was this narrative supposed to be a proposal, or a series of questions from you? [22:02] <+Nuitari> rintaran: most of the bigger cities have a party system [22:02] <+gregb> Just pointing out that if we were to get someone elected it would be in a place where the voter got 8 votes? [22:02] <+rintaran> 'Cause I was expecting statments and a proposal. [22:03] <@MikeBleskie> In what I've seen in municipal campaigns, party involvement is generally looked down upon. At least over here. Obviously that is different in Vancouver and other partisan model cities. Toronto scrapped theirs long ago. [22:03] <+gregb> The narrative was not anything resembling a proposal. [22:03] <+rintaran> We had requested a written proposal. [22:03] <+Nuitari> MikeBleskie: Montreal has 3 parties elected into councillor positions [22:04] <+rintaran> With some idea as to what the platform would be. [22:04] <+gregb> Yes, and when I sent the document you are talking about to Mikkel I stated it was meant as background. [22:04] <+rintaran> Do you have the proposal that we requested for this meeting? [22:04] <+gregb> I was asked to do a "report" not make a proposal. [22:05] <+svulliez> OK friends. [22:05] <+rintaran> Ok, let's try a different track here instead. [22:05] <+svulliez> I love the idea of a civic pirate party. [22:05] <+rintaran> I don't mean to be coming off confrontational and I think I may be. [22:05] <+rintaran> Sorry. [22:05] <+gregb> I can hardly negotiate with the people I'd need to without some indication of how it would be taken by the exec. [22:05] <@MikeBleskie> May I take over for a moment? [22:05] <+gregb> If we are against the idea, I'm not going to sign leases, etc. [22:06] <+gregb> Sure, Mike. [22:06] <+rintaran> The idea still hasn't been expanded on, so I don't know if I'm for or against. [22:06] <+Nuitari> I'm for the idea as long as some basic principles can be agreed on [22:07] <@MikeBleskie> I'm going to start right off the bat and say that I was against the idea when I first heard it, but now that the discussion has gone on like this, I seriously consider this to be a great idea. Now, we seem to all have our different ideas of municipal government here. [22:07] <+svulliez> > I'm for the idea as long as some basic principles can be agreed on [22:07] <@MikeBleskie> That will create some issues. But what we can agree is, that the premise is all well and good. I am going to make a request. [22:09] <@MikeBleskie> 1. I want at at least 1 meeting in two or more localities in Britis Columbia to discuss the idea. I don't care where. I just want to see that research can be done on the provincial and municipal government structures so we can do things correctly. [22:10] <@MikeBleskie> 2. If that isn't done, then I'd like to see a dedicated group which can operate the office on a regular basis. [22:10] <@MikeBleskie> Because, to think where we started, we didn't have so much red tape, I'd hope to see this take off somehow. [22:11] <+rintaran> I would like to see that plus: [22:11] <+rintaran> a published platform, political theme, or message or party constitution that indicates the organization’s commitment to field candidates in future provincial elections; or [22:11] <+rintaran> Scratch out that "or". I just c/p it from the "background" that gregb sent. [22:12] <+rintaran> I don't want this party forming with nothing. I want them to already have a direction. [22:12] <+Nuitari> shouldn't the applicable parts of our core platform be the direction? [22:12] <+gregb> For my part, I can arrange pretty much everything but what I'd like to see is a strong leader. [22:12] <+gregb> I don't know who that might be. [22:13] <+gregb> I have ideas, but I haven't approached the people yet as maybe we already have one. [22:13] <+gregb> I have a good relationship with Robin Mathews for example. [22:14] <+gregb> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Mathews [22:14] <+rintaran> Well, you'd need a provincial interim leader, and once you have enough members in the provincial party to qualify, you would have to use your voting structure set forth in your provincial party's constitution to elect one from your provincial membership. [22:14] <+gregb> I should mention that I have a number of different political "causes" that I'm active in. [22:14] <+gregb> http://rcmp.org [22:15] <+gregb> http://www.canadauncut.net/ [22:16] <+gregb> more, as well, I have about 200 websites, many political. [22:17] <+Nuitari> any particular one that could cause a scandal? [22:17] <+gregb> Which is why I can help arrange but am unsuited for any official position. [22:17] <+gregb> I have been active in defending the Hells Angels against civil forfeiture. [22:18] <@MikeBleskie> I believe this is a second thought [22:19] <@MikeBleskie> I think it's more important to find your grassroots first [22:19] <+gregb> I am not associated with them, except scholastic in nature. [22:19] <+Nuitari> I'm not too worried about that [22:20] <+gregb> I was a surveyor for 11 years and I tutor college students, in particular two HAs who are taking building courses. [22:20] <+gregb> The RCMP know me since they would like to have my website but can't since I maintain a site critical of them. [22:21] * +rintaran wants to note that we have only 5 minutes to wrap up this topic before moving on. [22:21] <+gregb> I'm heavily involved with the BC Rail thing at the moment. [22:22] <+Nuitari> ok so how do we proceed, MikeBleskie it's up to you [22:23] <+rintaran> What kind of a timeline do we have available to set this up? [22:23] <+gregb> As far as I go, my only concern is that I have a chance to get a great deal on good space and volunteers to run it. [22:24] <+rintaran> Because I'd like to see both Bleskie's #1 & 2 (minus the "if that isn't done" bit), plus either a published platform or party constitution. [22:24] <+gregb> I can whip one up if we aren't opposed to the idea in general. [22:24] <+gregb> And will meet anywhere. [22:25] <+rintaran> If there's no #1, then we don't seem to have enough interested provincially. If there's no #2, there's no point getting the office (we don't even have one federally). And if there's no #3, there's no defined basis. [22:26] <+gregb> Well, I can get 20 or so people together tomorrow (or later, whenever). [22:27] <+gregb> Perhaps video'd meetings to present to the federal exec? [22:27] <+rintaran> So there's 1 meeting in one place no problem. Then you'll have to organize one elsewhere in the province. Between the two groups you could maybe find enough volunteers to man the office, and should be able to source the basic platform. [22:28] <+rintaran> That'd be cool, but I don't want to make video'd meetings a requirement really. [22:28] <+rintaran> Just minutes would be fine. [22:28] <+gregb> I have 20 volunteers who are "Champing at the bit" [22:28] <+Nuitari> excellent :) [22:30] <+gregb> Oh, and while I'm here I should mention that I'm completely competent with Linux, anyone who was around in 1999 - 2005 would know me as a Flash expert, moderation at "were-here.com" - 47,000 members, xml forum, video streaming, - beta tester for Flash for 6 years. [22:30] <+gregb> Named contributor to Moodle and other Open source projects. [22:30] <+rintaran> Any objections to the three requirements put forth? We need to move on to the next agenda item and I'd like to set a time-limit on this if possible. [22:31] <+gregb> No objections. [22:31] <+rintaran> Two weeks sound reasonable gregb? [22:31] <+gregb> I hope to have something well before so yes. [22:31] <+Nuitari> works for me [22:31] <+gregb> I just don't/didn't want to spend energy on a not-possible. [22:32] <+rintaran> Then why don't we give you two weeks to get that together. Two meetings in different parts of BC, a willing office staff, and either a platform or a consitution (or both if you're ambitious). I'm pretty sure if you manage that, you'll get the nod. [22:32] <+gregb> K, thanks, no problem. [22:32] <+rintaran> Like I said earlier, I don't want to destroy you. ;) [22:32] <+gregb> I never thought you did. [22:32] <+gregb> Just looking forward to it. [22:33] <+rintaran> Good. I hope it works out. [22:34] <+rintaran> Next on the agenda is the review of the Lawful Access scripts... [22:36] <+rintaran> In regards to teh Lawful Access scripts, does anyone see anything there that requires revisions at this time? [22:37] <+rintaran> Bleskie, can you voice Vulliez again plz? [22:37] <+Nuitari> let me read it... [22:37] <+rintaran> There are two options, depending upon length. [22:38] <+svulliez> I like it, might tweak the wording depending on the actor [22:39] <+svulliez> I'm thinking I'm going to do a full cartoon type deal too, I'll try out some different storyboards [22:39] <+Nuitari> "They'll also pay the provider for this information using our taxpayer's money." <-- in the 2nd one, that sentence feels a bit tacked on [22:40] <+rintaran> Is there a way we can keep the point without it feeling tacked on? I get more pissed off knowing that extra cash goes to the ISP whenever they ask for our information. [22:40] <+rintaran> I don't like paying people to spy on me. [22:41] <+Nuitari> of course [22:42] <+rintaran> Any suggestions on the how? [22:43] <+Nuitari> the problem is that the whole topic of the ad is on civil rights, not fiscal policies [22:44] <+rintaran> Well, that is the shorter ad. The long one goes in a little more detail. I guess it could be cut without much worry. [22:45] <+Nuitari> we can have many ads too [22:46] <+rintaran> I think for now, two is probably good for Vulliez. We can do some more down the line. [22:46] <+Nuitari> svulliez: how do you feel about it ? [22:49] <+svulliez> I think that makiing it civil rights heavy for the short one will improve the overall presentation [22:49] <+svulliez> we can do a lot more later [22:50] <+rintaran> The newsletter was next on the agenda. We have everything except for the VPN bit. It's located here: http://pr.piratepad.ca/102 [22:51] <+rintaran> I don't know if you can edit an already published statement. [22:51] <+Nuitari> why not? [22:52] <+Nuitari> we did make our assets available and the election already happenned [22:52] <+rintaran> Well, I guess changing tense is no big deal. Just seems strange to change something already published. [22:52] <+rintaran> But then, if they're reading it here first, they don't know it is. [22:52] <+rintaran> nm [22:54] <@MikeBleskie> Republish it, change the tense if you want [22:54] <@MikeBleskie> really, it's just putting it in a new place [22:55] <+rintaran> Alright. Well it's just waiting on that last article, and then we need to get this to the translation team so it can go out beginning of June. [22:56] <@MikeBleskie> Great. [22:58] <+rintaran> Now we're supposed to talk about Mikkel's naming Bleskie Deputy Leader. [22:58] <+rintaran> Technically the FC is supposed to vote on this. We can either do a vote, or reopen the constitution refinement committee to examine it. Opinions? [22:59] <+Nuitari> I'm fine with the appointment [22:59] <@MikeBleskie> While members may or may not have a problem with it, in order to make things as by the book as possible, we could do the latter option. [23:00] <+Nuitari> I think we don't need to spend more time on the constitution [23:00] <+rintaran> According to scshunt, our resident expert on the constitution, either will work. [23:00] <+rintaran> I'm good with doing a quick vote in this case. Call it done and out of the way. [23:01] <@MikeBleskie> Well, if scshunt says so, and you folks are fine with it [23:01] <+rintaran> Vulliez? [23:03] <+svulliez> sadone deal [23:04] <+rintaran> Alright. [23:04] <@MikeBleskie> Who wants to call it? [23:05] <+rintaran> I move that Mikkel's suggestion of making Bleskie the deputy leader be accepted by the Federal Council. [23:05] <@MikeBleskie> I second [23:05] <+rintaran> All in favour? [23:05] <+Nuitari> I vote y es [23:05] <+rintaran> Aye. [23:05] <@MikeBleskie> Yea [23:05] <+svulliez> abstain [23:06] <+svulliez> lol [23:06] <@MikeBleskie> 3-0-1 [23:06] <+rintaran> Alrighty then. 3-0-1... Guess that passes. [23:06] <+rintaran> Last on the agenda is determining the to-dos and the agenda for next week. [23:07] <+rintaran> http://pr.piratepad.ca/94 It's going here again. [23:07] <+rintaran> I've added the notes for gregb's bit via the 2-week timeline discussed. [23:08] <+rintaran> Is there anything else we want to add to this list for people to complete for next week? [23:09] <@MikeBleskie> Hm [23:10] <@MikeBleskie> Maybe If I can get some contact details from gregb I can discuss things more at length and help with a blueprint [23:10] <+rintaran> Oh, we all should probably read over the OpenMedia report. [23:11] <@MikeBleskie> Gotcha [23:11] <+rintaran> It's 144 pages, so it'll take some time. [23:14] <+rintaran> Anything else to discuss tonight? Anythign you want to put on the agenda next week? [23:15] <@MikeBleskie> Not at the moment. [23:16] <+rintaran> Then I guess the meeting is over. Thanks for coming out and enduring me yet again.'
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