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* I’ve been thinking lately of expanding our use of the ScribbleLive app. We already use it to keep track of minute-by-minute spring session news and other Illinois-related stuff.

* But what about using it for debates? For instance, I’ve already talked to the NRA and a gun control group about appearing live right here on the blog.

Readers, for instance, could ask questions via ScribbleLive’s comment feature. The questions would be held in moderation until I approved them and then the debaters would provide responses, and then react to each other.

I was thinking maybe we could convince Rep. Tom Morrison (R-Palatine), who sponsored the Illinois Policy Institute’s pension reform plan, with somebody on the other side, like maybe freshman Rep. Mike Smiddy (D-Hillsdale) who won election last year without help from the House Democrats, but with a big boost from AFSCME.

We couldn’t do debates on session days because I wouldn’t have the time. But we could invite guests from opposing sides of a particular issue which was being discussed that day to comment live on the ScribbleLIve session post.

* Question One: Who would you like to see debate? Explain, please, and no snark.

* Question Two: What other things could we do with ScribbleLive here? Again, explain and no snark.

You can click here to see the app’s capabilities if you’d like, and click here to see other ideas on the company’s blog.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 11:34 am

Comments

1) Yes to the debate. I am not prone to get into posting specifically on Pensions or 2A, or even Budget Specifics, I learn much more reading those posts and those posting on the subjects, so I would enjoy, very much, healthy back and forth on topics relevent, especially when I know little and would like to learn more.

2) Legislative Liasions v. Lobbyist.

Not a “cage” match, but legislation on its merits, outside the GA debate, the “sausage-making” of the Agency v. Interest Groups and the discussion and shaping of bills, and allowing the posters here to ask questions of both parties.

That would be pretty cool, and unique.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 11:54 am
No Politicians! They say nothing.
Stick with folks representing each side of an issue, not in elected office. It is a mistake to believe an elected official would best represent a issue. We’ve witnessed too many politicians hedge, parse, and throw anyone or anything under the bus, just to stay elected.

Go with educators, lobbyists, community leaders, and folks with a real stake in an issue.

I prefer an honest answer from an average Joe, than a parsed pile of horse poop from a politician seeking electoral approval.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 11:56 am
This could be a great weekly feature. I think it might be tough to get elected officials to participate given that so much of this would be “on the record.” I would like to see some of the regular commenters here go back and forth on a weekly topic, but that might be too hard to organize since many of us like to remain anonymous.

One last thought, is it Scrible Live that messes up the blog’s format on my iPad or am I doing something wrong?

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 11:59 am
47th Ward, it’s them, they’re working on it. I’m sorry.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 12:01 pm
Thanks Rich, and no apologies necessary. I recently switched to an iPhone and my eyes are still strong enough to read the tiny type on it. Unfortunately, my fingers are too fat to click on most of the links.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 12:06 pm
Vanilla man,
You don’t want politicians because “they say nothing”. As opposed to some lobbyists who are the PAID political mouthpieces for an issue. Some politiicans actually care about some issues and they shouldn’t be barred as a whole. Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Rich,
Great idea.

Comment by Anon from SI Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 12:12 pm
===my eyes are still strong enough to read the tiny type on it. Unfortunately, my fingers are too fat to click on most of the links. ===

You don’t know how to zoom?

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 12:22 pm
Lobbyist v lobbyist would be interesting in advance of issues that will be taken up in comm the upcoming week and then some debates on bigger issues. Legislators and the public might find it useful to get the nuances of the difficult issues that we are dealing with.

Comment by Obamas Puppy Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 12:30 pm
I think this is a great idea, one that can only happen in a trusted safe place. I liked Willy’s idea of the LegLias/Lobbyist debate.

One of the most frustrating things about trying to explain issues to people who don’t live and breathe this stuff is getting them past the idea of a soundbite that will magically explain an issue away. An honest back and forth on pensions would help to make “the other side” (whichever that may be) look more sensible because you can see why that stance is taken.

I don’t mind reading long threads if they’re populated with smart people making real points. Andrew Sullivan was telling NPR the other day that it’s his longest pieces that drive the most viewers to subscribe (for real money) to the site. There is a market for it among smart folks.

(Please don’t make this a separate subscriber feature!)

Comment by Colossus Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 12:51 pm
Specifically regarding the pension debate - I think having the two extreme ends of the spectrum is a bad idea. It’s cable TV. Talking past each other won’t be informative or productive, but it will be entertaining. I get the idea, but perhaps having someone like Elaine Nekritz and Matt Murphy to debate the issue would be a bit more productive and engaging.

Comment by Empty Chair Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 1:00 pm
Great idea.

Issues:

–Cost shift

–Gun registry

–Fracking

– Individual vs. corporate income tax (or perhaps, more to the point, reliance on individuals vs. corporations for tax revenues)

– TIFS

– Priorities for rural Illinois

– At-risk youth, particularly young black urban males

– Marijuana legalization

– Future of the Illinois Republican Party

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 1:13 pm
===Please don’t make this a separate subscriber feature!===

Hmm…

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 1:18 pm
I’d like to see a Sunday show-type back and forth between flacks from opposing statewide campaigns. Or even other interesting ones.

Comment by Will Caskey Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 1:21 pm
LOL, Colussus, I think you probably just gave Rich his best idea of the bunch.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 1:22 pm
Why not have Rich as the sole debater, and have the commenters do the heavy lifting. The debate could be dynamic, switching between individuals who are on topic. Get what I’m saying?

Comment by Cincinnatus Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 1:24 pm
===Please don’t make this a separate subscriber feature!===

===LOL, Colussus, I think you probably just gave Rich his best idea of the bunch.===

Not meant to be Snark, but read that way would seem so.

“Pay per View” Subscribers enter “Free”, Non-Subscribers, pay a “fee per discussion”.

Trying to find a “middle ground”, since the Horse left the Barn and the wheels are turning on the idea…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 1:27 pm
That’s what happens when I try to cut back on my coffee! I was thinking, don’t make it a separate subscription, apart from the CapFax subscription. There’s nothing that turns me off a site’s vibe like feeling like I’m nickled and dimed for every feature.

I like Willy’s idea (at least, I think this is what it was) to let non-CF subscribers access individual debates for a one-time fee. That fee could probably be pretty darn low, just enough to keep people from coming to mess things up. Think $1 cover-fee open mic nights: the fee isn’t there to make money, it’s to keep the folks who will disrupt the show from wandering in and ruining it for those who want to be there.

This is how I will be remembered in these halls, as the guy that got a fee put on Discussions!

Comment by Colossus Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 1:36 pm
1. yes. Weekly or a couple of times per month would be great. Besides politicians, bring in some non-politicians (i.e. Ralph Martire on pensions/ tax policy vs Illinois Policy Institute Rep)

2. Occasional (2 or 3 times per year) fun stuff like listing the top 50 or 100 Essential Rock n Roll Songs of all time (top 10 female country singers,or movies everyone should see before they die list, top 10 Illinois Politicians). Take suggestions from readers and you compile the lists. All work and no play…………

Comment by nobody Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 1:39 pm
great idea, and I like word’s list.

Others:

Tax increase-what happens?

More gaming?

Sentencing policy vs. prison overcrowding?

As far as the format, perhaps Rich could moderate and select a few “subject matter experts” to debate/discuss or at least to get it started before opening it up for general discussion. Just a thought.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 1:45 pm
How about Greg Harris vs David Reis debating marriage equality?

Nekritz vs Poe on clawing back pension benefits from current retirees.

Reboletti vs Acevedo on banning assaukt weapons.

Comment by reformer Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 2:11 pm
–Sentencing policy vs. prison overcrowding?–

That’s a real good one, and a real tough one.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 2:23 pm
@wordslinger ” Priorities for rural Illinois” — as a Chicagoan, I really appreciate this suggestion. I sometimes find it difficult to find someone to explain the priorities of Southern Illinoisans to a Chicagoan without being defensive or dismissive. I mean no disrespect to downstaters; in fact, I totally get why they may feel this way. But I know there are a lot of us from Cook County that are genuinely interested in understanding what is most important to our downstate friends, and I would really appreciate seeing something like a “primer” discussion on the issues most important to rural Illinois.

Comment by Anon Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 2:29 pm
Hey, Rich,

Do you really think that it is even possible to get electeds to do this? Talk to anyone?

I can see you being part of a televised (or Facebook or Google or even Twitter) debate, but I cannot imagine any elected officials playing along, especially on a regular basis.

Comment by Cincinnatus Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 2:59 pm
===but I cannot imagine any elected officials playing along, especially on a regular basis. ===

Just because Dillard might be too chicken doesn’t mean everybody will be.

lol

/snark.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 3:02 pm
- Colossus -,

Yes. Each event, a “fee” or “Cover at the Door”.

We can call it the Colossus Fee…I am sure you would like that! j/k

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 3:22 pm
Who I’d like to see debate are, quite simply and somewhat obviously, figures with opposing views on some subject of interest to Illinoisans, (on a Local level around here, ya know, kind of like what ya’d see on the TV show, “Chicago Tonight”, i.e. the content, but more exclusively on the hot or interesting political or policy questions of the day ALL of the time instead of just occasionally like the way they do it, but without the Moderator, unless YOU served in that capacity maybe…?),and at least somewhat connected to some Illinois-related policy or proposed policy issue or political matter, and who have some decent level of credibility at least in the subject matter, or at least are clearly identified with or propounding a particular position, which may be opposite of the other participant, or at least different somewhat from the other guest/debater.

As far as Q #2 goes, sheez, they obviously provide a lot of services, and I’m not really sure what those each do, not being sophisticated in electronic-media-related matters, so I’d just say that in general, whatever you, as the “Blog Master” truly believe would enhance this site with their assistance, do it! I saw one pgh. about providing Webinars, I think they’re called, as possible follow-ups maybe to a subject of tremendous interest to Cap Fax Commenters who want to learn MORE maybe about a certain subject–if you’d be willing to provide that service from time to time? That might make a lot of folks happy…but all in all, good luck. Sounds like an innovative idea meant to make your Blog even BETter than it already is!

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 3:40 pm
I was going to ask the same thing Colossus did, and was wondering (regardless of whether “chicken” is an appropriate description or not) whether it would soon turn into the same old publicity hounds joining over and over again.

Many of them seem to already be “out there” way too much and they’d probably do nothing more than use the stage to repeat talking points that can be found elsewhere in hoards.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 4:16 pm
And I might consider paying if the participants were “two figures with opposing views on some subject of interest to Illinoisans” as Just said–besides pols and were also people I’d want to hear speaking on a topic that would interest me. That would make it truly unique. (The pol thing; not so much.) In that case, a pay-per-view option might work. (Sorry, but I don’t think I’d subscribe to anything long term unless the forum truly was unique and just as “easy” as the TV shows (like Chicago Tonight).

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 4:24 pm
–@wordslinger ” Priorities for rural Illinois” — as a Chicagoan, I really appreciate this suggestion. I sometimes find it difficult to find someone to explain the priorities of Southern Illinoisans to a Chicagoan without being defensive or dismissive.–

I’m a country boy who works and lives in Cook so I know a little something about it. I also know the conversation has to be elevated a lot higher than the regional animosity that exists know.

It’s complicated.

When you drive around rural Illinois and see all that corn and beans, it’s because that’s the best bet of making a buck. Through the federal subsidies, crop insurance, ethanol requirements, etc.

If you could make a better bet growing apples, or lettuce, or tomatoes, you’d do that.

Federal farm policy is an issue, but on the state level, I think we have to go all in on smart rural infrastructure — public and private colleges, technology hookups for K-12 schools, backing loans for private development of housing,clean water rid of all the chemical dropped on crops, etc.
\

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 4:28 pm
Great idea, I’d love to tune in for any debate.

Rep. Fortner might be good on pension reform.

Rep. Greg Harris might be good on a variety of issues, not just same sex marriage.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 4:30 pm
Anon, regarding priorities for rural Illinois, I’d add that the marketing of Illinois tourism to Illinois tourists is a disgrace.

That’s your low-hanging fruit, cousin.

The best deer-hunting in the world is Whiteside County.

There’s only one Mississippi River.

Shawnee is amazing in Spring and Fall (and on different schedules than Wisconsin or Michigan.)

And Chicago is as good as New York or London if you have the money.

There’s no reason why Shawnee, and the Kankakee and Illinois River Valleys, and the Mississippi River Road, and Springfield, and Galena, should not be on the minds of Chicago Metro day-and- weekend trippers.

Instead, it’s Michigan and Wisconsin, who are on the air here all the time.

I have no idea what IBOT is doing. I saw a spot last night, in black and white, serious narration, depressing, that showed someone rubbing Lincoln’s nose at the cemetery, Starved Rock and Navy Pier.

Did I want to drop a few hundred bucks on a weekend going to all those far-flung places? No, I wanted to slit my wrists.

Your first market is at home. Engage them. Give them a reason to book a hotel. For crying out loud, everyone wants to get out of the house at this time of the year.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 4:51 pm
It may prove difficult to get a frank on the record chat.

What about allowing a legislator to be anonymous so that they could be more frank during a chat.

Rich could allow a legislator to do a chat simply named as a “Republican Legislator.”

Comment by Robert the Bruce Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 5:15 pm