The din of squeaky wheels
Everyone knows about the incoming Obama administration's commitment to transparency. You remember how they dealt with the Rod Blagojevich scandal: The president-elect dumped a prepared statement on the news media and jetted off for a two-week photo op in Hawaii. His chief of staff - the guy who actually talked to Blago - took French leave on a "previous scheduled family vacation in Africa."
The cornerstone of the New Transparency is the official website of the Office of the President Elect, change .gov. You can do all sort of things there: send billets doux to the Obama-Biden team; apply for a job; or toss policy proposals over the transom, assuming that someone might read them.
One prominent feature: "Join the Discussion." "Our policy teams will be sharing new developments with you, the American people, and asking for feedback," says the website, which includes a brief video come-on from Paul Schmitz, a transition team member responsible for social innovation and civic engagement. "It's up to you to respond," quoth the site.
Inevitably, spews forth the gaseous unwisdom of crowds. Hundreds if not thousands of commenters have responded, although not to the canned question, "What social causes and service organizations are you a part of that make a difference in your community?" Many have e-mailed in to trash Obama's decision to invite the Rev. Rick Warren, who supported California's anti-gay marriage Proposition 8, to officiate at the inauguration. Buried deep in the comments, I found a note from a gay rights supporter named Terry Carroll who donated $4,600 to Obama during the presidential campaign and now wants his money back. "I am seeking the return of my campaign contributions to Barack Obama for President."
No word from the Obama-ites about a refund, so far. Indeed, no response at all to my inquiries about the site. There was a note posted last week saying that "further commenting on this blog post has been disabled by the blog admin." Translation: That's enough transparency for now.
Also featured on change.gov: "Your Seat at the Table," where you can theoretically track discussions between major interest groups and the Obama transition team. It is a cacophony of special pleading. The Port of Los Angeles wants the Federal Maritime Commission to back off its enforcement of environmental regulations. The National Agricultural Aviation Association - crop-dusters, yes? - is worried about the proliferation of cellphone and wind energy towers in agricultural regions. The Air Conditioning Contractors of America want money for proper air conditioning maintenance.
Gary Vallon of the Wyoming State Denturist Association wants the American Dental Association "to back off the denturist who provides better denture care . . . This is the way to more jobs, more education and a more affordable and competitive healthcare system." Better living through dentures. That's change I can believe in.
"It's true the publishing world is desolate and horrifying," says Skinner, who is also a co-owner of Berkshire Living magazine. "But the cheese world is doing quite well. People who are into this subject are obsessed with it and love it. It's an idea that's quite ripe for the time."
Why not make it a wine and cheese party? Pick up a copy of Culture at Barnes & Noble and then log on to Cathy Huyghe's daily wine newsletter from her website, 365daysofwine.com. 365 Days just celebrated its first anniversary. Huyghe, who lives in Manchester, does cheese, too. She memorably covered the Formaggio Kitchen's second annual poetry slam earlier this year, which featured verse, five samples of cheese, and biodynamic wines.
Enjoy!
Alex Beam is a Globe columnist. His e-dress is beam@globe.com. 