Martian crater — Use 3-D
Date: Sat, 15 Apr 2000 07:36:51 -0800
To: "Andrew Phelps" <starfish@northcoast.com>
From: "Tom Harkins" <harkins@cwnet.com>
Subject: Global view —

Thank you for reminding me that there is such a thing as a global view. Part of my problem has been my getting lost in the minutiae of the process.

I think it is important to remind the MHB that the government has tried twice in the last three years to promote and establish self-help by their definition. The clients responded by voting with their feet, and stayed away in droves. Both attempts died on the vine, collapsed due to lack of interest by the clients in that attempt to organize them. The clients are really dis-enfranchised in this arena, because the agency decides who will represent clients, not by the clients electing their own representives in what is best described as the democratic process. Now the govt. is going to try for a third time, this time involving the MHB, which is stacked with members who belong to the culture of administrators, and who are more than anxious to demonstrate to what might become their future bosses that they know how to play ball, and are eager to please. They fall all over themselves, and it is plain for all to see, if you want to look at it.




Chauvet.  Panneau de la panthère (détail) Au premier plan, pelage ponctué et tête de l’animal assimilé à une hyène ou à un ours. Au second plan, figuration du félin au pelage tacheté : observer la queue caractéristique (L. approximative : 1 m). Ces figurations s’inscrivent au sein d'un vaste panneau (3 x 3 m environ) comprenant, entre autre, un ours, un bouquetin et d’autre tracés rouges.

To borrow a phrase I read in this mornings paper regarding a different matter, there is a ‘Difference of Vision’ between the government’s view of self-help and the clients’ view of same. Instead of trying to explore these differences the government has chosen to exercise their power and try to manipulate the MHB into collaborating with them in establishing their vision. It is doomed to fail again, because they have once again failed to include the clients in the decision making process.

Could you help me write up a paper to present at the next MHB meeting ? Should I just drop the matter, and let if follow its course? What can I say that is more persuasive than what I am saying here? I’m getting all wound up again, and then I become unglued inside, and become ineffectual. Please say something —

Respectfully

Tom Harkins