What will we find at Tech Policy Summit aka #tps09 and the Broadband Summit #tpsbb tomorrow?  

Follow me @wirelesscott on twitter as well as#tps09 and #tpsbb for live updates and coverage of the Tech Policy Summit 3-day event by @TechPolicy (website/agenda click here).

There are some excellent speakers and notable folks (except me, wah wah), which can either mean great thought-provoking debates or dreary self-stroking discussion and manifesto, depending on whether or not Mercury is in retrograde.  I’m obviously hoping for  and as an audience member, I will of course be outspoken as usual on the topic at-hand to promote debate instead of pure discussion.

What goals do I have here?  I plan to represent broadband’s best interests, which to me is the end-user and the applications.  ”Broadband is only as good as the applications that successfully side over it.” I like to say.  And the applications are only as useful as the (quantity and type) of people who have access to them.

Megabits to the Masses!!!

I want “megabits to the masses” – which is hundreds of megabits at home and the office, with tens of megabits on the road.  I believe in hyper-connectivity and useful mobility (useful again being perceptive and personal in nature) to create seamless personal connectivity for as reasonably many humans as possible.  I believe in open-standards and standards-based platforms.  I believe in profits after a social benefit is met (by belief of a socialist moral underpinning w/ capitalist economy = near perfection).  I believe in fostering competition, research and development (= progress).  I believe in technology’s ability to improve education and healthcare and to solve problems of old.  I believe in thinkers who will try to keep future problems at bay like cyber-security, personal security and disaster prevention.

I believe we will achieve these goals.  

Do I believe we will tackle all of these goals?  Not tomorrow, but I do hope we will touch on them.  And just as I have over my past decade in the broadband space, continue to promote these ideas through my public and private work, in the public as an outspoken thought-leader to help align the stars and  in the private side as a pioneer and catalyst to the creation and propagation of these ideas through capitalism, thus establishing de facto industry standards with hope to push the de jure along (keeping it open, however.

Time to get back to work, then to sleep.  

Follow me @wirelesscott on twitter as well as #tps09 and #tpsbb for live updates and coverage of the Tech Policy Summit 3-day event by @TechPolicy (website/agenda click here).

I contract to a company across the river from my home in Hood River, Oregon.  This company, Insitu, manufactures very cool man-sized drones with amazing imagery capabilities.  I provide them technical consulting services on communications systems ranging from radio to networking to video based on my broad and directly applicable experience in wireless, broadband, networking and VoIP/Video applications.

Below are some of the news articles and links to the stories surrounding Insitu’s ScanEagle drone and the pirate event.

About me: Professional consultant in the broadband and wireless industries, with a current focus on helping service providers, utilities (smartgrid), public safety, education, healthcare municipal gov’t on tapping into the nearly $100 billion in ARRA Stimulus funds available for buildout of broadband and IT infrastructure. http://aspenwireless.net

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ScanEagle Provides Real-Time View of Piracy, Rescue

Recent attacks and pirate activity have made their way to prime time television through the lens of Insitu’s ScanEagle. Actionable, real-time intelligence and long endurance played a role in the successful outcome. See below for a selection of coverage and related stories.

• KGW Channel 8 News coverage: Watch Video…
• Fox video from Thursday, April 9. Look for timecode 2:01: Watch Video…
• Today Show shows imagery from ScanEagle: Watch Video…
• Baltimore Sun: “The Bainbridge has launched an unmanned drone called a ScanEagle, which is providing a real-time video feed of the lifeboat. The military cannot see the captain or the pirates directly because the boat is covered. However, the ScanEagle can carry an infrared camera that might provide information about where the pirates and the captain are on the 24-foot craft.” Full Story…
• Washington Post, April 9, Last Paragraph: “The Bainbridge carries with it the ScanEagle, a 40-pound drone with night vision. It can fly as high as 16,000 feet and linger over a target for more than 20 hours. The Navy used a ScanEagle aboard another ship to detect a suspicious small boat in February. Nine suspected pirates were captured.” Full Story…
• Associated Press: “The Navy released images of the scene from an unmanned drone, Scan Eagle. It showed that the snipers had positioned themselves on the fantail of the Bainbridge. The snipers fired simultaneously. One of the pirates was in the pilot house. The Navy released images of the scene from an unmanned drone, Scan Eagle. It showed that the snipers had positioned themselves on the fantail of the Bainbridge. The snipers fired simultaneously. One of the pirates was in the pilot house.” Full Story…
• Daily Mail (UK), April 14, Two Images From ScanEagle video: “‘Flawless’: U.S. Navy Snipers Killed Three Somali Pirates With Just Three Shots… In The Dark, From The Deck Of A Rolling Ship” Full Story…

 

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Drone built by Boeing subsidiary watches pirates

The ScanEagle, an aerial drone built by Boeing subsidiary Insitu in Bingen, Klickitat County, was used in the Navy operation that led to the rescue of Capt. Richard Phillips from Somali pirates

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By Hal Bernton

Seattle Times staff reporter

The ScanEagle, an aerial drone built by a Boeing subsidiary called Insitu in Bingen, Klickitat County, was used in the U.S. Navy operation that led to the rescue of Richard Phillips from Somali captors.

The ScanEagle was launched from the USS Bainbridge to take surveillance video of the lifeboat where four Somali pirates were holding the cargo-ship captain hostage.

Images from this video were released in the aftermath of the Navy SEAL operation that killed three of the pirates.

The ScanEagle used in surveillance of the lifeboat weighs about 40 pounds and has a wingspan of about 10 feet. It can fly for up to 20 hours with a camera that can be fitted for day or night operations, said Damien Mills, a Boeing spokesman.

The Navy has used the ScanEagle since 2006. In recent months it has been deployed extensively as U.S. Navy ships patrol the Gulf of Aden in search of pirates. In February, Mills said, pictures taken by a ScanEagle drone operating at night from the USS Mahan helped captured nine pirates.

Boeing acquired Insitu last year.

 

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By Jesse Burkhardt

The Enterprise - White Salmon, WA

Insitu’s “ScanEagle” drone aircraft — designed and built in Bingen — contributed to the successful military operation on April 12 that freed an American ship’s captain being held hostage by Somali pirates

To recap the story, which made headlines around the world: Armed pirates operating out of Somalia attempted to capture the American container ship Maersk Alabama on April 8. The hijacking effort failed, but the American captain — Richard Phillips — volunteered to be held as hostage to end a threat of violence to members of his crew.

Phillips and several pirates left the Maersk Alabama in an inflatable lifeboat. U.S. Navy ships — including the destroyer USS Bainbridge — converged on the scene to make sure the pirates did not escape the area with Phillips.

A four-day standoff ensued.

Half a world away in Bingen, Insitu officials followed the incident closely.

“We know the ships we’re deployed on,” said Steve Nordlund, Insitu’s vice president/business development. “When we heard the Bainbridge was on the scene, we knew we had a chance of being in the operation.”

The Bainbridge employed its ScanEagle technology to provide around the clock observation of the lifeboat.

“The ScanEagle is not an airplane, it’s more of a flying camera,” Nordlund said. “The airplane is a facilitator to get to our product: We’re known for very good imagery. The ScanEagle provides daytime and nighttime imagery, and long endurance. It’s not unusual for the ScanEagle to go on 16-hour missions.

On the evening of April 12, U.S. Navy SEALs were able to individually target and kill the three pirates holding Phillips. Phillips was not injured.

After his rescue, Phillips praised not only the Navy SEALs, but also the creators of the highly-specialized surveillance technology that provided a big assist in freeing him from pirates armed with AK-47s.

“The Boeing/Insitu team (on board the Bainbridge) did get a chance to meet with Capt. Phillips, and he expressed his appreciation to the entire team,” Nordlund said.

Knowing Insitu played an important role in the successful rescue of an American hostage was an extraordinary experience for the company’s staff.

“There were a lot of Insitu employees walking around the streets of Bingen and White Salmon very proud of our involvement and what we do,” Nordlund said. “The overall sense of the employees at Insitu is, we’ll all reflect back on this one day and say, `Wow.’ There are lots of jobs in life, but how often is there a chance to work on something really cutting edge that makes a difference, or something that is viewed around the world. We’re humbled by it. At the same time, we are working with our customers every day and saving lives. This one just happened to make the headlines.”

Insitu’s ScanEagle was first deployed in 2004. It has a 10-foot wingspan, can fly as high as 20,000 feet, and operates very quietly. The drones are lightweight — 40 pounds for a fully-fueled ScanEagle — and can be launched by what is in effect a slingshot.

“That’s one of the reasons it’s used so pervasively in the military,” Nordlund said. “It helps in our overall force protection. The sons and daughters of Americans are being protected by ScanEagle every day.”

Nordlund said Insitu technology has been increasingly employed in operations in the Gulf of Aden — off the Horn of Africa — in recent months.

“It’s a hot spot for pirate activities,” Nordlund said. “Even though there are wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, there is another war going on, and our Navy is fighting it.”

Nordlund added that President Barack Obama made a phone call to the Bainbridge to offer congratulations on the successful mission, and he also spoke directly to Phillips.

For Insitu, trying to keep a relatively low profile about a customer like the U.S. Navy — which was using Insitu’s products during an incident the whole world was watching — proved to be a daunting task.

“We do not discuss customers’ operations,” Nordlund explained. “But the images we saw on TV were coming from our vehicle, and when you’re involved in operations that get the focus this did worldwide, it makes us very proud.”

Nordlund pointed out that the footage aired on television news programs around the world were supplied to the media by the U.S. Navy, and not by Insitu or its parent company, Boeing, which made Insitu a wholly-owned subsidiary in 2008.

Perhaps it was a case of wanting to share in some good news, but Nordlund noticed some apparent “pride of ownership” in the various television news reports on the Boeing/Insitu involvement in the rescue of Phillips.

He pointed out that the Portland television stations tended to focus on Insitu, based in nearby Bingen, while Seattle stations talked about Boeing, which has deep roots in Seattle.

“On KATU-TV, a Portland station, it was Insitu that was given the credit, and on KING-TV in Seattle, it was Boeing,” Nordlund said. “They were tailoring to their particular area. But we are part of the same family. The combined Insitu-Boeing team made it happen.”

The high-profile success of the Navy’s rescue operation is likely to further heighten demand for Insitu’s products, and the company is continuing to expand. Insitu currently has more than 500 employees, most of them working in Bingen and White Salmon.

“We’ve hired 90 new employees since Jan. 1,” said Jill Vacek, communications specialist for Insitu.

Vacek pointed out that Insitu is also in the process of adding new facilities in Stevenson.

“Overall, we’re continuing to grow, and are growing into space in Stevenson,” she explained. “The Stevenson move will be for about 60 additional employees, but there will be no lessening of the number here.”

Nordlund hinted that further expansion is anticipated.

“Insitu has 519 employees now. But check back at 5 p.m.,” he joked.

Nordlund also stressed that, despite the occasional rumors, Insitu is not leaving the Bingen/White Salmon community.

“That’s the furthest thing from our minds,” he said. “We are going to grow.”

Nordlund noted that Insitu recently signed a $30 million contract with the Canadian Army for ScanEagle training and supply.

“We will support their ground forces in Afghanistan,” Nordlund said. “So we’re seeing Canadian uniforms around town now, as we’re continuing to bring an international flavor to Bingen and White Salmon.”

In addition to the Canadian deal, Insitu has a contract in place to provide ScanEagles for the Singapore Navy.

And the product line is being further refined.

“We’re working on a second aircraft beyond ScanEagle — the `Integrator,’” Nordlund said. “We’re getting ready for some real-world operations with the Integrator.”

The Integrator will have a 16-foot wingspan, as opposed to the ScanEagle’s 10-foot wingspan.

“It can carry more payload,” Nordlund pointed out.

 Nordlund reflected back on the humble origins of Insitu, and marveled at the innovative company’s phenomenal growth in a relatively short span of time.

“Great things can happen,” Nordlund said. “Just a few years ago, Insitu was a few guys in a garage.”

Link to The Enterprise

“Not only do we have a right to know, we have a duty to know what our Government is doing in our name.” Fabulous point-on closing to this article. Andrew, even those who may know all which you presented above, it still begs being brought forth in a single and powerful presentation as this – providing the argument to stir passion in the reader to spur change, which is the ultimate goal of your writing. As much as I would revel to see those in our Government who have wronged us over the last 8 years “do the walk” as HopelesslypartisanDEM states and even expand it to include those in the private sector who have wronged us as well, revenge historically only suits our hedonist tendencies. We can and should leverage the excellent punishment of those in the past to set new standards in the future and send a strong and clear message to future wannabe violators and those currently corrupt that these behaviors will not be tolerated; being swiftly and justly punished as we do with the more tangible moral and blue collar crimes. A form of “pest-control” as Andrew so eloquently puts it.

More on Barack Obama
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Know anyone in a battleground state?
Make sure they vote!!!

I created this email to send to folks who live in a “battleground” state or might know folks who are. I want to inspire people to vote and ask that you forward this on to others. Below is a link anyone, no matter political affinity, can use to register to vote in their area and get information on voting (early, absentee, locations). PLEASE forward this email to others…

States; CO, WI, MT, MI, NM, IN, IA, ND, NV, OH, GA, FL, NC, VA, PA, NH, MO.

Register to vote!!! (independent of who you are voting for)

http://www.voteforchange.com

Now for my humble opinion – I respectfully request you read my note in its entirety;

Wouldn’t it be nice if there were some “silver bullet” or “magic wand” to fix our economy, education and healthcare systems? Something that would spur job growth, level the playing field and provide us a future? Fix the environment, lower the cost of power and fuel, and improve your every-day quality of life?

I encourage you to look to technology for the answer. By investing and encouraging technology growth and adoption, every sector in the American economy and our life has a chance to thrive while cutting costs and improving quality.

One of the candidates gets it…

In the below video, Obama speaks directly to you about change, about fixing what is wrong, about life today and what you may be experiencing. Read the financial plan on the link below, which includes creating millions of stable jobs and giving a $1000 tax cut for the MIDDLE CLASS… and I know, you deserve a break!

VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONM7148cTyc
DETAILS: http://my.barackobama.com/plan/

I was raised republican. I am voting for Obama. If you are republican, know that by voting for Obama you will get back the country you love, the stability and opportunity. Guns and less government didn’t save millions from having their privacy invaded, being falsely arrested, nor has it saved them on gas and grocery. I urge you to consider that voting this direction will bring forth positive change, without stripping you of freedom, sportsman, or what else moves you to the common right. Read this on Obama for republicans:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/gophome/
Did you know? Obama was endorsed in April by the American Hunters and Shooters Association.

And, if you have other beliefs and values or a cultural affinity – Obama’s website is extremely informative and there’s a part of his campaign for everyone from all walks of life. Whether you are white or green, a woman, young or senior, live rurally, christian, or a kid there’s a section dedicated just for you and your beliefs, and defines the plan to preserve and enhance those values, while promoting the interests of the common American. Click the below link to find the section dedicated to you:

http://www.barackobama.com/people/

We have a Democratic Senate and House which will help approve positive changes, especially technology which I believe is the catalyst to repairing America’s woes and building our future!

Obama understands the power of the Internet to drive innovation and educational opportunity, and he also strongly supports net neutrality (an open, unrestricted Internet you can use how you’d like). Where he goes further is in arguing that “technology offers the tools to create real change in America,” by connecting citizens to each other and by opening up the federal government to change how business is done – including “giving Americans the chance to participate in government deliberations and decision-making in ways that were not possible only a few years ago.” (He calls this creating “a transparent and connected democracy” – hard to argue with that goal.)

Barack Obama not only gets it, he’s put his whole technology/innovation platform into one neat package. Very helpful in following and understanding the vision and implementation!

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/technology/

He also states a clearer case for how new communications infrastructure can help fuel economic growth, create jobs, reduce health care costs and solve the energy crisis. When it comes to education and the digital divide, Obama’s platform continues to imagine potential benefits; recognizing the need to connect schools first. Obama calls for creating a new position of government you may be familiar with, CTO or Chief Technology Officer. Additionally he calls for making sure first responders have interoperable systems, which despite 9/11 and Katrina we still dont have nor is there any source of significant funding or grants for Public Safety and technology innovation.

THESE ARE ALL EASILY ACHIEVABLE!!! And they are absolutely required for our economy to strengthen and heal, providing us leadership for the foreseeable future. There are things that are sure to be added, refined or debated but at the end of the day I give the plan and those on the committee an A-. You don’t have to take my word for it; read below what the tech experts and leaders of today have to say about this plan.

In closing, I am urging you to consider this as the correct move for America today. Forward this message to others to get them registered to vote. If I have made a case for where to place your vote I am humbled. If you have more questions or would like to debate I am energized and willing. Tell me if you’d like to hear more, or if your mind is not open…

No matter what, get your fellow Americans inspired to hit the polls so that we may begin to repair the American Dream and build a solid foundation for us in the 21st Century!!!

Sincerely to all,

–
Scott Stevens
“wirelesscott” AIM/G/Y!/M
Website http://scottstevens.net

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READ BELOW FOR COMMENTS ON FOLKS ABOUT OBAMA’S TECH and SPORTSMEN SUPPORT.

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Reed Hundt, Former Chairman, Federal Communications Commission (1993-1997):
Barack Obama’s innovation and technology agenda will end the current oil-and-gas Administration’s lack of leadership on the issues shaping our future. This is a 21st century agenda, one that was developed for the American people, not the powerful, entrenched interests in Washington, DC. Barack Obama is the one candidate for president who can create the change necessary for America to enjoy real prosperity in a global economy. An Obama administration will drive investment in our communications infrastructure, our human capital and ensure we have a competitive marketplace that benefits all Americans.

William E. Kennard, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission (1997-2001):

Barack Obama’s technology plan is unique because it focuses first and foremost on empowering people to connect with each other and with government to solve problems. The plan recognizes that technology is not an end in itself, but a means to improve education and health care, create jobs and make America safer. No other candidate so fully embraces technology as a way to strengthen our democracy and improve people’s lives. The plan is truly innovative.

Eric Schmidt, Chairman and CEO, Google, Inc:

Senator Obama’s plan would help make sure that the Internet remains a free and open platform, and that America maintains an atmosphere of high-tech growth and innovation. We particularly share his aims of getting more Americans online, using the Internet to increase government transparency, and applying high-tech know how to thorny problems like education and health care. As the 2008 campaign unfolds, we hope that more candidates on both sides of the aisle will present their concrete ideas for maintaining America’s competitive edge.

Wisconsin Sportsmen for Obama:

The Wisconsin Campaign for Change announced on Thursday the membership of its Sportsmen and Sportswomen for Obama Steering Committee, a diverse group of avid hunters and anglers that will advise the campaign and lead outreach to fellow sportsmen and sportswomen. Committee members praised Obama’s understanding of and respect for Wisconsin’s hunting and fishing traditions and his strong record on conservation.

“Barack Obama is right for Wisconsin when it comes to restoring the middle class and revitalizing our economy, and he’s right for Wisconsin’s cherished outdoor traditions,” said U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (WI-03), who will act as the honorary chair of Sportsmen and Sportswomen for Obama in Wisconsin. “In addition to upholding the constitutional rights of law-abiding gun-owners, hunters, and sportsmen to purchase, own, and use guns, Barack Obama’s record and policies on the conservation and environmental issues sportsmen care about are beyond reproach.” An avid hunter and angler, Rep. Kind also acts as co-chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus in Washington.

“This election, Wisconsin voters don’t have to choose between someone who will deliver the change we so desperately need and someone who will protect our right to bear arms and hunt,” said Wisconsin State Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker (D-Weston). “Senator Obama believes the Second Amendment protects an individual right. He has made it clear to hunters and other law abiding citizens: if you’ve got a gun in your house, he’s not taking it, and as a member of the NRA, I believe and trust him.”

“As someone who represents Midwestern rural communities, Barack Obama understands the outdoor traditions of Wisconsin families, and he will protect them as president,” said Friendship resident Diane Lueck, International Director of the Becoming an Outdoors Woman program and national board member of Pheasants Forever. “Obama will fight to keep our lakes and rivers clean, ensure that land is open for sport and work to stop climate change so that our sport can continue to flourish.”

“We need to elect Barack Obama to protect our rivers and streams for fishing, boating, safe drinking water, and to insure we have healthy watersheds across the country” said Madison resident Steve Born, former Chair of Trout Unlimited’s National Resource Board and Board member of Henry’s Fork Foundation. “Obama has a record of protecting habitat and clean water; George Bush and John McCain do not.”

As President, Obama will continue to stand up for sportsmen and sportswomen by:
Protecting the rights of hunters and other law-abiding Americans to purchase, own and use guns.
Improving access by providing financial incentives to private land owners who voluntarily open their land to hunting and fishing.
Advocating funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which provides needed resources to state agencies to conserve important wildlife habitat.
Recognizing that global warming is real, is happening now, and poses a real threat to America’s fish, wildlife, and the future of hunting and fishing, and providing real leadership to combat climate change.
Supporting proposals endorsed by dozens of national hunting and fishing organizations to devote billions of dollars annually to state game and fish agencies and federal land management agencies to help them ensure that fish and wildlife survive the coming impacts of climate change.
Ensuring that Farm Bill conservation programs are funded to provide maximum benefit to fish and wildlife.
Supporting state efforts to educate youth in order to maintain hunting and fishing traditions.

Obama was endorsed in April by the American Hunters and Shooters Association.

In reading Jeff Pulver’s blog entry “Crash Course in Lobbying 101″ I look at the Internet Communications crowd and believe it’s hurdles to be similar to my experiences in the WISP (Wireless ISP) genre of the community. Similarly, Pulver began his efforts by creating successful businesses and lobbying for Voice over IP (VoIP) and is now looking to move increasingly into all things IP. Just as I had ranted and raved about creating an influential presence in Washington to WISPs, I reaffirm my belief here today – with a commitment to help Pulver and the Internet Communications Community to success!

On the issue of the Internet community’s lack of presence and effort in Washington, I would like to begin by providing some history and insight on my prior experiences.

The WISP community had gained decent traction in DC, but I primarily attribute this to the staff at the FCC during that time (most of which have left), namely Chairman Michael Powell, Director of Policy Development Robert Pepper, and Director of Wireless Policy John Muleta.

We successfully won against an interference claim made by Sirius Satellite, were allocated over 400MHz of “Free” spectrum in the upper-bands (2.4-5.8GHz), assisted in recognition of less regulation for the Internet (both infrastructure and IP), and created an awareness about the significant impact of wireless on a global society. President Bush echoed our efforts in his 2005 speech where every American was to have access to broadband Internet by 2007 – where wireless was the catalyst, especially for rural America. We were also involved in RUS Grants, USF discussions, and other Government assisted financial debates.

These efforts and accomplishments were fine, but did not reach their full potential. Battles are being lost in debates over the HDTV spectrum reallocation, white space, and other battles of spectrum usage. We won an allocation of former DOD (Department of Defense) bands in 3.65GHz but lost the technology battle – the spectrum is useless given today’s technologies and yet remains ignored by vendors in their roadmaps. And there’s more.

Why so bittersweet?

The WISP community had difficulty banding together because of the different “clicks” and groups, despite the same goals and vision attitudes got in the way. There was WISPA in 2001 (incarnation #1), Part-15 in 2002 (to fight WISPA), WCA in 2003 (who had been in telco/wireless for years prior), WISPA #2 in 2004 (after WISPA #1 failed, and Part-15 became corrupt). Other than Andrew Kreig’s WCA and my involvement with PFF (Progress and Freedom Foundation), none were professional enough with feet constantly in the Lobbying Halls to make an impact and send a strong and consistent message, thus receiving limited support and recognition from the administration.

Aside the above, I believe there were some core issues that existed in the failure of the WISP movement in DC. These issues I believe exist within the Internet Community, and what does not exist can easily become fact if not monitored or a path and leadership chosen wisely.

Below is my short list from the history of WISP lobbying that will hopefully help us do some creative thinking/problem solving as we begin this arduous journey…

#1) Cost

WISPs were an under-funded community, lawyers cost $ and so does paying a dedicated assembly of people to lobby and respond to/create proposals. Entrepreneurs are spending their money on their business (yes, lobbying should be part of that, but is not), and techies spend it on new toys – we must either get enough corporate support or successfully convince the techies and small operators.

#2) Fear

Washington feels like it is more powerful than the people, just as some Americans do not vote because they feel insignificant – the general consensus of the community is one of helplessness. Failed attempts in DC quickly lose moral.

#3) Unity

The Internet community is assembly of skilled, thoughtful, and independent thinkers – entrepenurers and passionate people. Attitudes and debates (ending in disagreement) lead to a loss of continuity and therefore, progress.

#4) Morality

The “organic” WISP contingents that were formed and received support eventually grew leaders with significant attitudes while support funds became profit-centers. These attitudes lost support from the constituents, while potential corruption and inter-fighting lost face with the powers that be through corruption.

#5) Stagnancy

The organic leaders did not mature to meet the demand of professionalism required in the “Lobbies” of Washington. Persistence is a virtue, however the leadership and constituents were unwilling or incapable to adapt to “The DC Way”, evolve with the Internet and technology, and read-between the lines when Washington winked. This lead to the battles being rehashed with a laughable presence under the same failed pretenses.

I am done for now, comments and insight are *strongly* encouraged!