Page 10 RAIN February/March 1978 CONSTITUTIONAL NETWORK The Constitutional Network, Inc. (CN) is a private, non-profit corporation devoted to establishing a totally new kind of political communications pattern, one that would transform 1 the character of ConCon. They have proposed an integrated grid of appropriate communications and information 'technology-a three-way system that would work something like this: All Concon proceedings will be broadcast live and delayed (by tape) on cable-TV (CATV) channel leased by (or donated to) th<'; Constitutional Network. This can be viewed at those homes wtth CATV or at one of CN's 21 centers around the state. The second CATV channel leased or donated to CN will broadcast easily read and understood outlines of issues being discussed-as well as community supplieq bulletins, revisions, suggestions, alternatives. So one channel is dedicated to a h~rizontal flow of data and opinion on issues and events between the people themselves. At each of the 21 centers, videotape ~ameras and production equipment will be available for personal, group and community usage. People in every area will be en'couraged, trained and assisted in making issue-oriented statements on videotape. These staiements will be,played on the s,econd CATV channel -another aspect of the people-to-people exchange. , • . Each center will also have two computer terminals open for public use. These will be of the typewriter keyboard/TV screen variety, and there will be staff available to help P.eople learn to,use them, or to ~erve those who don't want to learn but who want to help. The computers will be used mainly to .. establish "computer conferences" between the centers on , various issues. But best of all, citizens will be able to plug into the conference by staying at home and calling into the center in their area. • What is more, since the computer network will be hooked into national (and international) sources, CN will be able to provide research .and informational assistance to all interes.ted citizens on any and all issues. The citizen can either go to the center near him or pick up the phone and make a request. Finally, during each issue discussion at ConCon, CN will conduct statewide, random public opinion surveys on a nightly basis. This will utilize an automatic sµrvey device and the results will be di_sseminai:ed to the ConCon delegates and .to the public via the regular news media and Channel 2 of the CATV hoo~-up. In addition, the Delphi method of polling will be employed: three rounds on each issue-thus helping develop any,latent public consensus on any and all issues. There's no guarantee, of course,·that they'll succeed in installing the Constitutional Network at the July 1978 ConConi However, by developing the idea, establishing the corporation, distributing information_aboyt it, and addressing various civic and community organizations, the Constitutional Network is dramatically raising consciousness a 1 bout the dangers in our present political system and is presenting a real alternative. Excerpted from the draft of a longer article by Ted Becker. For more information, contact: Constitutional Network, Inc., Waialae Kabala, P.O. Box 10135, Honolulu, HI 96821. BASIC TRANSPORT V'EHICLES The Transportation Department of the World Bank has be~n researching the availability of basic transport vehicles which are sturdy, cheap and ser'Qiceable, enough for use in rural areas. The following are some of their early findings-contact Richard Browning, Transportation Department, World Bank, 1818 ' H Street' N. W., Washington_, DC 20433, ifyou know of others or to find current status ofstudy. -TB Rokon Moto-Tractor (Scout Model) Rokon Inc. 160 Emerald Street, Keene, NH 03431 Descripti_on: Two-wheel drive; 10 hp engine-two-stroke, single cylinder, gas and oil mixed, fan-cooled; speeds range from .8 km/h to 65 km/h; can deliver up to 14 km per liter of fuel in transport mode and consumes about 1.7 liters per hour while ploughing; transmission-automatic torque converter into 3-speed range selector; fron! and rear disc brakes. Dimensions: Weight-86 kg, wheel base-1.25 m, length-1.88 m, width-.77 m, height over seat-.74 m, height over handlebars-1.02 m, ground clearance-.36 m, fording depth-.59 m. Comments on Maintenance, Productivity, "Appropriateness," etc.: Its range of implements includes all purpose trailer (.34 cum with a recommended payload of 227 kg), 1,500 watt alternator, yo,rk rake, moldboard plough, double gang pumping; over 10,000 models have provided transportation in difficult terrain and conditions over various ·areas of the world; grade capability-45 degree slopes; usage of the agricultural implements has just begun in such countries as Indonesia, Columbia; Philippines, Iran, Brazil, New Zealand and Mexico; using the moldboard plough, the rate of work is approximately 12-1/2 hours per hectare; 9"aily maintenance requires lubricating the chains and checking the air filter as well as keeping the tires properly inflated; a major overhaul inspection ought to occur after 1,000-hours·; the life expectancy of the tires is 3-5 years. Cost and Present Status (as of 2/15177): Rokon ScoutU.S. $1,495; implements vary from U.S. $68.50 to U.S. $625.,
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