Borg2 - East Coast Opinions

[geekster]

I am posting this here from Tribe. Natalie is NOT in the SF area and is an example of the work someone from outside the Bay Area is doing to make this a kick-ass event.

Well I'm having an armed resistance. I already have a Captain and a Kernal who will help create the BORG2 resistance presence at Burnig Man 2005 with art cars. They are loyal and they have connections. I have Kevin who has brought the wonderful idea of fog to the dissorientation table. And I have the Kamp Apokilipitika as a ready source of allies.

BORG2 is a resistance against the established norm. We are rebels and we need every single person to know what we're fighting for and why. We're fighting for our right to participate in a democraitc, collaboritive art process. I could go on forever but that's it in a bomb shell.

I will start diseminating the top secret information next week, so if you would like to participate in The Armed Resistance then send me a message with your contact info and you can be on the list. Note; if you're a spy you will be discovered and executed.

For now I am taking suggestions for the official name since Operation Desert Snuggle is only one theme camp and they're threatening to hug us to death if we don't cange it.

So it's The Armed Resistance against .... ?

Jim and Chicken, will you please go along with this or let me know if you won't so I can go on by myself with our troops?

Nat the Bat for BORG2 National Art Council.



Nat the Bat Minister of the Disinformation Resistance





and fuck you too

[geekster]

She is from NYC and running for the national seat on the BORG2 council. Note that I talked to some of the people that have been involved with her on projects and have seen some of her work. They had nothing but praise for her work. A kick-ass candidate.

LadyMerv aka Cyclone
National Borg 2
Platform:
More Art For ALL
The DEAL.

9 year NYC burner seeks more woo woo while looking to as well, deliver more woo woo, in all of our collective hoo has. Further learning, more mind bending experience, collaboration and creation at Burning Man and Nationally via Borg2.

More Art for ALL means more grants for people without thematic restrictions, easier collaboration, greater accessibility to creation and assemblage, greater connection between curators and artists, distribution of authority to allow more people to experience what the current organizers have experienced, both joyful and challenging. More art for ALL is opportunity for ANYONE to do ANY of this with support, understanding, and professional courtesy.

What BORG2 is about for me, is helping; how can we expand Burning Man's horizons for the artists; both for those that have participated previously, and especially those that who have not yet. As a New Yorker I know how hard it is to get your body and supplies to the playa, and as an organizer I know how hard it is for artists to get their art planned
well and executed well out to and on the playa.
BORG2 is about helping participants from all over the world make Burning Man a fucking MIND BLOWING SOUL RENDING OVER THE TOP IMMEDIATE EXPERIENCE OF HOW FANTASTIC ART/LIFE CAN BE!

The DEAL: DISTRIBUTION of authority to allow for more participation in more roles, to allow for programs that will inspire, facilitate, assist, and enable. There has been no greater experience for me than the moment when I saw someone get a piece done on the playa that they never thought they would be able to do, had it not been for the help of others. WE NEED MORE OF THAT!!!!
There is a bottleneck currently; good projects not getting funded, good projects not getting helped! Burning man started out where anyone could do anything they wanted, and it lead to the most unexpected projects, friendships, collaborations and MINDS BEING BLOWN. As it has grown we have experienced new rules needed to keep it safe, and the team that has done so well to keep it alive and going needs our help to make it more accessible to infuse it with new ideas and new challenges to keep us all learning and experiencing.


What I will bring to the table:

Burning since 1996

A team of cohorts from the barely sane to the completely insane.

My team has:
Conceived, fundraised and implemented VoterDrive 2004

Organized 3 years of containers by rail from NYC-BRC-NYC helping
hundreds of burners get their artwork and supplies to the playa(
effecting thousands). Wrote 15 page document of container expediting
process for community to learn from and be able to do their own
containers.

Created the Phoenix Rising fire Barrel project after 9/11- helping
artists show their appreciation and helping the rescue workers in and around “the pit ”.
Fundraised for donations of materials and funds.

Started Asylum Village

Started first regional gatherings in NYC

NYC regional

Started first East coast meet and greets on the playa

Producer of 4 decompressions

Started SEAL( Society for Experimental Art and Learning)

Articles published in Black Rock Gazette

Mentioned in Burning Man Journal

Part of the Regional Council

Worked on Burning Man Media Team

Bartender for 4 years
Motorcyclist for 12 years( traveled by two wheels all over the USA)
Licensed to drive overweight vehicles as well as two wheeled vehicles
Married for 6 years
Jack of all trades( web designer, photographer, organizer, event planner, cook,
janitor and more)

www.flyingpan.com

[GlowScreen]

[Producer of 4 decompressions

Started SEAL( Society for Experimental Art and Learning)

]

I do not know the details, but the finances regarding SEAL and the decompressions is very shakey. I have heard that there are tens of thousands of dollars unaccounted for and that SEAL promised to make the accounts public, but then never did so. They also promised to pass along profit from the decom events to burner artists, but never did so. Many people here in NY hold a big grudge against her and Leslie.

I have never met Cory, but that makes me have doubts about how honorably she can represent us.

amy

[/quote]

[geekster]

I have heard that there are tens of thousands of dollars unaccounted for and that SEAL promised to make the accounts public, but then never did so. They also promised to pass along profit from the decom events to burner artists, but never did so. Many people here in NY hold a big grudge against her and Leslie.

I have never met Cory, but that makes me have doubts about how honorably she can represent us.

amy

Well, then get on the tribe and call her on it. Ask about it. I don't think she is reading this here.

[GlowScreen]

I have heard that there are tens of thousands of dollars unaccounted for and that SEAL promised to make the accounts public, but then never did so. They also promised to pass along profit from the decom events to burner artists, but never did so. Many people here in NY hold a big grudge against her and Leslie.

I have never met Cory, but that makes me have doubts about how honorably she can represent us.

amy

Well, then get on the tribe and call her on it. Ask about it. I don't think she is reading this here.

I am blocked from Tribe at my here at my corporate temp job. I can only participate in this forum.

amy

[geekster]

Okay, I will let her know about your concerns and the posting here so she can respond. I think it's only fair.

[geekster]

I sent her a message. I went over on the BORG2 tribe and noticed that nobody else has brought that up so far in her campaign thread and there have been quite a few people posting in her support about the good work she has done. It will be nice to get this issue cleared once and for all, though. Sometimes people "hear" things and it is nice to get the story from the horse's mouth.

Amy, would you mind clarifying the source of the information beyond "I have heard"? Just a pointer to a discussion forum or archived email list would be fine.

[GlowScreen]

Amy, would you mind clarifying the source of the information beyond "I have heard"? Just a pointer to a discussion forum or archived email list would be fine.[/quote]

This issue had been discussed for years on the NYC BM discussion list. I do not know if this list is archived. I don't want to give names without asking people. This conflict is common knowledge on the NY Burner list.

amy

[leftunsaid]

As this year's decom organizer in ny- Astral Slide, I had the opportunity to work very closely with Cory and witness not only her abilities but also her remarkable integrity.

I have followed all comments on the ny list and have seen teh discussions Amy is referring to- and I'd like to correct a few things.

There are not MANY people upset- there a select and same group of people. Standard accounting princilples (GAPP for those of you familiar with that world) are in place now and I can tell you that the proceeds from the previous decom are included in this year's art grant- I know becuase I was the co-organizer with Cory. So money is not slipping through the cracks.

Amy are you are pulling those numbers from the NY list?

The amount quoted as the thousands of dollars was math done by someone who had no direct participation with the accounting of decom and was pulling numbers based on estimates. I can tell you from having seen the math that the math was fuzzy at best.

I can bring you an entire community of New Yorkers who just worked with Cory on this decom (300 in fact) who can attest to her forthrightness and high moral character.

Amy- if you wish to discuss this further - let me know- I am happy to discuss this in further detail.

Burning man and the new york community is a diverse one- emails go back and forth at all times- people express opinions as fact and personal issues often dictate a lot of commentary- in fact my defense of cory is personal- working with her not only resulted in a successful and incredible decom, but also a dear friend. but its important to distinguish between fact and fiction and stones thrown with good intentions or malice.

[GlowScreen]

Amy are you are pulling those numbers from the NY list?

Amy- if you wish to discuss this further - let me know- I am happy to discuss this in further detail.

.

Yes, I am pulling those numbers from the most recent mention of this issue on the NY list. It was only a short time ago and it was stated as being tens of thousands of dollars.

I would like some detail. I have only heard negative things about Cory and Leslie and the operations of SEAL.

amy

[leftunsaid]

Cory will be posting a more detailed response with regard to figures and what happened with the money.

I can speak to you about the origins of that email but would prefer not to do that in a public forum as frankly i dont think its approrpriate to speak negatively about some people in a public forum- even if they have done so themselves.

also know that the originator of that email is sitting on thousands of dollars from the container that was overcharged to those of us who shipped from ny and that we are waiting for an explanation on that.

[Ladymerv]

Thanks to Geekster to forwarding me a link so I could address this topic.
I am writing a reply now and will post shortly


merv

[sweepinggirl]

hi amy,

this is ana, we know each other thru my collaborations with Missy... at chashama and cooper union and spirit, etc...

i have been involved with decom since the first one in 2001. that year i only set up a dome, but the following three i have been more and more involved with the organizing of it.

as leftunsaid said, this is a personal response. i'm on the nyburningman list, and have read the many posts over the last years regarding this issue. i have never responded on the bman list just wanting to stay out of it, but was happy to discuss it in person with anyone that brought it up. however the fact that this subject should come up HERE, through someone who doesnt know a thing about it other than hearsay, makes me HAVE TO speak up.

these events in NY, (not only decom, but also blast furnaces, barrel projects, visit by larry harvey to ny, encompassing several mini events, container project, grants to madagascar, etc) are huge and art filled and LEGENDARY! it takes major effort, major organization, major phone calls, major management!

the work is ENORMOUS. this all started from scratch! while it took many people to make it happen, there is no doubt that cory was always at the forefront of the work effort, from finding the venue to coordinating trasnport, permits and licenses, mapping, clean up, EVERYTHING

and all events need production startup up money... who funded the first decom? and who has put the money up for every other related event that needed it? cory

in the beginning no one stepped up to take on the huge job of keeping all the records, of creating reimbursement policies, of collecting receipts, etc etc. the way it worked is soandso would say to cory ' i fed the set up team, can i have my 60 bucks back', and cory would dig into her pocket and give it to soandso. not the best policy, but in the beginnin git was ALL ABOUT MAKING THE EVENT HAPPEN!

finally four years later, someone stepped up to be the official 'accountant'. AWESOME, it does make a difference, and it will allow for clarity.

but i have worked with cory, side by side, and know her to be not ONLY an amazingly organized, inclusive, pulling-out-all-the-stops DO-er, but i absolutely know her to be a person of integrity, and immense generosity of spirit time and funds.

knowing all this (from direct experience, with cory and with decom) it seems to me that this never-endeing, increasingly venemous rumor mill is a bunch of crap! there i said it! cory did not make a cent EVER, and has actually spent a LOT of her own money, which was never recovered. and none of the people that are beating this to death ever stepped up to take any of the work load.

i think, amy that it is always best to go to the source of a rumor before posting opinions on a forum. at least hear both sides of the story before making a public stand.

peace
ana

[beatdizzy]

I have worked with Merv for 2 decoms and on the fantastic voterdrive project, amongst other things. I can personally attest to her honesty. In all things. I'd stake my life on it. And I LOVE being alive.

I have heard many many rumours about many many things.
I have not heard anything substantial to validate any claims that have to do with Merv and wayward finances.

Merv said shes responding and hopefully it will put this to rest.

This woman has done so much for this community, so many hours, put a lot of cash from her own pocket into it without blinking - it physically pains me that these unsubstantited claims are being made.

I know Amy is trying to facilitate discussion - AND she did a great job of gathering and distributing opinions at the NY happy hour. However I think its important to be aware of which opinions we choose to repeat - ones that have no substance do nothing positive are just that. Hearsay is hearsay.

My father used to say to me 'watch the person thats throwing all the shit - becuase usually they are the ones carrying it' - look to your sources on the NY list.

with love

xLucy

[GlowScreen]

hi amy,


i think, amy that it is always best to go to the source of a rumor before posting opinions on a forum. at least hear both sides of the story before making a public stand.

peace
ana

Hi,

I'm not making any public stand. I'm not campaigning against Cory.

I have heard from friends and on the NY list that Cory was one of the people in SEAL who kept a lot of cash from past Decoms for themselves.

I thought that it was crying out for comment that she was putting up on this forum that she was a founding member of SEAL, an organization that I have only heard spoken about in disparaging terms.

This accusation has been made many times on the NY list. Cory and SEAL have never defended themselves. If someone had stepped forward on the NY list to explain the other side of this story, then I probably would not have posted my doubts.

Many people are now stepping forward to say that it isn't true. I'd like to hear it from the candidate herself. I still don't know her side of this story.

Also, if there was no embezzlement, then why do so many people think that there was?

Respectfully,

amy

[leftunsaid]

People think there is because people dont know. I spoke to Cory at length- she is drafting the response and what i've seen of it puts an end to all discussion.

And dear Amy- they have not made a cent off any endeavor and as Beatdizzy so admirably said- look at the source- whos carrying shit...

I understand your questions - the answer is coming.[/quote]

[Bob]

You guys need your own Spy magazine.

[geekster]

Actually, I think it is a good thing to hear the community that surrounds a candidate speak up. I suspect it really isn't all THAT big of an issue because there would have been more than one posting by more than one person if that were the case. Nevertheless, that one person deserves and apparently is in the process of getting an explaination. Looks like things are working well.

[leftunsaid]

here here geekster- democracy and freedom of speech is a beutiful thing and Amy's question should be addressed.

[sweepinggirl]

and all events need production startup up money... who funded the first
decom? and who has put the money up for every other related event that
needed it? cory

........... and cory would dig into her pocket and give it to soandso.
> > not the best policy, but in the beginnin git was ALL ABOUT MAKING THE EVENT HAPPEN!

the more i think about this point the more amazed i am that this has become such a shit storm all dumping on cory.

since i've known her (2001) i have seen cory pour her soul her time and her money into making these events happen. not alone, certainly, but constant - always a key component of the group. the one person you always knew would know what was up, because she went to all the meetings, all the walk throughs, all the legal stuff. she held up her responsibilities, and pick up other peoples' dropped balls, even took blame for things she had no hand in. she transported, coordinated, followed up on, was there at setup, through the event, through cleanup, and back again the next day... she signed almost all CRITICAL documentation for insurance, licenses, venue contracts, etc etc... she was in it 100%. including up front capital whenever it was needed. close to 8k of her own money for decom '03, alone.( which she only realized because proper documentation keeping was learned that year)

for cory it has always been about MAKING IT HAPPEN. whether decom or the container or the fire barrels, or the voter drive- imagine driving cross country traveling the route of the word 'vote' backwords, (voterdrive.org) in a retooled army bus to register people (non-partisan). for cory it really is about 'just do it!' and people are talking about her as if she was a crook.(she funded this from her own pocket from money she got from her grandma passing away- some people donated some money, but it all basically was funded by Cory).

in the beginning there was insufficient accounting measures in place, no doubt. but no one stepped up to take on that role (until Cory learned how to do this and had me help her take on the challenge for Decom 2003)

but anyone who says that money was pocketed by cory and leslie doesn't have a clue of 1) what the real deal is 2) what kind of person cory is.

as a side note, there was a not for profit corp that was created and that cory and leslie were the signers on for the last few years, but the corp never finished its filings properly, (due to volunteer lawyers - you want something done you have to hire people professionally) so they bore the exposure of tax consequences... they are the ones who are getting the letters from the IRS and are signers on the accounts and have to deal with all that...

i'ld like to do a survey of who in the community has made a toast at any happy hour to cory's hard work and dedication. i say let's do that, and be grateful that this year someone has stepped up to do the accounting, raise a glass to her as well, and move on!

peace
ana

[Rian Jackson]

i'm gonna poke my nose in where it doesn't belong.

look, there's one simple way to settle this, which is to make the financial tallies available. from an outside point of view, it feels like the Cory Supporter Team is trying to make Amy look like shit because she has potentially legitimate concerns. I didn't see her ragging on anyone. And if Cory, whoever Cory is, has nothing to hide, it will show in the paperwork and all will be vindicated.

It's great to support community members. But how about doing it with facts rather than making it a he-said she-said popularity contest? I know, it's 'coming.' Maybe. In the meantime, let it rest. And quit trying to make Amy defend herself.

Jeebuz, this is insane.

[Bob]

here here geekster- democracy and freedom of speech is a beutiful thing and Amy's question should be addressed.

Pls don't confuse public freedom of speech with libel on a private BBS.

[GlowScreen]

And quit trying to make Amy defend herself.

Jeebuz, this is insane.

Thank you for that.

I really didn't know that this would cause such a shit storm.

I was reading the platform about Cory that someone posted on this discussion thread. A thread that I had created. If Cory's platform had not shown up here then I would not have said anything. It was posted here to demonstrate that the East Coast, NYC in particular, do have people involved in Borg2.

I posted my doubts about the SEAL finances because these accusations have been ranted about at length on the NY discussion list. I don't want my community to be represented nationally by someone who we can not trust.

I will not pass judgement without the facts. When someone runs for public office, and it is stated that they represent my hometown, then I feel that I have an obligation to make such doubts public.

I hope that the accusations are totally false.

Very Respectfully,

amy

[Cabanasprings]

First time caller - long time listener

Leftunsaid - I am overly curious what "Standard accounting princilples are (GAPP for those of you familiar with that world)"

Generally Accepted Poo Principles -

Did you mean "GAAP" I thought I was familiar but now I'm just not sure -
Credibility is as difficult to create as it is to maintain.

[actiongrl]

I have known Cory for many years and am the manager of the Regional Contacts program. The finances for all Decoms have been available to us (and the New York Community) and I can verify that "tens of thousands of dollars" are *not* "missing" from those budgets, and there is no reason to believe that Cory nor Leslie "embezzled" money from the New York community.

Cory and Leslie both work very hard on behalf of others and Cory is a fantastically trustworthy candidate for any such role.

[sweepinggirl]

Cory Supporter Team is trying to make Amy look like shit because she has potentially legitimate concerns.

... And quit trying to make Amy defend herself.

.... It's great to support community members. But how about doing it with facts rather than making it a he-said she-said popularity contest?

... I know, it's 'coming.' Maybe.

i absolutely am NOT trying to make Amy feel like shit, nor trying to make her defend herself at all, or in any way offend Amy.

i apololgize profusely, Amy, if that is how it seemed to you. my first post was emphatic because these accusations are so wrong. i started by trying to remind you of who i am, so you would know the source... i am not anonymous to you, so was trying to give you a context for this source.... does that make sense?

my second post was not directed at Amy (therefore no name greeting)... i was posting to the general discussion my DIRECT KNOWLEDGE of FACTS, (not even THE facts, because i don't know them all) - what i have witnessed with my own eyes and experienced over an extended period of time... i know more facts, but am waiting for Cory to once again explain it in depth.

i do NOT see this as a popularity contest at all, nor i think does Cory. It is her person being disparaged, it's an accusation that is a character attack, to which she has already responded so many times and that she is always available to discuss one-on-one with anyone who cares to contact her.

because this is a serious accusation, i strongly feel that cory should have been contacted before it was posted publicly.

again, i apologize, amy, if i was too ghetto..... frustration drove out finnesse!

cory's post IS coming...u can bet on it

peace
*energy
*connecting
*art

[Ladymerv]

Amy,

In response to your posts, let me be clear. Neither Leslie, nor I, nor SEAL ever misapplied any funds received from the art events we helped to produce. We used the funds for event and art production and for reimbursement of those who advanced money for these purposes. In fact, we are personally at a loss because there were many times when we did not reimburse ourselves. We considered these un-recovered expenses part of our contribution to the community.

I affirm that anything you have heard to the contrary, is based on misinformation, misunderstanding or even possibly malice felt by a small set of disgruntled people who refuse to ever be satisfied.

For more detailed information on this issue, please visit
http://www.sealspace.org/history/
Much of this information has been communicated many times, in writing and verbally. I now take the time to go over this again as I would like this issue to be put to rest once and for all.

Amy, I have to add the following; I thank you for your participation and voicing your opinions, however I feel that it is vital that an accusations of this magnitude be addressed directly with those concerned. I am on the New York Burning Man list and would have appreciated a page or direct contact prior to any allegations being made on a public forum.


Respectfully,
LadyMerv
NYC

[GlowScreen]

Amy, I have to add the following; I thank you for your participation and voicing your opinions, however I feel that it is vital that an accusations of this magnitude be addressed directly with those concerned. I am on the New York Burning Man list and would have appreciated a page or direct contact prior to any allegations being made on a public forum.

No one ever gave me a rule book on how to handle this situation. You never answered any of the accusations that were made on the NY discussion list and so I mentioned my doubts about your integrity on this list. I didn't know that I was expected to contact you.

I wish that we could have avoided the past 24 hours of bickering over this.

I just want to take a deep breath and move forward.
Good luck in the election.

amy

[geekster]

Amy,

Sorry such a shit storm erupted over this. The accusation was significant enough that it had to be faced square on. Cory is running for an office in a group that hopes to manage hundreds of thousands of dollars and is asking people to donate to that cause. There must be as little room for doubt as possible regarding the handling of people's hard earned. For that reason, I contacted her so that she might respond to the questions you raised.

I hope you understand that in no way did I intend to cause you any personal grief or LadyMerv any additional work but this is an issue that is bigger than any of us as individuals. It can cast a cloud over a cause that now has hundreds of supporters behind it and will soon be gaining some serious traction.

In fact, it is probably good that it was brought up since it is better to be addressed now and nipped in the bud than for someone to bring it up much later when people are juggling projects and the event is upon is. That would be even worse of a distraction. In a way you, Amy, have done the community a service by getting this cleared up early. I am sorry it has caused additional stress to all of those involved.

I also think this is a vindication of the BORG2 process of radical participation.

[sweepinggirl]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE follow the link provided by cory and read the full details.... you will note, among other things, that this information HAS been provided to the NY list on several occasions

peace