Politics: The revolution will be Twittered
Posted in Politics with tags John Culberson, Twitter on August 1, 2008 by Billy DennisIn case you missed it, and you might have if you rely on the mainstream media exclusively for news, there was a bit of a revolt today in Congress.
There’s been debating new energy legislation in Congress, but the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives adjourned before passing anything. This irked House GOP members, who have been arguing for a chance to vote to allow more off-shore oil drilling and increasing domestic oil supplies. Democrats are arguing for an end to oil speculation and to force oil companies to drill on property they already lease. The result is a lack of comprehensive energy legislation.
So, with the chambers otherwise empty as the Democratic members were elsewhere, the GOPers staged a little Capitol Hill Tea Party:
Inside the House chamber, the microphones were off, the House had stopped TV feeds to C-Span and the lights dimmed after the pre-noon vote to adjourn for the August recess. That didn’t deter Republicans, who one after another rose to demand that Congress stay in session until it does something about high gas prices.
Unlike a normal session where the rules of decorum are strictly enforced, GOP lawmakers and their aides who filled the chamber clapped, chanted, gave standing ovations and booed the Democrats.
“Madame Speaker, where art thou?” shouted out Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, in a glancing rhetorical shot at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. “Where oh where has Congress gone?”
It was a rare treat for tourists. Republicans invited many, in their shorts and sandals, into the chamber, usually strictly off-limits, to better hear the revivalist-like speeches.
What isn’t getting mentioned is how this event was covered live … on the Internet:
How did social media play a part? Pelosi had shut down all the cameras in the house including those on CSPAN. John Culberson (R-TX) began streaming video through QIK from his phone. (See: http://qik.com/video/147408)
Then others joined in. The search tag #dontgo was started and Twitter Search (http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23dontgo) and numerous people started reporting from inside and out the House.
I am not sure how many “Tweets†were sent out but I would guess in the THOUSANDS.
This entire event was captured and cataloged through Social Networking and Social Media outlets by the people directly involved in the action.
So, on one hand, we have the leader of the Democrats turning off cameras to keep dissent off the air, and we have guys like Culbertson using new technology to bypass this censorship. By the way, House rules prohibit members like Culbertson from posting information on any Website that isn’t controlled by the House. Culbertson openly violated these rules, saying he wants to make the House more transparent.
For this and other reasons, I have become a huge fan of Twitter. My Twitter page is http://twitter.com/peoriapundit. I have found an excellent way to network with people who share your interests. And as it’s turned out, it’s a great way to save Democracy from over-officious Democrats.
