07-19-2008, 03:56 PM
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----> Iron Mod <----
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 31,540
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Congressman Culberson Pioneers Real Time Representation
Very ... very interesting stuff here.
http://www.culberson.house.gov/
Quote:
In an effort to become a more accessible representative, I have discovered the extent and potential of social media. I will keep expanding my use of these tools beyond Qik, Twitter, Utterz and Ustream to communicate with constituents and anyone interested in a polite thoughtful debate/discussion.
I began using this new technology this past May, and have since been communicating with the public in real time through text messaging and live video streamed directly to the internet. Anyone can sign up on these free communities and open a direct dialog with me. I have been able to answer questions, take suggestions from the public and become more accountable in my day-to-day undertakings in Washington. I am the first to personally send a text message (through Twitter.com) on the House floor, soliciting YOUR input on current legislation.
Last Tuesday, an alert was sent from Repub. Leader John Boehner's staff and announced on his website, that it looked like House Leadership was proposing to shut off our access to all social media sites by regulating what a Member of Congress can post on the internet, and where he or she may do it. I launched a few Twitter alerts about the announcement before speaking to the key players on the House floor and was slightly off target initially. The social media community quickly responded and helped me think though what was occurring, and as a result, I found the right target for my work to change the House rules.
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Here is Pelosi's take on the issue:
http://www.speaker.gov/blog/?p=1426
Quote:
Dear Leader Boehner:
Thank you for your letter on the recommendations by Franking Chair Capuano to the Committee on House Administration regarding posting web video external to the House.gov domain. We share the goal of modernizing the antiquated franking regulations to address the rapidly changing realities of communications in the internet age. Like many other Members, I have a blog, use YouTube, Flickr, Facebook, Digg, and other new media to communicate with constituents, and I believe they are vital tools toward increasing transparency and accountability.
Mr. Capuano’s initial recommendations are an effort to establish standards that permit Members to publish web videos on external web sites, a broadening of the rules that currently prohibit posting videos on external sites. I can assure you that it is not the intention, nor will it be the result, of the final regulations to stifle, censor, or deprive Members of communicating effectively and in real-time with their constituents. I am confident that the Committee on House Administration will develop these final rules on a bipartisan basis, recognizing that we have a responsibility to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not used for political or commercial purposes.
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Interesting stuff ... especially in light of how advanced the Obama team is in using the internet. Should Obama win in November ... will he be known as the internet President? We'll soon see. |
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