by Jason on January 29, 2010
First of all I’d like to admit that I did not watch Governor Strickland’s State of the State Address this year. At that time, I was teaching so I didn’t get to see what has apparently turned into a big scandal: members of the Ohio legislature tweeting during the speech. In today’s Columbus Dispatch, the House Speaker is quoted as saying:
“Tweeting or whatever else people are doing in their seats other than participating in the legislative discussion is not in accord with the decorum of the institution,” said the Beachwood Democrat.
Furthermore:
The speaker also said that giving members access to text messages and e-mails while in the chamber strengthens the power of lobbyists, some of whom have been known to silently pass along messages to members during House and Senate sessions.
In the House, lobbyists are restricted to the balcony, giving them no direct access to members during a session unless members step outside the chamber.
“The reason we don’t allow communications from the floor already is because we don’t want lobbyists communicating with legislators while discussion of various bills is going forward,” Budish said. “We will make sure in the House that that does not occur.”
I wonder if people are so concerned because they are uneducated on the various new media formats, including twitter? Is the Speaker truly worried about the action of tweeting or even texting detracts from the prestige of the job that they hold?
Is it any different, or less distracting, than when you turn on CSPAN and see senators in the middle of a roll call vote engaged in their private conversations with colleagues?
It doesn’t bother me and I am a user of Twitter. I think it brings great advantages to the political dialogue. Isn’t it beneficial to know what our elected leaders are thinking on an issue at any given time? And especially if it is close to the time of a vote?
Perhaps the speaker is more worried about these texts and tweets becoming public record.
by Jason on January 25, 2010
I’ve avoided writing a blog entry on the terrible situation that the Hatians are experiencing after the earthquake, and all of the aftershocks. It is absolutely gut-wrenching to read the stories of these people and to see the death and destruction on TV. I truly hope that those of us that are able to contribute to the relief efforts have already done so, and perhaps more importantly, continue to do so. If you are still looking to donate, there are many organizations that need your assistance. You might try the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund or you can text a donation to the Red Cross by texting “HAITI” to 90999. Your cell phone account will be charged $10. I think that is a very easy way to donate.
Today I read an article in the Columbus Dispatch about one of the orphans in Haiti that has come to live with her new adoptive mother in Central Ohio. I can’t imagine what these innocent chilrden have gone through. First, they have the misfortune of being orphaned. Then they suffer a catastrophic event and must be mentally effected more than any of us could possibly realize. They then come to the United States, or another country, to begin a life in a country where they do not speak the language, thus having now way to communicate with their new parents. Don’t get me wrong…I believe that adopting these children is the right thing to do and I applaud those that have done so.
It is nice to see an article about this horrible event that gives us all hope that for those that survived, there is a road to recovery and a new life ahead of them.
by Jason on January 25, 2010
I’ve been reading and watching a lot of news related to the economy. I think that most of us can agree that it is bad shape and that people are hurting. As an educator both in a high school and a college, I interact daily with a large cross-section of the population, and I see the effects that our economy is having on all of us. It may be a child whose parent lost her/his job and can no longer afford to pay the bills, or an adult that has been looking for a job for moonths. One situation that sticks out in my mind is that of a child whose father lost his job and their home went into foreclosure. No longer albe to support his children, they were forced to live with their aunt and uncle, who also had money problems of their own.
I say all of this to ask the question: who should take “credit” for this rotten economy? Does it continue to be the fault of President Bush or has blame now shifted to President Obama after having been president for one year and unemployment continues to rise? I want to know what you the reader thinks. I don’t have an answer to this question although I find myself pondering it from time to time.
Another question might be this: Does it matter whose fault it is anyway?
by Jason on January 13, 2010
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