Further proof that what happens in twitter doesn't necessarily stay in twitter is the continuing controversy (?!) over the use of new technology by Congresspeople. John Culberson (R, Social Media) kicked it off with a cry into the tweet stream "I just learned the Dems are trying to censor Congressmen's ability to use Twitter Qik YouTube Utterz etc - outrageous and I will fight them." His cry was answered by the ever-vigilant twitterati. @westhorp proclaimed Culberson a "twittering hero being persecuted by dems" (can't tell if tongue was in cheek or not) while @batterista and @shelbinator were trying to figure out if someone called someone else a jerk.

Frankly, I was disappointed that Culberson, who I have nominated as "Most Connected Congressman" played the partisan card. As cooler heads took a closer look at what transpired, it looks like the culprit -- Mike Capuano (D, Clueless) -- was actually trying to relax the horribly out-of-date Congressional Franking rules, an effort left-over from a months-ago flap about Congressional use of YouTube. Not surprisingly, one of the better discussions of the issue is taking place on the Open House Project email list and Nancy Scola provided a good overview in her PdF Roundup yesterday.

As in so many riots, while the initial incident seems minor, the outcome matters. How citizens and Congress communicate is a big deal. Daniel Bennett points out "I have chafed at various rules that have kept Congress from using new technology, I have always supported in general the rules that kept Congress from acting inappropriately" while Clay Shirky warns "Don't make the mistake of assuming an unpoliceable rule is also unenforceable." So, capitalizing on the kerfuffle, the Sunlight Foundation [Disclosure: PdF founders Andrew Rasiej and Micah Sifry advise the Sunlight Foundation] has launched "Let Our Congress Tweet."

You can join the fun by tweeting "Congress, change the rules. Talk to us on our social networks. http://LetOurCongressTweet.org Let our Congress Tweet! #LOCT08" Follow the news yourself while it breaks (on twitter, of course!)

[Thanks to scriptingnews for the Fail Whale image.]

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