Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

US House Adopts New Third-Party Web Site Rules

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the more-information-not-a-bad-thing dept.

GovIT Geek writes to tell us that third-party websites will no longer be off limits for members of the US House, provided that they use it for "official purposes" and not personal, commercial, or campaign purposes. "The rules are seen by House Administration Chairman Robert Brady as a compromise between several proposals under consideration in recent months and are closely aligned with those circulated by the Senate Rules Committee last week. [...] 'These new guidelines are a step in the right direction for a Congress that has been behind the technological curve for too long,' Boehner said. 'By encouraging the use of emerging and established new media tools, Congress is sending the message that we want to speak to citizens, and receive feedback, in the most open and accessible manner possible.'"

8 of 49 comments (clear)

  1. If they wanted to speak to citizens... by Korey+Kaczor · · Score: 1, Insightful

    .... why did they take away Congressmen's blackberries away from them during the height of the bailout debate? http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/09/staffers-for-th.html

    1. Re:If they wanted to speak to citizens... by CorporateSuit · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Crackberries in the hands of actual congresscritters is like a five year old having it. You get nothing but fantasy and gibberish with the occasional regurgitation of things they heard the grown ups say.

      You mean like when any suit gets ahold of a blackberry?

      --
      I am the richest astronaut ever to win the superbowl.
  2. In other words by snspdaarf · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The US House would rather relax the rules than spend the money for a server and feed that can take getting blasted by the angry constituents of, what, 437 Congresspersons?

    --
    Why, without your clothes, you're naked, Miss Dudley!
  3. As a member of the Green Party, by greenguy · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I couldn't be happier that members of Congress are finally allowed to check third parties out. We have all kinds of fresh ideas they could appropriate.

    --
    What if I do the same thing, and I do get different results?
  4. Re:I didn't know that they were off-limits by EvanED · · Score: 3, Insightful

    My impression from the (relatively poorly written, especially on this point) article, and the fact that just about everyone has a campaign website, is just that linking from the official site is forboden. For instance, neither Obama nor McCain's site really makes it look like they are running for president. (I know both are Senators, not Representatives, but TFA says the new House rules are modeled off of the Senate ones, so I assume they have similar restrictions.)

  5. Re:Seems unconstitutional by amRadioHed · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Money is a form of speech, isn't it?

    No. No it isn't.

    --
    We hope your rules and wisdom choke you / Now we are one in everlasting peace
  6. Re:Hopefully... by Obfuscant · · Score: 2, Insightful
    Or maybe thinking open, ongoing communication from representatives is too idealistic.

    Maybe thinking that a YouTube video is open, ongoing communication is too idealistic.

  7. NIB! by Itninja · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I can see ways around this. Say you are a senator a want to sell an old typerwriter on Ebay...that's offical business I suppose.

    Item Specifics
    Material : Experience Type: Democrat
    Manufacturer : America Reproduction: Only in a good way
    Great vintage President Deluxe Vote Obama typewriter. The keys are in great shape but WE NEED CHANGE, needs ink cartridge,......

    you get the idea....

    --
    I judt got a nre Kinesis keybiartf so please excusr ant egregiou typos.