From Stark:
Rep. Rick Larsen’s office informs us that the Everett Democrat will be live on Facebook during the President’s State of the Union Address tonight, and will be responding to questions and comments from constituents during that time.
Other members of Congress will likely be doing the same, I suppose. We can start analyzing and reacting to the speech while it is still in progress. Why wait?
I’m having a curmudgeon episode here. Does “civility” mean a mere absence of shouted insults? Is it civil to sit typing away while the leader of the free world gives his constitutionally-mandated annual address? Is this a valuable exercise in using social media to promote democratic dialogue? What do you think?
UPDATE: The previous paragraph wrongly implies that Larsen would be sitting in the House chamber with his laptop, Facebooking away during Obama’s speech. Actually, he will be Facebooking away from home–not at his desk in the House chamber. I wrongly assumed that all Congressmen would be at their desks for this event. My blog post illustrated the evils of instant online reaction that I was attempting to criticize. 
Anyhow–If you wish to join in the online conversation with Larsen tonight, you can do so here: http://www.facebook.com/RepRickLarsen
That is disrespectful to the President.
It agitates me when I am sitting in any presentation & people around me are texting, web surfing, etc. Aside from the sheer rudeness, I’m afraid we’re losing the ability to focus on one thing at one time for more than one minute.
And we wonder why we’re becoming a sound-bite/reaction nation instead of a people who listen, read & discuss for understanding.
Lapdog Larsen
I share your curmudgeonly episode since social media should best be left for making restaurant reservations or announcing birthday parties.
Whipping out Facebook entries and Twattles only encourages a level of inattention that breeds lack of thought.
Perfect for Empty Suit Larsen who’s probably heard it all before anyway.
Worse is that Tea Party hopefuls and mouthpieces are to be aired with their always-genuine reactions to Obama’s Socialist Marxism.
As if they had anything substantial to contribute to the nation.
Just to further clarify and amend: Larsen will be at home with his Facebook page, not typing away on the House floor. That’s better, but I still have a problem with it. I realize I am out of step with the times, even as I post my own misleading instant reactions to emails etc.
Hello all,
Thank you for your comments. I hope you can join me in a few minutes to engage online about the SOTU. As John clarified, I will not be on the House floor. I will be in my basement. As I had a 103 degree temp two days ago, I thought it best not to expose anyone with whatever remains of whatever flu I had. (Not that I have attended all of them. I made it to about halk of them)
That said, I do share John’s skepticism about the use of social media, but there are folks who communicate through the medium and I have to try to meet them where they are.
Hope you can join me.