As Republicans Turn Off House Live Feed, Reps & C-SPAN Turn To Periscope And Facebook Live Video To Cover Sit In

from the we-all-are-the-media dept

So something fascinating happened in Congress today. No matter what your opinion is on gun control or the various legislative proposals around it that have been up for debate in the past week or so, it’s hard to fathom what Congressional Republicans thought they were doing today in shutting off the live video feed from the House floor. A bunch of Democrats decided to hold a sit in on the House floor to push for a vote on some gun legislation. That’s a bit of a stunt no matter how you look at it, but the Republicans shot back by helping that stunt get much more attention by not just gavelling the House out of session, but also turning off the live feed of the House floor that flows to C-SPAN and out to the rest of us. C-SPAN doesn’t control the cameras and is at the whim of Congress to access that feed, so when the GOP shut off the feed, C-SPAN was left without. This isn’t a stupid move that’s limited to the Republican side of Congress, apparently. Eight years ago the Democrats did the same thing when they controlled the House and were upset about Republicans trying to focus on a particular issue.

Of course, we now live in a modern technological age, where everyone has the power to broadcast live video in the devices we all carry in our pockets. Thus, despite House rules that forbid any sort of broadcasting from the floor, Rep. Scott Peters started broadcasting from the floor. And even as the Sergeant at Arms tried to stop the broadcasting, more people on the floor started using Periscope, Snapchat and Facebook Live, leading to C-SPAN rebroadcasting those feeds.

C-SPAN claims it’s the first time it’s done this (and let’s not even bother with the copyright questions related to all of this…). But it seems like yet another example of a form of the Streisand Effect. The sit in was designed to get attention, and it certainly would have no matter what. But shutting off the cameras and trying to shut down the entire process only seemed to drive that much more attention to what was going on, and modern technology helped let the story still come out, no matter what the “House rules” happened to say.

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Comments on “As Republicans Turn Off House Live Feed, Reps & C-SPAN Turn To Periscope And Facebook Live Video To Cover Sit In”

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97 Comments
AnonBecauseFreeSpeechDoesntRequireYouKnowing says:

The self funded channels are showing this

Some of the free speech channels aka community funded television have been airing the periscope feed.

It’s sad to see this showing on the RT channel, which is Russian owned and not on actual U.S. commercial stations.

In case you’re wondering RT is having a propaganda good time showing U.S. republican’s unwillingness to govern.

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: The self funded channels are showing this

The party of no says no again .. I’m shocked.

The do nothing congress has been blatantly shirking their duties for almost eight years now and bragging about it. Any other job one would be fired within a few hours for refusing to perform your job duties.

These are the pouting little brats that did not get their way, so they are taking the ball and going home.

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: Re: The self funded channels are showing this

They are the party of no only because the other party wants to do stupid stuff. But I do agree that they have shirked their duties because they have rolled over to Obama too many times. That is why we have Trump running for President.

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: Re:2 The self funded channels are showing this

Most congress critters realize that voting on issues is their job. The party that holds the speaker position decides what comes to the floor regardless of what their colleagues might desire. Are you aware of any statistical breakdown by speaker which supports your allegation that both parties obstruct congressional duties by similar amounts?

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: Re: The self funded channels are showing this

Obstructing stupid stuff from the other side is absolutely governing. Because they don’t do what you want them to do doesn’t mean they aren’t doing their job. They just aren’t doing it to your liking. And the Dems aren’t doing their job to the liking of the other half of the country.

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: Re:5 The self funded channels are showing this

Wow, 7 years later and Bush still gets the blame. It amazes me how many excuses and lies a large segment of society doesn’t mind telling or being told. Will you accept those excuses for 8 more years if Hillary gets into office? At what point in the collapse of this country will you finally realize that excuses aren’t getting us anywhere?

Here is a tidbit for you. During the first 2 years of Obama’s first term, when he racked up more debt on a failing healthcare system, he could have done anything he wanted with taxes. The Dems passed healthcare w/o a single republican vote. They could have socked it to the rich with taxes as well. But not a peep was made about taxes. Instead, they waited until they lost control of congress then started talking taxes.

You realize Hillary made $150 million dollars in the last 7 years? Many of those years while she was selling influence from the State Dept? So now you see why they will never soak the rich? THEY ARE RICH!

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: Re:6 The self funded channels are showing this

Not sure what your point is, perhaps you could state it clearly?

Bush gets the blame because the sitting prez gets the blame for things that happen on their watch, not my idea .. just the way it is.

Excuses? Whose excuses, bankers?
The economic disaster that occurred on Bush’s watch was ticking long before he took office the first time, he did nothing to stop it. I’m guessing they hoped it would not happen till the next admin took office, they could wipe their hands.

The other thing that is rather humorous, you think those who disagree with you are Hillary fans. It must be strange living in a black and white world.

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: Re:6 The self funded channels are showing this

They could have socked it to the rich with taxes as well. But not a peep was made about taxes. Instead, they waited until they lost control of congress then started talking taxes.

So what are you bitching about then?

Isn’t that what you guys love? Tax cuts for the rich? Trickle-down economics?

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: Re:7 The self funded channels are showing this

Wow, you guys really are stupid as they come. The guy is trying to open your eyes and show you the Dems campaign on taxing the rich and when they have a chance to do it they don’t because they are rich too. Even worse is Hillary enriched herself by selling influence from the State Department. And you idiots are trying to elect her to President thinking she is going to be different.

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: The self funded channels are showing this

Yeah, free speech is awesome. The right to keep an bear arms (and for due process) is soon outmoded.

Either you value ALL the damned Bill of Rights or you really value NONE of it.

Color me not really impressed that free speech is allowing people to see Democrat children in the House of Representatives protesting that they can’t simply take our fourth, fifth, and second amendment rights away.

I believe that they have a right to speak out, don’t get me wrong, but what they’re saying is hypocritical bullshit.

Anonymous Coward says:

A better way would have been if they announced they would be getting rid of their armed security details. That would make it more believable that they truly believe guns should be restricted instead of the “we believe the average citizen should not have access to guns as a way to defend themselves, but we do”

Lawrence D’Oliveiro says:

Re: if they announced they would be getting rid of their armed security details

Speaking of which, you remember when Donald Trump addressed the NRA convention, proclaiming how he would get rid of gun-free zones?

Did you notice the sign outside the convention centre, saying “NO WEAPONS ALLOWED”?

That’s right—the NRA convention centre was a gun-free zone!

Not that I am calling anyone a hypocrite, of course…

nasch (profile) says:

Re: Re:

A better way would have been if they announced they would be getting rid of their armed security details. That would make it more believable that they truly believe guns should be restricted instead of the “we believe the average citizen should not have access to guns as a way to defend themselves, but we do”

Only if that is actually what they’re saying. From what I’ve heard, none of the proposed bills (which have all failed so far) would remove access to guns as a way to defend ourselves.

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: Re:

Here is a test to see if you qualify for being labeled as a potential domestic terrorist by the US government. Since this test is a few years old no doubt more qualifications have been added since then.

http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2012/09/take-the-test-to-see-if-you-might-be-considered-a-potential-terrorist-by-government-officials.html

Ruby says:

Re: Re:

Oh, God, this asinine talking point again. Seth Meyers put it best:

“Yeah, how come my pharmacist can have a big jug of Vicodin, but I can’t?” Meyers said, responding to Carlson’s vapid argument. “Buddy, you’re a private citizen, and that’s not the same as a Secret Service agent. They’re professional law enforcement officers who’ve had to go through years of rigorous training and certification — whereas you look as if you were born and raised on a sailboat.”

Anonymous Coward says:

“In 2008, Republicans protested when Democrats, led by then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D.-Calif.), adjourned the House without granting a floor vote on offshore drilling. When Republicans then refused to leave the House floor, Pelosi ordered the lights and microphones off and cut off the video and audio feed to C-SPAN.

When reporters refused to leave the House Press Gallery, where they were watching the action, Pelosi order the Capitol Hill Police to remove the reporters from the gallery.”

http://www.breitbart.com/2nd-amendment/2016/06/22/house-gop-members-livid-speaker-ryan-allows-dems-stage-sit/

Anonymous Coward says:

So, the political party that wants to use a secret list that ignores Due Process is upset because the Republicans put the house in recess rather than pursue this unconstitutional agenda?

These watch lists are just McCarthyism 2.0. They have gone from making secret lists of Communists to secret lists of terrorists.

When the ACLU and the NRA are on the same side of an issue it pays to take a second look at the issue.

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: Re:

I read they did vote on it and it, and all 4 of the new proposed laws failed to pass. Most of the republicans and democrats both refused to pass laws that would restrict the rights of their fellow citizens.

The ones having a sit in are having a temper tantrum that they didn’t get their way.

The whole “we shall vote and revote until the results are what I want.”

Anonymous Coward says:

New day. Same scam.

The only thing about gun control that either side cares about is the donations. There have always been practical approaches to gun control that would remain compliant with the second amendment. They never go in that direction, because they want the money the debate generates, not the win.

Great scam though.

“you SEE! we’re protesters and we’re fed up, JUST LIKE YOU!”

Maybe it will get some of Bernie crowd to get them on board with the the candidate the demopublicans have picked, but I doubt it. It isn’t about liberal/conservative brand D/Brand R. They are two sales pitches on the same Corporate party.

The sign on the American Door now reads: “Dear Democrat or Republican shill, fuck off. We have gone third party. Thanks for your hard work. Have a nice day”.

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: New day. Same scam.

“the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

pretty sure any law that regulates the right of the people to keep and bear arms is unconstitutional.

now we have NICs the national instant criminal background check. FFL federal firearm licenses. conceal carry permits, pistol purchase permits. waiting periods. machine gun ban, assault weapons ban, nfa tax stamps, various bans on weapons imports that few people know about. the reason the ar-15 is such a big deal is that its made domestically all the imports have been banned including clones of American iconic firearms like the m1a.

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: New day. Same scam.

Actually the whole second amendment reads:

“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

Demopublicans always leave that first part out regardless of which brand is playing the straight man. The Republicans leave it out “because shooting good!” and the Democrats leave it out “because Malitia bad!”.

If “Malitia” was not intended to be contextualized, it wouldn’t have been in there.

The federal code does define Malitia’s, and current regulatory practices implemented by the ATF likely violate that definition. The current federal code could be reasonably interpreted to limit firearms ownership to MEN age 17 to 45 already. (look it up.)

The context to which the second amendment recognizes the right to keep and bare arms is in particular a military one. It has nothing to do with dear hunting, or match shooting.

Which is to say, that if for example the federal government put a P.T. standard on malitias, they could regulate assault rifles on the basis of whether a person is sufficiently ambulatory to actually use one in a military context. This would probably pass constitutional muster with SCOTUS.

There would be a number of positive side effects. The first of which is generating additional income for gun shops AND police by allowing them to run periodic standards assessments. The second of which would be to compel the community to engage in some social interaction so they would be better able to self regulate.

The reason they don’t go this route? Because they don’t want armed civilians to be friendly and organized. And because they just want the fundraising, not the win.

It is a game of three card monty in the park. D and R take turns being the straight man. Stop playing their game. They don’t care. They never did. They’re just taking your money.

Join a third party, and help advance it. If you want brand R or brand D to do anything, the only thing that will get their attention is reduced marketshare.

Anonymous Coward says:

Bush had it right… We’ll either fight terrorists where they live or they’ll come here and fight us where we live.

In the end this entire dog and pony show isn’t about protecting the American public but is an attempt to distract the American public from the fact that Obama’s FBI let a Muslim, who’s a registered Democrat, kill 49 gay people, and then lost track of his accomplice-wife.

Tar and feathers.

nasch (profile) says:

Re: Re:

Bush had it right… We’ll either fight terrorists where they live or they’ll come here and fight us where we live.

So are you saying we didn’t fight them where they live, or that they’re not fighting us where we live?

the fact that Obama’s FBI let a Muslim, who’s a registered Democrat, kill 49 gay people

Not that I’m a fan of the FBI, but that wording implies that they chose not to do anything about this (and the “registered Democrat” comment is a symptom of partisan nitwit disease). It seems much more likely that they, like everyone else, had no idea this was going to happen.

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: Re:3 Re:

First off, learn to read. No where did I mention the economy, Katrina, or any other aspect of things during Bush’s presidency.

Second, you reveal yourself to be a propagandized piece of sh!t or a propagandist piece of sh!t. Either way, you’re a POS.

Third, democrats were in control of congress when the collapse happened, they were the ones who voted for bailouts.

Fourth, 911 is the reason for why to fight.

And lastly, Katrina is a perfect example of the collusion of democrats and democrats with bylines. The politician that dropped the ball was the mayor, Ray Nagin, but the democrats with bylines spun that and created a whole slew of lies on which to pin down Bush. The biggest one was the supposed conditions at the Astrodome.

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: Re:4 Re:

Anyone with whom you disagree is a “propagandized piece of sh!t” – amirite?

Funny how Congress is not responsible for anything while a Dem is in the WH, but is totally responsible for everything when a Rep is in the WH – LOL, I find this hypocrisy to be not very surprising.

Oh yeah … I do not know how to read – Doh!

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: Re:2 Re:

It’s OK – I understand.

You’re just pissed that it’s nearly inevitable that a democrat will be in the white house again, and that your trump shitshow will also probably cost you some congress seats.

You ran McCain in 08 – and paired him up with the single biggest retard on the planet.

Then, fresh off the biggest collapse in recent history, you run Romney – a wall street asshole who can’t keep his disdain for nearly half the population quiet.

This time, you run a misogynistic, racist douchebag.

So my original comment stands. You never learn.

Jackass.

Anonymous Coward says:

“Not that I’m a fan of the FBI, but that wording implies that they chose not to do anything about this (and the “registered Democrat” comment is a symptom of partisan nitwit disease). It seems much more likely that they, like everyone else, had no idea this was going to happen.”

Another dumb monkey spins for the big banana.

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: Re:

No, you’d be incorrect.

Theory: a supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained.

Conspiracy theory: a belief that some covert but influential organization is responsible for a circumstance or event.

Now it’s safe to say I present a theory, which one may argue is wrong, it isn’t a conspiracy theory.

The Wanderer (profile) says:

Re: Re: Re: Re:

I also see it used as an insult by way of the stock phrase “performing monkey” – i.e., someone who does their tricks out of a hope/expectation of being rewarded by The Man (“With The Yellow Hat”?) for it, without knowing or caring about the meanings or consequences of said tricks.

In the immediate context, it seems at least as likely to me that “monkey” here is a contraction of that type of expression as that it’s a racist slur.

Anonymous Coward says:

Another circle jerk under the dome, get your raggedy asses up off of that filthy floor and get back to work. As for the morons who pulled the live feed you will be fined for your malicious activities as well. It is called a Constitutional Convention, if you don’t have the stomach for it find yourselves another line of work. Drumph and Shillary, God help us.

That One Guy (profile) says:

Well color me (not) surprised

Article about how an attempt to shut down any recordings fails utterly devolves immediately into a ‘My tribe vs Your tribe’ bicker-fest.

Yup, certainly didn’t see that coming… /s

I’m sure any politician reading the comments would be so very proud that the biggest scam in politics is alive and well, and remains just as effective today as it was decades past.

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