(Democratic Senator Mark Schauer represents Michigan's 19th district, and is the Senate Minority Leader. Welcome Senator Schauer! - promoted by Christine)
I hadn't yet had the opportunity to post on Blogging for Michigan, but most of you already know that I think you do a wonderful job of discussing issues that are important to our state. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I firmly believe that blogs and the online community are an important part of sharing ideas, interacting with the public, and examining what we do as your elected officials. I've personally had constituents tell me that they find it useful to have access to this information and this type of dialogue.
In fact, I have made it a priority to reach out to bloggers, treat them as the constituents they are, and give them the respect and information they deserve as new media journalists. Their editorial content is up to them and I can tell you there have been plenty of opinions I haven't completely agreed with, but I would hope my colleagues would encourage expanding the debate and increasing the dialogue, rather than establishing this dangerous precedent of slamming the door in their face.
That's why I am so disturbed by the recent decision made by the Senate Republican Leader's office to ban certain blogs and the comments by his staff that implies that they are working on continuing and expanding this censorship. I plan to share my concerns with the Senator, his office, and the Secretary of the Senate, but let me be clear that I find this censorship unacceptable. I hope that this is simply a matter of confused staffers and a lack of understanding of new media on their part and not a firm, and in my opinion very misguided, policy direction that they are committed to.
In the meantime, please keep doing what you do. And for our friends at the Yearly Kos convention in Chicago, please tell everyone there that despite all this, Michigan really is a great state and they should come see for themselves soon! |
