Yesterday I suggested that I start going to the General Assembly once a week and blogging my observations, with the caveat that I needed enough interest from folks to justify it. “Interest” being demonstrated by people ponying up the cash to cover the cost of gas and parking, not because it’s terribly expensive, but because I want to know that there’s interest.
Well, I got a call from a reader this afternoon (he wishes to remain anonymous) who, along with another reader, has agreed to fund my travel costs for at least the first few weeks of the session. There have been some very generous offers from readers and fellow bloggers, too, so it’s clear that there’s sufficient support (and, consequently, demand) for me to do this. When necessary, I’ll put up a little PayPal link so that folks who are willing to chip in to cover my costs can do so.
So I’ll start doing it next week. I don’t know that I’ll have anything special to offer, but I can only imagine that there’s some value to having some regular-guy reporting on what goes on during the session.
I certainly hope that other bloggers will consider doing the same thing, particularly those of you who don’t have a three-hour round trip to Richmond. Just head on down for an hour, sit in on a committee meeting, take notes, and write about the speechifying, the attendees, what stands out, what is conspicuous in its absence, etc., etc. This is particularly perfect for all of you who decry the “MSM” — bypass the “filter,” go to where the news happens, and tell us what’s going on at the front lines.
See you in Richmond!
I think you should get your press credentials when you go … assuming they actually do something … see if they’ll let you have them.
You’ve inspired me Waldo. I will join you at the Capitol this Monday. I will be out of town the 17th to the 24th, but I’ll return after I . . return.
I wonder who we will have to see about getting press credentials . . . anyone know?
It strikes me that it might be a good thing if we followed someone in particular, someone like Bob Marshall. Perhaps he can be encouraged to self-destruct the way McCArthy did.
This is a fantastic idea and I’m humbled by your civic sensibilities. It raises; however, the question about why these public meetings aren’t already recorded in some manner. Do they only record transcripts for public addresses and official statements? I would have expected a stenographer to present at official meetings, but possibly this is cost prohibitive.
Are there any regulatory issues that would prevent you from bringing a recorder and producing a podcast? Astute readers of your summary may be interested to go to the source, provided that a full transcript isn’t being produced already.
That is an excellent idea. I will pursue that, although I think I’ll wait until after I’ve gone once or twice.
Great! I don’t think I’ll be able to go on Monday but, frankly, that may be all the better — we want as much coverage as possible, after all, as opposed to two people covering the same things. :) That’s awesome that you’ll be headed down, though. I hope we see more people doing this.
You raise a larger question, Duane, of what is and is not permissible along these lines. For a GA newbie like me, I have no idea if the WiFi is open to the public, if I’m allowed to take non-flash photos, or if I’m allowed to make audio recordings. Or, if I can do any of these things, if that requires press credentials. If I could make an audio recording of the proceedings while I’m there, you’re right, that’d be a fine addition. Perhaps useless to most, but it could be invaluable to a few.
Here’s hoping somebody knows how all this works. :) Thank you, everybody, for your suggestions and assistance. I feel real good about what blogs may be able to contribute to this year’s GA session.
Waldo,
Good luck. Try not to be too partisan, unless that is your intent.
I’ve had you linked from our website as a left of center blog, but for these posts from the GA, I’ll make sure you’re prominently listed.
I’m sure other blogs will do the same — even us conservative ones — if you are going in with the mindset as reporter over partisan. Shoot, we might even contribute some bucks too!
JR
My intent is to write the way I always write. I leave the reporting to the reporters. :) But I do intend to emphasize observation over conclusion — and we’ll see if that’ll work, since I’ve never done it — in hopes that others can draw some conclusions from my observations.
We’ll see how the first time goes, and then we’ll know what I’m doing. I use the word “we” advisedly, because I don’t have any idea. :)
There is an audio feed in the press room, but space there is limited and probably needs to be reserved in advance. I can let you borrow my Marantz PMD-660 for a day as long as I can get it back the same evening or next morning if you want to go in armed with something that looks professional. I still have my press credentials, which I got from the State Police. You need to have a media outlet vouch for you.
Maybe we need to create a media outlet. Maybe this is something Leftyblogs should offer.
What’s the advantage of the press credentials? It used to be that anyone who wanted to could wander in, take a seat or even take the microphone. Is this no longer the case?
Well…”observation over conclusion”…I’ll take what I can get!
Let’s wait and see what I do. :) We’ll figure out if it’s worthwhile then.
Press credentials are needed to get into the press room, where there’s a audio-out from the two chambers. Space in the galleries is extremely limited, and is on a first-come first-serve basis. If I recall correctly, there’s no press feed in the gallery, either. They don’t make it easy.