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Yes. People overlook this as well, that Roberts Rules of Order are primarily a tool for arbitrating discussion in huge groups of people. Technological solutions

Yes. People overlook this as well, that Roberts Rules of Order are primarily a tool for arbitrating discussion in huge groups of people. Technological solutions for managing these discussions exist or can be created now. So it's possible to have a virtual senate floor where the traditional rules of order are followed, people are allowed to speak, testify, etc. without being physically present in the same room. As long as the Senate's plan requires the traditional mode of session there's nothing wrong with using technology to allow them to hold sessions remotely. In fact this may lead to more participation from Senators because they no longer have to choose between presence on the Senate floor or presence within their district.

salawat 6y ago
How's a filibuster work when a surreptitiously orchestrated connection drop inevitably becomes ground for relinquishing the floor? Furthermore, part of getting everyone colocated with the apparata of government is to ensure unfettered access to staffers/resources. The Library of Congress isn't just there for decoration you know. It is actually there to be utilized. Furthermore, there is the potential for breach of highly sensitive state information if you go full telepresence. This really isn't something to approach lightly.
- nrclark 6y ago
  Filibustering is an emergent property of profoundly broken processes in our Senate. If remote meetings force some procedural change, that's probably in everybody's best interest.
  - salawat 6y ago
    I hesitated on bringing it up. It's counterintuitive, but I'm always reluctant to do too much to speed things up when it comes to mass communication and building consensus. I realize that it is basically a legislative DDoS attack; but it is also a way to buy time to organize thoughts and filter information for both sides while also depriving the body of the benefit of an overly expeditious vote. Would it be nice if everyone could just agree and move along? Yes, yes it would. Unfortunately, supermajorities are the realm of Walgreens advertising, and I still don't accept that there should not be mechanisms through which delay can be enforced. Then again, I'm not terribly well read up on legislative procedure either, so I may be pulling postulates out of my arse. If anyone is better versed in it, and wouldn't mind some explanation, I'd be quite interested. Then again, I could just read the damned rules. Is it strictly Robert's Rules of Order proper, or some specialized set of procedures?
- javagram 6y ago
  CSPAN is already broadcasting the house and senate floors today, and committee meetings. There is no worry about breach of sensitive information, you could literally turn on cable TV and watch it before. e.g. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/05/watch-us-house-panel-holds-hearing-on-the-coronavirus-outbreak.html https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/05/watch-us-house-panel-holds-h... There are some closed door hearings with sensitive information, where such security precautions would be needed, but that’s no excuse for not at least restarting the hearings and actions that would have been public before.
Animats 6y ago
The U.S. Senate uses Jefferson's Manual, not Roberts Rules of Order, but they're similar. Too few people today have ever been in a meeting conducted under Roberts Rules of Order. So few organizations today are run by their members. Roberts Rules of Order are for a meeting which has the power to decide something - it's for when the result is a vote and a decision to act.

salawat 6y ago

How's a filibuster work when a surreptitiously orchestrated connection drop inevitably becomes ground for relinquishing the floor? Furthermore, part of getting everyone colocated with the apparata of government is to ensure unfettered access to staffers/resources. The Library of Congress isn't just there for decoration you know. It is actually there to be utilized. Furthermore, there is the potential for breach of highly sensitive state information if you go full telepresence. This really isn't something to approach lightly.

nrclark 6y ago
Filibustering is an emergent property of profoundly broken processes in our Senate. If remote meetings force some procedural change, that's probably in everybody's best interest.
- salawat 6y ago
  I hesitated on bringing it up. It's counterintuitive, but I'm always reluctant to do too much to speed things up when it comes to mass communication and building consensus. I realize that it is basically a legislative DDoS attack; but it is also a way to buy time to organize thoughts and filter information for both sides while also depriving the body of the benefit of an overly expeditious vote. Would it be nice if everyone could just agree and move along? Yes, yes it would. Unfortunately, supermajorities are the realm of Walgreens advertising, and I still don't accept that there should not be mechanisms through which delay can be enforced. Then again, I'm not terribly well read up on legislative procedure either, so I may be pulling postulates out of my arse. If anyone is better versed in it, and wouldn't mind some explanation, I'd be quite interested. Then again, I could just read the damned rules. Is it strictly Robert's Rules of Order proper, or some specialized set of procedures?
javagram 6y ago
CSPAN is already broadcasting the house and senate floors today, and committee meetings. There is no worry about breach of sensitive information, you could literally turn on cable TV and watch it before. e.g. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/05/watch-us-house-panel-holds-hearing-on-the-coronavirus-outbreak.html https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/05/watch-us-house-panel-holds-h... There are some closed door hearings with sensitive information, where such security precautions would be needed, but that’s no excuse for not at least restarting the hearings and actions that would have been public before.

Animats 6y ago

The U.S. Senate uses Jefferson's Manual, not Roberts Rules of Order, but they're similar. Too few people today have ever been in a meeting conducted under Roberts Rules of Order. So few organizations today are run by their members. Roberts Rules of Order are for a meeting which has the power to decide something - it's for when the result is a vote and a decision to act.