Houston's Culberson goes high-tech in House rebellion

Hand-held Internet devices are used to defy Democrats' attempted blackout WASHINGTON — In a cagy blend of timing, tactics and technology worthy of an ex-advertising man, Rep. John Culberson is pioneering House Republicans' use of hand-held communications links to the Internet to defy the will of Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The Houston Republican has harnessed state-of-the-art electronic devices to break through the Democratic speaker's attempted blackout of the Republicans' unofficial House proceedings, which are aimed at pressuring Pelosi to recall the chamber from a month-long recess to vote on a GOP plan to expand offshore drilling. The GOP publicity stunt resembles past efforts by Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., and Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee who held unofficial impeachment proceedings against President Bush when... [read full story]