This whole web-casting thing is pretty new to state government.  We mean, only 45 states and 2 territories already broadcast legislative proceedings on the internet, why on Earth would New Mexico want to try something that is so untested?  What’s kind of shocking is that Democrat state rep Ray Begaye is afraid that his political opponents will use footage of his sleeping while on the job against him. The temerity!  The gall!  Doesn’t everybody know that the Roundhouse is a select and private club where members should never be held accountable?  Oh, and on the political opponents and sleeping thing, yeah your comment right there just made it into a direct mail piece – your words are so much better than anybody else.  Mario Burgos in New Mexico brings you up to speed from a post last week.  From the New Mexico Independent:

Rep. Nick Salazar, D-Ohkay Owingeh, chairman of the House Rules Committee, created a subcommittee to study webcasting, despite widespread support for the practice among lawmakers on the panel.

Among the critics of the proposal was Rep. Ray Begaye, D-Shiprock, who said during the committee meeting that he worried about lawmakers’ privacy and of potentially embarrassing moments being captured on camera.

“If I am sleeping and I am being recorded, that can be used as political gain,” Begaye said.

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