At least it might stop them talking

Here are the top ten reasons why our honourable parliamentarians should be given these hi-tech devices for free:

10. The term “taxpayers’ money” is grossly overused. That money has been spent on far less productive stuff – “inspection tours” that inspect nothing but snow-clad mountains or duty free paradises being the first to come to mind. Would you like our parliamentarians to keep flying to Europe, using our money, or would you rather have them learn, firsthand, that SIMSIMI is harmless?

9. I know what you must be thinking. You fear that they will still go to Europe anyway, and that seeing their European tour photos posted on Facebook via the iPhones whose purchase you sponsor will add insult to injury, right? Don’t be afraid. They wouldn’t post happy photos for public consumption. You can count on every one of them to be smart enough not to do that.

8. MPs and senators sleeping during parliamentary debates – an eyesore that news cameras can’t get enough of – may become a thing of the past. There are a lot of cool apps out there, and with a bit of practice, one can be made to look like one is working.

7. It will be a great step toward a “virtual Parliament”. “Facetime” displayed on a giant parliamentary projector, with MPs speaking from constituencies they are visiting, or from hotel rooms they are inspecting, or from hospital beds, will make Isaac Asimov proud.

6. With some serious implementation, MPs or senators skipping meetings will, too, become ancient history. One parliamentary rule should go like this: MPs and senators who cannot be present at forums they are required to attend must use real-time video evidence to prove why they have to be elsewhere rather than Parliament.

5. There are concerns that our dignified representatives will hand over the gadgets to their kids. One way to address this is to require activation of a homing app, and frequent, random checks. One “tweeple” has called for the introduction of a “Find my MP” app that would allow ordinary citizens to help Parliament track down wayward elected representatives. With this kind of measure, if an iPhone was located too often at, say, Bangkok Pattana School, we’ll know something is wrong.

4. Our MPs and senators will find it necessary to use their tablets with integrity. Imagine what would happen if they visited porn sites and subsequently lost the tablet at a press conference or seminar.

 3. Everyone in possession of a tablet will be inclined to do some research before opening his mouth. This applies to parliamentarians, too, which can only be good for the national interests. And since every politician is a sucker for video clips, House sessions should be less boring. Chalerm Yoobamrung, for one, would be as happy as a pig in the mud. Another tweeple has suggested a “What your MP used to say” app (or Hypocrisy app in short), which should be worth a dozen charter reforms combined if plugged into the giant projector on the House floor and allowed to play uninterrupted. 

2. There is no need to risk bloodshed by changing constitutional rules on checks and balances. Politicians equipped with a great, easy-to-use recording tool that does still photos, videos and audio is the best secret weapon to combat … er … the dark side of themselves. I’m all for encouraging children to learn technology, but consider the benefits of politicians going Instagram crazy. The unhealthy debates on the Four Seasons Hotel incident, or whether Chalerm was drunk while on parliamentary duty, may not have been necessary.

1. I have to admit that this one is very personal. I put this on top because all the senseless “protests” on the House floor are killing me, and I think there might be fewer protests if our MPs are given something to play with. I have observed several meetings at various levels and found out that smart phones and tablets help prevent people from speaking just for speaking’s sake. Of course, the problem won’t go away, but when I read about the iPhone & iPad giveaway plan, I saw light at the end of the tunnel.