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The first shot of the revolution was fired a few hours ago, as Republicans prepared to commence their five minute addresses that would decry the lack of any votes on meaningful energy legislation. From the Democratic side, a motion to adjourn for the day shot up. Then CSPAN, which covers House proceedings on television, was shut down. The microphones on the House floor were turned off.

Led by Rep. Tom Price (R.-GA), Republicans decided they weren’t going to take it -- they would stay and fight. As the camera lights were shutting down, Price, Shadegg, Indiana Rep. Mike Pence and other conservative “young Turks” began delivering their speeches on the floor without microphones. The sparsely-filled visitors galleries that overlook the floor began to fill up and the ranks of reporters in the Press Gallery began to swell from the two or three newsmen who were there for what they thought was a routine closing day.

By 2:00 PM, in what resembled newsreels of the packed House floor on the day war was declared in December of 1941, the House floor was almost full. More than 400 visitors were in the gallery and Shadegg, having figured out the code on the panel that controls the microphones, put the sound system in the House back on -- until a staffer (presumably from the speaker’s office) came and shut it off again.

“Word spread that the speaker -- who was never actually here on the floor -- was going to shut down the House press gallery,” a breathless Shadegg told me in a call from the floor, “But rules are clear that the gallery can’t be shut down if a Member is there. So a bunch of us have been taking turns -- we’re ‘human shields,’ keeping the press gallery going.” Along with Shadegg, the ‘human shields’ included House GOP Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.), and Texas Reps. Ted Poe and John Carter.

“You cannot repress free speech, Madame Speaker,” declared Shadegg, adding that the intense protest to keep the floor and press gallery alive were critical because “every day without oil production, the American people are hurt. It destroys the lives of the poorest Americans, those with the oldest cars, the worst mileage, and sometimes the longest commutes. That’s the point we are making.”

Whew! I bet Nutjob Nancy is just steaming right about now. I can just hear it... - How DARE those mere Press Gallery members actually demand free speech? Why, they act like it is their right or something!-

Hehehe! Come on George, call `em back!

Can you imagine the headlines if the parties were reversed in today's little dust-up?

GOP PULLS PLUG ON FREE SPEECH!

House Leadership Tries To Turn Out The Light of Freedom

Maureen Dowd and the gals would have a fit. Mark Morford would wet his pants.

INDEED.

Puhlousey’s idea of a solution is

A FLINT-STONE CAR IN EVERY GARAGE.