A Republican congressman has attracted scorn for using the micro-blogging service Twitter to broadcast his every move during a secret diplomatic visit to Baghdad.
After touching down in the Iraqi capital on February 5, Pete Hoekstra noted that he had BlackBerry service. "Just landed in Baghdad," he tweeted. "I believe it may be the first time I've had bb service in Iraq."
The hapless congressman then detailed his itinerary across the country in real time, notifying his followers of the precise moment that he landed in the Green Zone as well as the timing of his return to America.
Click here to read Congressman Hoekstra's Baghdad tweets
Before embarking on the trip, the House Intelligence Committee member was explicitly warned to keep his whereabouts a secret for security reasons.
Ignoring that advice, Congressman Hoekstra buoyantly announced: "Heading to Iraq and Afghanistan weds night. I'll update on twitter and web pg as links are available. I'll ne [sic] back in touch mid next week."
By far his biggest blunder was revealing the timing of his entry to the Green Zone - home to the heavily-fortified US embassy and scene of constant suicide bomb and mortar attacks against diplomatic convoys.
Hastily mounting his defence after CQ Politics broke news of the gaffe, the Republican hit back on decidedly party-political lines.
"President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, Secretary Clinton, and even Chairman Reyes are among the many Democrats who have announced their travel to Iraq or other sensitive destinations before arrival or while in country," he noted.
And true to form, the congressman publicised his defence by tweeting it to his pals: "Check my web site for response to twitterversy!" he beamed.
The lawmaker is not the first person to spur criticism for their obsessive use of Twitter. Mike Wilson hit the headlines last year after using it to announce that he had been in a plane crash, prior even to fleeing the wreckage.
The incident is also reminiscent of a blunder by moustachioed Fox News correspondent Geraldo Rivera, who was deported from Iraq after breaking an embargo on reporting troop movements during the 2003 invasion.
What bothers me the most about this whole situation is who's life is it (potentially) on the line here. If they were to be attacked, it is not simply Congressman Hoekstra's life.
All civilians traveling in a war zone need to follow the rules. Just as all people the world over need to realize they might have to wait a bit to get an update. Like that is going to kill them?
No, but it might get someone killed because they didn't stop to think why that rule is in place!
I have nothing but disdain for people like Hoekstra and their desire for instant access!
The world is not holding it's collective breath waiting for you to update your Twitter and web page! Get over yourself!
Posted by: MsMarti | February 12, 2009 at 07:21 PM
16:45 "There's a guy in the road aiming a big tube at me"
16:47 "He just shouted 'thanks for the update'"
16:48 "I can't feel my legs"
Posted by: Alex Carnegie | February 12, 2009 at 11:57 PM
Hahahaha.....Oh I am bad for laughing, but that is great!
Posted by: MsMarti | February 13, 2009 at 04:48 AM
Alex Carnegie: Brilliant! XD
On a more sombre note, it just goes to show how so many politicians come from the shallow end of the gene pool (Don't even get me started on the crap politicos the UK has to put up with). Hoekstra deserves a feature on http://www.darwinawards.com/ under "Honourable Mentions".
Posted by: Lynne (weirdvis) | February 13, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Question: Derek Draper - the biggest twit on Twitter?
Discuss...
Posted by: Lynne (weirdvis) | February 13, 2009 at 12:36 PM
this is too funny. thanks for the read.
Posted by: the best website directory | May 02, 2009 at 05:58 AM