One of the particular sub-plots of the interminable Speaker election south of the border is the discussion around camera angles on C-SPAN, and how suddenly they’re dynamic during this process. There’s a good explainer here about how the usual rules around tight shots are relaxed because this is considered a special event and not usual proceedings, and it normally only takes two or three hours and not three or four days, but that’s why suddenly they get to be much more dynamic about what they’re seeing.
*Sparse Chamber. Sparse. Some days it's practically empty, but you wouldn't know it from the tight camera angles.
— Dale Smith (@journo_dale) January 6, 2023
This problem of camera angles is a familiar one here in Canada, where the directive, since about day two of televised proceedings in the House of Commons, has also been on tight shots, with no wide shots or reactions. This is at the behest of MPs themselves, who came up with these rules, in part because they’re convenient for them, but if you watch the very first televised Question Period, you’ll see wide shots and reactions, and it’s much more dynamic and engaging, and it’s something we should see more of. MPs, however, don’t want that. They like being able to fill camera shots (and frequently play musical chairs to do so, most especially on Fridays), because they don’t like to show how empty the Chamber is during non-QP debates, or on Fridays. They don’t like camera operators and CPAC producers to have the latitude of choosing shots in real-time, so they don’t allow it. It’s really too bad, because it could make for better viewing. That said, it’s also one of the reasons why I attend QP in person—so that I can see the full picture of what’s happening in the Chamber and not just the tight shots that obscure more than they illuminate.
Watching this again, there is debate about wage and price controls, double-digit inflation, and bringing it down to seven percent. (!!!)
— Dale Smith (@journo_dale) January 6, 2023
Ukraine Dispatch, Day 317:
While the Russians are proposing a truce over Orthodox Christmas, the Ukrainians reject it, saying that this is simply a cover to bring in more ammunition and troops to try and halt Ukrainian advances in the Donbas region. Meanwhile, American analysts suspect that one of Putin’s allies is trying to gain access to salt and gypsum mines near Bakhmut, which is why they are trying so hard to take it over.
If Putin really wants a cease fire, I am sure the Ukrainians would not pursue the Russian army if it were to cross back into Russia.
— Steve Saideman (@smsaideman) January 5, 2023
THREAD: I was fortunate enough to spend new year in a trench on the frontlines of southern #Ukraine just kilometres from the #Russia positions. I must be careful about locations etc. What follows are my observations on the war here. Read the full story this Saturday in @unherd. pic.twitter.com/qRP0hJaCLY
— David Patrikarakos (@dpatrikarakos) January 5, 2023
⚡️Russia has damaged, destroyed over 1,100 cultural sites in Ukraine since Feb. 24.
Russian forces have damaged 1,189 cultural sites in Ukraine since Feb. 24. Over a third, 446, were completely ruined, Culture Ministry said.
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) January 5, 2023