Here's a tale of two radically different uses of technology on Capitol Hill: the first to keep all but the most-connected people out, and the second to let the rest of us in. In the first case, we have Members of Congress who are crack-berry addicts staying in permanent contact with their cronies and donors, even on the floor where lobbyists are supposedly banned. And in the second case, we have a Republican Congressman who is Twittering from what he calls the "deepest and darkest hole" in Congress.

As the Democratic online fundraising hub ActBlue passes the $50 mark, some on the right resist going grassroots to raise cash; what does it mean to run as a computer "illiterate" candidate in a networked world?; just because we're talking to Congress doesn't mean they're listening; the debate continues over the necessary of announcing "I'm committing an act of journalism!"; the Obama camp sets up an "Internet war room;" and more.

Larry Lessig is tying a possible congressional run to the question of whether or not launching a campaign and/or actually serving as a member of Congress is the best way to advance a national "grassroots" Change Congress movement. It's a provocative question, and it's exciting to watch the Stanford prof and free culture guru go through the process of answering it.

There's a playful drive afoot to draft law professor, free-culture guru, and PowerPoint maestro Larry Lessig to run in the April 8 special election for the open seat in California's 12th congressional district. Thing is, "Congressman Lessig" might not be as far-fetched as it first seems.