Photo courtesy of John Beagle's Flickr photostream

Republican Rep. John Boehner is the leader of the GOP Minority in the US House of Representatives.  Normally, the majority party controls the direction of the legislation and the press discussion that surrounds it.    With the rise of the use of social media, even the minority party can now get out its message.  Twitter and Facebook are two of the main tools.  Boehner (or someone on his staff) has become a prolific twitter-er since the election of President Obama.  This has allowed him to reach out to people without depending on the “mainstream media,” which some contend have a bias against Conservative political views.   Boehner has use his Twitter feed mainly to combat the Obama/Democrat legislative agenda by giving information to the Conservative grassroots.  He tweets links to op-eds, news stories, videos, and reports.   He retweets and responds to his followers.  He is engaging on Twitter.  He uses the appropriate hashtag!  No matter what your political views are, that’s the sign of a great twitter-er.    Here is a good sampling from the past several weeks:

• Pelosi on #hc takeover: “[O]nce we pass it in the House, it’s going to be the law of the land.” http://is.gd/aHX5U #gopcodered

• It’s time for DC Democrats to listen to the people. Stop the spending binge, scrap the big government #hc bill. #gopcodered   –   2:14 PM Mar 11th

• I told my colleagues this morning the time has come for a serious talk about a unilateral GOP moratorium on earmarks.   –   11:16 AM Mar 10th

• VIDEO: Let’s start with a clean sheet of paper, rein in junk lawsuits, let Americans shop across state lines http://is.gd/9bKy1 #hcsummit    –   8:24 PM Feb 25th

• No governors or state legislators at #hc summit? No wonder states are revolting against ObamaCare: http://is.gd/95KXF    –   2:49 PM Feb 24th

• “Stimulus” spending on weatherization “has neither saved energy nor put people to work” http://is.gd/92By2 #jobs   –   7:50 PM Feb 23rd

• Today marks one year since the trillion-dollar “stimulus” was signed into law. Since then, 47 states have lost jobs.   –   9:30 AM Feb 17th

• Entitlement spending, interest on national debt “will gobble up 80 percent of all federal revenues by 2020” http://is.gd/8r72i (via @AP)    -  3:55 PM Feb 15th

• We shouldn’t wait for a “debt commission,” we should repeal unspent “stimulus,” shut down TARP, add spending caps. http://is.gd/7Mq1L    –   5:44 PM Feb 5th

• The president’s $3.8T #budget includes more than $2 trillion in tax hikes, including hikes on small businesses, investors, & families.   –   1:49 PM Feb 2nd

Photo courtesy of Matt & Kristy's Flickr photostream

Lady Gaga has risen to fame in a few short years.   Her music has spread across the world.   But it’s not her music alone that has made her so popular.   It is her fashion, her style, her flair, and her connection with her fans.  One of Lady Gaga’s tools to connect with her fans is Twitter.   She has over three million followers and has become an active twitter-er.  She tweets pictures, videos, websites, and announcements.   These are qualities of a great twitter-er.   It certainly helps that Lady Gaga is controversial and edgy.   Her outspoken support of the gay community and her own sexual orientation helps to keep her in the news.

Below are a sampling of the kind of tweets you will enjoy if you follow Lady Gaga on Twitter:

• once you kill a cow, you gotta make a burger  –   11:59 PM Mar 11th

• Isn’t it interesting how one singing voice is (while subjective), either good or bad. But a CROWD of people singing, ALWAYS sounds beautiful   –   4:44 PM Mar 6th

• I can hear u, I think I might need a little extra eyeliner for Scotland. Ye buncha pissheads.   -  3:21 PM Mar 1st

• What a f***ing night. Sweating, pumping, dancing, mental human beings my fans are. Paws for miles and liquor. Freedom! Ill never leave u,   –   8:14 PM Feb 26th

• http://twitpic.com/11firi – beautiful photo taken of me the moment I found out i won my grammys. All the hundreds of songs I wrote, the thou…   –   10:13 PM Feb 4th

• The team of doctors and nurses who saved my dads life came to the monsterball, one of the best nights of my life performing for u.Rejoice NY   -  2:47 AM Jan 22nd

• Best tweet of all time: @wubbolicious got so drunk celebrating b4 @ladygaga ’s concert in SF i blacked out and missed the whole thing!      -   10:05 PM Dec 20th, 2009

• vegas was great, thank you for being extra slutty   –   2:26 AM Dec 18th, 2009

• to all my beautiful fans, i love you more than anything. thanku 4 making the fame monster #1 on itunes. you are the only reward i need xgaga    -   12:30 PM Nov 23rd, 2009

• @yokoono i am so touched to hear from you, you are the most inspirational woman. double fantasy is the reason i love+make music. loveusister   –    12:08 PM Oct 15th, 2009

Photo courtesy of SN#1's Flickr photostream

When Stewart Cink won the British Open in 2009, he thrust himself into the Golf limelight as a Major Championship winner.   By that time, Cink had already established himself as a Twitter superstar.   He had over 500,000 followers in July of 2009 and he is now up to over 1.2 million.

Why has Cink, a professional golfer, not the most hip group of people in the world, garnered such a large Twitter following?   He makes the most of his Tweets by doing all the things great Twitter-ers do: tells of his likes and dislikes, gives his followers an inside look into his profession, gives tips on golf for the average guy, lots of retweets to his followers’ questions, little games and prize giveaways (ala Shaq), comments on popular movies and TV shows, and lots of humor and good cheer.   If you are new to Twitter, Cink is an example of a great Twitter-er.   Here is a sampling from the last couple of months of Cink’s Tweets:

• Oh yeah congrats to all you Canadians. We were watching from the trailer park!!   –   about 18 hours ago

• Hmmm..I’m at the DMV and “Give Me One Reason to Stay Here” is playing to all the folks waiting in line.   -  7:54 AM Feb 26th

• Just listening to David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” on the way to practice. One of few songs I like that include a countdown. Your favorites?   -  1:51 PM Feb 23rd

• @ELANO94 be sure to get left shoulder behind ball on backswing and swing clubhead down the line or outside after impact.   –   10:13 AM Feb 23rd   via Echofon  in reply to ELANO94

• I think I may be takig this healthy food thing too far. I just bought my dogs’ food in the organic section.  -  1:57 PM Feb 11th

• Heading to Los Angeles tonight for the Northern Trust Open. Do you think N. Pelosi would send a military jet for my travel needs?   –   8:14 PM Feb 1st

• @ALBATROSS_VIEW sorry, no way to fix a slice easily! But be sure to change directions with patience at top of swing.   -  11:13 PM Jan 27th   via Echofon  in reply to ALBATROSS_VIEW

• Tonight @ Philips Arena, 1st person to tell me IN PERSON the movie @lisacink  and I saw today gets tickets to next Tuesday’s Thrasher game.   –   4:43 PM Jan 26th

• Had a movie date with @lisacink today during school. Saw Leap Year with Amy Adams. Loved it, then put my Man Card in the shredder.   –   3:59 PM Jan 26th

• Sitting in the Tundra outside Chick-Fil-A waiting for son Connor to close up. Okay though, I’ve got DMB keeping me company. Cry Freedom Cry.   -  10:38 PM Jan 25th

Photo couresy of vtdainfo's Flickr photostream

Deposed late-night host Conan O’Brien is now tweeting.  For real.   The twitterverse previously had a fake Conan site, which has since been snuffed-out.   This one is 100% verified Conan!    You can check out the real Conan site at http://twitter.com/ConanOBrien.    Even though he has only three tweets on a four day-old account (very humerous, by the way),  Conan is has attracted nearly 400,000 followers!    Once a larger sample of tweets have been posted,  a Top Ten list will follow.   Hopefully Conan will prove to be an engaging and entertaining twitter-er.

Photo courtesy of Hot Rod Homepage's Flickr photostream

If you look up the word “celebrity” in the dictionary, you’d likely see a picture of Lindsay Lohan.   Only 23 years old, she seems to have been around forever – and done about everything that a celebrity can do.   I mean everything.    The actress-musician-designer-model keeps herself busy, that’s for sure.   And keeps several tabloids in business as well.

It appears that Lohan has become a rather prolific Twitter-er.   This can be good…or bad.   For her, it’s good.  Lilo can speak directly to the public, as she frequently does to quell rumors and/or misunderstandings.   On the other hand, this can be bad.   I’m sure she has publicists who are in charge controlling what information is released about her.   But they obviously don’t vet her Twitter account before she hits the “update” button.   One day Lohan is going to tweet something that she will regret.   But until then, the public can enjoy some fairly entertaining tweets at  http://twitter.com/lindsaylohan.    Here are some good examples from the past few weeks:

• tabloids are lies   –   about 23 hours ago   from web

• P.S. I’m not a tv show lol   -  7:26 PM Feb 1st   from UberTwitter

• http://twitpic.com/10l6bn – just sharing some of the things i saw in India… maybe it can inspire us all to help those that need it around    -  7:02 PM Jan 30th   from TwitPic

• http://twitpic.com/10l0g5 – a peek at my favourite hobby, other than writing, designing and tweeting lol   -  6:34 PM Jan 30th   from TwitPic

• @Jack_Mikels  i don’t have a bf lol -is this the latest rumor? news to me, as usual lol    -  6:23 PM Jan 30th   from web  in reply to Jack_Mikels

• @melodyofdreams  i love Galliano… i just ordered most of the collection from Paris fashion week   -  6:04 PM Jan 30th   from web  in reply to melodyofdreams

• @sophmbrown  i loooooove shopping… my sister makes fun of me and says i am life confessions of a shopaholic lol   –   5:59 PM Jan 30th   from web  in reply to sophmbrown

• OMG IT’S HAILING IN LA!!  WHAT IS GOING ON! weird!!!!   -  9:34 PM Jan 21st   from web

• @jessicaalba RT @RedHourBen: NEW ONE: Text SAVE to 20222 to donate 10 dollars to Save The Children direct aid in Haiti  -  8:56 PM Jan 14th from UberTwitter Retweeted by lindsaylohan and 88 others

• P.S. Clarifying- I’m NOT THE DRIVER!!!!! Geez, people and asusmptions! I’m the passenger darlings xo   -  5:57 AM Jan 6th   from UberTwitter

Photo courtesy of Denbow's Flickr photostream

Danica Patrick is a race car driver.  She’s also a brand name (see shirt in photo above).  Since entering Indy car racing a few years ago, she has won one race and finished in the top ten of the Indy 500.   These are great accomplishments.   One question that seems to surround her, though, is whether Danica is a racer who happens to model and promote products, or is she a model who happens to race.   In other words, is she “just another pretty face,” or is she a real racer?  Now that Danica is entering the world of Nascar beginning this week, we should get a better answer to that question.   Of course, time will tell.  Danica will run some ARCA and Nationwide series races this year and the racing world will be watching intently to see how she does in each race.   As a Nascar fan myself, I hope she does well.   It would be good for the sport.

Two things I like about following well-known people are: 1. getting a glimpse about their life away from their chosen profession; and 2. getting the inside scoop regarding their chosen profession.   I want to know the person better so I can relate to them on a human level, and I want to hear interesting tidbits about their work that I won’t get anywhere else.   I like to read their take on an event they were a part of, direct from the source.   On Danica’s Twitter page, you get a fair amount of her personal life, which is fine.  But not as much “inside scoop” on her racing life as I would like.   Perhaps that will change as the 2010 racing season unfolds.   Plenty of people will weigh in on how they think she’s doing in Nascar-type cars.   I want to know how she thinks she’s doing, and whether she’s encouraged, frustrated, excited, or whatever.

Here are her best tweets from the end of last year’s racing season to just before the beginning of this one:

• Its race time people! I cant believe it is already here.  -  10:17 AM Feb 1st   from web

• http://twitpic.com/zuwvi Last night I gave my makeup brushes a home with this (homemade) roll up case!   – 10:26 AM Jan 26th   from web

• The sun shines again in az! I am picking a font for my name on my perfume bottle and box, where should I look?  -  12:20 PM Jan 23rd   from web

• I bought about 30 yards of fabric to start playing with…..well 10 of those yards is for a curtain. Am I a geek? Wait dont answer that.   -  4:12 PM Jan 16th   from web

• Obviously since I got a sewing machine(its a Project runway limited edition one too) I am totally excited about the start of project runway!   -  11:35 AM Jan 13th   from web

• Well I can finally say I have really run a stock car and that I enjoyed it even more that I thought I would! This is going to be a fun year!  –   11:13 PM Dec 20th, 2009   from web

• a yearly tradition- an amazing bottle of 03 pride reserve cab and pizza as we decorate the tree…..then dexter later!!!!   –   7:18 PM Dec 13th, 2009   from TinyTwitter

• Wow ESPN was all over me yesterday! I guess thats a good thing… thanks for all your support!   -  8:35 AM Nov 5th, 2009   from web

• @mw55 OK, this is tweet business is sucking me in and I was going to go to bed. I am really going this time! Thanks for being funny!   –   11:36 PM Oct 13th, 2009   from web  in reply to mw55

• So the season is over! Glad Dan taking me out in the pits didnt hurt my championship standing. I guess I am pleased with it overall.    -  11:44 AM Oct 13th, 2009   from web

Photo courtesy of JustUptown's Flickr photostream

It just makes sense to highlight some Super Bowl participants as the big game grows close.   Few can argue with the impact this man has had on the Who Dat Nation in Louisiana.   In a few short years since joining the team, Drew Brees has become the unquestioned leader of the revitalized New Orleans Saints.   He is an All-Pro quarterback and an All-Pro person.    The Brees Dream Foundation has impacted the lives of thousands of New Orleans area people, especially children and cancer victims.   You can find more information about Drew at his website http://drewbrees.com/.   You can follow Drew on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Drewbrees.  

Drew Brees has the qualities of a great Twitter-er.   He engages his followers with replies.  He tweets about his life and family.   He encourages the city and Saints fans with positive, uplifting tweets.  And he inspires with his frequent tweets about the needs of his city and how the citizens can get involved.   He doesn’t take himself too seriously, and he leads by example.   Here are some great tweets from the last few months:

• Shout out to the Who Dat Nation for winning the NFC Championship on Sunday. The Dome was out of control on Sunday. I am still recovering    -  7:22 PM Jan 26th from web
• A lot of news to announce…my son’s 1st birthday today, Blackout the Dome on Saturday, and Deuce is back! Deeeeeeuuuuuuuuuuuuuuccccccceeee    -   10:25 AM Jan 15th from web
• To our fans: Keep Believin, one at a time, we love you, see you Saturday Night!   -  2:15 PM Dec 14th, 2009 from web
• @rsuir The one thing you need to know about our team……is that we are truly a TEAM. One goal, one mindset, one heartbeat. Sounds simple   -  1:56 PM Dec 2nd, 2009 from web in reply to rsuir
• Really excited about my date night with Wifey tonight, and the time I will get to spend with my son. Have to take advantage of these moments   -  2:03 PM Nov 13th, 2009 from web
• Sitting outside on rocking chairs and just listening to the sounds of New Orleans from the front porch is pretty cool. The simple things   -  7:02 PM Nov 10th, 2009 from web
• Met Tom Hanks and Tom Brokaw last night at the National WW2 Museum event in Nola. Those are two pretty amazing people. Great speakers too   -  3:11 PM Nov 6th, 2009 from web
• OK, so be honest, who thought I would get stuffed by the goal post?   -  4:44 PM Oct 27th, 2009 from web
• Looking for charitable projects to fund in New Orleans area thru the Brees Dream Foundation. Send recommendations ASAP to info@drewbrees.com  -  8:49 AM Oct 5th, 2009 from web
• Been preparing like crazy for the Lions. You never know what you’re going to get for the 1st game of the year. Should be a fun one. Who Dat!   -  7:24 PM Sep 11th, 2009 from web

Photo courtesy of f_shield's Flickr photostream

Anyone who is familiar with the Contemporary Christian Music genre has heard of the David Crowder*Band.   This in no way means you must be a listener of “Christian music” to appreciate the genius of the band.  Their critically acclaimed albums include Church Music, Remedy, A Collision, and Illuminate.   Fans of the DC*B know this for sure: they are witty, quirky, talented beyond belief, and very serious about Jesus Christ.   All of these qualities come out in their frequent tweets, which can be found at http://twitter.com/CROWDERband.   One of the qualities I most appreciate in a Twit is “high engagement,” which means they have great interaction with their followers.   This is very true of David and they guys.   I highly recommend you follow them, listen to their music, and see a live show.  You’ll be better for it (another mark of a great Twit). 

Here are some of their best Tweets from the past few months:

• NewYears resolution: learn morse code …. .- .–. .–. -.– / -. . .– / -.– . .- .-.   – 10:01 PM Dec 31st, 2009
• It’s funny when people buy the mannequin’s entire outfit.    -  5:43 PM Dec 23rd, 2009
• PSA from the DC*B: Whataburger is NOT pronounced “Waterburger.” Thank you and goodnight.   -  5:08 PM Dec 10th, 2009
• Wanna see some awful acting? Look no further than Olive Garden commercials.   -  1:24 PM Dec 2nd, 2009
• Tour’s over. Red Bull detox begins.   -   7:31 AM Nov 22nd, 2009
• Q: @ethan_holland who actually does the tweeting for the band account? A: david and mark. we’re tag-teaming the Q & A right now.   -   9:23 AM Nov 19th, 2009
• Q: @KaeKaeRN do you have any idea where my son went he took my debit card and gave me a kiss and left A: either the apple store or mcdonalds   -  8:48 AM Nov 19th, 2009
• Q: @shanella who put the bop in the bop shoo bop shoo bop? A: baby bop, of course.    – 8:34 AM Nov 19th, 2009
• DC*B bus vs deer… DC*B 1, deer 0.    -  9:10 AM Nov 8th, 2009
• Q: @wokeupsleeping what is your “LOST” theory? Are they all in some kind of purgatory? A: i (@marktheshark) think http://timelooptheory.com/   -  1:40 PM Nov 3rd, 2009

Below is a bonus link to their best music video to date (IMHO):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJyW55AXJAkHow He Loves

Photo courtesy of avinashkunnath's Flickr photostream

Michelle Wie, 20, won her first LPGA golf tournament last weekend.   In many people’s view, it’s been a long time coming.   Miss Wie has been in the public spotlight since age twelve.   Nobody disputes her talent.   Some have disputed her maturity at times.  However, those same people likely did not grow up under a media microscope.    What do you get from following Michelle Wie on Twitter?  You get a tranparent look at a young woman who is at the top of her profession at a very early age, but she is still learning about herself and her place in the world as a person.   That makes for a good Twitter follow.   You can follow Michelle at http://twitter.com/TheMIchelleWie.    Here’s my Top Ten Tweets (so far):

• wowwwww……never thought this would feel THIS great!!!! about 19 hours ago 
• So I’m a huge klutz. I resprained my ankle on the way to lunch and then I burnt my finger when I spilt hot tea on it.   -4:47 PM Oct 1st
• First week of school was great. I have the best roommate, neighbors, and friends . And plus classes seem interesting.   -2:10 PM Sep 28th 
• @sdimegUSATgolf   it’s ok my nicknames were much worse in high school. U can only imagine what people would do with the last name wie hahah   -10:31 AM Aug 15th, in reply to sdimegUSATgolf
• Felt like I had a taste of what i can shoot today. A couple holes bit me in the ass today but other than that I felt pretty good about it   -8:36 PM Jun 28th
• Listening to iration, natural vibrations, sublime and some more island reggae at the airport is making me smile inside. But I miss the aina    -5:44 AM Jun 21st 
• Thank you all for the congrats! I made the top play in sportscenter!! And they showed my “dance”. How embarassing haha excited to play today   – 5:27 AM Jun 14th
• Did u know that the 7-11 extreme gulp is 50% bigger than the volume of the human stomach?!? Those slurpees are oh-so-delicious tho! Yummmy    -11:31 AM Jun 10th 
• im really sorry for the people i have offended…but really…it was just a doodle..no real thought went into it   -6:29 PM Jun 5th 
• and i had no intentions of offending my native korean people. THE BACKGROUND IS NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE JAPANESE FLAG.    -6:25 PM Jun 5th

From Arnold Inuaki's Flickr photostream

Omar is well known for his role on the series “House.”   What makes a great Twitter-er?  A person that gives you a good sense of who they are and what they like – without being a phony.   This is what you get from Omar.  He tweets about his favorite sports teams, quotes that inspire him, people who influence him, and more.   Another thing I like about Omar is when he tweets the beginning of a thought and lets his followers come up with the rest.  Nice touch.   You can follow Omar at http://twitter.com/omarepps.   Here’s some examples of what I mean:

• Settling in for game 1… Crazy as it may be, Yanks are the only sports team from my hometown that I’ve ever liked.   -7:23 PM Oct 28th
• Dear Coach Cable, Jemarcus needs to be… (Raiders fans fill in the rest)   -6:04 PM Oct 25th
• “Don’t pay any attention to the critics, don’t even ignore them” -Samuel Goldwyn   -11:30 AM Oct 22nd
• BTW Joking or hoaxing about someone’s (anyone not just a celebrity) death isn’t at all funny or entertaining!   -12:59 PM Oct 21st
• Prunes & dates get a bad rap    -5:01 PM Oct 12th
• Dear RIM/Blackberry, Thanks for letting me know after the fact that I’m basically a guinea pig for your programmers! Sincerely, O. Epps   -6:31 PM Oct 11th
• Does “The First 48″ deter people from committing heinous crimes or does it teach them how to get away with the unthinkable?   -9:03 PM Oct 8th
• Just wanted to send a hearty salute out to all the righteous doctors, nurses & everyone in the medical community.   -12:32 AM Oct 8th
• Crickets are trying to invade my house (weird). Wish I still had my tarantula…   -8:30 PM Oct 3rd
• Dear Jerry, Shutup & own the team! Hire a GM! No play off wins (in 12 yrs) since you’ve been the GM! PS-Nice stadium! Sincerely, O. Epps   -10:02 PM Sep 28th