…on the same day as TMZ, no less! Sadly, the Secret Service wasn’t keen on Congressman John Culbertson making the demo public (you can keep videos private on Qik), but the demo to TMZ happened while he was walking from an appropriations committee to his office. Thanks to Congressman Culberson for this very cool guided tour of "Ambush Corner" and the congressional offices. First the Mars landing from JPL and now this. Please keep the illuminating behind the scenes footage coming, Congressman!

Personal Democracy Forum started this morning to open a discussion around use and influence of technology in elections, politics and governance. The opening keynote was delivered by Andrew Raseij and Micah Sifry. At the opening Andrew Raseij showed the power of Qik to stream live video straight from his mobile phone to the TechPresident blog.

Then as the morning rolled out, Micah Sifry interviewed Ariana Huffington on what's next for Huffington Post.

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The morning also featured a panel discussion with technology leaders of the various campaigns talking about how they are incorporating Internet and Social networks into their campaigns.

Then at 2pm today had the pleasure to be on a panel with Robert Scoble (Fast Company TV), Max Hoat (CEO Mogulus), Keith McSpurran (CEO CoverItLive) that was moderated by Esther Dyson. It was a very intersting discussion around the value of Live and real-time to politics and society in general. Parts of this can be found on my Qik profile.

Above all it was just a great day meeting a lot of great people and getting a chance to meet folks who are really trying to use technology and Internet to change politics and governance.

It's been a lot of fun watching CNET's Daniel Terdiman as he has Qikked his way across the USA on his Geek Gestalt Road Trip 2008.

Daniel's tour of the US this summer has taken him to Disney World (where he took in a Cirque du Soleil show), a Lockheed Martin military simulation facility, and even behind the scenes at Kennedy Space Center to watch the Space Shuttle Discovery landing.

Today will find Daniel touring the Corvette factory and Geek Squad City, where thousands of technicians tackle some serious machine challenges. So if you want to see what happens when a geek journalist is armed with Qik, a full tank of gas, and access to some of the most interesting and fun places in the US, stay tuned!

Bhaskar and I are going to be in New York next week for the Personal Democracy Forum, so thought it would be fun to have some drinks in NYC with area Qik users and other PDF attendees.

WHERE: Four Faced Liar, 165 W 4th St in the West Village (map)

WHEN: Saturday, June 21 from 7.30PM onward

Note that this will all take place on the first evening of the summer. Do we really need any more reasons to celebrate? So whether you're a New York local or visiting for the Personal Democracy Forum, come raise a glass with us!