Only a few hours after several bloggers here at RM suggested (strongly) that the Senate Majority Leader restore access to a recently banned neo-comm blog on the other side of the aisle his office issued the following statement:

BISHOP COMMENTS ON BLOG ACCESS

"I stand by the position that Senate employees should be not be using taxpayer equipment to view political blogs pursuant to Senate Rule 1.401(c). These blogs are of questionable content and employees who are paid to conduct the business of the people of Michigan should not be interacting with them during business hours.

"Senate Democrats seem intent on making this a debate on censorship and
their right to view questionable political content during business
hours. Senate Republicans believe this a discussion of the proper use of
taxpayer resources and appropriate conduct during business hours and
establishing strict guidelines on employee use of the Internet and
websites.

"Access to the site in question has been restored. Given the evolving nature of the Internet in politics and the emergence of blogging in political commentary, I am directing the Secretary of the Senate to perform a full review of the Senate's current policies concerning employees' use of the Internet."

This isn't just the right tactical move, it's the right move period.  Now, the Secretary of the Senate can focus on examining traffic patterns and web histories to make sure that public employees aren't blogging the day away on the taxpayers' dime.

Props, by the way, to Senator Bishop for recognizing they'd made a mistake and taking action.  Takes a big man and a strong leader to admit a mistake.  Something we haven't seen in Michigan in the last five years.