Whatever one thinks of the proposal to allow BlackBerrys and other electronic devices on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, it might have one salutary effect: silencing hecklers.

Remember Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C), who said, "You lie!" after President Obama said illegal immigrants wouldn't be covered under health reform? If other members of Congress are tempted to imitate Wilson, they now may  text their criticism -- or ignore the president's comments because they're busy friending their constituents on Facebook.

--Michael McGough

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Photo: Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) is surrounded by colleagues as he listens to President Obama's remarks on healthcare after shouting, 'you lie!' when Obama referenced illegal immigrants in his speech to a joint session of Congress in September 2009. Credit: Mike Theiler / EPA