If they aren't using those laptops (or tablets if they have any) to read the legislation that's being discussed or anything like that, but for any other stuff, then there's really no reason why they should have those laptops there. They need to focus on the new laws being passed, not checking Facebook and Twitter.
Yes, but consider how doomed you are if you need to treat your parliamentarians like irresponsible children to keep them on task.
But I think there's probably a more charitable explanation that everyone is too polite to say: large chunks of the business being conducted may in fact be bullshit, and deep down they know it.
Snap of photo of the representative checking Facebook while legislation is being debated, and make it into a campaign ad when the next election rolls around.
But honestly, I'm sure this is nothing new. Legislators have been daydreaming, doodling, passing notes, and reading books during debates since time immemorial. It's not like attendance is even mandatory in the first place.
