Congress hostage situation via The Onion

Yesterday, The Onion posted a series of mock-live tweets detailing a breaking news story. The urgent news? Congress had taken people hostage at our nation's capitol. Almost immediately, people were outraged at the satirical news organization for spreading false information and generating fear and anxiety with news that isn't true. I loved the entire thing. I loved that people were mad about it and I loved that The Onion did it. So I wanted to share quickly with you, in case you aren't on Twitter, how the feed went down. Enjoy.

• BREAKING: Witnesses reporting screams and gunfire heard inside Capitol building.

  

  TheOnionSeptember 29, 2011 at 7:33
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  BREAKING: Capitol building being evacuated. 12 children held hostage by group of armed congressmen.#CongressHostage

  

  TheOnionSeptember 29, 2011 at 7:44
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  Congress Takes Group Of Schoolchildren Hostagehttp://onion.com/r1pM9h #CongressHostage

  

  TheOnionSeptember 29, 2011 at 7:57
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  Police helicopter just ordered to pull back after Rep. Trent Franks tried to take it down with a shotgun#CongressHostage

  

  TheOnionSeptember 29, 2011 at 8:17
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  Two chaperones are also being held, one of whom is said to be pregnant #CongressHostage

  

  TheOnionSeptember 29, 2011 at 8:43
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  Arlington gun shop confirms Rep. @EricCantor bought 6 semi-automatic handguns, 3 rifles & 600 clips of ammo last month #CongressHostage

  

  TheOnionSeptember 29, 2011 at 8:56
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  BREAKING: Hostage sends camera phone video from inside Capitol building http://onion.com/qi7JK3#CongressHostage

  

  TheOnionSeptember 29, 2011 at 9:15
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  BREAKING: Congress demanding $12 trillion ransom or "all the kids die" #CongressHostage

  

  TheOnionSeptember 29, 2011 at 9:30
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  Reports from those who know Congress say the legislative body had seemed desperate as of late #CongressHostage

  

  TheOnionSeptember 29, 2011 at 9:53
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  Child with asthma released as gesture of good will#CongressHostage

  

  TheOnionSeptember 29, 2011 at 10:00
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  Released child describes scene inside as “very scary,” with senators fighting over each state’s share of the ransom#CongressHostage

  

  TheOnionSeptember 29, 2011 at 10:20
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  Three-course lunch from Charlie Palmer’s Steakhouse delivered as per Rep. Boehner’s demands#CongressHostage

  

  TheOnionSeptember 29, 2011 at 10:31
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  Extra demands include transport to Dulles airport with fueled-up private jet waiting on runway. McCain expected to fly it. #CongressHostage

  

  TheOnionSeptember 29, 2011 at 11:00
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  Veteran hostage negotiator calls Rep. Boehner’s demands "unrealistic" http://onion.com/r1pM9h #CongressHostage

  

  TheOnionSeptember 29, 2011 at 11:43
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  President Obama in bullet proof vest now on Capitol steps trying to talk congressmen down onion.com/r1pM9h#CongressHostage

  

  TheOnionSeptember 29, 2011 at 12:00
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  Obama on bullhorn: "John, I know you can hear me in there. Please, you don't need to do this." #CongressHostage

  

  TheOnionSeptember 29, 2011 at 12:22
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  Obama: "I know this Congress well. Trust me, they will kill these kids." #CongressHostage

  

  TheOnionSeptember 29, 2011 at 12:36
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  4pm deadline is in 15 minutes. Congress still has not received its $12 trillion #CongressHostage

  

  TheOnionSeptember 29, 2011 at 12:45
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  UPDATE: Hostage Negotiation Talks Stall In Congress#CongressHostage http://onion.com/ozHsmU