Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive |
Opion: Political mudslinging pushes important issues to the sideBy Wendy LedbetterPublished Wednesday, April 9, 2008 in the Nevada County Picayune I have at least a conceptual grasp of the World Wide Web but I cant imagine why folks from as far away as Canada have found information about a Prescott issue involving two of our sheriffs candidates to be of such interest. I would never have found the site where there were (at last count) more than 110 entries bashing one candidate or another and offering intimate if sometimes incorrect details of the lives and business practices of Nevada County officials. And most of them are from Lonoke County, Little Rock or Toronto thats right, Canada. As it turns out, someone brought it to me and I went back to someone who had given it to them who had actually gotten it from someone else. Though Ill never really know who sent the first copy of this out, I did eventually find the site. For anyone in Nevada County who hasnt been there and I have to hope that there is someone who hasnt yet become involved its a general information news site where anyone can post topics. The idea is to get discussion going by having others then post comments on that topic. In this case, its the Nevada County Sheriffs race thats gotten so much attention. There have been allegations of all sorts posted - almost all by people who won't use their real names or even admit to being from Nevada County. Anyone who knows me will know that I am a staunch supporter of freedom of speech. I believe anyone with information or even an opinion should be able to voice that, write it or post it to some Web site somewhere. And if it doesnt get enough attention, theres certainly the option to spread the word so that you drag others into your forum for discussion by bad-mouthing them or their loved ones. But this has gotten out of hand and Ill tell you why. Posted directly below that topic is an article about Potlatchs decision to close the Prescott plant and to leave 182 families faced with unemployment. While there were more than 100 postings bashing the sheriff, the candidates, past office-holders, present and past employees and others with nothing at all to do with the race, there were six folks who posted to the information about Potlatch. Six. Dont get me wrong. The person who holds the office as Nevada County Sheriff is the chief law enforcement official in this county. Thats important. The name calling and mudslinging, however, is petty and insignificant. If you dont believe me, there are 182 families wholl likely tell you the same thing. Search | Nevada County Picayune by date | Gurdon Times by date |
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