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What is this?
Campaigning isn’t true indicator
Published Friday, October 30, 2009
If you need any confirmation of how contentious this year’s sheriff’s race is, you might start by asking bmanchester, ginny, mike12 or tinkerbell.
If they can’t help, you could try Jaydog, garrettw, Yolanda, martha or strhan.
Even jsmitherdale or sheriff1 might be able to shed a little light on the subject.
Apparently all 11 of these computer users barely let their bed sheets cool before they leapt to their computers to voice their support for their favorite candidate for sheriff.
On Thursday, The Democrat published a story about the Nov. 3 race.
At 6:04 a.m. bmanchester started the string of comments. Two minutes later ginny chimed in with her support.
At a rate of about one comment every five minutes, other users soon followed until 7:17 a.m.
Curiously, each one of these commenters supported the same candidate.
The Democrat blogs have become yet another battleground in this year’s election — one in which appearances may not actually be the truth.
To the average reader, the comments make it appear that this candidate has energized his base of supporters.
The back end of natchezdemocrat.com, however, exposes a more cynical view of this election.
Turns out that comments from bmanchester and the gang were sent from the same Internet protocol address — possibly from the same computer. Instead of being sent from individual users scattered across the county, these 11 users more than likely disseminated their propaganda from the same location.
In cyberspace, any device on the Internet is assigned an IP address. This address helps locate the millions of devices online each day.
When a comment is posted on our Web site our server records the IP address of the device sending the information.
Thursday morning, 11 messages were sent by a single IP address. Interestingly, not one message was sent by the same username. They were all different and they all supported one candidate.
Does this mean that one computer sent these messages? Not necessarily.
Computers that are networked together can share IP addresses. Libraries, small businesses, even homes with multiple computers can share addresses.
But at 6 a.m. it is likely the messages in question came from a single source.
Even with the IP address there is no way of knowing whether this is one individual acting on his own or in concert with a campaign. That is why I refrained from naming the candidate.
Of course, this is just one example of how people can take advantage of the system. Others may be doing the same, concealing their agendas by using multiple computers in different locations. There is no way of knowing.
One thing is certain in the wild, wild Web — that there is no certainty.
Recent polling shows that more and more Americans are relying less on television and more on the Internet to find information on candidates and election issues.
Unfortunately, Thursday’s series of comments show that Internet users must bring with them a healthy skepticism, questioning the source of everything they read.
In the world of big billboards, mass media and Internet blogging, the only real sources of information are those individuals running for office. Nothing can substitute talking with the candidates and asking them pointed questions.
Of course, that does not guarantee casting the right vote.
From whom would you rather hear — the candidates or tinkerbell and court?
Ben Hillyer is the Web editor of The Natchez Democrat. He can be reached at 601-445-3540.
Comments
Posted by stateofnatchez (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 1:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Computers that are networked together can share IP addresses. Libraries, small businesses, even homes with multiple computers can share addresses.
---> Yes, but you can bind multiple IP addresses to a single NIC, as well as establish an IP masquerade configuration that will pass an inspection and still spoof your true MAC address.
So don't necessarily depend on an IPA for a true identifier.....but here we're only talking rednecks on rants and not a 12 yr old bored, Chinese programmer with an axe to grind.
Posted by warbird (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 2:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'll name the canidate. Cox. It was probably him and his wife sitting around the house making up user names.
Posted by mrmojorisin (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 6:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
HA! That's the Master's Degree at work, ya'll....what was that degree in? "Criminal Cheating".
Exactly the guy I want running the Sheriff's Department, right?
Guess we'd better get a line on the absentee voting...make sure tinkerbell and company aren't digging up corpses from the cemetery to mail in their ballot....
Mayfield for Sheriff.
--mojo
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 7:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks Ben. Its a shame that the poster/s had to make "Yolanda" sound as if she didn't speak with proper english.
Posted by thinkaboutit (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 7:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
While we all know that what Ben said is true. There still should be a place like this one to voice your opinion. All that read should consider the source and do their own homework. This should be a place that makes you think. Not that thinks for you. That being said, I think we should look at the candidate's contributions and expenditures closely. Look and see if the candidate will be beholding to a single or small group of contributors. Look at the background of the contributors. Look and see if the candidate tried to spend money locally. Look and see if the candidate is trying to buy votes with donations. Do your homework. Do your thinking. This is an important race for all of of us that live in Adams County.
Posted by Username (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 8:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I saw them comments and could tell that usernames were appearing out of the darkness of night. But truly what is the difference between the misleading comments and the ads on your site with the skinny person in giant pants(or tiny bikni) saying they lost 500 lbs in 3 weeks?or the ads that say that a lime makes beer better? I look at most comments on this site with the same eye I see the misleading diet ads and always accept someones comment for what it is....an opinion of someone sitting at the computer.
Posted by damifino (Gale Coleman) on October 30, 2009 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ben, did you check any other usernames to see if they had the same IP addresses? For example, check mine and see if its the same as theirs AS I KNOW FOR A FACT I am not part of their group. Someone told me one time (don't know if it is so or not) that groups of bell south users were all tagged with an Atlanta IP address.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
damifino, checking ip's was just a formality that Ben did. It was OBVIOUS that the postings were from one person.
:)
Posted by riverat (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 8:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
thanks Ben for sharing.....I noticed that the comments seemed to be a little lopsided toward one candidate. The truth of the matter is we are blessed to have several candidates who are qualified to be sheriff....each with their own unique strengths. We as individual voters have to decide which candidate's views are most similiar to our own and vote accordingly. For me, that person is Chuck Mayfield because he emphasizes prevention and working with youth so much. For someone else, it may be Cox's education. Whatever the choice, badmouthing a person and posting derogatory comments is not going to sway votes to a differenct candidate.
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 10:10 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you very much Ben for noticing the sham that was perpetrated using the ND site. I know it was a little thing. And I did not like you disabling the comments but under the circumstances it was perhaps the best thing to do. Especially since you saw fit to divulge the tactic that was used.
Assuming that the candidate knew nothing of the tactic being used -- one can wonder if he attracts the support of the type of people who would do that. The answer would have to be to a certain extent -- yes, he did -- at least this time. But there are always bad apples and people who would do such a thing -- on their own -- without thinking it through. Still, as supporters they should stain a candidate, as when they do such the candidate will accept whatever votes they coerce into his direction -- he should also accept the fallout.
When a political machine or a candidate is involved in such tactics, though they should never benefit. They insult the contribution of the millions who have served to make us free enough to vote.
It is too often that money and misinformation run our political system. Thanks for your reporting Ben.
Posted by thinkaboutit (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 2:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Trying to do my research. Does anyone know who Randy Freeman's major contributor is and why he has such a major interest in this campaign since he is from south Louisiana?
Posted by treeclimber (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 3:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Is the major contributor the man who built the boat for the sheriff's department?
Posted by NatchezObserver (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In the Cox campaign, there's one person contributing all the money...not too surprising there's also only one person making all the ND comments...
Posted by justmyopinion (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 5:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
go chuck mayfield!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by justmyopinion (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 5:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
about this article.............can i say, shame, double shame?
Posted by welcometothejungle (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 9:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Freeman's major contributor is the boat builder. Why does he have an interest in Adams County politics unless he was asked by the newest endorsement to do so? Binkey or Angie?
Posted by SableSkye (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 7:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I figured as much. It's one thing to support yourself, but when you have multiple personalities supporting yourself, it's just creepy. Happy Halloween!
Posted by been_there (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 8:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good bit of sleuthing Ben. Thanks
Posted by pollym44 (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 8:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks Ben, great story! Just curious, WHO has the flag tat on their back? This curious mind wants to know!!
Posted by 3on23 (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 9:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Glad to see that the Democrat looked into those suspicious posts the other day. Most of us had already figured it out.
Randy's Freeman's biggest contributor, Vance Breaux, has a large and very nice hunting camp within the county where he entertains friends, family and clients. He brings a lot of money into this town when he brings these people in during the hunting season. As anyone who lives in the remote areas of the county knows extra patrols in those areas is greatly appreciated due to all the thefts that have become so common. That may be at least one of the reasons he is backing Randy Freeman for sheriff.
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I usually do not go back to an article after I have posted a blog, but I did this time to show a relative and found mine deleted. Why??? I only told the truth just as everyone else has done and their's have not been deleted. I must have hit a nerve with someone. Go ahead and delete, it still won't make Cliff Cox sheriff.
Posted by welcometothejungle (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 10:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Get real. When Vance Breaux come in and brings people to town, they are staying at the hunting camp. How is that bringing big money into Natchez? Sound more like he's buying future favors from Randy.
Posted by 3on23 (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Welcometothejungle, when they come in they don't just go to the camp. They shop here for food, sporting good items, gas, the wives shop in our downtown stores and the mall, and they also go out to the nightclubs. I know when I was working downtown in one of the clubs he tipped all the workers anywhere from $25-$100 at Thanksgiving.
Posted by welcometothejungle (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 2:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
3on23,
These people are not going to be the base of our economy. How often do they come in to "spend the big bucks"? You still have to wonder what the real reasons are for giving someone $20,000 and not expect something in return... People who throw around money, you have to question. Remember that scoundrel John Rivera who came to town and threw money at everyone? It wasn't his money, he didn't care. He threw money to MANY local official just to see how many he could get in his pocket.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on October 31, 2009 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
polly, supposedly Cox has a confederate flag tatooed on his back. I personally wouldn't know. But that is not a reason to vote either for or against him.
Posted by mrmojorisin (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 1:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Isn't this editorial about Cox's supporters trying to bolster support by fraudulently creating bloggers that don't exist?
Didn't he, Cliff Cox, try to defraud worker's compenstation?
Well, I guess friends and supporters are like apples...they don't fall frar from the tree................
--mojo
Posted by pollym44 (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 8:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks freedom 42--- Just read it somewhere and couldn't remember. Totally agree with you!!
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