I love the Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia that anyone can edit. This free encyclopedia is an example of how the internet can be used in a positive way. Although concerns have been raised about its accuracy, a recent study published in the journal Nature found that Wikipedia's
accuracy is comparable to that of the Encyclopedia Britannica.
What contributes to the inaccuracies in the Wikipedia? A broadcast last night on WCCO TV reported that Senator Coleman (Republican, Minnesota) or someone from his office had been sanitizing his entry in the Wikipedia.
Here's a major part of the content of last night's broadcast on
WCCO:
IN FACT, Wikipedia says Coleman's office altered descriptions about his past, changing "liberal Democrat in college" to "an activist Democrat."
Coleman's 1960s college life as an antiwar protester is not well known, even though he hasn't exactly run away from it.
"Come senators, congressmen/ Please heed the call," Coleman once sang to the tune of Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'." "Don't stand in the doorway/ Don't block up the hall."
But that's NOT THE WHOLE STORY.
Wikipedia says other changes were made from computers in Coleman's Senate office. The changes include:
* Coleman's voting record during his first year in office: 98 percent of the time with President Bush
* references to Karl Rove
* Bush budget cuts
* Coleman's Senate race against Walter Mondale
All were deleted or changed.
"Basically, they were toning down or removing information that was factual," said Wikinews Editor Wayne Saewyc.
Although Norm Coleman used to be a liberal democrat, these edits show clearly that the metamorphosis is complete and he is now a genuine Republican - That is, he is strong on propaganda and runs from his record. (the same article said that Biden's, and Feinstein's and Harklin's offices have also changed entries, but Coleman's appear to be more extensive)