One of the reasons us non techie older blokes shouldn’t ever try and disguise ourselves on-line. We get caught.
If it was a staffer using the email without the bosses consent we would have heard from Michael about the sacking already.
One of the reasons us non techie older blokes shouldn’t ever try and disguise ourselves on-line. We get caught.
If it was a staffer using the email without the bosses consent we would have heard from Michael about the sacking already.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 12:36 am and is filed under blogs, comms & IT, humour, internet, local government. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
If I was to post a comment on Stuff as ‘RedTrev’ and give your email address would Fairfax trace it back to ensure that it was posted from the correct domain to match the address given?
And even if they did, how would they know it was you who was writing the comment rather than someone else?
I’ve posted comments to this blog, and to other sites, always using the same name and email address. But I’ve sent these contributions from various private PCs (including some overseas), from various work machines (connected either through business networks or via public networks such as hotels), and even, on occasion, from internet cafes.
If someone wanted to match the Name and Email I use they could post as me from anywhere me with total anonymity. As I’m a nobody there would be no reason for that to make the headlines.
If I posted as you, Trevor, supporting Labour policy, that also might go totally undiscovered. Until I alerted someone to the fact further down the line, suggesting that some posts in support of Labour policy were, in fact, ringers.
I’m not pronouncing one way or another here – just saying that the use of Laws’s email address in postings is no evidence whatsoever of wrongdoing by the man and you should be wary of commenting on it as if it is.
Your remarkst about us older blokes taking care when delving into the world of technology are very valid here.
@George or maybe Michael Laws is just, as he has always been, a self-worshipping buffoon. Think that’s the more likely scenario.
I hope it was him, because that means there’s one less person who supports him who actually exists.
King George. You dont seem to understand what they have found out. The computers used have been tracked back to a publishing company owned by Laws. Not to computers all over the place. The email address is unimportant as it cant be verified, but the IP address cant be faked without a bit of effort. The IP address is registered to Laws company. End of story. Of course Laws quite correctly says ‘its someone in the office’. But Trevor says ‘Yeah right”
I knew I’d heard of this happening before!
http://www.listener.co.nz/issue/3559/columnists/11563/revenge_of_the_nerds_.html
GWW – my comments were based on the story to which Trevor linked. In that I can see no mention of IP addresses whatsoever.
What the story does say is:
“At least two of the comments were sent using an email address that can be linked to Mr Laws’ publishing company, Darius Press.”
As you yourself agree, an “email address is unimportant as it cant be verified”.
Trev i might not agree with everything Michael Laws says but at least he is standing up for the Democratic wishes in his city and not backing down to the likes of Tariana Turia over the “H” issue in the spelling of the city i live in or taking any of the media’s crap that they always throw in his direction but yes Laws is a very controversial public figure ..his rhetoric strategy is a bit simalar to that of Winston Peters
Obvious rule, do not elect a celebrity mayor. Require in the terms of employment for any mayor, they do not have a radio show or independent self promotion vehicle. They are elected to represent their city and that’s it.
You are right George, that tracing emails back to a particular domain is not proof of support fixing, but in the circumstances I think it could be evidence, and knowing Laws and his “say it enough times it’s true” approach probably is evidence.
@ Martin J – I hope you’re not sitting on a jury any time soon.
George, we’re all on the jury – in the court of public opinion, and given how Laws operates, I say he’s guilty. Not that I think we should hang him of course. He’s way too entertaining to let go. I hope he stays mayor forever, and keeps ranting away on air, and writing his newspaper pieces. The only problem I suppose is that many take his views seriously, so that’s probably a reason to hang him. He is pretty funny though.
Michael may not be great but he has been the best Mayor Wanganui has had in nearly 20 years, putting aside the fact that he has very controversial attitudes and the fact the media despice him he has given “Direct Democracy” a greater say in the running of the city.
We have had referendums every year since 2004 and his council even allowed last year for the RATEPAYERS to decide what rate increases they wanted..what other city in NZ can make such a claim like this?
What im trying to say is that Michael Laws may be controversial and at times say very inappropriate things but he has done a hell of a lot for his city and like Shadbolt is not afraid of standing up to Central Govt to defend the wishes of the city he runs.
I am not a fan of Laws, I do however find him entertaining (so agree with Martin J). Your glowing endorsement Matt, of his skills, does sound in writing, to cast him in a better light (competent even). You sure you are not working for Darius press?
(just kidding)
@Paul Lol no im not employed by Darius Press or even remotely connected to Michael Laws or his company but thanks for the complement.
My “Glowing endorsement” as you called it isnt restricted to Laws i support any politician or public figure that is a part of any political party and is prepared to stand up to the Media and speak frankly without any of the usual “Political Correctness” rubbish that is becoming epidemic in our Politicians these days.
The biggest fan of Jaws Laws is Jaws Laws!! Could this be a clue?
Certainly the retort from Whanga looks like the kind of thing he might be expected from him.
Reminds me of some antics back in Napier with one or another councillor – don’t recall the details but again some mistaken identity involved? Please remind me!
Matt Collins – to suggest that Laws is “the best Mayor Wanganui has had in nearly 20 years” is a sad indictment on the quality of previous mayors in Whanganui. The rest of us have sat back and been appalled as he, among other things, pit-bulled a bunch of Otaki school children who dared to challenge his Euro-centricity. You suggest this is challenging “Political Correctness” – and that is exactly the level of Michael (sorry “Micael”) Laws thinking – he sees himself as a battler against PC but show us someone who knows what PC is and we’ll show you a prize bigot dinosaur who would’ve railed against the banning of slavery and giving votes to women – “Political Correctness” stands up against “Political Uncorrectness” and if you are a supporter of Uncorrectness then you stand opposed to most of the social advances our societies have made in the last three hundred years. Right wing born again baptists who take their cues from the formulators of Nazi ideology get their “t”s in a tangle over “Political Correctness” because it gets in the way of their favoured retention of the good old ways which favoured the rich, males and property ownership. Thank God for “Political Correctness”.