Let He Without Sin Cast the First Vote

A discussion I had in a small group today revolved around using the Internet for opposition research as well as self-research. We were discussing how online searches have made things so much easier to find information about yourself and your oppenent. I was not surprised when the facilitator asked everyone in the room, "How many of you have Googled yourself?" The entire room, without exception had done it.

One of the things that he was quick to point out, though, is that not all internet searches are either reliable or desirable. For examples, Internet posts on websites such as this can say whatever they want about a candidate, and can then be cited in a TV ad. To most people, they would not reconsider whether the source was credible or not. Also, by searching criminal records on the national police database, candidates can find themselves in trouble. Each time a search is performed, a record is made of the search. Using this for political gain could cause some legal problems. So while the Internet has advanced researching, it is important still to use restraint in acting on the information gained!