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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday October 4, 2008 - 11 · CARPET · ORIENTAL RUGS · VINYL · HARDWOOD · CERAMICS · CARPET · · C A R P E T · O R I E N TA L R U G S · V I N Y L · H A R D W O O D · C E R A M I C S · C A R P E T · O R I E N TA L R U G S · · C A R P E T · O R I E N TA L R U G S · V I N Y L · H A R D W O O D · C E R A M I C S · C A R P E T · O R I E N TA L R U G S · Internet new tool for politicians Continued from page 8 they want to say at anytime. The person posting the hate has no idea who is receiving it on the other end. "If you're going to say something (about) me, say it to my face." Raitt said everyone must be careful what he or she publishes on the web because it's eternal. "When your communicating with the public through the Internet, you have the responsibility to remember it's there forever and you will be held accountable one day for whatever you say," she said. Halton NDP candidate Robert Wagner is bothered people would anonymously accuse somebody of something. If an accusation is made, Wagner feels the person or people should stand behind it, provide their names and be held accountable. Otherwise, allegations are hard to take seriously, he said. "I put no credence behind any comment where someone won't put their real name or contact information," he said. "Who knows who's putting it up there - perhaps it's a candidate looking for sympathy. If you have an issue, say it to someone's face. It's a common courtesy." Like his opponents, Wagner "I'm skeptical that blogs and websites have a great deal of influence on voters. I have a feeling people visiting them already have their minds made up." Henry Jacek, political science professor, McMaster University feels the Internet is a great communications tool and has helped his campaign. His site has posted speeches, made by party boss, Jack Layton by linking to YouTube. Yet, given the effectiveness of the 'Net, Wagner said it doesn't replace contact with the public. "Nothing is more effective than face-to-face (meetings), looking someone in the eyes and talking to them, really connecting." Green Party candidate Amy Collard said the Internet works -- for the right reasons. "I believe the Internet should be used to discuss the issues," she said. "It's being used to malign the candidate, I do not call that clean campaigning. I don't believe that belongs in politics." Blogging -- or the 'blogos- phere' - has become an Internet sensation, with too many sites floating in cyberspace to count. Not only do everyday citizens use them but so do media outlets. Media put tight reins on blogging to ensure fairness. But the everyday blogs from 'Joe or Jane citizen' can go unedited and posted online with no screening. McMaster University political science professor Henry Jacek says people must be wary when they come across political blogs targeting a candidate. There's also the risk of such sites backfiring, he said. "I'm skeptical that blogs and websites have a great deal of influence on the voters," he said. "I have a feeling people visiting them already have their minds made up." If the public is serious about better understanding where a candidate stands on issues, they should contact the particular candidate to hear the answer for themselves. There is at least one clear benefit from candidates hosting websites - the ability to collect online political donations, Jacek said. "That's the major positive function for them." 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