Wikipedia, Can You Trust The Info?

Posted by on 2/9/2006

According to this San Francisco Gate article, apparently one should use caution.  It seems that Senator Feinstein’s staff altered some information about her and her husband , but of course she knew nothing about it.

What was it that they did not want on the site?

  • These include removing references to a 1992 fine for failing to disclose that Blum had guaranteed Feinstein’s campaign loans.
  • Also removed, according to the Wikinews account, was “a paragraph regarding a conflict of interest debate from 1997 when Mr. Blum had invested millions of dollars in Chinese businesses when Ms. Feinstein was campaigning in the Senate to lift trade sanctions against the country. Mr. Blum later announced he would donate all profits from his Chinese investments to charity.”

Who else has done this?

  • The investigation showed that the office of Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., removed a paragraph about a 1996 plagiarism scandal.
  • Sen. Conrad Burns’ use of the word “ragheads,” was removed from the Montana Republican’s biography, according to the investigation, along with mention of legislation he sponsored that would reduce the sovereignty of Native American tribes.
  • Staff of Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, removed a paragraph that said Harkin had falsely claimed to have flown combat missions over Vietnam, the investigation found, along with references to his pro-Israeli positions.
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6 Comments.

  1. Robert 2/9/2006 at February 9, 2006 - 11:06 PM

    Isn’t it quite remarkable that these highly educated people, professionals, wealthy, leaders in politics, can skillfully manipulate and maneuver politically to the nth degree.

    But somehow, in certain instances, they are suddenly incapable. They don’t know anything about it, can’t recall anything, never looked into it, didn’t realize it, yada yada yada.

    DiFi is the just the latest example of politico lying and hypocrisy. The Klintons were masters at denial, obstruction, and obfuscation.

    Like the subpoenaed Rose Law firm billing records. Lost, until well after the reason for their being subpoenaed went away. Then, shazam! Why, we never thought to look behind that door! There’s the box! Who’d have thunk?

  2. Paul 2/10/2006 at February 10, 2006 - 06:26 AM

    The article also stated the following. Be fair, now. Also, anyone can post on Wikipedia, so the prevalence of false/misleading info could be high especially if motivated by political goals … from either side of the aisle.

    The office of Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., changed a description of the Minnesota Republican’s political leanings as a college student from “liberal Democrat” to “activist Democrat” and then to “active college student,” the Wikipedia investigation found.

    The investigation found that references to Coleman’s 98 percent pro-Bush voting record were removed, along with references to White House deputy chief of staff Karl Rove.

  3. PCD 2/10/2006 at February 10, 2006 - 09:15 AM

    I blogged over at Iowa Voice, Pg 2 about Wikipedia waking up to politicians and their staffs editing entries and having banned them from doing so in this article from the Scotsman.

  4. Peejz 2/10/2006 at February 10, 2006 - 09:16 AM

    I posted changes from both sides of the aisle. Hence the Conrad Burns info…

  5. Sasha 2/10/2006 at February 10, 2006 - 11:30 AM

    I’ve corrected information there. It’s a good idea, but there is no real way to make sure only good and accuarate is made available to the public.

    I wouldn’t make any bets based on information found at wikipedia.

  6. Sasha 2/10/2006 at February 10, 2006 - 11:04 PM

    Thanks, PCD. Got your message from Monday that was all about this.