State Computers Used To Erase Huckabee Criticism

Today's THV: Research by The Associated Press shows that, over the past two years, people at state computers have been editing online encyclopedia entries about presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, Gov. Mike Beebe and a former state auditor and treasurer. In 2005, someone at a state computer edited out references to Huckabee's interest in clemency for castrated rapist Wayne DuMond. The next year, someone linked to the state computer network eliminated a reference to the ex-governor's travels on a state airplane.

State police dictates that Arkansas' government resources are not to be used for political purposes. Ethics officials cautioned Beebe in 2005 after a state computer was used to edit a political speech. In all, AP research found five computer addresses within state government network being used to edit information about politicians. Other state computer users changed pages about rock bands, the city of Batesville and Charles Manson. The state acknowledges the computers are part of its network but won't say which agencies or offices are assigned to the numbers. Twice, it rejected Freedom of Information requests from the AP. [Source]