COMMENTARY

MARK SCHUMANN

Because Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers allows contributors to its online dialogues to post under pseudonyms, even political candidates are free to take cheap shots at each other on TCPalm.com.  Though it is difficult, if not possible to know for certain the identify of any given commenter, recurring themes, writing style and vocabulary used can at least sometimes offer clues.

Take for example a pro-sale fundamentalist commenter who posts on TCPalm.com under the pen name, “Wonderer.”  Wonderer sounds and reasons so much like city council candidate and pro-sale utility activist, Charlie Wilson, is is difficult to believe they are not identical twins, or at least soul mates.

For example, today Wonderer posted the following comment to a letter to the editor accusing Vero Electric of charging “exorbitant” rates.  (See: Another big lie being perpetuated about Vero Electric)

Thank you George and Fred for a great letter. 

This coming election is very important for this sale.  

Kramer the “sell when I’m a candidate but not when I’m elected”, is running and will garner the support of the employees which is understandable, but hopefully not enough votes to be reelected. There is another word for that when I grew up – liar. 

Pilar Turner, a real woman leader, inteligent (sic) and articulate, with a head on her shoulders, who has been a clear sell, and get out of the electric business voice from the beginning.  

Charlie Wilson, has supported a sale from day one, has been attacked relentlessly as has any prosale person by the little demon with the online blog.  – Wonderer