UPDATE: The company tells Paper Trail it has fixed a problem that blocked suggested results when users typed "Islam is" into the search window.
After our blog posting yesterday, Google sent an email this afternoon stating:
"Here's a statement attributable to a Google spokesperson, "The bug fix is in the process of rolling out, and suggestions will be visible within the next few days."
The story was gaining traction because when users type in "Christianity is" - or other religions followed by "is" - a host of often derisive words show up underneath to complete that sentence.
The "Islam is" query prompted no suggestions at all.
The matter raised questions about whether the company was self-censoring results in its Google Suggest feature.
As we noted, the timing was interesting because Google recently released this statement threatening to shut down service in China because it is no longer willing to censor results there, citing the importance of free speech.
No word on other searches that still appear to have glitches in the suggestions feature. Paper Trail has asked Google to explain those bugs.
- Doug Miller
Monday, January 25, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Google's 'Islam is' problem
Hot story brewing in the blogosphere about what happens when you type "Islam is" into your Google search window.
Nothing happens - which is exactly the story.
Type in "Christianity is" - or other religions followed by "is" - and a host of often derisive words show up underneath to complete that sentence. The "Islam is" query prompts no suggestions at all.
Google says a bug is to blame and it's working on it.
Google Suggest is supposed to offer searches similar to the one you're typing. (For instance, type "a" and you get "amazon, aol, american airlines, and so on.)
The company acknowledges filtering out "suggestions that include pornographic terms, dirty words, and hate and violence terms."
But the glitch doesn't happen with other top search engines yahoo and bing - and bloggers have all kinds of theories about why Google won't let anything potentially offensive show up about Islam.
The timing is interesting, because Google recently released this statement threatening to shut down service in China because it is no longer willing to censor results there. The Great Firewall of China does not allow references to Tiananmen Square or those backing independence for Tibet and Tiawan, among others.
Try these searches for more fun:
Is it a bug, self-censorship, or something in-between?
Whatever the answer, questions of transparency seem relevant for the world's largest search engine.
- Doug Miller
Nothing happens - which is exactly the story.
Type in "Christianity is" - or other religions followed by "is" - and a host of often derisive words show up underneath to complete that sentence. The "Islam is" query prompts no suggestions at all.
Google says a bug is to blame and it's working on it.
Google Suggest is supposed to offer searches similar to the one you're typing. (For instance, type "a" and you get "amazon, aol, american airlines, and so on.)
The company acknowledges filtering out "suggestions that include pornographic terms, dirty words, and hate and violence terms."
But the glitch doesn't happen with other top search engines yahoo and bing - and bloggers have all kinds of theories about why Google won't let anything potentially offensive show up about Islam.
The timing is interesting, because Google recently released this statement threatening to shut down service in China because it is no longer willing to censor results there. The Great Firewall of China does not allow references to Tiananmen Square or those backing independence for Tibet and Tiawan, among others.
Try these searches for more fun:
- Type in "Pat Bu" and you get a whole lot of things except "Pat Buchanan," even though a regular Google search shows he gets more hits than the others.
- Try "Bilderberg," and - nothing in the suggested search area. (Adds intrigue that the Bilderberg Group is a private, secretive club of the world's most powerful people.)
Is it a bug, self-censorship, or something in-between?
Whatever the answer, questions of transparency seem relevant for the world's largest search engine.
- Doug Miller
Thursday, January 21, 2010
State: ABC boards need travel rules
One-third of local ABC boards do not have travel policies to control spending, the state Alcohol Beverage Control Commission said today.
The commission sent a Wednesday e-mail directing 163 local boards to review and update policies by March 1.
Click here to read a news release.
The Mecklenburg ABC system has been under scrutiny during the past several weeks after news a liquor company paid for a $12,000 dinner last November attended by McDougal, former ABC Chair Parks Helms and other employees. Helms, McDougal and some staffers repaid $9,000 of the bill, but a state alcohol law enforcement report later said the dinner violated state law. Helms resigned from the board last week amid public pressure.
The Mecklenburg County ABC Board said Tuesday it plans to set new gifts and ethics policies, and has asked its attorneys to study the relationship between vendors and people within the local alcoholic beverage system.
- Doug Miller
The commission sent a Wednesday e-mail directing 163 local boards to review and update policies by March 1.
Click here to read a news release.
The Mecklenburg ABC system has been under scrutiny during the past several weeks after news a liquor company paid for a $12,000 dinner last November attended by McDougal, former ABC Chair Parks Helms and other employees. Helms, McDougal and some staffers repaid $9,000 of the bill, but a state alcohol law enforcement report later said the dinner violated state law. Helms resigned from the board last week amid public pressure.
The Mecklenburg County ABC Board said Tuesday it plans to set new gifts and ethics policies, and has asked its attorneys to study the relationship between vendors and people within the local alcoholic beverage system.
- Doug Miller
Myrick calls for military terror trials
From the Under the Dome blog:
U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick has posted a new video on YouTube offering her thoughts on whether the United States should try suspected terrorist Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and others in civilian court in New York City.
Myrick’s answer: No.
"They are enemy combatants," she says. "Why should they be given the same rights as U.S. citizens?"
In the two-minute video, Myrick, a Charlotte Republican, says the trial would serve as little but a public platform for Mohammed to proclaim his views about America.
She worries that some evidence wouldn’t be admissible because Mohammed’s Miranda rights weren’t read when he was captured, Washington correspondent Barb Barrett reports. She says other evidence wouldn’t be admissible because it’s classified.
Myrick says jurors would likely live in fear for the rest of their lives if they return guilty verdicts.
And she fears other terrorists might commit violence for the purpose of getting public civilian trials as well.
"It’s like having your cake and eating it too," Myrick says on the video. "Commit jihad and then get a platform to explain why you did it. And all at the expense of U.S. taxpayers."
Instead, she says, the United States should use the military court system.
"We should try them quickly and efficiently in a safe and secure military court, and be done with it, period," Myrick says.
John Edwards' statement about Rielle Hunter's child
Two-time Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards' statement, released Thursday, about the child he fathered with his former mistress: I am Quinn's father. I will do everything in my power to provide her with the love and support she deserves. I have been able to spend time with her during the past year and trust that future efforts to show her the love and affection she deserves can be done privately and in peace.
It was wrong for me ever to deny she was my daughter and hopefully one day, when she understands, she will forgive me. I have been providing financial support for Quinn and have reached an agreement with her mother to continue providing support in the future.
To all those I have disappointed and hurt, these words will never be enough, but I am truly sorry.
John R. Edwards
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Judge orders release of 911 calls
Police must release all 911 tapes and police radio communications associated with former Officer Marcus Jackson, a Mecklenburg judge ruled Wednesday.
Jackson, 26, was arrested and fired last month after several women accused him of sexually assaulting them during traffic stops. Police last week moved to block the release of emergency communications associated with his activities.
“The recordings are public record…and therefore subject to disclosure,” Superior Court Judge Richard Boner ruled after reviewing the tapes in private.
Read the judge's order
Jackson, 26, was arrested and fired last month after several women accused him of sexually assaulting them during traffic stops. Police last week moved to block the release of emergency communications associated with his activities.
“The recordings are public record…and therefore subject to disclosure,” Superior Court Judge Richard Boner ruled after reviewing the tapes in private.
Read the judge's order
Friday, January 15, 2010
City: No widespread water problems
Investigations of high water bills have not detected any unexpected trends or systemwide problems, according to a city memo released today.
City officials expect a Cornelius task force of business owners and residents to finish by March their work looking into the string of complaints, many from the Cornelius area the report says.
Here are excerpts from the "Utilities High Bill Concerns Update":
Cornelius Task Force - The group is tackling the complexities of meters, rates and billing and began clarifying some concerns raised by customers in the audience. Most customer concerns raised Monday evening were addressed by the task force, with four new cases identified that require further investigation by Utilities.
Additional Meter Testing – Utilities has begun implementing a meter-testing plan. Since mid-December, accuracy tests have been conducted on 11 in-service meters. The tests were conducted in accordance with industry-accepted practices and the meters were found to perform properly and accurately. The next step will include independent third party verification of the in-house test results.
Electronic Transmitters – It’s relatively infrequent, but malfunctioning electronic transmitters can result in low water use readings for a period, which can eventually lead to a high reading and subsequent bill ‘spike’ after the transmitter is replaced. Any customers affected by failing transmitters – or any other error on the City’s part – receive appropriate adjustments to their accounts.
Customer Investigations - Ongoing media coverage continues to prompt higher than normal bill inquiries and concerns. ...To date, Utilities staff has not detected any unexpected trends or system-wide problems in its investigations.
Last fall, residents of the Peninsula neighborhood in Cornelius complained of unusually high bills - in some cases, more than $500 a month - or abnormal spikes. Media coverage spurred more complaints citywide, and CMUD said it's struggling to investigate all of them.
- Doug Miller
City officials expect a Cornelius task force of business owners and residents to finish by March their work looking into the string of complaints, many from the Cornelius area the report says.
Here are excerpts from the "Utilities High Bill Concerns Update":
Cornelius Task Force - The group is tackling the complexities of meters, rates and billing and began clarifying some concerns raised by customers in the audience. Most customer concerns raised Monday evening were addressed by the task force, with four new cases identified that require further investigation by Utilities.
Additional Meter Testing – Utilities has begun implementing a meter-testing plan. Since mid-December, accuracy tests have been conducted on 11 in-service meters. The tests were conducted in accordance with industry-accepted practices and the meters were found to perform properly and accurately. The next step will include independent third party verification of the in-house test results.
Electronic Transmitters – It’s relatively infrequent, but malfunctioning electronic transmitters can result in low water use readings for a period, which can eventually lead to a high reading and subsequent bill ‘spike’ after the transmitter is replaced. Any customers affected by failing transmitters – or any other error on the City’s part – receive appropriate adjustments to their accounts.
Customer Investigations - Ongoing media coverage continues to prompt higher than normal bill inquiries and concerns. ...To date, Utilities staff has not detected any unexpected trends or system-wide problems in its investigations.
Last fall, residents of the Peninsula neighborhood in Cornelius complained of unusually high bills - in some cases, more than $500 a month - or abnormal spikes. Media coverage spurred more complaints citywide, and CMUD said it's struggling to investigate all of them.
- Doug Miller
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