Website attacks Schwartzkopf

An anonymous group opposing the re-election of House Majority Leader Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, has secured a website that uses his name to post his voting record.

A message on an anonymously established website, OnlyWhen PigsFly.org, pleads with Schwartzkopf to stop raising taxes. It also charges Schwartzkopf voted for or cosponsored measures to raise six fees and 11 taxes in 2009. When users attempt to visit the website Peteschwartzkopf.com, they are rerouted to Pigs Fly.

In early April, House attorney Bill Bush sent a letter to the domain host to cease and desist redirecting users from Peteschwartzkopf.com to OnlyWhen PigsFly.org.

“Your use of the domain name Peteschwartzkopf.com violates Mr. Schwartzkopf’s rights, including trademark and publicity rights,” states the letter.

The directive also states that if the domain name was not transferred to Schwartzkopf in the next 72 hours, Bush would pursue legal action.

The problem, said Schwartzkopf, began a month ago when he tried to secure Peteschwartzkopf.com for his 2010 re-election campaign.

Schwartzkopf said he understands the right to publicize his voting record, which is public information, but he thinks it’s unjust to use his own name to oppose him. He said doesn’t know who is behind Pigs Fly, nor does he care. “Apparently, people behind this went through a domain by proxy to steal the ownership. I’m really not after who’s behind it or the Pigs Fly website. All I am trying to do is get my name back,” he said. “I don’t really appreciate what they’re doing, but they have every right to have their website.”

At press time, users were still being directed from Peteschwartzkopf.com to OnlyWhenPigsFly.com.

Multiple attempts to reach Bush were not successful at press time.

A Route 9 billboard delivers the same message as the website.

A Tuesday, April 13 email sent from Pigs Fly indicated the group has no plans to stop redirecting users from Peteschwartzkopf.com to their own site.

“We feel that the people have a right to know the voting record of all elected representatives regardless of their political party or affiliation,” according to an anonymous message.

In Delaware, a three-fifths majority – or 25 votes in the House – is needed to pass any measure that increases taxes or fees. Both houses must ratify tax and fee increases.

Schwartzkopf, who cosponsored some tax and fee increase measures, cannot unilaterally approve raising taxes.

Delaware State University politics and law professor Dr. Sam Hoff defended Schwartzkopf. He said Schwartzkopf prefers to expand gambling rather than increase taxes.

“Some might say Pete stuck his neck out for the governor in the early days of sports betting. Rep. Schwartzkopf has been carrying the bucket for the governor. Any sophisticated person would say that he gave the General Assembly and Delaware some options as opposed to raising taxes,” said Hoff. “Increasing taxes is not his first choice.”

He said he thinks the Pigs Fly website and address redirect is a Republican ploy to thwart Schwartzkopf’s re-election. “They’re trying to sink their teeth into any representative. In Pete’s case, they’re taking his voting record out of context,” said Hoff.

“The most upsetting thing is they are taking something that would divert voters with a politically pejorative, biased message from something that’s supposed to help voters,” said Hoff.

Schwartzkopf’s Republican political opponent, Chris Weeks, said he doesn’t know who is behind Pigs Fly.

“It’s unfortunate that people feel the need to express themselves that way, anonymously and with the humor. That is not exactly the most friendly way to do it,” he said.

Weeks said ultimately publicizing Schwartzkopf’s voting record, which includes passing tax and fee increases, is important.

“I think the issues the website brings up are pertinent, and I think that issue, in the economy we find ourselves in right now, is very important,” he said.

“Let’s stop worrying about the who, and let’s talk about the what,” said Weeks.