(Editor's Notes by Christina Myer - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

State lawmakers have had a couple of social media snafus lately that serve as a good reminder about how carefully we should all think before we post (or text, or email … or speak) AND how closely we should guard our social media and other digital communications.

First, Del. Ian Masters, R-Berkeley, finds himself on the defensive after a post on his Instagram account was linked to an anti-semitic comment made recently on another account’s post.

To be clear, Masters has denied making the comment, and in fact says someone else accessed his account to make the comments. He has defenders among his fellow delegates.

But, at best, Masters may have been careless with who he allowed to have access to his social media accounts. And the post, made in his name, has rightly angered those who understand the danger in such rhetoric.

“While we as Americans are free to express our own opinions, no matter how repugnant they may be, all elected officials should be held to the highest ethical standards,” the nine-member House Democratic caucus wrote. “This behavior cannot be tolerated by a sitting West Virginia delegate. We call on you, Mr. Speaker, to take swift action against Delegate Masters regarding his use of white supremacist, neo-Nazi, and antisemitic comments and images.”

The least Masters can do is regain control of his social media accounts, if he really didn’t create and post the message. It’s something all public figures must bear in mind. A message like that, even associated with an elected official’s name, SHOULD be incredibly damaging.

Meanwhile, Del. Charles Sheedy Sr., R-Marshall, is in a similar situation as a statement was posted from his personal social media account to the account of the Marshall County WV Republican Club.

It read, in part, “Constituents in District 7 are asking why President Trump has not issued a FEMA Disaster Declaration for Ohio and Marion Counties? … My constituents are also yours and they deserve an answer since approximately 78% of all West Virginians that voted did so for President Trump. It is very apparent that the President does not need West Virginia now that he is in office for one term.”

Further, the post reads, “Our very elections in 2026 and beyond depend on the timely issuance of this declaration and Republican seats could be lost. This will cost our Delegate districts, Senate Districts, your Federal Districts needed representation to accomplish our work to secure the region, state, and nation.”

Politics over people, it would seem.

It’s a little bit of saying the quiet part out loud that won’t come as a surprise to most astute Mountain State residents. Still, it seems to have been enough of a concern to Sheedy that he later also said his social media account had been compromised.

Published reports indicate, however, that at least Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s office received a very similar version of the letter from Sheedy’s official legislative email account, too. And Ann Ali, deputy chief of staff and communications director for the House of Delegates, said the House’s Legislative Automated Systems Division reported Sheedy has not reached out for assistance and a safety check done by the department on Sheedy’s accounts found no suspicious activity or anything problematic.

“If he got hacked, then I’m an astronaut,” said Del. Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio County, according to West Virginia Watch.

Those who believe themselves capable of representing the rest of us SHOULD be held to higher standards, even if it is regarding something as simple as being good stewards of their online accounts. If they’re not capable of understanding the basics of social media and email interactions and security, how are they supposed to make informed decisions that are in the best interests of their constituents and all West Virginians?

(If that is, indeed, their priority.)

House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, will have to deal with those lessons later. In the meantime, the rest of us can take a look at what Masters and Sheedy find themselves trying to navigate and take it as a reminder. Do everything you can to secure your accounts, and for goodness sake, THINK, before you hit “post” or “send.”

Christina Myer is executive editor of The Parkersburg News and Sentinel. She can be reached via e-mail at cmyer@newsandsentinel.com.