Tweaked about fake tweets, Idaho governor joins Twitter and starts tweeting

Tweaked about fake tweets, Idaho gov joins Twitter

BOISE, Idaho — A bogus Twitter account set up five weeks ago in the name of Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter has been shut down — only to reopen with the real governor sending out tweets.

The popular social networking and micro-blogging site allows messages, called tweets, of 140 characters.

The Idaho Attorney General’s Office tracked down the creator of the fake account, who said he was engaging in satire.

State officials weren’t amused and complained to Twitter officials, who on Thursday closed the fake account.

Later that day it reopened and the real governor sent out his first two messages, one of which was an update on what the state is doing about swine flu.

Information from: Idaho Statesman, www.idahostatesman.com