The Hartford Courant Editorial board Thursday issued a stunning rebuke to Democrat Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz over her use of a software program that captures emails from everyday citizens looking for help, but who ended up on a political intelligence file.

The Editorial titled – Susan Bysiewicz’s Database Goes Far Beyond Government Business – gets right to validity of gathering information on unsuspected Connecticut residents for future political use.

Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz’s database of some 36,000 Connecticut residents has landed her in hot water again, and deservedly so.”

“Although much of the personal information entered in the database is relatively harmless, it doesn’t belong in a government computer file compiled at taxpayer expense and available to anyone who asks for it.”

“Last month, Courant writer Jon Lender reported that Ms. Bysiewicz had turned over that database to her campaign committee, which obtained it through a freedom of information request in February 2009. At that time, Ms. Bysiewicz was considering a run for governor, though she is now campaigning for the Democratic nomination for attorney general. Her campaign began sending thousands of e-mails to people on the list, soliciting campaign contributions.”

“An e-mail recipient filed a complaint with state election officials, claiming the secretary of the state had improperly made political use of her list. Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is investigating.”

“There’s more. Mr. Lender’s examination of the database shows it contains thousands of “special notes” describing people’s political connections, personal characteristics and ethnic background.”

“For example, 2,431 people on the list are identified as Polish, Greek, African American, Hispanic, Native American or Jewish. The notes say one person “likes attention”; another is “Bill Curry’s cousin” and is “influenced by” state Sen. Edith Prague. One woman “loves George Jepsen,” also a candidate for the Democratic nomination for attorney general.”

“A child of one politician “has issues,” and the notes mention a rabbi who “doesn’t shake hands — he bows” and “likes Blumenthal.” A retired Teamster is described as having “had a kidney transplant.” Another person “likes to go door-to-door” in campaigning. These personal tidbits belong in a campaign file, if anywhere, but not in a state agency’s database. A lot of this is nobody’s business.”

“Ms. Bysiewicz says her list with its special notes is an “essential” resource that helps her serve the public. We say it’s an unwelcome invasion of privacy by government and a practice that should be eliminated.”

The names on the list are mostly of people who have asked Ms. Bysiewicz’s office for help on election or business matters. The secretary of the state is the state’s chief election officer and is in charge of business registrations.”