Is this thing on?

Wutchoo talkin' 'bout, Willis?

Thinking he was sending an e-mail to an aide, Assemblyman Willis Stephens instead sent a note to nearly 300 constituents, making the following comment on their listserv: "Just watching the idiots pontificate." In the message, meant for aide Beth Coursen, Stephens wrote that he subscribes to the Brewster-based online discussion group to monitor area happenings, but he doesn't post messages.

Usually.

The accidental note went out early Monday morning. Within an hour, Stephens sent another e-mail apologizing for the first one. "To all who read and post on this group, I honestly enjoy reading most of what is exchanged on this site and do not direct my indiscreet characterizations to anyone in particular or to the group in general," he wrote. "In fact, now I most closely resemble the type of poster I described."

When reached for comment Tuesday, Stephens said he was embarrassed and reiterated what he said in his e-mailed apology. Michael Santos, a Brewster resident and Democratic village trustee who created the discussion group, said he's a longtime political adversary of Stephens. Stephens has called him a lot worse than a pontificating idiot, Santos said, laughing.

Oh, to have been a fly on Stephens' wall when that message appeared on the board.