OK, I've been outta the loop for quite some time. I also tend to be a little slow on the uptake. I noticed the general change in people's demeanors and the resignation of moderators. I had't been online for awhile so tonight was the first time I read Chip's messge and finally realized what was happening. This sounds similar to a situation in my family. My mother has two half sisters. One is 12 years older than me, the other 12 years younger. They are related to my mother, but not to each other. They barely know each other, and while I love them both to pieces, they are quite different. Their only common attribute is they are female. Now, folks are getting their skivvies in a bunch because of another company that has NO RELATIONSHIP to DegreeInfo save a person common to both. Somehow, there is a belief this will cause the seas to boil, a plague of locusts, and a visit from the horsemen. How about a reality check: 1) Are you willing to give up your internet connection? Afterall, there are adult sites on the internet, and if you use the internet you could be associated with those that produce, sell, or use the products and services of said adult products. Oh, and by the way folks, some of those producers, unlike MRC, have no qualms posting illegal content. 2) Are you willing to stop using your cable or satelite services? Afterall, there is adult content there, and if you have those services you could be associated with the producers and users of that content. You can see nekkid nudidity in "Six Feet Under." 3) Do you work for a tech firm? Well, better resign! Afterall, routers, software, servers, development tools, etc. could be used by adult sites. tsk, tsk, tsk.... Get the to confession, pound thy chest and repeat, "mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa." 4) Do you invest in any tech, any media, any energy, or any type of company? Well, better cash in. There is either a direct or indirect tie to the adult entertainment world regardless of the product or service. I would like to point out something many are forgetting. After the aed debacle, Chip and Co. believed in creating a place where serious discussions on DL could take place. I was part of the original discussions. I was one of the first moderators. Did I agree with everything? No. I was originally against censoring. However, I was proven wrong time and again (go figure). However, Chip worked hard to produce a resource to help people realize their educational goals. DI has grown to provide many of the services he originally envisioned and then some. If not for DI, a lot of people would have been duped into paying hard earned cash to a "less than wonderful" school for a wothless piece of paper. I like to think I'm a small bit brighter than the average bear. However, I do not see the need for any of the owners or moderators to be any squeakier clean than any of the users. As far as I'm concerned, as long as no one asks me to provide topless pictures of myself , or list my turn ons and turnoffs, and we keep discssions to the subject at hand, that is all that matters, and should matter. Sit back, take a deep breath, have a scotch, and think about this in a rational way. Don't let an initial shock cause you to miss out on a great resource!
My sentiments exactly. The way some people have been reacting can turn them into hypocrites if their rationale were to be taken to its logical conclusion.
That's pretty much been my feelings, since the whole thing started! It would be different IMHO if there was DI in some advertised or avocated this stuff. Silly me thought this site was about Distance Education and nothing else, unfortunately some other people(those who recently got their knickers in a buch) felt otherwise.
respecting choices There seems to be a great deal of judgment aimed at those leaving the board. They are being criticized for judging what Chip does. If we don't want Chip judeged - what if we all drop the judgement. We are each going to make a personal choice and it would be somethng new if we expressed our own choice without criticizine someone else's choice. There is controversy regarding the BOY aspect of the pornography. Many people would boycott any media that had anything what so ever to do with BOYs and porn. Even if that anything were just the name. Let's not judge others who may or may not agree with our own choices. Pat
Russ, Thanks for pointing out the unsurpassed value of DI as it relates to DL. People need to realize that there is no other place on the Web where you are going to have people with actual experience navigating DL programs offering FREE advice. The other forums exist just to attack DI and its members and rarely discuss DL issues. You must have hit a raw nerve with the Crabby forum bunch as they are ripping you mercilessly in the unmoderated Military forums. Good job Russ. Military forums
