I used to feel compelled to read Chris Brogan’s blog every. I used to consider his information as King of Entrepreneurial High Tech Social Media Stuff valuable. I used to think if I missed a day I might miss “The Answer” as to how to harness the Internet to advance my writing career.
I used to admire the quantity and quality of his blogs, newsletters, videos, and pix. I used to like his can-do attitude, pragmatism, and the way he gets around—to just about every high-tech/social-media-marketing business function—and writes about it.
But NO MORE! The rose is off the bloom!
Now I’m going to jump—off the Chris Brogan bandwagon. I’m going to activate my “Escape Velocity” button and jettison out of Brogan Galaxy.
On August 10, Chris wrote a blog titled, “I Support Jim Buckmaster and Craigslist.” This made me nauseous.
This blog was in response to the increasing amount of criticism Craig’s List has been receiving lately about the “Adult Services” section on its website and the claim that it is being used for prostitution and child sex trafficking. Chris says people “are making lots of allegations without much proof and with mostly anecdotal stories. That’s the part that bugs me. That’s why I wanted to write this post.”
That’s a flawed argument. If allegations are made without “much” proof, that means that there is some proof. Likewise, if the stories (of illegal activities) are “mostly” anecdotal, than that presumes that some stories are not, meaning what? That they are real/legitimate/worth paying attention to?
How many sexually exploited children/teens have to tell their sordid stories before “anecdotal” means something to be taken seriously? Isn’t ONE BELIEVABLE STORY that a child was sexually abused as a result of Craig’s List reason enough to shut down that section?
Guess it isn’t for Chris, Jim Buckmaster, and Craig Newmark. And that’s what bugs ME. That adults think what they want is more important than what children want—in this case, freedom from on-line pedophiles.
Why hasn’t Craig Newmark responded to the Open Letter by the girls who tell their stories of forced prostitution made easy by a pimp using Craig’s List? Is it because Craig Newmark has his head so far up his you-know-where he can’t speak?
I don’t care what adults want to do with each other. But it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that some adults prey on children for sexual activities. To think that NONE OF THIS HAPPENS on Craig’s List is naïve. Is it the money, Craig? Is it more important for adults to get their ya-ya’s than it is to protect kids?
Craig may think he’s done a heckuva good thing in life with his popular website. But in the end I think he will “mostly” be remembered for FACILITATING CHILD RAPE because of the ease of the “Adult Services” section.
What an adult needs from an Adult Services section should not trump what a child needs from society: protection.
And if Chris Brogan supports Jim and Craig’s obstinate and dangerous view that the “Adult Services” section is a good thing/valuable thing/worth having on the Internet, then CHRIS BROGAN contributes to child endangerment/sexual exploitation as well.
To Chris: Connect the dots. Your friendship with Jim Buckmaster has clouded your ethics. You should encourage your friend to SHUT DOWN the ASS (“Adult Services” Section). It is a candy store for pedophiles.
It is with pleasure that I have deleted your email blogs in my mailbox. I shall never read another one. And I threw away my copy of Trust Agents.
To the Attorney General of Connecticut: Success in your effort to shut down the “Adult Services” section of Craig’s List.
To EBay: As part owner of Craig’s List, I will no longer patronize your site. As a buyer who has received 940 stars since 2002 (purchasing one thing every 3.5 days for 8 years!) I’m GONE. Seriously, check out my Watch List. ZERO items.
To Americans: Do we really want to live in a country that WON’T PROTECT ITS CHILDREN?
