PLAYER57832 wrote:In regards to Woodruff, while I know nothing more than is said here about the specifics, I DO know that any time legal action is involved, people clam up by necessity.
Woodruff made his choice, he was not thrown out. Whether he was dealt with reasonably or not is for the lawyers and perhaps even courts (if it gets that far) to sort out. I am sad he left, but it happened.
For us, I see 2 concerns. The first is whether CC is taking what threats we know about seriously. I would have to say no, given my experience. I say "no" because the truth is CC is not in a position, usually, to know if threats are or are not real. Chaosfactor's threats really seem silly to me, but they also seem beyond what folks should have to put up with on a casual gaming site. That is probably the main key. If its a game and no one complains.. you can say its "just between friends". However, I don't think anyone who doesn't wish to hear threats should have to do so, just like foul language should be something not everyone has to be subjected to.
The second is site safety/integrity. Most of those concerns were clarified back with the "Wicked" incidents. Very few people have acces to our real information unless we let it out ourselves. I actually praise CC for taking a tough stance on people who do let out even their own information, mostly because a number of people here, even those technically above the age of majority, tend to be rather blase about it in ways that can bite them.. and perhaps CC, eventually.
The sad truth is that if there is any reality to these accusations, the likely outcome is shutting down of CC forums. I don't know that will happen, but it seems a likely business move. Either they take steps to control or simply eliminate the problem and I have a feeling every one of these issues that come up is tacking another straw on the camels back (or nail in the coffin ... pick your analogy).
I agree with a lot of this, but strongly disagree with the last part. There would be no reason to shut down the forums, simply because one person decided to use it for harm. That threat, especially on the internet, is always there, always has been there, and is implied in the act of using it. Everyone takes their chances that they might accidentally motivate some violence against themselves on the internet, and in life. The simple act of flipping the bird to someone while driving may get you just as killed, as typing out a counter argument to someone who happens to be crazy on here.
Its the chance you take, and while some dont take it as seriously as others, I dont think any are oblivious to the threat. And, its fairly clear that CC is not a legal authority, and only makes the forum available. All they can do is not divulge personal information, and possibly not advocate the distribution of personal information. They could go as far as to forbid it too, but thats really the limit of their power. If legally authorized, or obliged, they can then distribute personal information to a legal representation, but Certainly there is no way they could just give me some guys information, simply because he was threatening me. It would be reckless, and far more reckless than not giving out the information.
The craigslist murders are an unfortunate example. Allegedly, someone systematically targeted women through craigslist, and murdered them. This however, is not craigslists fault. All the warnings are there. The act was very unexpected, and very rare, but certainly not out of the realm of possibility. Im sure things have changed, and the warnings have been more clear as they always would be in a case like this...but they are also national news, and I doubt many in this forum did not hear about it.
Certainly woodruff as a teacher would have known the possible risks of being on the internet, and as a husband, and a teacher, probably should have taken great pains to make sure that nothing in his identity could easily lead anyone to his home...as we all should have. However, most people are trustworthy, and as such, trusting, so we dont take the precautions we possibly should, but at the same time, that does not mean we are not aware of the risks...it simply means we choose to ignore them, or rate them as low enough not to worry about.
Myself, I found my current fiancee through computer dating. It was highly uncomfortable. Quite frankly some of the women were reckless and others were justifiably cautious. Hell, even at one point one of my employees was afraid that I was abducted by my online date when I didnt answer the door. Technically, I suppose I was, but I didnt object to it.
So, unless CC actually did provide some personal info themselves, and foolishly gave woodruffs info to the alleged assaulter, they really cant be held responsible for what anyone does, unless its repeat behavior that should have been stopped.
At any time, any one of us could make a death threat to any other member. Its an obvious situation. Luckilly, most of us are not deranged, and not insane enough to want to, let alone enough to actually do it, but the threat is always there, as the threat of violence is always there, in any place where two humans share the same space, as it always has been, and always will be. Its unfortunate, but we can only let criminals affect our behavior so much. We can only let them make us afraid to a certain point, and for the most part, we must stand up to them, and deal with them as we are allowed to legally.
Again I post platos line, "when there is crime in society, there can be no justice" It is an unfortunate, but universal truth. All we can do is rise above the crime and the criminals, and fight them slowly but surely over time, as the human race always has, and hopefully always will.
Its a tough job to take essentially violent animals with creativity, intelligence, and an essential instinct for killing, and create an environment where they live together and do not act out on these instincts. While much progress has been made, certainly much improvement is needed, but hopefully, as time goes on, a more balanced civilized community of humans will eventually dominate the planet. In the mean time, all we can do is hope for the safety of ours, and do our best to combat crime, if even on the smallest level.
That is why I commented on Woodruffs response. Hes getting mad at a site that realistically is fairly powerless to protect against this kind of behavior. And instead of focusing all of his anger at the person responsible, who is acting on his own power, he aimed some of his frustration and anger at the site, which will, of course, have presumably given the alleged assaulter exactly what he was going for. I do hope in the end though, that he pays dearly for this.
Unfortunately, Im going to guess its just some kid, and the only hope is that he simply learns from his mistake.
oh and..unless your "little birdie" was an admin...i'm not so sure any of us truly know what has happened in this particular case or situation...
