The LJ Panic of 2007, or how fandom got suspended again

Dear livejournal staff,

I would like to open by telling you that for nearly seven years I have
enjoyed your site and your services. I purchased a permanent account in
2001. Livejournal has been a gateway to the real world for me. I've met
friends and lovers and connected with people in ways I didn't think I
would ever find on the Internet. Livejournal, Frank and the staff made
all that possible.

One of the ways I connected to people was via fandom. Now, I know that
the Harry Potter fandom especially is full of a certain amount of the
crazy. But there are a lot of decent, humane and genuine individuals
out there. Fandom communities, be they discussion groups, fanfic sites
or RPGs, have always been about connections.

The recent events with this supposed watchdog group making threatening
noises and the suspensions without warning came as a shock to me. It
should be no surprise to you that many people feel that more attention
is being paid to driving fandom culture off livejournal and general
hysteria than any sincere attempt to stop on-line child predators.
There is also significant concern that forums, journals and communities
used for victims of these crimes will be unable to provide their
necessary and valuable functions to Livejournal users. Not to mention
any journal or community devoted to literary discussion, as was the
case with the Nabokov discussion community on his novel Lolita.

When Livejournal joined up with SixApart, we were assured that
Livejournal's core values wouldn't change. We were assured that you
would continue to support us and let us grow. I understood (somewhat)
the decision to allow advertising on the site though I was dismayed.
Now I cannot help but be concerned that corporate culture is overtaking
this website that has been such a significant part of my life for many
years.

I am a social worker by profession. I deal with abused and victimized
children on a daily basis. I know full well what kind of serious crime
is under discussion. But I say to you that no Harry Potter fan-fiction
community was soliciting minors, or advocating that others do so. There
is a magnificent difference between fiction and the real world.

On several journals I have seen a response from livejournal reproduced
indicating that you could not countenance any discussion and/or
interest in an illegal activity. Will it apply to discussion of
homosexuality, homosexual relationships and homosexual marriage? Those
things are illegal in many places in America and around the world. I
also do not see Livejournal staff deleting and suspending accounts
where drug use is frequently discussion or mentioned. Last time I
checked, marijuana and crack were still illegal.

It is shocking and disheartening to think that Livejournal is censoring
its users. Even more so if this did happen because of that alleged
vigilante group and on the basis of threats to advertisers. I feel
quite let down.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?

Most cordially,
Amanda (tsarina.livejournal.com)

******

This sweet, strange and sour thing by rm

Pravda more like PravNYET am I correct in this assessment by a_hollow_year

Why you should care - LJ/SixApart Meta by telesilla

Hello vigilante group plz take bandaids and go kthnxbai

I've spent the better part of the day sleeping off whatever creeping illness and the tightening of my jaw muscles until my ears hurt. Briefly I woke up to read Livejournal about the firestorm of stupidity and censorship, the dubious provenance of an alleged vigilante group that I refuse to link to because of their attempts to harrass people who do, and other sundry and depressing topics. I also drank sixteen ounces of orange mango juice and slept an extra six hours. I might try to stay awake this time.

The agenda of the asshats trying to close LJs of people they don't like, including transgender and anti-war folk All I can say is fuck you Sue and John, fuck you.