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From: franka@hercules.UUCP (Frank Adrian)
Newsgroups: net.news
Subject: Re: Need for Stargate screening?
Message-ID: <377@hercules.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 14-Jan-85 15:50:07 EST
Article-I.D.: hercules.377
Posted: Mon Jan 14 15:50:07 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 16-Jan-85 05:22:53 EST
References: <494@vortex.UUCP> <1917@sun.uucp> <366@hercules.UUCP> <425@cepu.UUCP>
Reply-To: franka@hercules.UUCP (Frank Adrian)
Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR
Lines: 42
Summary: 

In article <425@cepu.UUCP> scw@cepu.UUCP (Stephen C. Woods) writes:
>
>As I see it now, the net as it currently is will be here for a long time.
>There will ALWAYS be news groups that are not sutable for BROADCAST nationwide
>(E.G. la.eats, ba.wanted). There will also be groups that would from a
>distribution point of view seem to be reasonable, from a content view are
>totally out of place (E.G. net.flame).
>-- 
	Again, I reiterate... Stargate is wonderful. Stargate is fine. But what
I want to know is if there will be any unmoderated groups around after
stargate is implemented.  As far as I can see, the basic scenario goes like
this:
	Stargate is implemented.

	Certain groups are moved there (net.unix-wizards, etc.) and
	moderated.

	Certain other (unpopular, unmoderatable without changing their
	character) groups remain on phones (net.flame, net.motss,
	net.abortion, etc.).

	Backbone site A (followed quickly by backbone sites B, C, ...,
	X, Y, Z) decide, "Well, we're on the stargate system. No need
	to support the groups on the phone nets, anymore."

	And now only those subjects which a small elite group of
	"moderators" (censors, Facists, *ssh*les) think are ac-
	ceptable are discussed.

	And what we have is no longer USENET.  What you have is a form
of ARPANET digested materials.  Not only that, but the "moderator" can
edit or delete any message from you without your permission. Nor can
you protest. The moderator blocks any message saying you were misquoted.
Yes, it's a fine little net you want me to give my active support to. My
feeling is that what you are doing amounts to de facto censorship without
recourse.
	Again, if you will tell me how "politically unpopular" news
groups will survive, I will stop making such a big issue of it.
	But it seems that you people want to have stargate, regardless.
Well, who out there is in favor of getting around the current people who
run this net and forming a new one. I suggest the name ALTERNET and a
new newsgroup called net.alternet to discuss it.