America stands for freedom

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September 10th 2010 7:13 pm
[ Leave A Comment | 17 people already have ]

I was just reading the Catster/Dogster TOS. What a contradiction it seems to me it is. I mean we have so many who have given their lives in order for all of us to have freedom of speech. And, on the eve of 9/11, I am particularly proud to be an American cat. We had relatives of friends who lost their lives on that day. My mom and several other Catster moms served their country in the military. Lives were lost in guaranteeing that we have freedom...one of which is freedom of speech.
I'm very sad tonight that the community that I love and have been a part of for a few years has taken away one of my intrinsic rights.
I have several issues with what is posted as the TOS. You better read this quick...it may be gone in moments.

I am taking several parts of the TOS here:
"We do not allow ads that are deceptive"
Define deceptive....Is it our advertiser's products are good for your animals. It is a fact that they have sickened or killed. One need only to visit the website http://truthaboutpetfood.com/
You violate your own policy.

"We also do not allow statements that will insult, belittle or discourage other users who may use or be considering that advertiser's product or service."
God forbid we should inform others, who may not be as informed as some of us as to the nature of the said advertiser's product. So, it is a Catster crime to give people information and let them make an informed decision about an advertiser's product.

"We do allow civil discussion (as determined by Dogster Inc and our moderators) as long as it is helpful, informational and kind."
You contradict yourselves. As long as the discussion serves your purpose and needs...open and free speech be damned! Pet food recalls and info that people may have about what has affected their pets seems to me would fall into your "kind" category. I think it is kind to let someone know what could sicken or kill their pet. That would seem to be the purpose of a site that is supposedly dedicated to cats and dogs. Not everyone has access to info about the food their pets eat. So, I guess "kind" is a relative term....YOUR terms.

"if you like our sites and like using them, it's our term of our service that you publicly treat advertisers, their customers and an advertiser's presence here with civility and respect." And what about treating us the same way. What about treating those who have lost pets to the tainted and poisoned products of your advertisers with a little respect? Respect is not given...it is earned. Some of us who are informed do not give respect to the companies that kill or poison our babies. They have not earned it. How about respecting us? We spend hard earned money to pay for Plus memebership and zealies. I guess we have no right to respect?

I have loved Catster and the many friends I have made here. I have cried for those we have lost...my heart breaks for those we still may lose in the future. Shame on you, Catster for making money the uppermnost thing. We are not asking for anything but the freedom to inform...to speak our minds...yet you seem to be taking that away. It is indeed a sad day. Are your advertisers so thin skinned that they cannot take a bit of well deserved criticism? I guess we must be hitting too close to home for them, eh? They don't want the word out I suppose. But, we will keep on speaking..and I suppose keep on being censored. It is something that we have to do...it is unconscionable not to.

Just think about this:

In Germany they first came for the Communists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.

Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.

Then they came for me —
and by that time no one was left to speak up.

Pastor Martin Niemöller

Personally, I will not be silent. This is America.

Leave A Comment | 17 people already have

Purred by: Siouxsie

September 10th 2010 at 7:27 pm

well said, Pie!

Purred by: Zoe our Princess 4ever Loved (Catster Member)

September 10th 2010 at 7:30 pm

So many of us would still be alive if this info had been available. My Mom deserved to know. So did I.

Purred by: Piewackit ^PAWS^ (Catster Member)

September 10th 2010 at 7:44 pm

(((Zoe))) I know...and so did so many of my friends. It's just not right that we cannot inform our friends.

Purred by: Ava 4 ever Mommy's Angel (Catster Member)

September 10th 2010 at 8:06 pm

Please read my diary....I am glad I found out from Catster pals before it was too late for Augie, he is very ill.....wish I would have known sooner....

Purred by: Cirdan the Shipwright (Catster Member)

September 10th 2010 at 8:06 pm

Auntie Pie, I iz furry scared.

Purred by: Cirdan the Shipwright (Catster Member)

September 10th 2010 at 8:06 pm

Auntie Pie, I iz furry scared.

Purred by: Piewackit ^PAWS^ (Catster Member)

September 10th 2010 at 8:30 pm

Sweet Ci! *wraps her paws around him* Don't be afraid..we will make sure that all of you youngsters will be protected and kept safe through the power of information!

Purred by: Taffy, angel girl ♥ (Catster Member)

September 10th 2010 at 8:31 pm

Bravo Pie. My family salutes you for lending your voice to the chorus of those speaking truth to power.

Cirdan, don't be scared - there are loving strong kitties all around you, and strong kitty angels who are not afraid to speak out against what killed them so that new little kits like you don't suffer the same fate.

Ava Corrine, my family's purrs are with your doggie brofur. We hope his condition comes around with appropriate treatment and an appropriate diet, and that he survives this experience with inferior food.

Purred by: Edgar (Catster Member)

September 10th 2010 at 10:48 pm

Thank you Pie for saying it so well.

Purred by: Dale E

September 10th 2010 at 11:19 pm

well said, Pie.

purring for Augie...

love Moozer + the Archangel Crew

Purred by: Jazzi, Sunshine Angel^PAWS^ (Catster Member)

September 11th 2010 at 6:42 am

Dearest BFF, this is so well written and straight from that beautiful heart of yours....thank you for all you do and for all you share....and for your heart.

Sunshine hugs, Jazzi Sunshine Angel and family

Purred by: Sally Maria (Mama's Angel) (Catster Member)

September 11th 2010 at 8:45 am

Well said Pie! It seems to us that not only are Catster's TOS contradictory, but the way they're enforced are too. They seem to be singling out certain (shall we say more popular) members to censor while others enjoy the freedom to post whatever they want.

This site is supposed to be a community, someplace to come and share ideas, thoughts and feelings without fear of offending an advertiser or company executive. Who was it that made Catster what it is? It certainly wasn't Nutro! It was the MEMBERS! Forgive me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the adage "the customer is always right" apply here? We made Catster what it is and now it's being taken away from us. We're angry and hurt but HQ doesn't want to hear it. It's okay if someone complains about their vet or poor service they've received from a vendor, just as long as it's not someone who's paying Catster to run their banner ads.

We will forever be grateful for this site for the support and friendship we've found, but it's getting harder and harder to put the "politicalness" aside and to enjoy it the way we used to. And why is that? The members haven't changed. The groups and forums haven't changed. If I say why I think this site has changed, will my entry be censored?

Thanks for standing up and making your voice heard Pie! We are behind you!!

Love,
Sally Maria, Trinity and Emily Pie

Purred by: Beloved Angel Amelia loves HL! (Catster Member)

September 13th 2010 at 7:18 pm

You are still here! Great diary! I feel immensely sad over the loss of Catster....

Purred by: Flower **PAWS** (Catster Member)

September 16th 2010 at 8:01 pm

Hear, hear! Pie, you hit the HQ (whoever there who is making the REAL money on this deal!) on the heads wif that speech and I'm wif you all the way!

Purred by: Ra (Catster Member)

September 16th 2010 at 8:42 pm

Totally behind you Pie - you speak for all of us, I believe. Catster, as a community, is about the love and care of our beloved babies. To not be able to speak out about something that may be a danger to our babies is unthinkable. Catster exists because of the community of caring, loving people and furbabies, not because of the advertisers, who merely follow where they think money is to be had.