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Skinner

(63,645 posts)
Wed Jul 11, 2012, 12:50 PM Jul 2012

(Deleted)

This discussion thread was locked by Skinner (a host of the Announcements group).

Last edited Thu Jul 12, 2012, 08:03 AM - Edit history (1)

Clearly, that was a mistake.

We are going to choose something else. When Elad gets online later today, I will ask him to disable the URL shortening function.

31 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
(Deleted) (Original Post) Skinner Jul 2012 OP
swe.et! unblock Jul 2012 #1
I appreciate the thought, but why are we giving money to Uganda? Ian David Jul 2012 #2
The standard for short URLs is to pick a two-letter domain that best fits the name of the site. Skinner Jul 2012 #3
I like .bj from Berundi. Not for DU, but for my other, favorite site. Ian David Jul 2012 #5
How about Republic of Ireland? Ian David Jul 2012 #6
I can't find anything better. How about if each year, whatever we pay for the .UG domain... Ian David Jul 2012 #7
Sorry but I have a major major problem with this. William769 Jul 2012 #10
It's terribly offensive HillWilliam Jul 2012 #12
Agreed 100% Fearless Jul 2012 #14
Skinner, not sure what all has been invested in this, but can I suggest Dem.De stevenleser Jul 2012 #11
That is awful. Jamastiene Jul 2012 #17
i can't believe this site would give any money to this kind of hate fizzgig Jul 2012 #18
This was a big mistake. LuvNewcastle Jul 2012 #19
Agreed 100% Fearless Jul 2012 #13
I'm afraid I have to agree... WillParkinson Jul 2012 #15
We can match what we're paying for the domain with an equal payment to Sexual Minorities Uganda. Ian David Jul 2012 #28
ya'll is need having better focus grope cuz dem.ug just sound sorta like struggle4progress Jul 2012 #4
Great idea. UnrepentantLiberal Jul 2012 #8
Nice, but "ug"? Spitfire of ATJ Jul 2012 #9
You guys are amazing. nt DCKit Jul 2012 #16
that's easier, but I'd prefer Dem.und CreekDog Jul 2012 #20
Exactly how important or needed is this feature? Behind the Aegis Jul 2012 #21
Is there a way to change this or add a different one? LaurenG Jul 2012 #22
Skinner, with all due respect, a few suggestions: steve2470 Jul 2012 #23
What about tinyurl.com? Jamastiene Jul 2012 #24
Tinyurl.com raises money for Ron Paul. Who is admittedly slightly less offensive than Uganda. n/t Ian David Jul 2012 #29
Skinner, I can understand that some work went into it boston bean Jul 2012 #25
? from non-techie: does ".ug" indicate DU is paying Uganda closeupready Jul 2012 #26
Certain siffixes are granted to certain countries obamanut2012 Jul 2012 #27
So, was dem.du already taken? n/t watrwefitinfor Jul 2012 #30
Bad move. Really bad move. sgsmith Jul 2012 #31

unblock

(54,150 posts)
1. swe.et!
Wed Jul 11, 2012, 12:56 PM
Jul 2012

Ian David

(69,059 posts)
2. I appreciate the thought, but why are we giving money to Uganda?
Wed Jul 11, 2012, 01:04 PM
Jul 2012

.ug
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.ug

Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uganda_Anti-Homosexuality_Bill

I hate to nitpick, especially since I was one of the people suggested a custom URL-shortener in the first place.

Skinner

(63,645 posts)
3. The standard for short URLs is to pick a two-letter domain that best fits the name of the site.
Wed Jul 11, 2012, 01:19 PM
Jul 2012

For Democratic Underground, dem.ug was by far most intuitive URL for the site.

Yes, Uganda has a terrible human rights record. Sadly, that is the case for the majority of the URLs available. Bit.ly is one popular example.

Ian David

(69,059 posts)
5. I like .bj from Berundi. Not for DU, but for my other, favorite site.
Wed Jul 11, 2012, 01:35 PM
Jul 2012

I'm trying to see if I can suggest a better alternative than .UG, since I opened up my big mouth to complain in the first place.

Ian David

(69,059 posts)
6. How about Republic of Ireland?
Wed Jul 11, 2012, 01:41 PM
Jul 2012

.ie Republic of Ireland

No, too close to DUM.ie

Ian David

(69,059 posts)
7. I can't find anything better. How about if each year, whatever we pay for the .UG domain...
Wed Jul 11, 2012, 01:45 PM
Jul 2012

... we match with a gift to a Ugandan gay rights organization?

Sexual Minorities Uganda
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) is an umbrella non-governmental organization based in Kampala, Uganda. Headed by Executive Director Frank Mugisha and Chairperson and founder Victor Mukasa and formerly co-headed by Advocacy Officer David Kato (until his murder in January 2011), it pushes for the protection and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Ugandans.

Founded in 2004, the organization is composed of a number of member organizations:

Icebreakers Uganda (a group which focuses on LGBT research and youth issues)
Integrity Uganda (a chapter of the Episcopal LGBT inclusion organization Integrity USA)
Freedom and Roam Uganda (a group which focuses on the rights of lesbian, transgender, and intersex women)
Spectrum Uganda (a group which focuses on the health and well being of LGBT people in Uganda)

More:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_Minorities_Uganda



William769

(55,815 posts)
10. Sorry but I have a major major problem with this.
Wed Jul 11, 2012, 08:23 PM
Jul 2012

There is absolutely no excuse for this to be done, associating This website with that horrible place. Not only are human rights terrible, they kill people just for being Gay! I will stop my monthly subscription over this immediately.

HillWilliam

(3,310 posts)
12. It's terribly offensive
Wed Jul 11, 2012, 08:55 PM
Jul 2012

I'm floored.

I can't support supporting Uganda however tiny a contribution it may be.

DU has been home. I'm pleading with the admins here: Please don't make DU suck.

Fearless

(18,458 posts)
14. Agreed 100%
Wed Jul 11, 2012, 09:28 PM
Jul 2012
 

stevenleser

(32,886 posts)
11. Skinner, not sure what all has been invested in this, but can I suggest Dem.De
Wed Jul 11, 2012, 08:33 PM
Jul 2012

De=Deutschland=Germany, which is now a pretty progressive place.

I understand if you cant because of time/money invested, but I think that any association with Uganda is going to be problematic.

Jamastiene

(38,197 posts)
17. That is awful.
Thu Jul 12, 2012, 12:35 AM
Jul 2012

I cannot believe you can just shrug it off like that.

fizzgig

(24,146 posts)
18. i can't believe this site would give any money to this kind of hate
Thu Jul 12, 2012, 01:34 AM
Jul 2012

and the offensiveness of this to our lgbt community seems to be met with little concern.

LuvNewcastle

(17,022 posts)
19. This was a big mistake.
Thu Jul 12, 2012, 01:55 AM
Jul 2012

Please acknowledge it and fix it.

Fearless

(18,458 posts)
13. Agreed 100%
Wed Jul 11, 2012, 09:27 PM
Jul 2012

Preach one thing and do the other.

Don't support terrorizing LGBT people in Uganda. Because that's what it is. Terrorizing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uganda_Anti-Homosexuality_Bill

If you monetarily support the killing of my peers, you lose my money, my time, and my traffic permanently.

There is no middle ground. I do not want to otherwise, but I will leave.

As it stands, I will make no further posts until this absurd misunderstanding has been remedied.

WillParkinson

(16,866 posts)
15. I'm afraid I have to agree...
Wed Jul 11, 2012, 10:38 PM
Jul 2012

Anything that would go to promoting hate and violence against ANYONE is way outside of what DU should stand for.

Ian David

(69,059 posts)
28. We can match what we're paying for the domain with an equal payment to Sexual Minorities Uganda.
Thu Jul 12, 2012, 07:22 AM
Jul 2012

struggle4progress

(120,241 posts)
4. ya'll is need having better focus grope cuz dem.ug just sound sorta like
Wed Jul 11, 2012, 01:24 PM
Jul 2012

a conversation twixt teabaggers

 

UnrepentantLiberal

(11,700 posts)
8. Great idea.
Wed Jul 11, 2012, 03:06 PM
Jul 2012
 

Spitfire of ATJ

(32,723 posts)
9. Nice, but "ug"?
Wed Jul 11, 2012, 03:45 PM
Jul 2012

Sounds kinda "cave man".

I'm sure that occurred to you guys.

 

DCKit

(18,541 posts)
16. You guys are amazing. nt
Thu Jul 12, 2012, 12:34 AM
Jul 2012

CreekDog

(46,192 posts)
20. that's easier, but I'd prefer Dem.und
Thu Jul 12, 2012, 02:42 AM
Jul 2012

"ug" is what you say after you read Meta.

Behind the Aegis

(54,852 posts)
21. Exactly how important or needed is this feature?
Thu Jul 12, 2012, 02:44 AM
Jul 2012

You know, David, I have said to you before, you can't please everyone. I have even posted the "The Man, The Son, and The Donkey" fable a few times. However, I stand with my family on this. Associating this site with a country, which is STILL contemplating a law to EXECUTE gays, is offensive! Have you ever read the "Kill the Gays" bill? Skinner, it calls for Ugandan citizens to be deported back to Uganda for punishment, possible execution, for homosexual behavior in other countries!!

Is this "feature" really worth associating the Democratic Underground with a country where elected/appointed officials publicly call for MURDERING gays, publicly out them (leading to disappearances and murder), and they (the politicians) face no condemnation except from the international community?!

I loathe, LOATHE, making Holocaust comparisons, especially clumsy ones, but...would you also consider linking our site to Nazi Germany? Clearly, Uganda is not Nazi Germany, but the political, anti-gay propaganda is eerily reminiscent of the anti-Semitic rhetoric of Hitler's Germany.

Homophobia is much more than calling us "fags and dykes." It is more than repeating, like the Ugandan government, that we are child molesters. Homophobia is also ignoring homophobia.

Please, reconsider this feature.

LaurenG

(24,841 posts)
22. Is there a way to change this or add a different one?
Thu Jul 12, 2012, 05:13 AM
Jul 2012

This one is very troubling.

steve2470

(37,468 posts)
23. Skinner, with all due respect, a few suggestions:
Thu Jul 12, 2012, 05:17 AM
Jul 2012

I would conduct a discussion on which TLD's are acceptable. I know there are .ly, .fm, and others.

I understand the rationale behind the .ug TLD but it appears offensive to many. Please change it to something unremarkable. Thanks for listening.

Steve

Jamastiene

(38,197 posts)
24. What about tinyurl.com?
Thu Jul 12, 2012, 06:56 AM
Jul 2012

It is easy to remember and will not send money to Uganda.

Ian David

(69,059 posts)
29. Tinyurl.com raises money for Ron Paul. Who is admittedly slightly less offensive than Uganda. n/t
Thu Jul 12, 2012, 07:24 AM
Jul 2012

boston bean

(36,486 posts)
25. Skinner, I can understand that some work went into it
Thu Jul 12, 2012, 07:01 AM
Jul 2012

and that you were probably caught off guard with the criticisms of this url.

Now that you are aware of DUers valid concerns, I hope you will reconsider.

 

closeupready

(29,503 posts)
26. ? from non-techie: does ".ug" indicate DU is paying Uganda
Thu Jul 12, 2012, 07:08 AM
Jul 2012

or somehow sending money to state tax authorities there?

If so, then I agree with others, please reconsider and select a different two-letter suffix; Steven suggested Dem.de, and I agree with that.

It's okay to make mistakes. I'm going to follow this thread to see what you decide, Skinner. Thanks in advance.

obamanut2012

(27,802 posts)
27. Certain siffixes are granted to certain countries
Thu Jul 12, 2012, 07:16 AM
Jul 2012

ie AU for Australia. Many companies pay certain countries to make use of their URL suffixes. I know some South Pacific nation used to do that with porn companies, because it was sex or sx, I can't remember.

So, yes, Uganda is being paid by DU and the DU membership for being allowed to do this.

watrwefitinfor

(1,403 posts)
30. So, was dem.du already taken? n/t
Thu Jul 12, 2012, 07:34 AM
Jul 2012
 

sgsmith

(398 posts)
31. Bad move. Really bad move.
Thu Jul 12, 2012, 07:56 AM
Jul 2012

Recognizing that I'll probably get tombstoned for my comments, here goes.

It's pretty obvious to me that the administration of this site doesn't give a care about it's GLBT population. From allowing rampant homophobia to run amok in threads, from an attempt to mend fences that didn't produce any results, to coming up with this poorly conceived TLA and ignoring the user community concerns, I think that the admins are deaf to our concerns.

I have never gotten involved in any of the name calling, finger pointing, ja-accuse threads. Never. I've served on juries and have voted to both allow and disallow thread responses. I'm not a very active poster, and certainly don't get caught up in the "me too", "whine whine whine" threads, but this revision really truly upsets me.

To even accidentally tie this site to Uganda, and not recognize the legitimate concerns of your user community is shameful.

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