To Whom It May Concern:
We have all read about the various feel good groups that are seeking tax exempt status and who always have their hand out asking for money.
These groups claim that they are on a mission to save people from what ever affliction that threatens us all; while claiming that they encourage/respect opinion and debate.
When you take the time to investigate, it is then that you discover the group has serious problems that warrant a word of caution.
The Internet based group called Flutrackers is one such organization that deserves a word of caution and I would not recommend supporting this group with your hard earned money.
The failure to enforce the websites stated rules of conduct in a consistent manner, to all members, places this group at the risk for a lawsuit.
For example, Sharon who goes by Florida1 and is the Director/President, states the site is a pacifist site and that the discussion of weapons is not allowed. While this goes on, Michael who goes by Snowy Owl and is the Director/Vice-President posts comments about self-defense including links that describe killings and other forms of violence.
Another example, posts by new members that do not meet their approval can be deleted without reason. This includes posts that contain simple questions.
When this happens, the Director then will post the statement that she wants questions and encourages debate, (again after she deleted the person's question.) Posts by the Moderators they like, and that involve weapons, are handled by requesting the person modify their posting!
In one case, a new member that posted a question asking Would a Pandemic be all that bad, was removed and when that person sent a note pointing out the problem, they were banned from posting any future comments!
(It should be noted that at no time did this person threaten or use vulgar language.)
The FluTracker site violates copyrights on a regular basis. The instant a story is put out on the web by news services like Associated Press, the moderators of this site copy the story and post in on Flutrackers site, (which deny's revenue to the news service from advertising sources.) Sharon justifies this questionable activity as falling under the Fair Use' laws and also claims that the can not be responsible for the posting by its members.
Yet, it should be noted that Flutrackers does monitor all postings, they delete postings that offend them, or ask favored moderators to modify postings on a regular basis.
It should also be noted that they can not make the claim that they didn't know what there members were posting because both Directors are themselves posting copyrighted material and also are making comments from other moderators who also copied and posted copyrighted material.
All organizations have their in-house politics and infighting, Flutrackers is no exception to this simple fact and based on observation, they have a lot of problems.
(Personally, if they want to copy and paste a story, at least make sure the source gets credit or provide a link to the original story everytime!)
If FluTrackers is going to delete a new members post because they didn't like the person's question, then they should delete everything that the person posted, including the persons copyrighted photos!
In closing: It is because of Flutrackers lack of respect for copyright, lack of respect for new members, lack of consistent enforcement of their stated policies and constant in-house politics that I urge caution with your money or support!
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