When talk of taking ISAC off line first began, I made all the same suggestions Oscar has made. I still feel that archiving the site is probably the best answer.
I'm not sure what Bill is talking about when he says the material is copyrighted; or maybe he means the name of the organization: International Survivors Action Committee is copyrighted. I think maybe this name is part of the problem. When the Trekker support was pulled, after the hostility began with Sue Scheff, that meant the cash flow stopped, which caused a halt to anything like Action in the way it was originally planned. But for years after this, a lot of important work was done and information was gathered and cataloged and made available to the public. So, action was still going on - just not of the sort originally planned.
As I understand the situation - basically - things have changed in the "ISAC" household that have made it difficult to find the time to work on the site or deal with the issues involved. Consequently, there was no time for any kind of action. As best as I can understand, this is why there is an objection to archiving the site - even with a banner posted explaining it is an historical site and not being updated.
As to the question of allowing someone else to take over, as I understand it (and I do have some sympathy for this POV) the site was not unlike a work of art, in that it was a creation the owners had personal pride in; A creation their reputation was built upon. To allow someone else to take it on would be similar to, lets say, Picasso allowing me to touch up his work. Because I do understand such feelings I have argued for the archived site.
My feelings are mirrored by Oscar's. Keep the information up. As others come along and build new sites they can use it as an invaluable research tool and add what new information there is to the new site. There is a lot of information on ISAC that is now no where else - and the thought of all those dead links all over many other fine and worthwhile sites is just not a laughing matter.
Maybe even dissolve ISAC and rename the site something more suitable, tho I suppose that might mean a lot of work removing the ISAC water mark from a lot of documents, and that would take time that just isn't available. Anyway, I lost the argument. I've know from the day it went off line it wasn't coming back. I had been clearly told so. I did hope however that minds might change. That now seems much less likely.
For those with links to ISAC pages, I can only suggest you remove them. Look for what information they linked to elsewhere. This may mean you'll have to resort to using CACA or some other less reputable site - but at least some of this information is still on line somewhere. Jordan Riak has a great many newspaper articles on the topic of abuse in programs.
http://www.nospank.net/ ;
http://www.nospank.net/boot.htm ;
http://www.nospank.net/victims.htmWith regard to WWASP - I have some documents saved anyone can have the use of at request.
Oscar: you and I have never had much interaction but I'll take this opportunity to say I appreciate what your doing.
*sigh*
Now, I am going to wade into dangerous waters here. I have always kept my thoughts to myself on this issue, because I felt it was none of my business - or at least I felt sure and certain those concerned would feel strongly this is so.
I want to have a word with the Straight type program survivors. I know I can't possibly understand what you all shared. I know I am a member of the enemy camp. I hope most of you realize that I regret this and wish it were otherwise - and that I have done what I can to show it. I hope you realize I have friendly feelings for you, even if you feel something quit the opposite for me. Anyway - here are my thoughts: you guys are your own worst enemy. You rip and tear at each others best efforts, which no doubt causes a lot of pain and confusion and disappointment and anger - which errods those efforts to the point they become far less effective or vanish all together.
All the carping, harping, baiting and back-biting has [IMO] played a part in the decision to yank the ISAC site.
I was never told so. This is just my opinion based on what I have seen and heard going on in the survivor community.
People get tired. They get discouraged. This is the kind of effort that wears on a person even when they have a lot of validation and support. I think maybe the various tensions in the survivor community got to be to much - making it all seem just so not worth it. I'm not absolving Bill and Shelby of equal responsibility here. Being survivors of the same program, it is to be expected they have the same tendencies and inclinations to judge others efforts harshly.
You all seem to know this. You seem to have a good deal of self awareness about this tendency you share and an understanding of why. This ought to help you gain more control of your impulse to tear each other down. I'm asking you to try harder for your own sakes to pause and reflect before hitting the key-board or telephone or someone else's best effort.
Now if it will help you feel better, pile on and tell me what I can go do with myself - I don't mind. Just also think about what I am saying.
