The Need For Communication
Originally posted by Unplugged
As far as I can tell, all of the "facts" that pointed to Bill being guilty of something were misunderstandings/ miscomunication.
This is my working theory for now. Though my suspicions are aroused, I think it's possible to find an innocent explanation for all the
discrepancies.
However, it is up to
Bill to provide them, not for us to assume them.
There are reasonable questions about the way information has been vetted, handled and transmitted, and the nature of what has been represented to us
over the course of the Serpo disclosure.
Only Bill can answer these questions, and without those answers, what is already a suspicious source becomes worthless.
Keeping Agreements
Originally posted by Unplugged
To say that Bill is a bad guy in all this for upholding his agreement with Anon to not reveal his identity is silly.
As far as I know, no one is asking Bill to reveal the identity of his sources.
Rather, ATSers are asking him to clarify statements he has made about how he has vetted them and verified their consistency over time, which is a
crucial and central issue in the quest for understanding several glaring inconsistencies in the information that has been provided.
The Case For Openness
Originally posted by Bill Ryan
The thread should not be closed.
It would violate the principles which ATS stands for.
It would create a huge rumor elsewhere on the internet that would do ATS no credit.
There would be a danger that it might be thought elsewhere that the ATS moderators were not impartial and have their own agenda.
If anyone wants the thread to be closed or is no longer interested in the material or the discussion, then they don't have to visit it.
Bill argued for keeping the thread open for the reasons cited above.
I agreed with Bill that it should be kept open, and in light of how many people have been following it, and how important this exposure is to Bill's
stated goal of getting the information about Serpo out, I see only more reason now why this thread should not only remain open, but continue with
Bill's participation.
Bill has had some problems with a
minority of ATS staff members regarding some specific issues. Some harsh words have been traded. However, I
am hopeful that all involved are mature enough to get over that and keep an eye on the big picture.
Through ATS, Bill has the ability to spread the word about Serpo and expose it to the kind of scrutiny that no honest person can deny is thorough –
even brutal.
But truth can stand up to such scrutiny.
Handling The Truth
If what Bill brings is truth, then let it be presented and his character exonerated. If what Bill brings is truth, then to withhold it for reasons of
minor personal indignity is to place one's vanity above it.
Here's hoping that Bill will see fit to continue to aid us in our search for the facts behind Serpo.
Let the truth be told,
whatever it may be!