Truth In Labeling
Originally posted by snoopyuk
ok , so i repeat my question , Why has this been left as it is , it is on the front page of this site, and it clearly does NOT say hoax or
anything....very misleading..
An administrator or perhaps another moderator may indeed choose to do that, but for my part I am extremely cautious about making "official"
determinations about the credibility of stories.
The main reason I'm so reluctant has to do with the core ATS ethic of leaving the question of truth or falsehood for the members to decide for
themselves.
It is my responsibility as a moderator to enforce the
AboveTopSecret.com Terms And
Conditions Of Use, and I'm allowed to express my personal opinions on topics just as any member can -- but
not to use my position as a
moderator to force my opinions or beliefs on anyone.
Aside from all that, it's always possible that an "official" pronouncement in a circumstance like this could be wrong, in which case I as a staff
member would be potentially deceiving my fellow ATSers under "color of authority" -- which I can assure you is a far more horrid prospect for me
than simply choosing not to label a dubious story a hoax.
Finally, though I think the source in question has been thoroughly discredited in general, that in itself does not prove that
this story isn't
true -- though I note that several well-informed members whom I respect do seem to think it's a load of bollocks.
Thus, despite my own personal suspicion that this is yet another shipment of manure from a notoriously prolific source, without sound evidence to
support labeling it a hoax (i.e., deliberately contrived to deceive), I don't think it would be proper to do so at this time.
However, if someone should make a solid case proving that the source article is indeed a deliberate hoax, that could change.
