What's the deal with ATSWatch.com?

I was websurfing and noticed a site called ATSWatch.com which states that it is:

an independent community of individuals who are concerned
over the promulgation of AboveTopSecret.com as an
unofficial source for
'news and media' when there is evidence which suggests the owners of AboveTopSecret.com engage in unethical behavior and activities.

Well, I got curious and decided to take a look at the discussion forums there. I noticed that alot of the posters at that site that are so concerned about the ethics of ATS are the same posters that are posting here. I won't name any names, but I will ask, could it be that the same posters that are posting in both places could be disinfo or cointelpro agents "infiltrating" abovetopsecret.com?

On the other hand, could the same people running ATS be responsible for that site, in secret?

I just don't see why one would play both sides of the field...

[edit on 7/18/2008 by Mad_Hatter]

Wow, that's odd. I can't believe it, to be honest, but I am going to read it some more.

Haha, however, Lear is over there like a kid who got knocked off his bike crying about his time over here.

But there are also some people defending the honor of ATS.

Interesting note, someone over there has said the owners of ATS all have accounts over at the other site. HMM.

[edit on 7/18/08 by SantaClaus]

That's what I find so strange. Why would you hold membership at both sites, continuously switching sides, per say.

Another thing I find strange is that the site proposes to "reveal the truth about abovetopsecret.com" and so forth, but at the same time they say they are not trying to discredit abovetopsecret.com.

The whole thing just smells funny to me on both sides.

I believe Reality Uncovered is Access Denied's website. And yes, the owners of ATS are registered at the site, along with many ATS members.

Thats all I know about it.

Simply because it is called "ATS Watch" doesn't mean its necessarily a bad thing. Not saying its not, but it doesn't mean it is. And even if it is, its her/his website.

Isn't that the argument people use when defending what goes on at ATS?

I don't see a problem with it.

[edit on 7/18/08 by NovusOrdoMundi]

reply to post by Mad_Hatter


No secret there. The owners of that site were all once regular members here.
Those guy are sharp. I have an account there too, but rarely use it.

Why would Access Denied make a webpage then, that claims things like

when there is evidence which suggests the owners of AboveTopSecret.com engage in unethical behavior and activities.

and then happily come back to ats smiling and giggling.

It's beyond me. However, the site is interesting none the less and provides a check and balance on ATS, if I do say so.

They seem exceedingly upset about the notion of making money off a site like this.

Hell, if I had the novel idea of creating a site like this, I'd sure as **** want to make myself rich through it. What's wrong with that?

Originally posted by Mad_Hatter
and then happily come back to ats smiling and giggling.

Well, there is an AccessDenied, and there was an Access Denied.

AccessDenied, no space, is obviously still here. Access Denied, space, is banned.

A post by "Access Denied" on The Reality Uncovered Forums says "Tom" at the bottom, and "AccessDenied", if I'm not mistaken, is a female.

I don't know though. I actually just found out about this site from someone about 20 minutes before I read your post.

I think it may be the banned Access Denied, though.

Ahh, well that would make sense, although confusing.

And for the record, nothing is wrong with making money off of this site. Hell, I'm sure running this site is a full time job in itself, why not get paid for it?

the way i see it, for me personally, it doesn't matter. i went and checked it out (bc i AM that curious) but what i need is certainly not gonna be found over there. sounds to me like ppl who are complaining bc they didn't get their way on here. they did what they are certainly free to do... open a club to boo hoo about the "injustices" they perceive they have endured over here

i would rather be a part of something that will help to give me perspective on "the bigger picture" rather than be a part of something that seems to be complaining about only one thing.

let 'em whine and complain .. let's get back to discussin'

PS. i trust (can't back this up other than it is more of a personal feeling) that the owners here have the right thing going. if they have accounts over there, i am sure that they have their reasons for doing so and it is no concern of mine. i just appreciate that they have a site like this open where i am free to discuss things on my mind.

reply to post by NovusOrdoMundi


Yes, our AD is a lady. Which is why it confused me, as well. I cannot believe there is a whole FORUM just to berate ATS. Hilarious.

On another note, it seems the owners of ATS are ACTIVE members. This is odd to say the least, as they don't seem happy with the intent of the watch and yet still participate.

Having said that, I spend too muich time on ATS, but these people actually have the time to post on a forum ABOUT another forum? Wow.

Originally posted by SantaClaus
They seem exceedingly upset about the notion of making money off a site like this.

I think people are just concerned that ATS could fall under the influence of the almighty Dollar. Investors, advertisers etc., people seem concerned that policies and content could change.

The ATS owners have denied this, and as of yet, I haven't seen any evidence to suggest that is the case, nor am I claiming that is the case. However, that seems to be what some are concerned about.

I wonder what this "evidence of questionable activities" is that they speak of.

Originally posted by NovusOrdoMundi
AccessDenied, no space, is obviously still here. Access Denied, space, is banned.

A thousand thank you's for clearing that up for me, as I never would have thought about spelling.

I was here for a couple years, then gone for almost the same. When I just came back, and saw AccessDenied, I could SWORE that I had rifts with that user. But THIS Access just didn't seem the same. I'm so glad I didn't start old crap with this one, I would have been thought a total loon (I'm only half-loon ya know) !! You saved the day Novus, well, MY day at least!! heh

Originally posted by NovusOrdoMundi
I think people are just concerned that ATS could fall under the influence of the almighty Dollar. Investors, advertisers etc., people seem concerned that policies and content could change.

The ATS owners have denied this, and as of yet, I haven't seen any evidence to suggest that is the case, nor am I claiming that is the case. However, that seems to be what some are concerned about.

Well I am a pretty miserly dude. So even if they were corrupt based on making money, I could dig it. But in the end, I think they know it would hurt their site, so they'd stop receiving bucks.

I mean, lets be honest, there are censors in place so we don't talk about drug use, to appease the sponsers, who understand this site is "googleable."

Whatever, pretty much everything on the site is user-generated anyway. They do their job just fine, and without looking like a kissa**, I commend them for putting food in their bellies at the same time.

Originally posted by Mad_Hatter
I wonder what this "evidence of questionable activities" is that they speak of.

lmfao who DOESN'T have questionable activities??

let's say that these (quote~unquote) "questionable activities" has to do w/ advertising for $$!!!

we are using the site for free, so i could care less that they are making $$ off the site and more power to em (the owners).

ok...... maybe the "questionable activities" is involving being part of something sinister.......... everything is what you make of it. the owners don't have to be a part of something sinister for something sinister to be lurking around here "taking notes." you take a risk everytime you are involved w/ something like this on the internet. so, even if they are, who cares? if you are speaking from the heart, then you shouldn't stop regardless who is "watching and taking notes."

maybe it is they are into porn? yeah, what guy isn't?

i mean, what could it possibly be to make those who are really trying to connect w/ others in the search for the truth keep from coming here?

what they do in their own personal lives shouldn't matter. follow the rules, be respectful, and get what you want out of this site...... oh and be grateful that it is here. all else shouldn't matter.

again, seems like a bunch of whiners over there who are mad bc they couldn't say and do whatEVER they pleased on a site they didn't own. typical spoiled attitude.

reply to post by justamomma


I couldn't agree with you more. That site seems to be just a bunch of nambly pamblies whining about how ATS did them wrong, with Lear at the forefront in a clown suit. I would just be interested in knowing what exactly this "evidence" that they claim to have is.

Originally posted by Mad_Hatter
reply to post by justamomma

 

I couldn't agree with you more. That site seems to be just a bunch of nambly pamblies whining about how ATS did them wrong, with Lear at the forefront in a clown suit. I would just be interested in knowing what exactly this "evidence" that they claim to have is.

Well they do a lot of complaining about how certain thread-authors get special attention because they get a lot of hits for ATS. Yeah, well duh.

They also go into why Lear was allowed to exist on this forum for so long. Blah Blah Blah. Yeah he was popular so they let him ramble, big deal.

Just read around, their arguments are pretty baseless.

Originally posted by Mad_Hatter
I would just be interested in knowing what exactly this "evidence" that they claim to have is.

Join it? You can be Alice there Well, you can't now, I think just blew your cover, lol

You've seen plenty of how NOT to pull a hoax, so you should be apt to pull of being someone else long enough to find out anything.

reply to post by Mad_Hatter


Just a note you might consider: Evidence is in the eye of the truth seeker. If a person thinks they have found the truth, it is not easy, and may be impossible to change their mind.

Some of those people were a part of ATS before I joined. Many remember the family atmosphere we had here.

And even though I don't hold the same ideas they do, I can't help but feel an affinity toward them. You would too if you had been around for the big Serpo thread.