Locking Threads....

[Andrew McHarg]

The now non-existent link had been available for the entire lifetime of this particular web-site.

During that time not one person complained about the link, not one, and this is over a period of at least eighteen months. I also seem to recall that it was present on the previous incarnation of the site.

Would you apply the same philosphy if a landmine was burried in some random location in your garden? It hasn't blown anyone up yet; it has been there for as long as I've been in the house - so what's the problem?

I have read various articles there over the years, but have never encountered anything I would consider 'beyond the pale'. That is not to say that such material does not exist however.

Well that is somewhat subjective. But I know of very few people who would consider the Harry Potter content to be anything other than adult in nature. Worse still is that the initial images would have a clear appeal to children, thus encouraging them to read the content of the speech bubbles moreso than they might otherwise be inclined to.

Surely it would have been enough to declare, as many sites do, that no responsibility is accepted for the content of external sites?

To some degree the above statement must be used, but not in this case. For instance, if a website which had a history of being exemplary in standard suddenly started publishing extremely offensive content, I'd think it unfair to blame us for having had a link to it if someone then visited it from our site. But if we know a website to contain content that we consider inappropriate for some of our users, why would we legitimise their visiting it by having a link?

Considering how easy it is to encounter much more offensive material, I am surprised at how prudish the site is becoming. e.g. do not try to access perhaps the first site that would come to mind if researching U.S. President's.

Chess Scotland is the national body of Chess in our country. If we are to encourage and promote the game in Scotland - as well as acquire sponsorship - we are best demonstrating the highest of standards anyone would expect of such an organisation.