Cashing in on Virginia Tech tragedy
p2pnet.net OT news:- Within hours of the Virginia tech killings, Fred McChesney began buying domain names such as CampusKillings.com, VirginiaTechMurders.com, SlaughterInVirginia.com.
Why bother?
“McChesney, 48, said he saw it as an opportunity to show his contempt for firearms by featuring anti-gun content on the domains he is selling,” says Associated Press. But, “He also saw it as an opportunity to cash in.”
“Everyone is profiting off of this,” the story has him saying. “I’m not hurting anyone.”
Big news events always result in people registering associated domain names, says Christine Jones, general counsel for GoDaddy.com.
However, “On the same day the victims’ names were released, people began registering domains named after the dead, such as JarrettLane.com,” AP goes on. “Victims’ friends and family members seeking to create a memorial site under the same Internet address would then have to purchase it from the domain name owner – for whatever price the owner wants.”
McChesney said he, “hopes to use some of his domains to draw attention to what he calls an epidemic of gun violence in America and plans to give away his memorial domain names to Virginia Tech students.”.
He’s donated one and, “hopes to sell others, such as VaTechTheMovie.com, to companies.,” says AP, adding:
“So far, he hasn’t sold any. He understands that many will vilify him. But he doesn’t think he’s doing anything wrong. ‘What I’m doing is the equivalent of rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic,’ he said. ‘Period’.”
Also See:
Associated Press – Profiteers snap up domain names related to Va. Tech tragedy, May 9, 2007
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Tired of being treated like a criminal? They depend on you, not the other way around. Don’t buy their ‘product’. Do bug your local politicians. Use emails, snail-mail, phone calls, faxes, IM, stop them in the street, blog. And if you’re into organizing, organize petitions, organize demonstrations and then turn up on your local political rep’s doorstep, making sure you’ve contacted your local tv/radio station/newspaper in advance. Don’t just complain. Do something!
May 10th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
I’ve personally received two emails from Fred that are quite enlightening. Perhaps the Associated Press would be interested to see his “dark side” that clearly comes out in the email themselves.
If so email me at will at weareamericans@gmail.com
May 10th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
“Everyone is profiting off of this,” the story has him saying. “I’m not hurting anyone.”
What about the victims, asshole?
Just because everyone is doing it doesn’t mean that its a good idea. It is my personal opinion that anyone who attempts to exploit this tragedy is just as guilty of murdering these innocent lives as the shooter is.