For my first issue of MAU MADNESS, I'd like to address an issue that came up during a recent review of a SM site called "Yam-Head: A Chibi-Usa Shrine". I'll also speak to the general issue of flames.

I have no problem about certain kinds of flames. To be specific, I have no problem with a person who is insulted by someone online turning around and flaming the individual. This doesn't bother me a bit.

However, I do have a problem when someone flames what is, in all honesty, a reasonable request. In the case of Yam-Head, a parent was concerned that the lyrics of a song displayed at the site were not appropriate for her child, and very politely, she asked the webmaster to consider changing the song to something a bit more "kid-friendly".

I think one of the webmaster's first comments set me off. She said that she thought the parent ought to "get a grip", as if a parent does not have the right to defend their child from things they perceive to be harmful. She then goes about ranting through the parent's letter, and she comes across as though this parent just demeaned everything her life stands for.

I am not saying that the webmaster should tear down her flame. Insofar as she "owns" the free space Geocities allows her, she is free to say what she wishes. But, Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker was free to diss the fans of New York, and he paid for it in the court of public opinion. Well, Chibi-Fallon, court is in session.

Artemis

(Editors' Note: I checked the site to see if I could get the quote I referenced two paragraphs above, but I found that Chibi-Fallon is in the midst of redesigning her site. Let's hope someone talked some sense into her.)