Craigslist to South Carolina: We Want an Apology
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: craigslist, south, carolina, erotic, services | Themes: The Internet
Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster is demanding an apology from South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster, claiming the AG accused both Craigslist and the CEO personally of criminal acts.
Buckmaster yesterday evening blogged about the previous week’s events, including McMaster’s decision to go ahead with a criminal investigation and possible prosecution despite changes implemented by Craigslist to ensure the site complied with policies and procedures endorsed by AG McMaster.
Reiterating the point made in a blog post published over the weekend, Buckmaster points out that there are many other sites that offer similar adult-themed sections and asks why the South Carolina Attorney General is not pressuring those companies in the same way.
“Many prominent companies, including AT&T, Microsoft, and Village Voice Media, not to mention major newspapers and other upstanding South Carolina businesses feature more ‘adult services’ ads than does Craigslist, some of a very graphic nature,” writes Buckmaster. “For a small sampling, look (careful NSFW) here, and here, and here, and here, and here, and here, and here, and here, and here, and here, and here,” he says, providing links. (Click here to read Jim Buckmaster's entire post.) Buckmaster goes on to point out that what’s a crime for Craigslist is a crime for other companies too and to by painting Craigslist in such a manner, the Attorney General is condemning the CEO’s of the company’s above. Mr. Buckmaster points out that condemning SC newspapers and publications, AG McMaster could potentially harm his gubernatorial campaign.
The CEO finishes by asking the Attorney General for an apology:
Mr McMaster, I strongly recommend you reconsider and retract your remarks, and positively affirm that you have no intention of launching criminal investigations aimed at any of these upstanding companies, because in truth none of them are deserving of such treatment. Certainly when it comes to Craigslist, by any objective standard your threats and accusations are unreasonable and unfair:
* threats of criminal prosecution are utterly unwarranted by the facts
* the charges threatened are unconstitutional and barred by federal law
* our adult ad screening regimen is stricter than the one you endorsed
* our adult services ads are fewer and tamer than other SC venues
If you were Henry McMaster would you apologize or consider widening your scope to include all the other companies who have adult-themed sections of a more graphic nature? AG Henry McMaster has yet to respond.
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McMaster is a man on a mission, there will be no apologies. More likely he will try to take on similar groups, at the expense of his career.
I'd apologize and shut the hell up. Accusing and investigating other media organizations like newspapers and websites will only make things uglier.
my guess is the AG is targeting craigslist to get his name in the public more for a future career advancement
"gubernatorial" ......hehehe
I think he's either going to react childishly (most likely) and immediatly try to sanction craigslist and possibly some of the other companies, he will apologise (least likely), or he will say something to the affect of "this need to be investigated more" and then we will never hear about it again(default political response).
McMaster called a girl he saw listed on Craigslist, paid for her services, didn't like it, and now is hating on Craigslist.
It'll be a while before he could get the services of high class madams.
An apology from a politician! He is one despite his title. I mean he is bidding for governor if I am not mistaken. So it's a fat chance in HE double hockey sticks that he would ever apologize. Just another one in power using said power to bully to make themselves look good. No matter what you may think of the "erotic services" on Craigslist, you have to admit it is a double standard to go after them and not everyone else who has "erotic services" no matter the excuse.
AG's are elected officials, and thus politicians. He won't apologize. He might drop the whole thing, but he won't apologize.
It like that sherrif that tried to get the death penalty for Michael Phelps after that pot-smoking photo surfaced. Sherrifs, too, are elected officials and need to concern themselves with re-election, or election into a higher office.
The recession wasn't the only reason gas prices dropped as we moved closer to November last year.
I have a feeling he'll just shut up let people forget and let his fellow SC'ers get back to their wholesome sex. You know with sheep and cousins and the like.
In this case, its evident that McMaster is an idiot.
Great just what sc needs more clown shoes in charge of the state..
I wonder if there can be a lawsuit here ?
For craigslist's own protection they should just get rid of the South Carolina area from craigslist.
I lived in SC briefly. There are a bunch of hot girls there, but they all look like they're sisters...
McMaster is a man on a mission, there will be no apologies. More likely he will try to take on similar groups, at the expense of his career.
No he is just a douche looking for a spotlight.
mcmaster can suck my mcdick , im tired of these conservative blow hards always tryinh to force thier morals on every one else
"what’s a crime for Craigslist is a crime for other companies too and to by painting Craigslist in such a manner"
Please correct errors...and Jane, get some proofreaders or something