Listen Scott, this is getting tiring. Stop seeing conspiracies everywhere, and try asking simple questions (which have already been answered elsewhere) instead. That's how you get to the truth, not by wildly speculating.

The Media Gallery module box in the corner of the home page displays a random image selected from a list of files uploaded to the Media Gallery in the past 7 days. Images uploaded with articles and features are NOT displayed in the Media Gallery, which was designed for images, PDFs, and audio/video files that stand on their own (flyers, photos of protests, audio interviews, documentary videos, etc).

Your "Martin O'Malley()'s Irish Roots..." photo is a perfect example of what DOES NOT belong in the Media Gallery. The image itself is pointless without any context, and doesn't merit inclusion in the gallery. You appear to be using it simply to link to your blog posting, which is a fundamental abuse of the gallery.

I asked simple questions: Who turned off the Media Gallery (from the front page) and why?

So far only spam has been posted in response.

I'd like to know:

1. does the Baltimore IMC webmaster believe in free speech? If so, why is he assuming dictatorial control by turning the Media Gallery on and off as it suits him?

2. Is the Baltimore IMC webmaster working for Homeland Security? For an intelligence agency?

3. Is Indymedia just a monstrous fraud and betrayal, an intelligence operation with the intention of tricking millions of people into falsely believing the website promotes free speech?

thanks,

First of all, notice that Spud stuck his reply after my initial post. That's not exactly following the flow of the conversation, which is precisely what I've accused him of doing regarding the Media Gallery. Also, he has falsified the date of his reply. (Today is 4/26/06.) Don't be surprised, Spud is the WEBMASTER of Baltimore IMC. He does what he WANTS.

Second, his reply ignores the fact that I've documented his turning off the image gallery:
baltimore.indymedia.org/media/all/display/6345/index.php

So, this is not "tiring" for anyone who believes Indymedia is about Independent media, not what Spud feels is important. Also the line "seeing conspiracies everywhere" is not true. I see it with Spud. He's either a Nazi spook--or the best imitation of one ever seen.

Spud adds: "The Media Gallery module box in the corner of the home page displays a random image selected from a list of files uploaded to the Media Gallery in the past 7 days"

Again, Spud lies. Spud turned off the image of the tennis fan holding the 911 sign two days after it appeared in the Media Gallery:
baltimore.indymedia.org/media/all/display/6345/index.php

Spud did the same with the O'Malley() image.

Spud also writes: "Your 'Martin O'Malley()'s Irish Roots...' photo is a perfect example of what DOES NOT belong in the Media Gallery. The image itself is pointless without any context..."

Wait a second! I provided the context. There's a link attached to the image referring to the context.

Perhaps Spud believes the Mayor should be flying low-flying helicopters over constituent rooftops at bedtime? Perhaps Spud wishes the helicopters were also strafing targets?

Once you realize that the "activist community" is infiltrated by people who have absolutely no interest in living in a democracy, whose professed ideals are all lies and who spend their free time plotting the destruction of the American republic people like Spud will not surprise you.

Unfortunately, Baltimore IMC is the ONLY "Indymedia" website that I can post my news blog on. People like Spud are making that possible.