A9: An Interesting Search Engine
Ever since Google rolled onto its back for the Chinese, I have avoided using it. In fact, the few times that I have used it I have felt guilty. Guilt, in my opinion, is a good thing. For those of us who have been brought up with consciences, it can be an accurate “reality check”. So, I was pleased when Dean Esmay mentioned A9 today. Granted A9 is powered by Microsoft, but in a world of evils, MS makes no pretence to being anything but.
I like that about Microsoft. I respect honesty much more than hypocrisy, and Google is definitely on an extended hypocrite-trip. “Do no evil,” is their corporate motto, but they are doing evil left and right as they attempt to turn their virtual popularity into economic prosperity.
A9 has several intriguing features – and it’s guilt-free. I especially like the rollover “site info” pop-up that shows stats on the link. Being curious, I searched on this site and was surprised to find that it’s stats were accurate. The Razor has been online since October 5, 2001 and has 208 links. It ranks 3 millionth in traffic, which is better than the ITPAA - which ranks 5 millionth.
A9 also shows that this website was mentioned in this book: Handbook of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Administration and Policy (Public Administration and Public Policy) . The book refers to this story I wrote about Act Up that criticizes the myth that the US government doesn’t spend enough on AIDS research.
My guess is that it’s supposed to represent some kind of vicious attack on Gay Rights activists by the Left – which is humorous to me considering that:
1. I support gay rights including gay marriage.
2. I have lost two friends to the disease (one in Africa, one in St. Louis).
3. I grew up in the gay culture of the 1980s – clubs, theater, etc – and while not gay myself have always had friends who are.
Since I can’t read the book online, I can’t see what it says about the article – but I find it’s premise interesting:
One cannot be a gay rights supporter AND question the dogma of AIDS funding.
I’ve even gone as far as to question the entire HIV-> AIDS hypothesis (although I tend towards the conventional wisdom on the matter at this time).
I suppose we’ll really know that the “gay rights” movement has succeeded when one can speak against such sacred-cows as Act-UP and AIDS funding – not when men can marry each other in Utah.
Dean Esmay:
not when men can marry each other in Utah.
You mean can’t, right? Or maybe until?
24 May 2006, 7:25 pmAdministrator:
Nope. My point was:
25 May 2006, 6:14 amGay Rights success should be judged by diversity of viewpoints in the Gay Rights community, not by the success of the “gay rights agenda” in Society.