Many US Gun boards purchased by left wingers

[xl_target]

A bit of news that I saw on SigForum:
The Canadian company Vertical Scope, controlled by a left leaning Canadian corporation Torstar, is buying up US gun forums.
The controlling interest in the corporation is the Toronto Star newspaper, often called "The Toronto Red Star" for its socialist leanings.

Some of the forums already purchased are:
Gunboards
ACR Forum
Defensive Carry
National Gun Forum
The AK Forum
Sniper Forums
Marlin Owners Forum
Handguns and Ammunition Forums
6.8 Forums
XD Talk
Walther Forums
Prepper Forums
New Jersey Hunter
Trap Shooters
Taurus Armed
Colt Forum
FN Forum
Florida Concealed Carry Forum
M&P Forum
M-14 Forum
H&K Pro

Now, keep in mind that Vertical Slope owns many forums, not just gun forums, so it might be a little premature to say that there is some kind of agenda here. However, the very fact that these once independent forums are now being controlled by an organization like Torstar is depressing. Many forum members have complained about the newly purchased forums becoming politically correct overnight and the regular admins leaving.

This was posted on AR15.com:

VerticalScope just bought HKpro.com..
The new female admin announced it on forum and was asked if she even owned a gun...she said.."uh no..."
I also noticed a few of my posts were deleted (talking about shill bidding on Gunbroker)
I've been on that forum for 11 years and know the original owner..but crap.

quote from here

The general theme seems to be that they (vertical Slope) buy up a bunch of successful forums dealing with a particular subject, get rid of the owner and mods, jack up the price on the advertising space and soon everyone leaves (members and advertisers). Then as soon as the old owners non-compete agreements expire, they open a new site. For example, a few years ago they purchased a bunch of the major Motorcycle forums, which soon came apart and are now shells of their former selves.

So far, this whole thing seems to be more financially motivated rather than politically motivated but with Torstar in charge now, that might change. Luckily, any Tom, Dick or Harry can set up a forum on the Internet but it does take a lot of work to build a community. It is a shame when that gets destroyed.

Links:

http://www.torstar.com/html/whats_new/index.cfm?view=article&wnID=169
https://theadminzone.com/threads/verticalscope.39544/

[SMJ]

So now you likely have moderators who know nothing about the subject controlling the sites just like the example you gave above Ridiculous!

[xl_target]

Not only that SMJ, when you have a liberal parent company running the forum, the fear is that pretty soon they will start censoring posts that don't match their agenda.

[Sakobav]

XL
Beauty of internet is new groups will sprout up and enthuasts shall flock there..sad to see chism in the society
Best

[xl_target]

More forums to be added to the list:
Gun Hub
Kimber Talk
Bersa Pistol Forum
Kahr Forum
Shotgun Forums
Gun Forums
Glock Pro
Glock Forum
1911 Talk
Utah Concealed Carry
Oklahoma Hunter
Ruger Pistol Forums
Predator Talk

[SMJ]

Not only that SMJ, when you have a liberal parent company running the forum, the fear is that pretty soon they will start censoring posts that don't match their agenda.

Totally defeats the purpose of the forum. Checked out the link XL and it seems a lot of members have clearly stated their disappointment with the take over.
I am little surprised to know that the former owners also have to sign a non compete clause Its just a site for like minded people to come together and not a direct business. The only reason I can think of as to why the former owners would need to sign a non compete clause is to not affect ad revenues of the site post the take over.
Also if most of the original members leave the forum anyways post the take over, is it not possible that one of them (an old member) start a new forum with the help of the former owner of the site. That way the non compete agreement becomes null and void does it not as the former owner cant be held accountable for a forum started by a former member?

[xl_target]

Also if most of the original members leave the forum anyways post the take over, is it not possible that one of them (an old member) start a new forum with the help of the former owner of the site. That way the non compete agreement becomes null and void does it not as the former owner cant be held accountable for a forum started by a former member?

Usually when most people sign a contract or take an oath, they will follow through (unless you're a politician, of course... ).
Helping someone setup a competing site would be contrary to the contract they signed and to a lot of people, keeping their word means something.
It would be unethical and dishonest for them to do otherwise.

Of course, alternate forums will start up but there is no guarantee that they can attract enough of the right kind of people to sustain themselves.
Keep in mind also that it takes a special kind of person to start and grow a successful forum. You have to be impartial, tolerant, colorblind, respect a point of view opposed to your own and above all have the patience of Job (even though Job was not very patient ). You basically also have to be a saint and like/respect people. Many forums fold or have a very limited membership because they don't have someone who is willing to work hard enough or be patient enough to accept a diverse and broad based membership. Not everyone can do it correctly.

[SMJ]

Helping someone setup a competing site would be contrary to the contract they signed and to a lot of people, keeping their word means something.
It would be unethical and dishonest for them to do otherwise.

Extremely glad to hear you say that a lot of people there still think this way It is the right approach no doubt.
I only hope that the people who take over realize to some extent what the forum represents to the members and act accordingly

[essdee1972]

Saw this a bit late, and was wondering how the manipulations and financial skullduggery in the online world seem to be worse than the robber baron age of the brick-and-mortar businesses! And online business is supposed to be cleaner!

My personal suspicions are of a deep-seated conspiracy. Remember sleeper agents during the cold war? Call me paranoid, but I get scared when assets in the free world (e.g. USA, India, Western Europe, etc.) are bought over by cash from the non-free world (China, middle East, and so on).