| Author |
Message |
Jeremy
Registered user
Username: Jeremy
Post Number: 1095
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 8:56 pm: |     |
I agree, Lisa. I could just see a Christian organization not wanting to fight other "Christians," though. They might think that Adventism is part of the body of Christ! But maybe this could be a good learning experience for them. 
Jeremy
(Message edited by Jeremy on February 15, 2006) |
Jorgfe
Registered user
Username: Jorgfe
Post Number: 151
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 11:13 pm: | |
The Absurdity of the Ellen G. WhiteĆ Estate's Veiled Threat
The more I think about this "request" (more like a veiled threat) from the Ellen G. WhiteĆ Estate, the more absurd it becomes.
Isn't the name of their "business" Ellen G. WhiteĆ Estate? See http://www.whiteestate.org/. Go there and roll over their menu choices on the left side. Even if I shorten my browser's URL to http://whiteestate.org/, their links are all still hardcoded as www.whiteestate.org. And rightly so. Even the footer on their pages say c1999 Ellen G White Estate. That is the name of their "business". And it is a business that generates a lot of revenue. Everywhere the name of their "business" is known as "Ellen G. WhiteĆ Estate". Even their email address is mail@whiteestate.org. It is not "ellenwhite.org". Their Internet identity is "whiteestate.org" -- pure and simple. No one made them choose that name. They voluntarily assumed it.
Likewise, the name of Dirk Anderson's "ministry" - his "brand recognition", the name that he has with thousands of hours of his own time built up his "ministry" on, and that he and large numbers of former Seventh-day Adventists feel passionately about, is not "Dirk Anderson" or "dirkanderson.com". There are so many other Internet sites linking to "ellenwhite.org" for important information that the Ellen G. WhiteĆ Estate is not forthcoming with, that for some Google searches it comes up as the #1 worldwide resource. If there was no merit or truthfulness to the value that "ellenwhite.org" is providing as a public service this certainly would not be the case! Google's own reputation for the soundness of Google's own search engine technology would be at stake. This is called "branding" and "public recognition". Business corporations pay 100's of thousands of dollars for this kind of worldwide identity.
Ellen White's most important claim to fame were her purported visions - direct from God she claimed, and here we see that the Internet has established "ellenwhite.org" as the leading #1 resource for unfettered information on the truthfulness of her claims. (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=%22Ellen+White%22+visions&btnG=Search)
When someone talks to someone else about Dirk's ministry, they always refer to it as "ellenwhite.org". It is "ellenwhite.org". What the Ellen G. WhiteĆ Estate is asking for from Dirk Anderson is based on their mistaken notion that they somehow imagine that they have a divine entitlement to the name of Dirk's "ministry". How preposterous! Who of you would even entertain the idea of the Ellen G. WhiteĆ Estate claiming to own your name -- your identity that everyone knows you by. And "ministries" usually go by a URL referencing the name of their "ministry" followed by ".org". What Dirk has done is the accepted Internet standard for religious ministries like this.
Take a look at http://www.whois.sc/name-spinner/?q=ellenwhite. Why is the Ellen G. WhiteĆ Estate specifically trying to take away the branding and identity of Dirk's "ministry"? There are lots of other choices still available -- even today.
Let's examine for a moment whether the Ellen G. WhiteĆ Estate even has any basis for claiming that this woman's name is exclusively theirs.
Who is "Ellen White"? It happens to be a female name -- nothing more and nothing less. Their "Ellen White" just did much more plagarism of other's writings (http://www.ellenwhite.org/egw4.htm), and then claimed that they were her own -- shown her direct from God!. Now that certain does warrant exposing! No wonder the Ellen G. WhiteĆ Estate is eager to squelch any information that would tarnish the myth of Ellen White (http://www.truthorfables.com/EGW_2000Vision_Fables.htm) that their financial success depends on. This subject alone would be excellent material for the TV program "60 MInutes".
The Ellen G. WhiteĆ Estate doesn't own the name "Ellen White".
http://baylorbears.collegesports.com/sports/w-equest/mtt/white_ellen00.html tells me:
Ellen White, an internationally recognized dressage trainer, was selected as the first head coach in the history of Baylor's new women's equestrian program. The school's equestrian team begins its first year of competition with the 2005-2006 academic year.
"Ellen's record of outstanding achievement as an athlete, trainer and instructor in equine disciplines along with her outstanding character make her the ideal person to provide leadership for our new women's equestrian program," McCaw said. "Moreover, Ellen's expansive network in the horse industry and familiarity with Baylor will provide further benefit to our program."
http://www.grad-college.iastate.edu/gpss/awards/MEW.html refers to yet another "Ellen White":
This award was established in 1985 by Margaret Ellen White to show her appreciation for excellent guidance and encouragement of graduate students. Miss White, now deceased, graduated from Iowa State's College of Home Economics and served as an administrative assistant in the Graduate College for 37 years.
http://www.arts.ualberta.ca/JHS/reviews/review195.htm provides us with an article written by:
Ellen White
University of St. Michaelís College
http://www.footiechick.co.uk/technical/ellenwhite/ states:
Footie Chick have just signed another exciting three year sponsorship deal, with a young and successful player with bags of energy....Ellen White! She might only be 16 years of age, but having started playing at just 7 years of age, Ellen is a star player with great skills and tons of potential!
We hope that all the young footie girls out there, who start playing the game from an early age, can aspire to Ellen and see where hardwork and determination gets you.
http://mtbchick.com/v-web/bulletin/bb/viewforum.php?f=28 refers to:
pixy chick- ellen white
http://www.seattleweekly.com/authors/sueellenwhite states that they have a writer by the name of:
Sue Ellen White
http://www.umanitoba.ca/cm/cmarchive/vol21no4/kwulasulwut.html tells us of yet another Ellen White:
The author, Ellen White, lives on Vancouver Island, where she teaches native studies and the Coast Salish language. Her Salish name, which means "many stars," forms the title of this book. The five tales in this collection have been adapted from the stories that the author uses to teach her students about Native traditions and culture.
And the URL http://www.google.com/search?q=%22Ellen+White%22&hl=en&lr=&start=0&sa=N provides us with links to many more "Ellen White"s as well. I think this demonstrates that the bully claim that the Ellen G. WhiteĆ Estate is trying to make in forcing Dirk Anderson to hand over the domain name "ellenwhite.org" simply has no legal basis. Only their Goliath-like financial resources combined with the "deep financial pockets" of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, give the Ellen G. WhiteĆ Estate the ability, like David's lusting after Bathsheeba (2 Samuel 11-12), the ability to forcefully steal the one sheep that Dirk Anderson has. This should arouse the righteous indignation of every believer in the freedom of the press to provide balanced reporting on important issues.
Many people have questioned the numerous inconsistencies, plagarism and false doctrine in the writings that Ellen G White told others that she supposedly "saw" or was "shone" by God. See http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Ellen+White&btnG=Google+Search. The fact that ellenwhite.org consistently comes up in the #1 or #2 position in Google searches demonstrates the valuable contribution that Dirk Anderson's ministry provides in telling "the rest of the story". It is not surprising that the Ellen G. WhiteĆ Estate would like to eliminate public access (http://www.ellenwhite.org/egw55.htm) to documents the Ellen G. WhiteĆ Estate tries to hide from the public in their own vaults so they can continue to "White Wash" public opinion (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=%22Ellen+White%22+WhiteWashed&btnG=Search) .
Freedom of the press is a core value that we here in the United States cherish. See http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=Freedom+of+the+Press&btnG=Search
Freedom of speech, and the right for all sides of any issue is be available for public consideration is a right guaranteed by our constitution. The very first amendment to our US Constitution states (http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.billofrights.html) " Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press." Is the Ellen G. WhiteĆ Estate proposing that they somehow have a divine right that the US Congress does not even have? I propose that Dirk would certainly have sufficient grounds for a counter-suit for any and all damages and duress that the Ellen G. WhiteĆ Estate causes to his "ministry".
If there is confusion about the myth of Ellen G White it should be laid squarely at the feet of the Ellen G. WhiteĆ Estate. They have no one but themselves to blame.
Gilbert Jorgensen |
Esther
Registered user
Username: Esther
Post Number: 292
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 5:34 am: | |
Here, Here Gilbert! A wonderful and passionate post.
Can anyone invite Dirk over here to keep us up to date on what he needs and what it happening. I don't have any connections, but I'd be happy to sign petitions or write letters, etc as the need presents itself. |
Cathy2
Registered user
Username: Cathy2
Post Number: 2
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 8:06 am: | |
If I were Dirk (and I cannot claim to stand in his place), I would use all of this prcatical and useful advice as needed and necessary in fighting this SDA, Institutional 'Cyclops' monster. (Having one eye narrows one's vision a bit)
But the most powerful and effective means and source for himself and for us to pray for him is to pray this verse:
~We have not been given a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind~
The SDA organiztion is about fear, in fear of Dirk (and others like him, even less effective like his website), promote fear, use fear to control; have no love, but for power, profit and pride; and do not have a sound mind each time they do mental gymnastics or illegal acts with Ellen. (Truth will out just like character)
Dirk has Christ's power for all things, love for others and a sound, reasoning mind, made most powerful through the Holy Spirit. Our Lord is about Truth, according to Scripture. Dirk is exposing lies, which claim to be scripture. The Lord will defend him, as we do. And, hopefully, some Christian lawyers, as well.
It is good that Dirk is reaching out for support. He should reach out to everyone he can (perhaps, he has). The word will spread like wild fire. Also, the Truth of the Gospel will, too, by default...who knows to whom? Who knows who might be convicted to the real Jesus studying the two sides of the issue?
I say, let it all rip wide open for any eyes and ears, which might be paying attention.
Christ in you, Dirk.
Cathy |
Jorgfe
Registered user
Username: Jorgfe
Post Number: 152
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 8:11 pm: | |
Dirk Anderson asked me to post this for him:
Friends,
I'm thankful for the outpouring of support. It has reaffirmed in my mind the importance of fighting for this ministry. The latest news I have is an opinion from an attorney that while the SDA Church holds a trademark on the name "Ellen G. White", it appears they do not hold a trademark on "Ellen White". This subtle difference may turn out to be good news for www.ellenwhite.org. Please continue to pray that this will be resolved successfully. Perhaps the White Estate has forgotten the counsel of their own prophet:
"To lean upon the arm of the law is a disgrace to Christians; yet this evil has been brought in and cherished among the Lord's chosen people. Worldly principles have been stealthily introduced, until in practice many of our workers are becoming like the Laodiceans-half-hearted, because so much dependence is placed on LAWYERS AND LEGAL DOCUMENTS AND AGREEMENTS. Such a condition of things is abhorrent to God." -- Manuscript Releases Volume Five, page 148, paragraph 3 Chapter Title: Seventh-day Adventists and Lawsuits; source cited Manuscript 128, 1903 ("Wrongdoing to Be Condemned; Righteousness to Be Exalted." October 1903.)
God bless,
Dirk Anderson
http://www.ellenwhite.org
|
Ratthedd
Registered user
Username: Ratthedd
Post Number: 13
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 11:43 am: | |
Brilliant! I think it would be worth the stress just to see Dirk bring THAT up in court.
Erik. |
Helovesme2
Registered user
Username: Helovesme2
Post Number: 409
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 12:11 pm: | |
They would probably say, "well, that's just your interpretation." |
Freeatlast
Registered user
Username: Freeatlast
Post Number: 462
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 12:40 pm: | |
Or that Ellen didn't understand what she was saying when she wrote that... ;>) |
Jorgfe
Registered user
Username: Jorgfe
Post Number: 156
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, February 18, 2006 - 7:31 pm: | |
I notice that http://ellenwhite.org has two new mirror links on the upper right (just under the search field). Good work, Dirk!
Gilbert |
Dennis
Registered user
Username: Dennis
Post Number: 594
Registered: 4-2000
| | Posted on Saturday, February 18, 2006 - 8:08 pm: | |
Gilbert,
What are mirror links and their purpose? Please excuse my techie ignorance. :>)
Dennis Fischer |
Jorgfe
Registered user
Username: Jorgfe
Post Number: 159
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, February 18, 2006 - 9:24 pm: | |
Dennis -- "mirror links" and "mirror sites" are frequently used as alternate URLs to access additional copies of the same information when a primary URL gets too busy. They can also perform load-balancing or load-distribution, as well as "hot-failover". Microsoft, for example, has around six mirror sites so that if one is down for servicing, or unavailable, the others can still respond. Depending on the peer-to-peer configuration, they can provide a worldwide transparent meshed network, or appear as physically separate sites. It is also possible for the Internet routing process to look at a person's source IP address, and transparently route them to the nearest available "mirror".
A more exhaustive review of ellenwhite.org will show that there are in reality quite a number of "semi-mirror" sites around the world. Multiple languages could actually be served from any of these sites. See all the little flags across the top of the ellenwhite.org web page. What Dirk has added are more choices and URLs for US access.
Gilbert |
Dennis
Registered user
Username: Dennis
Post Number: 596
Registered: 4-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 1:13 pm: | |
Gilbert,
Thanks for the information about mirror links. Dirk is providing a wonderful, much-needed service to those who are intent upon accurate answers.
Internet technology has become a significant resource for those seeking freedom in Christ. Indeed, our Lord is utilizing the latest electronic means to communicate His love to us.
Dennis Fischer
|
Georges
Registered user
Username: Georges
Post Number: 1
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Friday, February 24, 2006 - 2:41 pm: | |
How easy is it to change the website url in case the court says that ellenwhite.org is in violation of a trademark? |
Flyinglady
Registered user
Username: Flyinglady
Post Number: 2336
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 24, 2006 - 4:24 pm: | |
Georges,
I notice this is your first post here. Welcome to FAF. Tell us more about yourself when you are ready.
Diana |
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 3440
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 24, 2006 - 11:49 pm: | |
Welcome, Georges! We're loooking forward to hearing more from you!
Colleen |
Dennis
Registered user
Username: Dennis
Post Number: 606
Registered: 4-2000
| | Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2006 - 5:06 pm: | |
Georges,
A hearty, warm welcome! We are delighted that you have joined us.
Dennis Fischer |
Jorgfe
Registered user
Username: Jorgfe
Post Number: 183
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2006 - 5:53 pm: | |
Georges - The actual website URL, ellenwhite.org is stored on thousands of pages across Internet as well as in all the relevant search engines. The links on all of those pages would have to be changed.
Mirror sites are created to "seed" the search engines with alternate URLs, and to facilitate load distribution.
In the case of the domain name "ellenwhite.org" I don't see how the Ellen G. WhiteĆ Estate stands a ghost of a chance. The name they have registered is Ellen G White, and they are not even "protecting" that. Check out http://ellengwhite.info and http://ellengwhite.net, for example. They would have to do something about these first.
If they try to pursue ellenwhite.org (which is not the same as "ellengwhite") a quick check of http://www.whois.sc/name-spinner/?q=ellenwhite shows numerous other related names that are still available.
Gilbert Jorgensen |
|
