Not so much beating a dead horse as putting a bullet in its head.
Hopefully.

There is a lot, and I mean a lot, of negativity being spread around due to misinformation regarding the newsbox that was posted on the 5th and 6th of March. In an attempt to perhaps *end this*, I am posting a timeline clearing up what people are confused about. This is how it goes from my point of view. I have not posted sensitive information here; simply a run down of what happened. If this is not within my right to post, I ask that one of the Keentechs notify me and I will edit out any information they deem sensitive. I have not quoted any one but myself.

In case you didn't see it, this is the newsbox.



1. Weds: I write one of the KeenHeads and ask if it’s ok to submit a late newsbox. He gives me the okay, and I give thanks to god and all the angels and saints because now I have time for my lab project.

2. Friday: I turn in the newsbox, and get confirmation that it was in fact received. Now, about the newsbox? Did it have the potential to be controversial? Yes. Did I find it to be G-rated? Yes. Keenspot newsboxes previously displayed kisses of a more passionate nature (between heterosexuals) and racy newsboxes under G. In addition, I’d seen some rather racy ads on the G-sites. I figured a barely there kiss between two men might raise eyebrows, but would still count as G.

3. Saturday: Cartoonist Q posts a complaint. They do not want two men kissing on their site. Conversation ensues, regarding what does or does not make a newsbox G-rated. I would like to point out that it was, in my perception, a very diplomatic conversation. No four letter words are exchanged. :) Eventually, a KeenHead steps in and I apologize for not getting my newsbox in beforehand.

4. Sunday: Q once more states their objection to two men kissing and requests a substitute. Let me quote myself, directly from the keenspot private forum (I figure this is alright, as I am only quoting myself):
- Finally, regarding the newsbox itself: I'd like to offer an alternative image, if [KeenHead ]deems it necessary. [KH]: necessary or non? I mean, it's got maybe half a day to go.
This was…about 7:30 am, central time? Anyway. Please note that I was willing to offer an alternative image. I *did*, though, want a KeenHead to approve it first. Once bitten, twice shy. I didn’t want to get policy wrong again. And I admit, if I didn’t have to do make an alternative, I wouldn’t: it did only have half a day to go. A Sunday, nonetheless. But had I been told “Yeah, make an alternative,” I would’ve.

At some point, either before or after this (I am willing to believe after, given that I’d stated I wanted to wait for someone’s approval), Q removed the newsbox on their sites, replacing it with an (at the time, incorrect) link to friendly hostility. They posted a public explanation on their livejournal, wherein they stated that they disagreed with the image of two men about to kiss (this taken from the saved conversation, posted on the LJ community godyouarestupid [apologies in advance for mentioning it, but I don’t want to say something without having evidence, and that *is* the location of the saved conversation]). Being that it is posted publicly, it is invariably found and commented on, and pointed out to me, as well. I reply to this post to ask Q to correct the link. This is the part that may have been misunderstood by Q as my being “fine” with it. To make things clear:

I am not fine with the idea that she removed the newsbox and replaced it with a text link, particularly when I was attempting to pursue a diplomatic solution. While I bear Q no ill will, I must admit that I am disappointed with the tactics they chose. I am uncertain why people think I was okay with the idea, but can chalk it up to miscommunication somewhere.

In fact, let me quote myself again, from the keen private forum:

[...] I'm trying to work this out. I already offered to make an alternative if [KH] deemed it necessary. Removing the newsbox from your site and its promotional link to FH was unnecessary, since we're trying to work on a solution here. Isn't the removal against keenpolicy, at any rate?

I’ll get into the keenpolicy in a second. Back to the timeline. Q removes their original post, reposts the same thing. A copy of their conversation is posted to godyouarestupid. Word spreads.

Back in the forum, Q has stopped replying, but I get a private message stating that they’ve corrected the link. I thank them, and add that I will make a light mention of the situation on livejournal to prevent drama (keeping Q informed). I later decide against this, and mention it, since I do not want to draw attention to the situation. I am also willing to consider that despite my statement on the forum, my “much appreciated” reply to their correcting the link may have been misinterpreted as “this is a-okay!” Q has begun to complain of getting angry emails, as well, and I figure the best thing to do would be to downplay it. The last bit may’ve been Monday.

5. Monday: The newsbox is down, everywhere, as I only had it Saturday and Sunday. I say nothing about it here, as I don’t think it’s necessary. Life goes on. Everything since? Keenspot clarification, various webcomic people posting about it, you know more than I do.

Seriously. I only found out about some of the new stuff yesterday.

And now, some questions the timeline did not answer:

How d’you feel about Keen?
Mm. Mostly worried that I caused undue stress for the first KeenHead who did me a favor by letting me turn my newsbox in late. I dislike the current one-person-complains-and-it’s-down thing, but understand that Keen is attempting to keep everyone happy. I'm a lot more stressed out about school stuff, frankly.

So you were never in agreement that the newsbox should be removed?
Nope. I'm not sure where the misinformation from that came from.

Didn’t you think to provide an alternative?
Call me naïve, but I didn’t think I’d need one. As said, I considered it G-rated, if potentially controversial. I mean, their lips are barely brushing. It could be a really close game of gay chicken. [that is a joke.] Plus, time’s a precious commodity for me. If I didn’t have to make one, I’d rather use the time for other things.

Didn’t you think to provide an alternative *after* they’d complained?
The first complaint: no. I was misinformed about the keenpolicy, and thought that it was the sort of thing where if it’s G-rated, it stays. I was later informed that it was instead a “one-person-complains-and-it’s-gone” unofficial policy.

No alternative *then*?
No. As said, time is a constraint, and I hadn’t been told to make one. I figured it would be alright this time, and in the future I would Never Do This Again. After Q complained again, I *did* offer an alternative, but wanted keen approval. Like hell I was going to mess up twice in the same weekend, I thought. :) Then they took the newsbox down, and thus ended that.

Why didn’t you post about this before?
A variety of reasons. 1. I wanted to downplay it. I dislike dramatics, and avoid them if I can. 2. I thought it would stay an internal thing. Later, when Gav posted a public reply to the emails they received, I figured it’d end there. 3. I was largely unaware that the matter had continued. I’m unfortunately rather distanced from the webcomic community (due to time rather than to choice), and I don’t know the people who were mentioning the matter in their journal. Not that I like being distanced from other webcomicers. Let’s have a barbecue, guys. I’ll bring flan. 4. It was also the week of doctor’s appointments. I posted about them in this journal, remember? 5. I went to visit relatives. Again, also posted about in this journal. 6. Finally, the second most dreaded word to any geeky college student: MIDTERMS. First being ‘finals’, of course.

I would like to shut the book on this incident, if possible. I should not have been so naive as to think a same sex kiss would be accepted as G by readers/cartoonists alike, and I should have prepared with time. It saddens me deeply that the first is still a factor. As for the second: my own error, and it will not happen again.

I appreciate your support, don’t think that’s not the case, but at this point, the matter has me quite weary, and I would rather not field comments about it, if that’s okay with you. I was hesitant to post this, but would like the matter settled once and for all. I hope we can all move past this like reasonable adults. This has not been posted in an attempt to incite a debate regarding whether or not Q’s actions were right or wrong, or any debate at all, really. It’s simply my statement, and the clearing up of facts (hopefully).

And now, back to the wonderful world of midterms.