iVillage can promote whatever they want within their family of internet sites.
Don't like it? Then don't click the links or use their sites.

While the OP probably belongs on the Conversations side, I'll put my 2 cents in. I clicked on the link and it said to say whether you agree or not . Don't see anything one-sided about that.

First ladies have usually been considered to be above the political fray. Laura Bush had much bigger positive numbers than her spouse did.

All I get are Allstate and bra ads. :-)

I see nothing wrong with iVillage running the Women and Politics Forum. It keeps the politics discussions off of the Gardening and decorating forums they run. From what I see the 'Women and Politics' forum is not one sided and it is a news and discussion board covering many different angles.

I don't see why they cannot advertise their own other websites here. The link you describe goes to their 'Your Total Health' website. And from there one can link to the 'Women and Politics' forum.

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-psmomspol

http://healthbeat.yourtotalhealth.com/2009/10/ivillage-women-speak-out-on-he.html

*iVillage is owned by NBC Universal. They run many many news and discussion outlets.

*Did you know you can read iVillage in Turkish? See below.

http://ivillage.mynet.com/

Here is a link that might be useful: Women and Politics Forum iVillage

I don't see any one-sided imposition of political views, only an option to express your agreement or dissent. ivillage hosts the site and gets to choose whatever advertisement they want to run, even it is one-sided, but as others have mentioned, it isn't one-sided.

Gopack- I agree with you that it's not really the best thing to put on a gardening and decorating forum. I just choose to ignore it and talk about gardening and decorating :)

One thing I love about this forum is that it's a place to escape and not worry about the things you constantly see in the news. I'm out to plant my bulbs now and I hope you have a great day!

When you click on the link, it says "the First Lady takes her pitch for health care reform to ivillage"

and

"Michelle Obama Stumps for Health Care Reform"

If it's not one-sided, then where is a link to an opposing point of view?

The Women & Politics Forum can discuss whatever they want. But putting a link in Home Decorating to a "pitch" by Michelle Obama is politicking. It bothers me too.

I agree with the first response, if you don't want to participate, don't click on the link. We're all visitors here and they can use whatever advertisements they want, what you (or we) feel about it is irrelevant. Enjoy the site for what ever it has to offer or not.

Personally, I SO wish they'd stop using the ads that either drop the screen down or show up in the middle of something you're trying to read. IMHO those are a PIA.

But if we're not allowed to discuss politics and religion on this forum, then why is that link there? It's a double standard.

Will we get a link to a pitch from the GOP too?

Click the little word "collapse" just above that list and it will all disappear. I always do that - I could care less what ivillage has going on elsewhere.

Oh, for pity's sake. Don't like it? Don't click on it. REALLY don't like it?

Run Firefox with adblock. If y'all hadn't described what you were seeing,I'd have NO idea.

That said, I miss the old days. Back when Spike still owned the place, those of us who chose to could pay for a membership and we were spared the ads. Plus, Spike and his minions actually moderated the forums and patrolled for people who were trying to do in-thread ads.

I miss Spike.

The section that link is in looks like a section of sponsored links or links to other content they are promoting for their other sites. It's part of the advertising that helps keep the site running I think.

You're not always going to agree with all the advertising that's on a site but without it this site wouldn't exist. It's something you have to deal with. Personally I could do without the half naked fat chicks on some of the ads but I understand that the site needs to make money to remain free.

If you want to build your own site, lease the servers you'll need, pay for the bandwidth and salaries of the staff that support it you can choose to put things on it that don't offend you, otherwise learn to ignore the one line out of hundreds that bother you.

What do you expect for nothing? These forums are free. The thing that I don't like are the self-appointed minions who tattle when they read something they don't like, but they're part of life on the internet.

Does it really bother you? I never noticed it. Had to hunt it down when you mentioned it.

Don't like it? Don't click on it.

There was a recent thread on the Conversation side about body odor. I wasn't interested, I didn't click on it. Problem solved, everyone's happy.

I agree with Gopack and wish the political link was not there.

don't understand why someone had to get nasty. totally uncalled for.
One poster said NBC owns ivillage. That says it all.

GE owns GW. Do they own tv networks, too? I think it's pushing the limits, or people's tolerance levels, if they want peace around here and no talk of politics outside their designated area on the Hot Topics forum. Throwing political topics into the midst can always start trouble, as we can see. Just the mention of it brings out the nasties in people. I agree with HelloKitty, totally uncalled for and way bossy for a public forum. No problem 'here,' voicing your opinion, gopack. I think most people come here just to relax and get away from all that 'stuff.' I can totally relate.

I don't see anything but have ad blockers on. So, I guess it's some sort of ad that's appearing? The blockers work. I rarely see anything anymore, and also don't like ads dancing across the page, popping up, or whatever. Though I do understand they need to pay for keeping this place running, so, whatever!

Yup, GE owns NBC.

>>>Will we get a link to a pitch from the GOP too?

They HAVE a pitch? Can't link to what doesn't exist.

Gopack, please excuse the people w/ no manners and don't respect free speech. I totally get the fact you were stating your opinion and that is fine. I too, come here to kick back & relax. It is frustrating w/ all the nasties and rudeness, but certainly not your post. don't let it get to you.

GOPACK!!!!! (WOLF)

Wow, I wonder if the other side has an equivalent to "self appointed minions"???? Well yes, you can bet your last dollar on that!

I really wonder how long it would take for the plug to be pulled on pop up ads with say.... topics on Christian values, or anti abortion issues, or really ANY conservative issue or opinion. How about in a NY second. (clearly this will NEVER happen, as the owners of GE/NBC are not into that sort of thing, and it is their show afterall)

Always a double standard, but never really an issue as long as it doesn't "go there" But "go there" and all hell breaks loose and all kinds of folks are suddenly "offended" Whereas like most above have said, if you see something that offends you, or goes against your political values, you should just ignore it.

So why doesn't that same response apply to topics of this "controversial" nature? if it really bothers you, dont click on it? IF prayer in school offends you, step out into the hallway, etc etc.

How ironic that it just doesn't work when you go there. HMMMM, so much for tollerance and diversity. Guess those little buzz words are really only one sided. What they really mean is that those who dont agree with your position MUST be tollerant, they must suck it up and take it. But dare present something that they dont like and they come out of the woodwork and suddenly they are not so tollerant any longer.

A sad reality of a lost society.

"don't respect free speech"

Your speech is not protected on a privately owned forum. This thread is off topic and more intrusive than the ad in my opinion. Agree or disagree with the content of the link, this is not the place to discuss it. That's bringing a political discussion into the forum.

I think it's rude. We're all guests here.

There's a comments section in the linked article and if you have any comments on the plan you can feel free to post them there.

Maybe 15% of visitors to this forum even noticed the link tops and probably less than 2% even clicked on it. Even more are aware of it now because of this thread.

Organicnoob beat me to it.

iVillage is a business. They are obliged to comply with laws and regulations related to telecommunications. Heaven knows that does not include requirements to be even-handed, tasteful, civilized, etc. They make money with ads, not subscriptions. Ad rates are typically based on the ability to show the volume of traffic on the site where the ad will appear.

You can --

1. Complain to iVillage. They may or may not make a change.
2. Learn to ignore what doesn't interest you. It's a valuable skill for reading internet content.
3. Use Firefox as your browser. It can block most ads.
4. As I have described in detail in the past, modify your hosts file to block the servers from which offending content comes. Caveat: This can have the unintended consequence of blocking content that you do want to see if it's on the server you blocked.
5. Stop using the site altogether. The disadvantage of the other options is that you are still contributing usage ("clicks") which the website owner can use to sell ad space. If something is truly offensive to you, this is the best option because you stop indirectly supporting something you don't approve of.

Sorry--wasn't trying to be nasty. My apologies if it came across that way. I just don't see the point in complaining...seriously...adblock is awesome. It's a pretty basic Firefox ad-on. I used to just ignore the ads...then I got a computer virus from one. (And I hadn't even clicked...just accidentally moused over it.)

I cleared my computer and have been running FF with adblock ever since.

I think it's fine to bring up something new on the site that she's finding offensive, to see how others feel. It wasn't a rude or offensive opening post. It's happened with all sorts of ad trials, like the green links throughtout our posts (which went over real well and stopped), or the dancing ads.

Anyone who wants to voice their opinion to GW, Contact Us at the bottom of the page in the green bar would be a good place to let them know how you feel. Your opinion does count, as GW does care what their members think and know full well that they are nowhere without them.

I do think it's pretty odd to have something political linked, as the reason they prohibit it is because it infuses people with strong emotion and causes conflict -- something they do not want. That's why certain subjects are taboo.

I don't think there's any rule around not bringing something like this up. Veering off into politics or not treating each other respectfully on the thread would be prohibited, though.

Posted by hellokitty: "don't understand why someone had to get nasty. totally uncalled for.
One poster said NBC owns ivillage. That says it all."

I said that because NBC does own iVillage. That is just a fact. A fact.

How is a fact like that "nasty"? How does that "say it all"? What is that fact "saying"?

Gopack should have started this thread on the conversations side or in Hot Topics or just wrote to iVillage to express their opinion on this.

>We're all guests here.

No, we aren't guests-we are consumers. As has been noted, this is a site run by a commercial entity. As such, the entity has the right to place whatever it decides to on the forum. As consumers, we have the right to react by reading, or by not reading, by buying the ads that pay for the site to exist, by not buying the ads etc.

There may be forums in cyberspace that place content more agreeable to those who dislike the one under discussion. So...as a consumer, go to that forum and support its business.

Or, start your own forum. But to complain about what is placed on a business site as if it is some type of public news organ, mandated to neutrality, is simply ignoring what this site is and does.

Ann

"No, we aren't guests-we are consumers."

The advertisers are the consumers. They're the ones spending money for something. If anything we're the product. We come here of our own free will and don't pay anything for the privilege, just like guests.

Gopack, please excuse the people w/ no manners and don't respect free speech. I totally get the fact you were stating your opinion and that is fine. I too, come here to kick back & relax. It is frustrating w/ all the nasties and rudeness, but certainly not your post. don't let it get to you.

Is it just me, or does it somehow seem a bit ironic when a poster says others "don't respect free speech" and then chastises them for being rude?

Like mjsee, I use Firefox with Adblock Plus and see NO stinkin ads! Also like mjsee, I SO miss the Spike era :( I love this site but srsly, it was so much better back in the day.

dilly_dally, HOW in the WORLD did you get your text to "blink"?? That's the first I've seen of that on this forum.

Monica

I agree with mjsee - I miss Spike! He ran a fair, but strict board.

Funny, I ignore ALL of the ads on this website, but I am still grateful that it is free. Some things just aren't worth complaining about. But as I get older, I get more laid back. I guess it is the realization that life is too short.

Peace!

To be clear-I did NOT chastise anyone. That was NOT my intent. The post was directly to the OP, not to anyone else. I did not point anyone out. I would never do that. We can certainly say whatever we want, but that does not mean it is not rude to some. Alot of posts are so abrupt, I feel bad for the posters. I always try to err on the side of caution not to offend or hurt anyone's feelings. I will not apologize for thinking of others when posting. Sorry if it was not interpreted that way. I came to this forum for yrs. before getting the nerve to post, so as not to get verbally abused:)

Monicakm, to make something blink, do this:

Type the word "blink" between these symbols:, the word or words you want to blink will then blink. At the end of what you want to blink, type "/blink" between the . You can get bold and italics and underline the same way: type b for bold or i for italics or u for underline between ; to end, type the bracket

OOPS! I forgot something in this sentence: to end, type the bracket.

It should read: to end, type the bracket

testing>

Well heck that didn't work. I did do this once before. .. :)

As far as the ads I try and ignore them. I wasn't hear back when Spike owned the site but I'd honestly rather not pay.

So, other than fees, what was it like when Spike was here?

Sheesh, every time I try to write the directions, my post does the action I'm trying to describe! Let's try this:

To begin an action:

Step 1: Type Step 2: Type type the letter i for italics, b for bold, u for underline or the word "blink".
Step 3: Type >
Step 3: Type the word or words you want to do the action.

To stop the action:

Step 1: Type Step 2: Type /
Step 3: Type the letter of the action you did
Step 4: Type >

Regular type will resume now.

Whatever you're trying to get the type to do, do it between these: . To stop the action, add / between the .

Sherry, whose nickname is Sheesh

blinking text is like an avacado toilet. It was cool in it's day for about 5 minutes then people really got sick of it. Thankfully my browser doesn't show it.

OK.

time to let this thread die

Here is the press release out out by iVillage with contact info at the bottom for any one interested:

NEW YORK, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- First Lady Michelle Obama will be speaking to the women of America about Health Care Reform through a video produced by the White House, which will break exclusively on www.iVillage.com at 7:00 am on Friday, October 23rd at http://www.ivillage.com/michelleobama. The iVillage community will be given the opportunity to join in this important conversation on Health Care Reform by responding with comments and questions around the issue. Those questions will be addressed by Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius in a second video, also breaking exclusively on iVillage, that will post next Friday, October 30th.

"No matter which side you're on, health care is central to our vast audience of highly engaged women and moms," said Jodi Kahn, Executive Vice President, iVillage. "This is a huge opportunity for our community to have their personal questions about health care answered directly by Secretary Sebelius."

In the video posted today, Mrs. Obama shares a personal story about how her daughter, Sasha, was rushed to the hospital eight years ago over an illness, and how difficult a situation like that could be if a family was not able to afford quality health care. Secretary Sebelius advocates for Health Care Reform and talks about how women can be discriminated against by insurance companies. The video also includes a testimonial from a breast and lung cancer survivor who is forced to choose between screening tests and keeping her home because of the high cost of treatment.

About iVillage

iVillage is the leading online destination for women, where they can find the most meaningful content, real-life conversations and the tools they need for their busy lives. The site focuses on categories that best serve women's needs, including Food, Health, Entertainment, Family, Beauty & Style. Additional businesses and brand extensions within iVillage Networks include iVillage UK, NBC Digital Networks, NBC Digital Health Network, Astrology.com and GardenWeb. In addition, iVillage enjoys a strategic partnership with BlogHer, the leading participatory news, entertainment and information network for women online. iVillage Inc., acquired by NBC Universal, Inc. in May 2006, is based in New York City, and is part of the NBC Universal Women & Lifestyle Entertainment Networks Group.

SOURCE iVillage
iVillage

CONTACT: Mary Ellen Mooney, +1-212-651-5198, or +1-347-572-5088,
Maryellen.mooney@nbcuni.com, or Lauren Meller, +1-917-710-4284,
Lauren.meller@nbcuni.com, or Blair Decembrele, +1-508-277-2955,
blaird@kaplowpr.com, all for iVillage

Web site: http://www.iVillage.com/

From:

http://www.smartbrief.com/news/aaaa/industryPR-detail.jsp?id=0DBB9FFB-0762-4A13-9DA0-6D8503732412

Here is a link that might be useful: iVillage Press Release