That's what so ridiculous about the exchanges.  Many are saying how dumb people could be to buy and or leave bitcoin on gox.  So...

MR. JOHN W PUBLIC:  ok, i got burned on mtgox, where should i go now?

BITCOINERS:  try btce.

PUBLIC:  ok, who are they?

BITCOINERS:   a couple of dudes from russia.

PUBLIC:  ok, sounds fishy.  who are they?

BITCOINERS:  we don't know who these russian guys are; literally they are anonymous, but you can send them money to buy bitcoins and not worry about it.

PUBLIC:  ok, any other exchanges you can recommend?

BITCOINERS:  yeah, bitstamp.

PUBLIC:  ok, where are they located?

BITCOINERS:  Slovenia. 

PUBLIC:  Where the fuck is Slovenia?