it's a good thing you pointed this out, i hope someone from ripple labs is lurking these forums and give us an answer.
I'm really trying to muster up the energy for a proper response but to be honest, the negativity on this forum towards anything that isn't bitcoin or promising overnight riches makes it not worth the hassle of posting. Any discussion of Ripple is met with false accusations of centralization, scamming, or shilling. Why should anyone waste their time writing up a lengthy reply? Ripple is going to succeed with or without approval from the bitcointalk peanut gallery.