SHOPTTOROPBUSH.COM SITE SPONSORED BY BARNES & NOBLE, AMAZON.COM, OFFICE DEPOT and others

http://www.shoptodropbush.com ^ | Oct 20, 2003 | EDINVA

[EDINVA]

Earlier I saw a post about a group that was raising money from companies which would donate to their cause. shoptodropbush.com. Their stated goal is to raise funds for the DNC, the eventual Democrat candidate for POTUS, and "movingon.org"

Amazingly, among its sponsors listed were Amazon.con, Barnes & Noble, Office Depot, and somewhat ironically the Worldwide Cigar Club. Amazon includes Target and Toys R Us. Unlike the site's sponsors who are of the ilk to continuously condemn our 'greedy corporate culture,' I admire corporate community outreach, but don't appreciate donations of this sort by companies that get a LOT of my money.

Thought FReepers would have an interest

[Chad Fairbanks]

Pssst! Do a search - this was hashed over all morning, and it turns out the guy running the site is misusing the advertiser link programs, and the companies are not happy about it... ;0)

[mhking]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1004357/posts

[eddie willers]

turns out the guy running the site is misusing the advertiser link programs, and the companies are not happy about it...

Yeah...but Dell Computers is still linked. They had better drop it soon.

[boycott]

Damn, I was going to Office Depot later this week. I called Office Depot earlier today to see if they had some equipment I've been needing. I bet I can find it elsewhere.

[NeoCaveman]

SHOPTTOROPBUSH.COM SITE SPONSORED BY BARNES & NOBLE, AMAZON.COM, OFFICE DEPOT and others TROP BUSH? How does one do this?

Just funnin ya

[mhking]

As I mentioned on the original thread, this goon is using affiliate marketing companies to grab links to companies across the board. Until the affiliate marketing firms are notified that this moron is violating their terms of service by insisting that the affiliated retailers are "donating" to his bogus cause, he will continue to grab links from other companies as individual companies pull his plug.

Case in point - he has now added Target to his list of retailers. He will continue to add companies in this fashion until his source (the affiliate firms) are contacted and pull any association with him.

[EDINVA]

yeah, I don't spell to gud

[Eldorado431]

Thank You,, Excellent information.

[JSteff]

So is Barnes and Noble.

[xm177e2]

Michael Dell is a strong supporter of gun rights. People have lied about his company before, I would wait a while to see if this is true.

[concerned about politics]

So is Barnes and Noble.

We homeschool, and have an account there for our books. I'll call in my outrage first thing in the moring. It's 11:44 PM here now. They're closed.

I'll pass it around to the NY State homeschool group, which is conservative, of course.

[Let's Roll]

They are all still listed on his page.

B&N, Amazon, Office Depot, Dell

Jeff Bezos at Amazon is definitely a FOB.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

They redid the site earlier today and office depot was
not on it.

They are now back on it.

I don't know what to make of this.

[ChemistCat]

Sounds like someone using the internet as a way to get revenge on companies they don't like and aPresident they don't like, at the same time.

Come on folks, don't fall for this. There is no way these companies would really do that.

[kancel]

Anyone with a website can sign up to be an affiliate. Anyone one of us with websites that allow advertising (somtimes the free webspace from through an ISP disallows this) could do the exact same thing and donate it to Bush or the RNC etc...

This does not mean any of these companies are anti-Bush (nor would their dropping his affiliation mean they are Pro-Bush so much as they are PR-smart.)

The best way to fight this would be to open up competeing sites donating to your individual causes (or for your own profit.) Anyone who has the time, knowledge (basic HTML) an webspace can do it. I have often wondered why JimRob doesn't sign up for a few to help fundraise (though sometimes we might be his obstacle.)

Any of you who run pages (or know the person who does) for your homeschool groups, scout troops, schools or whatever can sign up for these affiliate programs. Usually the only restricitons are on porn sites, or sites that "hate" or encourage illegal activity. And obviously individuals can have sites.

Just don't shop through this guys links (and in fact if you did click a link you need to find a site you would like to support and click a link from them as some stores use cookies to give credit for up to 30 days.)Whenever you online shop either go through a site you DO want to support or go directly to the site itself.

[smoothsailing]

Bogus.

The anti crowd pull their hair out in their attempts to divide us.

See them for what they are.

That will hasten their demise.

[sc2_ct]

It was started by a DUer who used the following information to register the domain name:

Michael Sanger
6600 Potomac Avenue
B-1
Alexandria, VA 22307

If anyone wants to email him and talk some sense into the poor boy, you can do so at msanger@aol.com, michael@shoptodropbush.com or anybodybutbush@vortexhost.com. Alternately, you can give him a call at (703)768-8541.

He runs another site as well:

http://www.anybodybutbush.info/

He gloats about it, and indicates that he actually intended to donate it to DU itself, not the DNC in this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=562811

[Texaggie79]

I work at office depot :-(

[Texaggie79]

Any webmaster knows that you can get links for many many sites that you get paid for hits off of. It is quite easy to get them and there is no real investigation into who you are to get them.

Look at it this way, you have a website, you want people to come, you will pay others to get people to come, so you pay them pennies a hit and give out free ad links to whoever wants them....

[Texaggie79]

I gotta say Edinva, these threads kinda make us FReepers look like a fickle mob....

Let's take time to find out about these things before we go painting corporations or people a certain way....

[armymarinemom]

I wonder if this guys ISP knows that he is doing business like this? He should be careful not to get a big whopping business account bill from his ISP or just have no connection if he keeps it up.

[Let's Roll]

See #2 - the major sites are "supposedly" unhappy about this. If that's true, why haven't they had their names removed? Not that unhappy I'm thinking.

I see Amazon is still pushing dim/lib only books under their wish list tab - as long as you don't sign in first and click on their wish list tab, the only books you will be offered are by Molly Ivins, Al Franken, Michael Moore, Joe Conason, Jim Hightower and Paul Krugman. Isn't that amazing that the only books they're promoting under their wish list happen to be only those written by Bush and America haters?

[Let's Roll]

BTTT

[Texaggie79]

Well, it makes a lot more sense to hold a grudge against them for the products they push. But to think they can keep up with the millions of wanabe sites out there that link and hope they can make some $$$ is a little far fetched.

[CyberAnt]

Maybe the guy misrepresented to the companies what they were being linked to.

[nutmeg]

Jeff Bezos at Amazon is definitely a FOB.

Is that true? If so, how disappointing... :-(

[KneelBeforeZod]

is anyone reading anything other than the original post?

guess not.

[visualops]

So why make a post and give this person publicity and hits?

Regardless, he's entitled to make any sort of website he chooses that doesn't violate the law.

[Alissa]

Office Depot PULLED their link. It's not there any longer, so go ahead and shop at Office Depot.

[joesnuffy]

My mom in law staunch 80 something Republican lady...gave her favorite store
Cold Water Creek a piece of her mind yesterday....

The woman who is in charge of their web site assured her that this is not their policy..
and they were taken off that site pretty quickly...

So...Cold Water Creek ....is cool.....

[Let's Roll]

If they are "unhappy about it", I assume that means they know about it. Amazon at least doesn't care IMO.

[Publius6961]

Well, I'm certainly not going to stop buying conservative books from Amazon because you have your panties in a bunch.

I choose my battles a lot more carefully.

[Republican Red]

he's entitled to make any sort of website he chooses that doesn't violate the law.

Actually he may be violating campaign finance laws. Jury still out on that one.

A poster yesterday (#266) wrote the following letter to "linkshare, the affiliate program sponsoring the site:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1004357/posts?q=1&&page=251

LinkSynergy / LinkShare:

I am writing to notify you of an abuse of your affiliate (i.e. LinkShare) program.

The website "Shop to Drop Bush" at http://www.shoptodropbush.com is using your affiliate program in violation of your own LinkShare Terms & Conditions.

This website states that "The merchants on this site will donate between .8% and 30% of whatever you spend here."

And it continues, "All of the money raised will go to defeating 'Shrub' [i.e. President Bush]. I’m hoping to be able to donate $2,000 to the DNC [Democratic National Committee], $2,000 to the Democratic Candidate, whoever it may be, and the reminder to moveon.org [a poltical activism group]. I hope we can make at least $4,000 from this site, which will be $4,000 we otherwise wouldn’t have."

This website is in violation of the following of your Terms & Conditions:

"YOU MAY USE ANY LINKSHARE NETWORK ONLY FOR A BUSINESS PURPOSE AND NOT FOR A PERSONAL, HOUSEHOLD OR FAMILY PURPOSE"

Website owner is using the LinkShare network for contributions to a political party, political candidate, and political activist group. This does not seem to fall into the category of a sole, legal business venture, unless they have the appropriate designation.

"THE BUSINESS THAT YOU CONDUCT THROUGH ANY LINKSHARE NETWORK MUST BE YOUR PRIMARY BUSINESS OR AN INTEGRAL PART OF YOUR PRIMARY BUSINESS; AND YOUR USE OF ANY LINKSHARE NETWORK MUST BE INTEGRALLY RELATED TO SUCH BUSINESS."

No evidence is present on the website that website owner is anything other than an individual seeking to generate funds for political donations. No evidence is presented on website that website owner is a corporation whose primary or integral business is the generation of political donations.

Also, please consider the following:

The "shoptodropbush.com" website is indirectly offering political persons and entities payment of money for the use of the affiliate account by website members.

Website owner is pledging to donate proceeds to third parties and is encouraging website visitors to do so through him and his website.

266 posted on 10/20/2003 4:33 PM EDT by rightcoast [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 260 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]

[KarlInOhio]

The guy has posted a "Freeper Special" that links to an Amazon.com search for the term "Free Republic". He might be a leftist jerk, but he at least has a vestigial sense of humor which is more than can be said for most of the DUmmies.

[WVNan]

For all the conservative books you can read check out the Conservative Book Club.

[Howlin]

So is Hickory Farms and others!

[Howlin]

Amazon at least doesn't care IMO.

I agree. Nor does Barnes and Noble.

[rwr8084]

I have contacted Dell, Office Depot, Target, and Amazon.com in reference to this issue (filed a complaint/threatened to discontinue future business). I was unable to find a "contact" link on barnesandnoble.com . Does anyone have this contact info so I may voice my displeasure with them as well? Thanks.

[restornu]

Office Depote is own by a Republican this list might be wacky. Rush smoke cigars and why would Worldwide Cigar Club, a smoking co support the Dems?

[dfwgator]

I was stunned to learn that Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison admitted that he voted for Bush in 2000. I had him pegged as a hard-core Rat.

[kaboom]

Check out the "Freeper Special" link.

[visualops]

My thought is, if you come across a website that you think is violating the law, or a contract, then write or call the appropriate people. Don't give the guy what he really wants, which is a thread at FR, increased traffic, and a bunch of outraged FReepers.
The guy was looking for notoriety and bragging rights at DU, and we have handed it to him.

[Republican Red]

The guy was looking for notoriety and bragging rights at DU

Don't know about that. The guys original website boasted that he planned to collect 10,000,000 and take a 10% cut of it for his efforts. Now the expectations are down to $4000 he plans to collect by next year.

I was banned from DU so I stopped visiting the site, but I would be amazed if this guy, (even with DUers)is doing any bragging. His notoriety is his idiocy. FR handed that to him on a silver platter.

[Texaggie79]

Most companies would probably see it as, "Hey, we are just paying for traffic, it's their business what they do with the money they make after we pay them...."

[TankerKC]

I gotta say Edinva, these threads kinda make us FReepers look like a fickle mob....

She's a witch, I tell ya!

None of the companies are "sponsoring" the website.

[My2Cents]

Too bad. If they want to waste their money supporting something like this, I'm all for it.

[blackdog]

I was at Barnes & Nobel on last Thursday night. There was some sort of seminar with free coffee and donuts taking place in the back. Seeing how my wife was travelling on business and free donuts meant a no mess dinner for my three kiddies, I hung out at the seminar, passing donuts to my kids while pretending to be interested until I became more than interested. Screw the donuts!

They started asking for copies of teacher's union cards or copies of pay stubs proving you were a teacher announcing that all materials were free to all educators. Well, I explained that I homeschooled my oldest daughter and was not a member of a union of teachers nor was being paid to do it. I thanked them for making these materials available to folks like me. I was assaulted and they ripped the info out of my hands and I was asked to leave the group(which was an open meeting to all educators). The stuff they were covering was 101 ways to end violence along with an approved list by the ADL of "proper thinking" pamphlets on ending violence, conflict resolution, and dealing with parents ignorance toward properly dealing with such issues. All of it was worthless nonsense which I won't detail on this post. All of it was grifting the public and mind mushing the kids.

I grabbed another handful of pamphlets and darted out the store. The kids were still busy mis-shelving all the "Living History" books and turning them facing backwards.

Barnes & Nobel is a real leftist nut-fest at it's corporate level. I won't spend money there again. I will go just to let my kids tear the place up.

[lilylangtree]

There's a link to moveon.org. Some months ago Algore spoke before this group. When one accessed the website, the logo for moveon.org was displayed with the communist party of the US--cpusa. Does anyone remember this? I've tried to access both sites (moveon.org and cpusa) and can't find the same connection.

[Let's Roll]

Fine and many of their customers won't see it that way. Amazon knows better and their continued packing of their wish list clearly shows what side they're on.