Posted on 09/15/2004 5:04:36 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
Conservatives like to tell war stories-and refute them, a la the Swift Boat Vets-and some of those stories concern bookstores. And the people who work in them. Who tend to be….well, not exactly the most conservative-friendly people in the world. The bookstore leftist is more standard than the bookstore cat. And conservatives have often found these stores to be hostile territory.
In recent weeks, reports have circulated that customers-or would-be customers-are having a hard time finding Unfit for Command, John O'Neill's anti-Kerry book. Conservatives have suspected that stores are keeping it from them, or that clerks are deep-sixing them, or that something untoward is happening. Paranoia is in the air.
But sometimes paranoids can be on to something. I don't scoff at these suspicions, mainly because of my own experience-most of it in Ann Arbor, Mich., my hometown. (Ann Arbor is a bookseller's paradise, and, in some ways, a conservative's hell.) I worked at a store called The Little Professor. The manager there-a nice guy, actually-wouldn't put out conservative magazines and gun magazines. He flat refused to bring them to the floor, acting as censor. My brilliant (and conservative) friend Eddie Krause came up with a new name for the store: The Little Suppressor.
It may be hard to believe, but it took something like an act of courage to buy a conservative magazine in an Ann Arbor bookstore. I used to dread it-the clerk was almost invariably cold, and he often bristled, and sometimes you got snotty remarks. It was a relief just to get through a purchase without incident. And I know many who could give the same testimony.
In truth, it could be dicey to ask for a bag-yes a bag. That made you a despoiler of the environment, you see.
I know a journalist who lived in the Ann Arbor of the West, Berkeley. Purchasing his National Reviews and American Spectators at Moe's, he would say to the clerk, "Well, just keeping an eye on what the enemy is doing"-anything to get by. These tactics may not be brave, but, gosh, are they human.
As the Swift controversy heated up, the two bookselling giants, Borders and Barnes & Noble, were besieged by callers angry that they could not find Unfit for Command. Conservative hollered, "J'accuse!" Both companies pleaded that it was the fault of the publisher, our beloved Regnery-the supplier had not printed enough copies to meet demand. Liberals, for their part, also besieged the companies, demanding that they pull the book from their shelves.
Come with me now, to BorderUnion.org, "The Borders Books Employee Union Web Site." Herein lie some revelations-or confirmations. In notes to one another, Borders clerks have been griping about having to sell Unfit for Command, to the troglodytes who seek it. Although not every seeker is a trog: According to one clerk, "We did have a college professor come in looking for [the book]. She teaches a writing class and wanted to use it as an example of a 'false book.'" Or maybe she just wanted to read it and wanted to avoid grief from the clerk?
But let's get to the nitty-gritty. Writes a Borders Books beauty,
"We're "finding" [note those quotations marks] that most of the few copies we're getting are damaged and need to be sent back. So sad. Too bad. Bushies! Regnery needs to be more careful. I'm hearing from people at two other stores that this seems to be common. Why should we help destroy what is left of our country?"
Back for a second crack, our man exhorts,
"You guys don't actually HAVE to sell the thing! Just "carelessly" hide the boxes, "accidentally" drop them off pallets, "forget" to stock the ones you have, and then suggest a nice Al Franken or Michael Moore book as a substitute. Borders wants those recommends (sic), remember?
I don't care if these Neanderthals in fancy suits get mad at me [fancy suits?]. They aren't regular customers anyway. Other than "Left Behind" books, they don't read. Anything you can do to make them feel unwelcome is only fair."
Another Borders beauty writes, "I wish [conservative customers] really knew how little respect I have for them." Oh, we know, babe-we know.
Not long ago, readers of National Review Online sent in to me their experiences of trying to buy Unfit, and of dealing with bookstore clerks in general. Care for a (very) small sampling of their observations?..........[Continued]
The bookstore I am talking about don't carry to many political books. The shelf life is to short and they don't sell the volume like some of the other chains. They don't have Unfit on the shelf, but they don't have Clinton's book either. They mainly focus on the classics and the best selling fiction, with a bit of history thrown in for good measure.
The local bookstore has all the Molly Ivans and Micheal Moore anyone would ever want, but absolutely no Ann Coulter. However, I noticed the "will call" was full of Reagan Biographies and the like.I've also noticed at borders and elsewhere I can always find "Slander" but not "Treason". That one seems to scare them.
http://www.bordersunion.org/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=1195&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15
Dogma wrote:
For anyone wondering, according to those nutters over at Free
Republic, we commie fag booksellers are indeed sitting on the
titles in the sort rooms. Not just Borders mind you, but ANY
store ANYWHERE that sells books. (As we all know, Wal-Mart
is well stocked with communists.)
More proof that these people are mentally unbalanced and need help
overcoming their paranoia. Just imagine. They actually believe every
bookstore is against them-- that a tremendous left-wing conspiracy
keeps honest people from knowing the truth. Imagine how alone they
must feel.
It's really sad that these poor people would think the profit incentive
is no match for our conspiracy not to sell their books, a conspiracy so
well-concealed-- despite the vast thousands who are a part of it-- that
no evidence for their claims can be found.
makeitstop
Joined: Aug 24,
2004
Posts: 34
Posted: Aug 25, 2004 - 02:23 PM
It wouldn't surprise me a bit, though what I've heard is that they are
just too small to handle the demand.
Sounds like a lot of the book's claims are falling apart under close
scrutiny, but of course the people who buy the book won't care about
that.
And yeah, the Clinton book sold very poorly here once his book signing
was over at the local B&N. It sold like hotcakes for the weeks leading
up to the signing because we were the only place in the area that still
had copies--B&N sold out almost as soon as the event was announced.
I'm so glad we didn't have to deal with those hassles--I heard it was a
total PR nightmare. But now the books are just taking up space.
heron
Joined: Jan 01,
2001
Posts: 61
Posted: Aug 25, 2004 - 09:28 PM
Commies at WalMart? Dang!
Arabicon
Joined: Jan 12,
2004
Posts: 140
Location: Miami,
FL
Posted: Aug 26, 2004 - 08:45 AM
withrow wrote:
You can probably get Regnery's corporate number from Books
in Print or off the web. I'd keep it handy and then whenever a
customer asks for this book, tell them that Regnery isn't
keeping this book stocked and it may be because Regnery is a
pinko-commie-fag publisher who's trying to bury this story by
not printing enough copies of this book. Tell them you even
read on the web that Hillary Clinton is on Regnery's Board of
Directors.
And, after all, you did just read on the web that she's on the
Board and that it's pinko-commie-fag publisher so you wouldn't
be lying. Well, maybe you shouldn't use "pinko-commie-fag".
How about pacifist lesbian outfit? Not that there's anything
wrong with that.
Arabicon
Joined: Jan 12,
2004
Posts: 140
Location: Miami,
FL
Posted: Aug 26, 2004 - 08:51 AM
I'm sorry we're all putting up with sh*t over this thing but it's good not
be alone. The other day a customer took one of our managers to tak
because we had so many anti-Bush books on display. After a few
minutes of his foaming rant she calmly told him to be glad that we
had the few pro-Bush titles that we did because "it's almost
impossible to say anything good about him."
OK, she actually told us this later in the backroom, but we all wished
she'd said it to his face. I wouldn't have told a soul.
chaosincreation
Joined: Aug 26,
2004
Posts: 3
Posted: Aug 26, 2004 - 08:24 PM
the outrage over this book is ridiculous. i don't know if you guys have
all seen the e-mail from vin altruda about political views in the
workplace, but i know the east coast stores got it.
we are literally being asked to erase any views we have on anything
political because some nut customer called sean hannity's show saying
that our specific bookstore told her that we aren't carrying the book.
we are now no longer allowed to have anything political on even on
our lockers or personal desk space. i'm surprised we can even still
wear our register to vote pins.
i've been personally attacked numerous times due to the book not
being in store, and one of the other supervisors was chewed out for
being a liberal, when, gasp, he actually supports Bush. not everyone
at Borders is a Commie!
the only good point is that the Barnes and Noble down the road has
been calling us for support because they're actually getting hit worse
than we are. i guess more Republicans shop there or something...since
we're so damn liberal.
i guess my "Commies for Kerry" button will just have to go on once i
clock out...[/b]
dr_queerlove
Joined: Jun 05,
2003
Posts: 172
Posted: Aug 26, 2004 - 09:41 PM
Egads! After reading all this, I'm glad my customers are mostly liberal
and/or apathetic. I'm curious now, though, if I can get on one of the
wacko call-in shows. Imagine the fun one could have making stuff up:
"Why, I saw whole pallets of the book being tossed into the store's
dumpster!! Boycott B&N!! Riggio is a Pinko Commie!" Fun times.
chaosincreation
Joined: Aug 26,
2004
Posts: 3
Posted: Aug 26, 2004 - 11:02 PM
what a good idea! you've tempted me sorely. the things one could do
to just keep the entire ludicrous situation aflame...ah, the possiblities.
no more boredom at the info desk now! get on those phones and call
Mr. Hannity!
classical-liberal
Joined: Aug 27,
2004
Posts: 2
Posted: Aug 27, 2004 - 09:45 AM
Pardon me for mentioning this, but 'takahashi' seems to indicate that
at least some Borders people ARE hiding, damaging and otherwise
making the book unavailable. So there is a grain of truth to your
'rightwing nutcase' customers' suspicions! Our jobs as booksellers is to
make sure the book gets its say in the marketplace...it is after all a
tiny spot in a sea of anti-Bush-ness this season.
If things were reversed and you were looking for Michael Moore's book
(if it had been published by a small press with a bad record of
distribution) at a store run by Republicans, would you believe them
when they said they were out? No, many of you would be saying
exactly the same thing your customers are saying.
People, humor and common sense have kept me of any arguments. I
say flat out that Borders' management are flinty-hearted,
penny-pinching, stone-squeezing capitalists who would no more stand
for the peons tossing sales out the window than they would poke
themselves in they eye with a stick. This usually gets a laugh or at
least a "Mmm, I guess so", and then I tell them that we sell lots of
things we don't agree with, along with the opposing viewpoint. I take
them to the section, point out some books on both sides, and wander
off. Most of them buy something, and that's my job. And maybe some
of them will indeed look at things in a more balanced way.
NoCoHo
Joined: Jan 22,
2004
Posts: 220
Posted: Aug 27, 2004 - 08:49 PM
Actually, I hope that every person who buys it reads each slimy, sleazy
insult, carefully edited half-truth and outright lie...and then returns the
thing for a refund because they've decided they want no part of such
uncivilized and immoral conduct. I will take delight in handing each
one hir cash or credit with a cheerful smile and thanking hir MOST
sincerely.
merry10
Joined: Aug 28,
2004
Posts: 1
Posted: Aug 28, 2004 - 11:59 PM
[quote="takahashi"]You guys don't actually HAVE to sell the thing!
Just "carelessly" hide the boxes, "accidentally" drop them off pallets,
"forget" to stock the ones you have, and then suggest a nice Al
Franken or Micheal Moore book as a substitute. Borders wants those
recommends, remember?
You're doing exactly what conservatives suspect you of doing. Not only
that, but the swifties have a right to criticize Kerry. Look at all those
Moore LIes books that have sold. Did you want to hide those from the
lefties that came in? no wonder you work at a bookstore, can't get a
corporation to hire you?
heron
Joined: Jan 01,
2001
Posts: 61
Posted: Aug 30, 2004 - 06:29 PM
I did some research and apparently not only did the anonymous caller
to Hannity's show claim that Borders was refusing to carry the books,
he said that Borders was trying to recall the ones that had been sold.
How's that for a laugh!
And, Merry, last time I checked, Borders is a corporation.
NoCoHo
Joined: Jan 22,
2004
Posts: 220
Posted: Aug 31, 2004 - 03:23 PM
Do tell, Heron...what was Hannity's reply? Inquiring minds MUST know!
heron
Joined: Jan 01,
2001
Posts: 61
Posted: Sep 02, 2004 - 03:28 PM
The following came off the web - I was doing some searches to try to
pinpoint exactly how the 'Borders is hiding my book' crap got started.
Apparently, Kerry is strong-arming us. I apologize for the nastyness of
the below artical, but this is what we are up against. Check it out
yourself.
I couldn't find Hannity's response. I probably could have pulled up the
show and listened, but there is a limit to the nastiness to which I am
willing to subject myself.
John Kerry Pushing Book Ban of "Unfit For Command"
By Sher Zieve
Aug 20, 2004
Well, it’s happened, folks. As I predicted in my August 11, 2004 article
“John Kerry’s Media”, the Kerry campaign is strong-arming booksellers
into banning “Unfit For Command”. Today’s Drudge Report has it as the
headline story. Kerry is afraid…very afraid of the truth. Myriad books,
filled with patently false statements, have been written about
President Bush and his administration. These books, however, have
been praised and pushed by our “mainstream press” and on-air media
Kerry surrogates. It was reported, yesterday (by a caller to Sean
Hannity’s radio show that Borders will no longer carry the book and is
“attempting to recall the books already sold”. If you have read George
Orwell’s “1984”, this is precisely what Big Brother affected. Book
burnings were a regular course of action.
If the people are kept stupid and uninformed, they are much easier to
handle and manipulate. The Masters can then implement any and all
programs they want.
This is the direst action, yet, perpetrated by John Forbes Kerry. This is
truly and inexorably chilling. Would be King Kerry is showing his abject
fear of any and all truth [about him] being presented. This fear is,
now, translating into not only deceit to the public but, banning of the
truth. How long will it take for the Kerry Kool-Aid drinkers to come out
of their stupor and realize who and what this man really is? I hope and
pray they wake up before it’s too late. All of us need to wake up, be
vigilant and stop this insanity. Our very lives and liberties are at
stake, as never before!
My guess is that these clerks are really perpetual "students", who will be living with their parents until about age 35. After that they will be looking for some type of government handout, to help them get through the remainder of their years.
The liberal government schools and universities have helped them acquire their liberal snooty attitude, while making about $7.00 an hour. I take solace that the Borders employee parking lot is filled with 10 year old junkers, held together with Kerry/Edwards bumper stickers.
I buy at Amazon, but browse at Borders and love to mess with the freaky clerks. I like to make them squirm by asking for the conservative books that they never place on the front tables. Most conservatives that I know are really the type of people who "live and let live"....but the freaky clerks and their ilk are the most mean spirited, spiteful and hate filled group that I have come across.
Exactly my point too.....I like to bring salt with me when I go so I can rub more into the wound!
I'm not intentionally avoiding them, I just love shopping online!
wow
The boards of these little suppressors had best look at what is happening to the stocks of the left wing mediot newspapers.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1216654/posts
Newspapers lower; Tribune warns (Newspaper Stocks going down in value!)
CBS MarketWatch.com ^ | 15 September 2004 | Brendan January
Posted on 09/15/2004 7:18:29 AM PDT by Grampa Dave
Newspapers lower; Tribune warns
By Brendan January, CBS.MarketWatch.com Last Update: 10:10 AM ET Sept. 15, 2004
NEW YORK (CBS.MW) - Newspaper stocks were mostly down Wednesday after Tribune Co. lowered its third-quarter profit outlook.
The Chicago-based media company (TRB: news, chart, profile) also warned that television revenue for September has been softer than anticipated, owing to the way that political advertising has been targeted primarily to certain "swing-state" markets.
As revised, Tribune Co. now sees third-quarter earnings of 49 cents to 51 cents per share. Wall Street, on average, had been looking for a profit of 54 cents, according to a survey by Thomson First Call.
Shares of Tribune were down a dime at $40.25.
Journal Communications (JRN: news, chart, profile) reported that August revenues for its publishing and broadcast groups increased 8.5 percent to $39.4 million, up from the year-ago $36.4 million.
At the daily newspaper segment for August, total advertising revenue was $14.6 million, an 8.4 percent increase from $13.4 million a year ago.
Journal shares were last trading down 16 cents at $17.54.
Newspaper publisher Pulitzer (PTZ: news, chart, profile) said comparable sales for the four weeks ending Aug. 29 rose 4.8 percent. The publisher of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the Arizona Daily Star said comparable advertising revenue increased 5.8 percent.
Pulitzer fell 9 cents to $49.25.
Other newspapers stocks were down Wednesday morning. Gannett (GCI: news, chart, profile) fell 55 cents to $86.23. New York Times (NYT: news, chart, profile) slipped 19 cents to $40.86. Washington Post Co. (WPO: news, chart, profile) dropped $1 to $909. Dow Jones (DJ: news, chart, profile) declined 27 cents to $41.51. Knight-Ridder slid 20 cents to $64.68.
Brendan January is a reporter for CBS MarketWatch.com in New York.
Author
Message
withrow
Joined: Jan 20,
2004
Posts: 364
Posted: Sep 03, 2004 - 12:48 PM
Wow, that Sher Zieve piece is something else. Someone should ask her if she realizes that the
President of the United States, the Senate, and the House of Representatives are all in
Republican hands. The Supreme Ct has been majority Republican appointees since the Nixon
Administration. She apparently is unfamiliar with the First Amendment to the United States
Constitution or somehow thinks that all these Republican bodies are unwilling to enforce the First
Amendment.
These people need professional help. Maybe she and Zell Miller can get 2 for 1 rates on their
medication and therapy.
NoCoHo
Joined: Jan 22,
2004
Posts: 220
Posted: Sep 03, 2004 - 07:11 PM
Geez, Sher hon! Pop a few Prozac and read some nice relaxing bodice rippers or somethin'. You
are just way, WAY too het up.
heron
Joined: Jan 01,
2001
Posts: 61
Posted: Sep 08, 2004 - 10:25 PM
Further fun.
Now that we finally got some copies in, we got a complaint that the 30% off sticker was partially
covering the Un in Ufit, and were accused of doing this to make the title seem "Fit for
Command."
WTHIIN
Joined: Sep 09,
2004
Posts: 4
Location:
midwest
Posted: Sep 09, 2004 - 10:14 PM
All around election years just suck for us! We get to hear everyone's out the ass ideas. It's lovely
so many people thought we all had the power to pull off these fabulous manuevers to swing the
vote. Do you think we could get some lobbyists to throw some money at us? I could use a new
car. Hell, I could use a new life. Maybe I'll build a vacation resort in a third world country.
Preferably in view of the displaced native residents. Oh but I digress... Does anyone else find it
amusing that Clinton's book sales picked up the moment he was admitted for heart bypass
surgery. Bloodthirty savages=) Ya gotta luv it.
dr_queerlove
Joined: Jun 05,
2003
Posts: 172
Posted: Sep 10, 2004 - 01:01 AM
Sure. We made a display with "My Life," some medical diet books for heart disease, and exercise
guides. Anything to drive those sales.
Veritas
Joined: Sep 13,
2004
Posts: 2
Posted: Sep 13, 2004 - 10:35 AM
Do you have to be a liberal to work in a book store, I mean is that a requirement? The last place
I would expect censorship would be in a place designed to allow for free ideas.
makeitstop
Joined: Aug 24,
2004
Posts: 34
Posted: Sep 13, 2004 - 11:13 AM
The Clinton book never sold really well at my store, save for when he was doing a signing at B&N
and we were the only nearby store that had copies. We sold a lot for those few days but that
was about it.
I looked at the long haired, maggot infested, dope smoking, good time charlie, fm type clerk and said "Hey, there is obviously no bias here". He just grinned.
I have also noticed in stores that carry "Unfit for Command", that they will place the price sticker as best as they can to cover up the word "unfit".
Also, Wal-Mart stores are carrying "Unfit for Command".
Ummmmmm. Dude!
I think you spelled "suppositories" wrong.
Author
Message
withrow
Joined: Jan 20,
2004
Posts: 364
Posted: Aug 25, 2004 - 02:00 PM
Dogma wrote:
For anyone wondering, according to those nutters over at Free
Republic, we commie fag booksellers are indeed sitting on the
titles in the sort rooms. Not just Borders mind you, but ANY
store ANYWHERE that sells books. (As we all know, Wal-Mart
is well stocked with communists.)
More proof that these people are mentally unbalanced and need help
overcoming their paranoia. Just imagine. They actually believe every
bookstore is against them-- that a tremendous left-wing conspiracy
keeps honest people from knowing the truth. Imagine how alone they
must feel.
It's really sad that these poor people would think the profit incentive
is no match for our conspiracy not to sell their books, a conspiracy so
well-concealed-- despite the vast thousands who are a part of it-- that
no evidence for their claims can be found.
makeitstop
Joined: Aug 24,
2004
Posts: 34
Posted: Aug 25, 2004 - 02:23 PM
It wouldn't surprise me a bit, though what I've heard is that they are
just too small to handle the demand.
Sounds like a lot of the book's claims are falling apart under close
scrutiny, but of course the people who buy the book won't care about
that.
And yeah, the Clinton book sold very poorly here once his book signing
was over at the local B&N. It sold like hotcakes for the weeks leading
up to the signing because we were the only place in the area that still
had copies--B&N sold out almost as soon as the event was announced.
I'm so glad we didn't have to deal with those hassles--I heard it was a
total PR nightmare. But now the books are just taking up space.
heron
Joined: Jan 01,
2001
Posts: 61
Posted: Aug 25, 2004 - 09:28 PM
Commies at WalMart? Dang!
Arabicon
Joined: Jan 12,
2004
Posts: 140
Location: Miami,
FL
Posted: Aug 26, 2004 - 08:45 AM
withrow wrote:
You can probably get Regnery's corporate number from Books
in Print or off the web. I'd keep it handy and then whenever a
customer asks for this book, tell them that Regnery isn't
keeping this book stocked and it may be because Regnery is a
pinko-commie-fag publisher who's trying to bury this story by
not printing enough copies of this book. Tell them you even
read on the web that Hillary Clinton is on Regnery's Board of
Directors.
And, after all, you did just read on the web that she's on the
Board and that it's pinko-commie-fag publisher so you wouldn't
be lying. Well, maybe you shouldn't use "pinko-commie-fag".
How about pacifist lesbian outfit? Not that there's anything
wrong with that.
Arabicon
Joined: Jan 12,
2004
Posts: 140
Location: Miami,
FL
Posted: Aug 26, 2004 - 08:51 AM
I'm sorry we're all putting up with sh*t over this thing but it's good not
be alone. The other day a customer took one of our managers to tak
because we had so many anti-Bush books on display. After a few
minutes of his foaming rant she calmly told him to be glad that we
had the few pro-Bush titles that we did because "it's almost
impossible to say anything good about him."
OK, she actually told us this later in the backroom, but we all wished
she'd said it to his face. I wouldn't have told a soul.
chaosincreation
Joined: Aug 26,
2004
Posts: 3
Posted: Aug 26, 2004 - 08:24 PM
the outrage over this book is ridiculous. i don't know if you guys have
all seen the e-mail from vin altruda about political views in the
workplace, but i know the east coast stores got it.
we are literally being asked to erase any views we have on anything
political because some nut customer called sean hannity's show saying
that our specific bookstore told her that we aren't carrying the book.
we are now no longer allowed to have anything political on even on
our lockers or personal desk space. i'm surprised we can even still
wear our register to vote pins.
i've been personally attacked numerous times due to the book not
being in store, and one of the other supervisors was chewed out for
being a liberal, when, gasp, he actually supports Bush. not everyone
at Borders is a Commie!
the only good point is that the Barnes and Noble down the road has
been calling us for support because they're actually getting hit worse
than we are. i guess more Republicans shop there or something...since
we're so damn liberal.
i guess my "Commies for Kerry" button will just have to go on once i
clock out...[/b]
dr_queerlove
Joined: Jun 05,
2003
Posts: 172
Posted: Aug 26, 2004 - 09:41 PM
Egads! After reading all this, I'm glad my customers are mostly liberal
and/or apathetic. I'm curious now, though, if I can get on one of the
wacko call-in shows. Imagine the fun one could have making stuff up:
"Why, I saw whole pallets of the book being tossed into the store's
dumpster!! Boycott B&N!! Riggio is a Pinko Commie!" Fun times.
chaosincreation
Joined: Aug 26,
2004
Posts: 3
Posted: Aug 26, 2004 - 11:02 PM
what a good idea! you've tempted me sorely. the things one could do
to just keep the entire ludicrous situation aflame...ah, the possiblities.
no more boredom at the info desk now! get on those phones and call
Mr. Hannity!
classical-liberal
Joined: Aug 27,
2004
Posts: 2
Posted: Aug 27, 2004 - 09:45 AM
Pardon me for mentioning this, but 'takahashi' seems to indicate that
at least some Borders people ARE hiding, damaging and otherwise
making the book unavailable. So there is a grain of truth to your
'rightwing nutcase' customers' suspicions! Our jobs as booksellers is to
make sure the book gets its say in the marketplace...it is after all a
tiny spot in a sea of anti-Bush-ness this season.
If things were reversed and you were looking for Michael Moore's book
(if it had been published by a small press with a bad record of
distribution) at a store run by Republicans, would you believe them
when they said they were out? No, many of you would be saying
exactly the same thing your customers are saying.
People, humor and common sense have kept me of any arguments. I
say flat out that Borders' management are flinty-hearted,
penny-pinching, stone-squeezing capitalists who would no more stand
for the peons tossing sales out the window than they would poke
themselves in they eye with a stick. This usually gets a laugh or at
least a "Mmm, I guess so", and then I tell them that we sell lots of
things we don't agree with, along with the opposing viewpoint. I take
them to the section, point out some books on both sides, and wander
off. Most of them buy something, and that's my job. And maybe some
of them will indeed look at things in a more balanced way.
NoCoHo
Joined: Jan 22,
2004
Posts: 220
Posted: Aug 27, 2004 - 08:49 PM
Actually, I hope that every person who buys it reads each slimy, sleazy
insult, carefully edited half-truth and outright lie...and then returns the
thing for a refund because they've decided they want no part of such
uncivilized and immoral conduct. I will take delight in handing each
one hir cash or credit with a cheerful smile and thanking hir MOST
sincerely.
merry10
Joined: Aug 28,
2004
Posts: 1
Posted: Aug 28, 2004 - 11:59 PM
[quote="takahashi"]You guys don't actually HAVE to sell the thing!
Just "carelessly" hide the boxes, "accidentally" drop them off pallets,
"forget" to stock the ones you have, and then suggest a nice Al
Franken or Micheal Moore book as a substitute. Borders wants those
recommends, remember?
You're doing exactly what conservatives suspect you of doing. Not only
that, but the swifties have a right to criticize Kerry. Look at all those
Moore LIes books that have sold. Did you want to hide those from the
lefties that came in? no wonder you work at a bookstore, can't get a
corporation to hire you?
heron
Joined: Jan 01,
2001
Posts: 61
Posted: Aug 30, 2004 - 06:29 PM
I did some research and apparently not only did the anonymous caller
to Hannity's show claim that Borders was refusing to carry the books,
he said that Borders was trying to recall the ones that had been sold.
How's that for a laugh!
And, Merry, last time I checked, Borders is a corporation.
NoCoHo
Joined: Jan 22,
2004
Posts: 220
Posted: Aug 31, 2004 - 03:23 PM
Do tell, Heron...what was Hannity's reply? Inquiring minds MUST know!
heron
Joined: Jan 01,
2001
Posts: 61
Posted: Sep 02, 2004 - 03:28 PM
The following came off the web - I was doing some searches to try to
pinpoint exactly how the 'Borders is hiding my book' crap got started.
Apparently, Kerry is strong-arming us. I apologize for the nastyness of
the below artical, but this is what we are up against. Check it out
yourself.
I couldn't find Hannity's response. I probably could have pulled up the
show and listened, but there is a limit to the nastiness to which I am
willing to subject myself.
John Kerry Pushing Book Ban of "Unfit For Command"
By Sher Zieve
Aug 20, 2004
Well, it’s happened, folks. As I predicted in my August 11, 2004 article
“John Kerry’s Media”, the Kerry campaign is strong-arming booksellers
into banning “Unfit For Command”. Today’s Drudge Report has it as the
headline story. Kerry is afraid…very afraid of the truth. Myriad books,
filled with patently false statements, have been written about
President Bush and his administration. These books, however, have
been praised and pushed by our “mainstream press” and on-air media
Kerry surrogates. It was reported, yesterday (by a caller to Sean
Hannity’s radio show that Borders will no longer carry the book and is
“attempting to recall the books already sold”. If you have read George
Orwell’s “1984”, this is precisely what Big Brother affected. Book
burnings were a regular course of action.
If the people are kept stupid and uninformed, they are much easier to
handle and manipulate. The Masters can then implement any and all
programs they want.
This is the direst action, yet, perpetrated by John Forbes Kerry. This is
truly and inexorably chilling. Would be King Kerry is showing his abject
fear of any and all truth [about him] being presented. This fear is,
now, translating into not only deceit to the public but, banning of the
truth. How long will it take for the Kerry Kool-Aid drinkers to come out
of their stupor and realize who and what this man really is? I hope and
pray they wake up before it’s too late. All of us need to wake up, be
vigilant and stop this insanity. Our very lives and liberties are at
stake, as never before!
Nothing is harder on propeller seals than aircraft oil at -20F. You can do chinups on the prop the engine is so tight.
I installed Auxiliary power hookups in our vehicles with aircraft connectors. 12 to 14 volt for the cars and 28 volt for the diesel.
Have you even seen the inside of a gas tank since 1970? I'd guess not. Today the tanks have pumps inside them with multiple inlets, You're wasting money on ping pong balls.
Eeek. Now that's scary. And they call us evil conservatives. As long as I've been on this board, I have never seen anything that even comes close to the nastiness I've seen on liberal boards. Thank God we truly are a different breed.
At the upper levels, sure. Borders management, corporate, is probably screaming for as many copies of Unfit For Command as possible. However, the hourly front-row personnel are typically somewhat less interested in that...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.