And this is what will likely happen. Censorship is wrong, plain and simple. If you don't like it, don't buy it. However, if those self-appointed censor take it upon themselves to protest too loudly, the book will sell like hotcakes; because those who are curious will want a copy while they can get it. For example, Madonna's book 'Sex' was hardly a literary masterpiece. Protests = book sales.
Can anyone imagine the sales of books advocating the rape of women on that site? However Amazon amazingly has rationalized that it's okay to sell books advocating the rape of young boys.
Pardon me Amazon, but your pedophilia is showing!
Nonsense. The First Amendment DOES NOT COMPEL them to stock that (or any other) book, and they damn well know it.
"Congress shall make no law ..." not "Amazon shall reject no book."
----- Original Message -----
From: account-close@amazon.com
Sent: Sunday, September 29, 2002 6:12 PM
Subject: Your Amazon.com Inquiry,p> > Thank you for writing to Amazon.com with your concern.
> > Let me assure you, Amazon.com does not endorse "Understanding Loved > Boys and Boylovers." Simply because we sell a book does not mean we > agree with the ideas it contains. If you will look at our site, you > will see that we have posted a review of the book by one of our > editors which is highly critical of the ideas expressed in > Mr. Riegel's book.
> > Please know that, contrary to rumors that have been circulating around > the Internet, this book is not a "how-to" manual for molesting > children. The author simply expresses his point of view about what he > feels are "misunderstood" relationships between men and boys.
> > We believe that people have the right to choose their own reading > material. Our goal is to support freedom of expression and to provide > customers with the broadest selection possible so they can find, > discover, and buy any title they might be seeking. That selection > includes some titles which most people, including employees of > Amazon.com, may find distasteful or otherwise objectionable. However, > Amazon.com believes it is censorship to make a book unavailable to our > customers because we believe its message to be repugnant.
> > While we do not censor items from our web site, I wanted to reassure > you that Amazon.com does not promote these kinds of titles. >
> I was unable to locate an account under the e-mail address in your > message. Please note, for security reasons, we can only send account > information to the e-mail address that is associated with the account.
> > However, I wanted to let you know that as a customer, subscriber, or > contest entrant you'll occasionally receive e-mail updates about > important > functionality changes to the web site, new Amazon.com services, and > special offers we believe would be beneficial to you.
> > We hope you'll find these updates interesting and informative. But if > you'd rather not receive them, you may indicate your wishes by going > to this URL:
> > http://www.amazon.com/unsubscribe/
> Here you will be able to indicate which specific types of e-mail > (updates, special offers, customer surveys, product recommendations) > you would prefer not to receive from us.
> > Please note that, if you do not already have a password-protected > Amazon.com account, you will need to create one in order to access > the links on this page.
> > We value all feedback from our customers, and I thank you again for > taking the time to send us your comments about this issue.
> > > Best regards, > > Paul S. > Amazon.com > Earth's Biggest Selection > http://www.amazon.com > =====================
> > We would appreciate your feedback on our customer service. Follow > the link below if you would like to let us know how we are doing - > your input is invaluable! > http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/cs-experience-survey/-/tbxr5754
> > > >Date: Sun Sep 29 13:48:45 PDT 2002 > >Subject: Close My Account > >To: account-close@amazon.com > > > To Amazon.com: > > > >I no longer chose to do business with you for the following reason - > = > >promoting pedophlia through books like this -"Understanding Loved > Boys = > >and Boylovers."
> > > >Please remove ALL information pertaing to me and my account.
Freedom of speech was included as a protection by the founding fathers to preserve freedom, not promote societal decay. Freedom is preserved when those out of power are able to project their voice past those who would be inclined to stifle it. The book in question is about promoting the exploitation of the innocent by powerful adults.
Nor is Amazon censoring by refusing to retail such trash. It would merely be exercising its civic conscience by deciding not to trade in the promotion of exploitation of innocent boys by men of dubious moral character. The book would still be available, Amazon just wouldn't assist in its distribution. Censorship is when government decides what can be printed. That is not the issue here.
Yesterday I joined the Conservative Book Club. I ordered: "Slander" by Coulter, "At Any Cost" and Fighting Back" by Bill Sammon, and "The Final Days" by Barbara Olson for a grand total of $16.90 including shipping and a commitment to buy 3 more books over the next 24 months.
At least I know that my money isn't going to a company that sells such objectionable books.
I recently posted something here proving beyond all doubt (in my mind, at least) that my local Borders store is censoring David Horowitz. I have no idea whether they also censor pedophilia, but if I had to choose between no censorship at all and censorship left up to Lieberals who will censor all political opinion contrary to their own, I will choose the former. I find it very, very interesting - particularly in the context of this latest flap - that no one on this site shared my outrage at Borders' censorship of Horowitz. In fact, the most common response was to refer me to Amazon as an alternative!!
Note that my argument is not based on First Amendment rights, on my personal revulsion toward pedophilia and Lieberals, or anything else of the sort. It's a simple matter of logic and consistency - and I also find it interesting that not even Amazon makes this argument - they argue on First Amendment grounds, which arguably (as some have pointed out) are insufficient to justify their position.
https://inc.toysrus.com/guest/contUs.cfm
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am deeply troubled by the irresponsible products that are being sold by your strategic partner - Amazon.com. Specifically, they are selling books that can justify and perhaps incite pedophilia (e.g. “Understanding Loved Boys and Boylovers” by David L. Riegel).
A company like yours that is dedicated to wholesome family values and the safety of our children should be VERY concerned that your corporate reputation will be severely tarnished by the actions of your strategic partner. The livelihood of your company is completely dependent upon the goodwill of family-oriented people who value the security of children. They abhor any person or company that exploits children or puts them at risk from predators.
As the information of Amazon.com’s irresponsible and dangerous position regarding the sale of this type of “product” become more widely known, I am sure the association of Amazon.com and your company will be made. I expect the backlash to be severe. Please reconsider your relationship with Amazon.com.
P.S. You can find information regarding this book at this link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0967699703/ref=pd_rhf_p_1/103-1427225-0665454?v=glance
I suggest to you that this "book" is nothing more than propaganda to legitimize criminal behavior. A quote from one of the reviewers:
Reviewer: Joe Gardiner from United States
“As a pedophile myself I found this book to be enlightening in my quest to truly come to terms with my own sexuality...”