Amazon selling book for pedophiles

[NMAmy]

I admire the retailer for taking the stand that it is not their place to judge the quality or moral value of the individual items (so long as they are legal).

But my thought is that retailers make judgements every single day about what they will or will not sell based on sound business decisions. Amazon does not sell every single book ever written. The author of this book can still sell his book online on his own website and can voice his views. Amazon is not the be all end all of his right to free speech. As a business, Amazon needs to decide if they'll continue to offer a book that may cause some bottom line ramifications for the company.

While I love free speech, the most difficult side of that is that people that I think are reprehensible like the Westboro "Church" can express their views as well. But as a consumer, I do not have to support them or companies that support them with my money.

There is a huge difference between a government agency censoring free speech and an internet company not selling a book for whatever reason. If a book is a poorly written piece of crap, it's not going to be sold on Amazon either. Does that mean the author is being censored or just that they wrote a crappy book?

 

[Angelhalo]

I'm glad Amazon pulled the book, and I don't see it as censorship.

It would be censorship if the government told Amazon they could not sell a book because it offended people.

It's a sound business decision if Amazon chooses to risk losing the business of a tiny percentage of consumers who want this book instead of losing the business of a much larger percentage who don't.

While I agree that the book is a disgrace, and disgusting, and am glad they appear to no longer be selling it....your definition or logic behind censorship is not sound. This is still censorship. Censorship doesn't have to be government mandated to be censorship. By pulling it off the virtual shelves, Amazon is censoring their customers. And though I am against many kinds of censorship....in this case I am pleased to see them censoring people from that kind of hateful, disgusting, filth.

 

[Angelhalo]

If a book is a poorly written piece of crap, it's not going to be sold on Amazon either.

I agree with your stance but this made me chuckle. Their are LOTS of poorly written pieces of crap on Amazon! LOL!

 

[Andy B]

At the risk of being shot down I though I would make some comments,

Amazon are at liberty to sell or not any book item which is not in and of itself illegal.

People can protest to Amazon about selling any item which offends them.

Amazon can make a commercial decision to stock this item based on any wider impact which could occur to their business.

People who say I do not support sensorship but this book is too far, do support sensorship, it then about the subject and who makes the decision.

This book will be retained in whatever library in the USa keeps a copy of all published works, in the UK it is the British Library, I believe there is an equivalent in the US.

Although by all balance of probability this is a most disgusting book this situation seems an extreme of the I have not seen this/ read this but it should be banned, I would be more comfortable with someone having read it and speaking with that authority. Quotes and reviews can be misleading.

I will not boycot Amazon as I do not want them to judge what should be available for me to make a decision as to what should be available for me to buy.

 

[allison443]

But my thought is that retailers make judgements every single day about what they will or will not sell based on sound business decisions. Amazon does not sell every single book ever written. The author of this book can still sell his book online on his own website and can voice his views. Amazon is not the be all end all of his right to free speech. As a business, Amazon needs to decide if they'll continue to offer a book that may cause some bottom line ramifications for the company.

While I love free speech, the most difficult side of that is that people that I think are reprehensible like the Westboro "Church" can express their views as well. But as a consumer, I do not have to support them or companies that support them with my money.

There is a huge difference between a government agency censoring free speech and an internet company not selling a book for whatever reason. If a book is a poorly written piece of crap, it's not going to be sold on Amazon either. Does that mean the author is being censored or just that they wrote a crappy book?

I completely agree. I think it is very disingenuous for Amazon to say they won't censor this book. I know for a fact that certain books aren't available on Amazon...so Amazon does believe in "censorship" for reasons such as profitability, etc. I'm sure Amazon doesn't sell hard core pornograpy books or dvds, do they? Censorship!!!
Big difference between government violating first amendment rights and a business refusing to sell a particular book.

 

[RitaE]

This book will be retained in whatever library in the USa keeps a copy of all published works, in the UK it is the British Library, I believe there is an equivalent in the US.

Not really. This was not a published book. It was a self-published, badly written digital file that was thrown up on the Amazon kindle platform.

I'm sure Amazon doesn't sell hard core pornograpy books or dvds, do they?

I guess it would depend on what you define as hard core pornography and dvds. They certainly sell adult themed materials.

At times, Amazon and other retailers just can't win with these types of policy decisions. A few years ago they came under massive attack for the way their listing algorithms were not including Gay/Lesbian themed erotica type romance novels in their rankings yet straight erotica was included. Ever since that debacle their standard policy has been no censorship of legal materials.

Overall, I'm glad I'm not the one with the job that has to make those judgment calls.

Oh, and I hope the FBI and local police force of this author is now doing some investigating of his life.

 

[PollyannaMom]

...People who say I do not support sensorship but this book is too far, do support sensorship, it then about the subject and who makes the decision...
...I will not boycot Amazon as I do not want them to judge what should be available for me to make a decision as to what should be available for me to buy.

But they're not judging what is available to you. The person wrote the book. I'm sure if you ask him, he'll sell you one. So it's already available. By dropping it, Amazon is just choosing not to be the ones to get it to you, not saying you can't have it.

 

[Pigeon]

I don't want Amazon censoring materials.

 

[MosMom]

Just heard on the news Amazon has decided to pull the book after hundereds of boycott complaints.

An establishment choosing not to sell a book isn't censorship. My Kroger doesn't sell Chili Magic beans anymore. Guess I was in the minority and they weren't selling enough. I can still buy Chili Magic beans elsewhere. Businesses make decisions based on what sells and what keeps their customers happy. Obviously, Amazon realized this book wasn't keeping their customers happy. The pedophiles will have to go elsewhere to buy the book now.

 

[HonnyDipp]

Folks are actually boycotting Amazon. This is why WalMart.com is offering free shipment on all orders till Dec 20. SMART!

 

[LukenDC]

I am opposed to censorship. This book, however, appears to give support to people who prey upon the most vulnerable members of society. This isn't a mere book by a pedophile, it is a GUIDE to the molestation of children. That is where I draw the line.

Amazon is not obligated to carry this book or any other title. If they have not done so already, they should pull it from their web site.

 

[happygirl]

I'm really shocked that people think it fine and dandy for Amazon to sell this trash

 

[RitaE]

I really don't think people are so concerned with the availability of this particular book HappyGirl. This book (if you could even call it a book) is clearly well over the line of what any normal person thinks is acceptable and very few people who demand their right to access it on their Kindle.

But, people - especially in the United States it seems - feel extremely strongly about their rights to non-censorship of printed material and abhor book banning. It is a deeply ingrained standard of our culture.

 

[hulagirl87]

just found this through google

http://www.aolnews.com/nation/artic...dophilia-e-book-amid-boycott-threats/19712148

 

[LisaR]

You know what the worst part of all of this is? The attention that has been brought to the book due to the controversy. This would have been one of those books that nobody would have even known about because nobody would have bought it. But someone had to scream so loud that this has become front page news. This sick monster now gets his 15 minutes of fame.

 

[Music City Mama]

just found this through google

http://www.aolnews.com/nation/artic...dophilia-e-book-amid-boycott-threats/19712148

Check this part out from the article from AOLNews posted above:
Last year, Amazon halted sales of a video game called "RapeLay," in which players stalk and rape a mother and her daughters. The company yanked the game from its site after citizens and interest groups complained.


I'm glad Amazon pulled the book, but this just opened my eyes to what else is out there, the sick people who write them and the sick people who buy them. This is just so disturbing to me.

 

[Mama Mouse]

Faux outrage??? More serious than CHILD RAPE??? Are you kidding?

My thoughts exactly!

It's so sick to me that so many people don't GET how awful and serious this is!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Just heard on the news Amazon has decided to pull the book after hundereds of boycott complaints.

An establishment choosing not to sell a book isn't censorship. My Kroger doesn't sell Chili Magic beans anymore. Guess I was in the minority and they weren't selling enough. I can still buy Chili Magic beans elsewhere. Businesses make decisions based on what sells and what keeps their customers happy. Obviously, Amazon realized this book wasn't keeping their customers happy. The pedophiles will have to go elsewhere to buy the book now.

Agree. That is the power of the public and for good reason. I would boycott as well.

When is the public going to figure out the tremedous power they do have?

 

[Angelhalo]

You know what the worst part of all of this is? The attention that has been brought to the book due to the controversy. This would have been one of those books that nobody would have even known about because nobody would have bought it. But someone had to scream so loud that this has become front page news. This sick monster now gets his 15 minutes of fame.

I kind of have to agree with you here. Hardly anyone would know about it. NOW pervs all over the place will be clamboring to get their hands on it. Which they will....just not from Amazon.

 

[elizke]

After seeing this thread I sent a note to Amazon telling them that I was a loyal and satisfied Amazon customer for many years but I would no longer be. I have never boycotted anything in my life, but this just makes me too sick. They are free to make whatever business decisions they choose, and I can make my choices too.

No need for legal or censorship discussion in my mind. Every retailer makes a choice about what kind of seller they want to be for heaven's sake. Would the censorship soapboxers come out and protest that an X-rated store is not carrying Sound of Music? Might the store lose business if they carried too many wholesome family movies and books and customers complained? Yep. And the free-speechers would not indignantly be there!

I got a reply this morning though about how it is no longer available. I am relieved and think that this is a good business decision that happens to be morally responsible. I think it still might take a while for the sick feeling to go away enough for me to shop there.

I'm glad Amazon pulled the book, but this just opened my eyes to what else is out there, the sick people who write them and the sick people who buy them. This is just so disturbing to me.

I so agree. It's a depressing world sometimes.