Amazon selling book for pedophiles

[C.Ann]

Maybe they pulled it because it was there, I checked it. It had over 1,000 comments (so far).

And I assume that's not even counting the emails that went directly to them..

 

[cdotla]

And many people have the actual ingredients to make a bomb in their very own homes without knowing it until a book points it out. I think Duck has a reasonable point. And, if people are seeking out books on bomb making and pedophilia the problem is already there. While the book is absolutely disgusting, it is not necessarily illegal. And making the censorship leap is very frightening to some of us. I find many of the books on the market offensive, but I simply choose not to buy them.

I get censorship. And freedom of speech. I sat through law school classes debating whether inciting hate crimes should be protected under freedom of speech.

HOWEVER.....as a society we have to be prepared to stand up and acknowledge that promoting RAPE against our CHILDREN is just plain and simple wrong under ANY circumstances.

There should be no debate about this. Period. It truly saddens me that there obviously is.

 

[Mama Mouse]

Because your broad description just described MANY fiction and non-fiction books (including prize winners) as well as just about every other episode of Law and Order SVU. And maybe the next censor doesn't believe that books that mention molestation at all should be published. Then books about adultery should not be published because it might encourage that. And then books that mention sex at all. I will say again, the book is absolutely disgusting and sickens me, but all this uproar has done is push the book into a much better selling book than it ever would have been. I believe it had sold one copy. Want to bet on the stats now? If people don't like the book and think it is illegal, go after the author in a court of law. Encouraging a bookseller to censor opens a frightening door for me.

There is a HUGE difference between a book that deals with the subject of molestation and one that ENCOURAGES and tries to help the molestor. Not even on the same plane.

And I'll reiterate, in 99% of cases, I am staunchly against censorship. In this case, though, the book is just that heinous and it's disgusting to me that it's allowed in any way shape or form. I'd MUCH rather ride the censorhip slippery slope than to have one nasty, monster of a pedophile be encouraged by this horrible book. I believe the desensitization of our society towards this type of thing to be the slipperiest and truly most horrible slope of all.

 

[bluesaturn]

I'll bite. . .seriously the statistics aren't even close. The number of children that are the victims of pedophiles is not even on the same realm as somebody that might create a bomb that actually goes off and hurts other people. 1 out of every 4 girls will be a victim!!!! Do you hear that? The probability of some whacko buying the Anarchist Cookbook and actually being able to buy what they need. . .and then being able to carry out their plan and actually hurting others is soooo statistically small. BUT. . .a child becoming the victim of a child molester. . .1 in 4 for a girl! Now add in that it also happens to boys. It's not even in the same category!

I think it's 1 out of every 4 women will be a victim of some sort of sexual abuse in their lifetime (and it looks like it might be 1 in 6). It's still a horrible, horrible statistic. However, thankfully, I don't think the rate of child sexual abuse is that high. Of course, any child sexual abuse at all is not okay.

 

[hambirg]

You think I am going in the opposite direction than I am. I say child molestion is wrong. I also say that animal abuse its wrong. I say teaching people how to make bombs to blow up large numbers of other people is wrong. Amazon is allowed to sell books advocating all of them, even though American society, as a whole, knows that none of these actions are good. And we, as customers, have the right to boycot Amazon for selling any of them.

I see your point. . .BUT. . the victimization of children is so prevalent that it is truly not in the same category as those other things. . .albeit they are wrong too.

I think that there are enough people out there that have either been victims themselves or feel very strongly about protecting their own children that it is more outrageous and shocking than those other things.

 

[orbrian]

I amin shock.

 

[cdotla]

If you look up the book on Amazon right now and click on it when the results come up, you get this:

Beyond thrilled to hear this!!!

Just sad that Amazon didn't show the leadership and values not to sell this in the first place and only acted once they realized that the sales they would lose in having this garbage on their website would far, far exceed any profits realized by the sale of said garbage.

 

[LiberalPrincess]

There is a HUGE difference between a book that deals with the subject of molestation and one that ENCOURAGES and tries to help the molestor. Not even on the same plane.

And I'll reiterate, in 99% of cases, I am staunchly against censorship. In this case, though, the book is just that heinous and it's disgusting to me that it's allowed in any way shape or form. I'd MUCH rather ride the censorhip slippery slope than to have one nasty, monster of a pedophile be encouraged by this horrible book. I believe the desensitization of our society towards this type of thing to be the slipperiest and truly most horrible slope of all.

And that book fits your one percent, which I get. But, I can guarantee you that others have a very different percentage of what should be censored. Look at any current list of banned books and tv shows from organizations across the country. It is a heck of a lot more than your one percent. I completely get your outrage, however, I think the direction of it is misplaced. That is what laws and courts are for. If the book is illegal, then go after the one that created it. Ask detectives what has made their jobs harder in the last 20 years, the random books from kooks or shows like CSI that teach criminals how to avoid depositing DNA and other ways around the system.

 

[Buckalew11]

My sister was abe to pull it up when I told her about it. How disgusting. I will not be buying from Amazon either.

 

[hambirg]

I think it's 1 out of every 4 women will be a victim of some sort of sexual abuse in their lifetime (and it looks like it might be 1 in 6). It's still a horrible, horrible statistic. However, thankfully, I don't think the rate of child sexual abuse is that high. Of course, any child sexual abuse at all is not okay.

Honestly. . .the statistics are that as much as a two thirds will never go reported. . .and in 79% of the cases of actual abuse. . the child will initially deny that it happened out of fear. So if anything those statistics are probably waaay under the true mark. Sexual abuse against boys is almost never reported.

It's truly frightening.

 

[pepperw23]

A private company has the right to do business with whomever they please. They also have a right to refuse to do business with anyone they please. Amazon refusing to sell this book would not be censorship IMO.

They have clearly chosen to do business with this goon. As a person I have a right to refuse to use Amazon because of their choice, which I will do.

I almost have to wonder (keeping in mind I have not read the book) if the writer, publisher and Amazon are not breaking other laws? I found this interesting article. It is talking about hacking, but it is the same concept.

http://www.dba-oracle.com/t_hacker_guides_aiding_abetting_criminals.htm

 

[hambirg]

And that book fits your one percent, which I get. But, I can guarantee you that others have a very different percentage of what should be censored. Look at any current list of banned books and tv shows from organizations across the country. It is a heck of a lot more than your one percent. I completely get your outrage, however, I think the direction of it is misplaced. That is what laws and courts are for. If the book is illegal, then go after the one that created it. Ask detectives what has made their jobs harder in the last 20 years, the random books from kooks or shows like CSI that teach criminals how to avoid depositing DNA and other ways around the system.

Again. . .statistically speaking. . .not even on the same planet. People have all kinds of whacky ideas about what should be censored. . .BUT you will find that they can't build enough majority support. This is one of the truly valid issues that most everyone CAN agree on.

 

[Mama Mouse]

And that book fits your one percent, which I get. But, I can guarantee you that others have a very different percentage of what should be censored. Look at any current list of banned books and tv shows from organizations across the country. It is a heck of a lot more than your one percent. I completely get your outrage, however, I think the direction of it is misplaced. That is what laws and courts are for. If the book is illegal, then go after the one that created it. Ask detectives what has made their jobs harder in the last 20 years, the random books from kooks or shows like CSI that teach criminals how to avoid depositing DNA and other ways around the system.

I get all that and agree that more action should be taken than just "censoring" it. (Which I don't think pulling it from amazon qualifies as, but for the sake of this conversation...) And I hope more action DOES get taken. Obviously this is a really sick individual to post something like that.

But think about what I said before about desensitization and what your point says. It's basically saying "Well yeah, molesting kids is bad but it's better to let a book telling pedophiles how to better hurt their victims and how to escape it than for some other books to possibly come under fire." The value in that thinking is appalling! No, of course we don't want other books banned just for the mere mention of the subject but to place the importance of THAT over the importance of keeping our children safe? I'm sorry but that's backwards.

Let's hope this doesn't lead to some sort of crazy book banning trend. I really don't think it will and hope it doesn't. But just because something has a front and back cover with words in between should NOT make it something protected at all costs.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

There is a HUGE difference between a book that deals with the subject of molestation and one that ENCOURAGES and tries to help the molestor. Not even on the same plane.

And I'll reiterate, in 99% of cases, I am staunchly against censorship. In this case, though, the book is just that heinous and it's disgusting to me that it's allowed in any way shape or form. I'd MUCH rather ride the censorhip slippery slope than to have one nasty, monster of a pedophile be encouraged by this horrible book. I believe the desensitization of our society towards this type of thing to be the slipperiest and truly most horrible slope of all.

I agree wholeheartedly.

I'm glad they pulled it.

 

[jjarman]

are you sure it's really there? Did you just search for it and see it in the list, or did you actually click on it and pull it up? I just ran a search and tried to pull that selection up and got:

"Looking for something?
We're sorry. The Web address you entered is not a functioning page on our site

Go to Amazon.com's Home Page"

That is interesting. It appears Amazon came to their senses. A couple of hours ago you could pull up the page for this kindle book, read reviews, description, etc. just like any other product. Gone now.

 

[Mama Mouse]

Honestly. . .the statistics are that as much as a two thirds will never go reported. . .and in 79% of the cases of actual abuse. . the child will initially deny that it happened out of fear. So if anything those statistics are probably waaay under the true mark. Sexual abuse against boys is almost never reported.

It's truly frightening.

Some scary information about pedophiles:

*The typical child sex offender molests an average of 117 children, most of who do not report the offence.Source: National Institute of Mental Health, 1988.

*About 95% of victims know their perpetrators.
Source: CCPCA, 1992.

 

[Aristomommy]

Because your broad description just described MANY fiction and non-fiction books (including prize winners) as well as just about every other episode of Law and Order SVU. And maybe the next censor doesn't believe that books that mention molestation at all should be published. Then books about adultery should not be published because it might encourage that. And then books that mention sex at all. I will say again, the book is absolutely disgusting and sickens me, but all this uproar has done is push the book into a much better selling book than it ever would have been. I believe it had sold one copy. Want to bet on the stats now? If people don't like the book and think it is illegal, go after the author in a court of law. Encouraging a bookseller to censor opens a frightening door for me.

Amazon is a business and can sell whatever they want, but consumers also have the power to boycott. Sounds like the book was pulled for this exact reason. This was a HOW TO book on child molestation. We are not talking about a slippery slope to banning prize winning books or not mentioning sex at all. I am amazed what people defend in the name of free speech. Sounds great in theory, but where do we draw the line? For me, there is no justification for this.

 

[Mama Mouse]

Amazon is a business and can sell whatever they want, but consumers also have the power to boycott. Sounds like the book was pulled for this exact reason. This was a HOW TO book on child molestation. We are not talking about a slippery slope to banning prize winning books or not mentioning sex at all. I am amazed what people defend in the name of free speech. Sounds great in theory, but where do we draw the line? For me, there is no justification for this.

Exactly. How on Earth did this country get to a point where people value books (which I happen to LOVE and cherish) MORE than children's safety? (Again, I don't think this is even in the same realm, but for argument's sake.)

I'll say it again, just because it has two covers and words in between does NOT mean it should be protected at all costs. That's absurd. You can defend free speech and condemn book banning while still not allowing this kind of thing to be on the market.

 

[LiberalPrincess]

I get all that and agree that more action should be taken than just "censoring" it. (Which I don't think pulling it from amazon qualifies as, but for the sake of this conversation...) And I hope more action DOES get taken. Obviously this is a really sick individual to post something like that.

But think about what I said before about desensitization and what your point says. It's basically saying "Well yeah, molesting kids is bad but it's better to let a book telling pedophiles how to better hurt their victims and how to escape it than for some other books to possibly come under fire." The value in that thinking is appalling! No, of course we don't want other books banned just for the mere mention of the subject but to place the importance of THAT over the importance of keeping our children safe? I'm sorry but that's backwards.

Let's hope this doesn't lead to some sort of crazy book banning trend. I really don't think it will and hope it doesn't. But just because something has a front and back cover with words in between should NOT make it something protected at all costs.

No, my point is that giving attention to a kook's book that sold one copy which then propelled it into a big seller (top 100 according to a blog) is exactly the wrong way to go. If the book is illegal there are specific ways to combat that, although I don't believe the book necessarily breaks any laws. Pedophilia is a huge issue that needs to be addressed, but focusing on a bookseller isn't even a blip in the fight, and in fact served the exact opposite intention which is bringing the book to the attention of even more people.

And, I simply disagree that calling for a boycott of Amazon protects even one child from the horrible crime of pedophilia.

 

[hambirg]

Some scary information about pedophiles:

*The typical child sex offender molests an average of 117 children, most of who do not report the offense.Source: National Institute of Mental Health, 1988.

*About 95% of victims know their perpetrators.
Source: CCPCA, 1992.

Frightening isn't it?

I still think there is something wrong with people or our society as a whole.

On a positive note. . it looks like they pulled the book!

The vote of the almighty dollar speaks. Thank gawd!!!!