November 11, 2010 5:59 PM
Amazon defends, then drops pedophilia book
Thank God someone blew the whistle on Amazon's Kindle edition of "The Pedophile's Guide to Love and Pleasure: a Child-lover's Code of Conduct," And thank God for the Internet, where news travels fast.
When pressured to remove the book, Amazon at first behaved very badly, stating:
Amazon believes it is censorship not to sell certain books simply because we or others believe their message is objectionable. Amazon does not support or promote hatred or criminal acts, however, we do support the right of every individual to make their own purchasing decisions.
I got several emails about this this morning, but was away from home all day. By the time I got back, the Twitter/email campaign and boycott threats had changed Amazon's tune:
Amazon Removes Pedophilia Book From Store
'Pedophile's Guide' No Longer Available
You know, many people jeered at the American Family Association when they started letter writing campaigns and boycotts to clean up media garbage, but consumer choice is a legitimate way to go after those who facilitate or preside over the psychic damage done to our children each day in the name of freedom of speech.
Amazing that in less than 24 hours we could have this kind of impact. And an illustration of the worst and the best aspects of the Internet.
Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe [unto him], through whom they come!
It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
Luke 17: 1-2
Lesson: When you see something evil, start screaming - or tweeting
Posted in Homosexuality, Pornography | Permalink
Comments
I'll be honest it will be a long while before I buy from amazon again.
Posted by: melita | November 11, 2010 8:04 PM
I understand, Melita. I was going to drop them completely - even though it's the only significant income stream I have. But I do feel they made the right decision in the end - and quickly. You don't see that very often - which makes me want to encourage a display of corporate conscience, even if it's based on consumer pressure.
Posted by: Barbara | November 11, 2010 8:28 PM
The Wall Street Journal blog reports other similar books are still for sale...
"Other books about pedophilia remain on Amazon, including those that have previously prompted calls for boycotts. “Understanding Loved Boys and Boylovers,†a paperback published in 2000, is still for sale on the e-commerce site, and even has an official Amazon.com review. (â€Defensive in tone and amateurishly produced, this monograph uses both pseudo-scholarship and anecdotes in its attempt to justify its target audience’s actions and feelings,†Amazon says.)"
see: http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/11/11/pedophilia-book-removed-from-amazon-but-others-remain/
This won't be the end of this issue...the world is a sin filled place. Someone will have to police everything to keep conscientious consumers from supporting companies that are willing to sell anything.
Posted by: JenS | November 11, 2010 8:40 PM
It made me sick to my stomach to know that I was ordering books to help me raise my boys to be young men from the same place that others were buying books about how to abuse them. And I let Amazon know that. I agree that people have every right to read what they want to read...but business have the right to sell what they want to sell. I'm glad Amz made the right decision here, but I won't be happy until they remove any books promoting the abuse of children from their website.
Posted by: Shannon Miller | November 11, 2010 10:10 PM
It is so sad that these books exist...
Posted by: priest's wife | November 12, 2010 12:18 AM
This is exactly why I haven't bought a single thing from Amazon since they refused to stop selling magazines about dog-fighting (came to light during the Michael Vick trial). If Amazon chooses to make their decisions based on the almighty dollar, then I'll take my dollars to Barnes & Noble, Borders, or Books A Million instead.
Posted by: Carol | November 12, 2010 4:43 AM
