Before You Buy Anything Else From Amazon, Read This...

[Ayaan]

Amazon defends 'Pedophile's Guide'

NEW YORK — Amazon is selling a self-published book defending pedophiles, sparking discussions about the retailer's obligation to vet items before they are sold in its online stores, and threats of boycott from Amazon customers if the book is not removed.

The book, " The Pedophile's Guide to Love and Pleasure: a Child-lover's Code of Conduct" by Philip R. Greaves II, offers advice to pedophiles afraid of becoming the center of retaliation. It is an electronic book available for Amazon.com Inc.'s Kindle e-reader.

Rest of article at the link above.

[Tero]

There are tons of self published books there for purchase. Nearly all just sit there, nobody buys the first e book or other format. Some authors join dicussions and post links to their own book. We ignore them. I only discuss music at Amazon.

It may be some Amazon principle not to censor anything, pretty much, to differ form Apple.

I ma not saying they are right, but I will use both Apple and Amazon.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

Are you saying that Amazon should act as a censor, Ayaan? Should they stop selling Mein Kampf too?

I disagree totally with this kind of campaign. By all means call for action against the author, if what he has published is illegal in some way, but Amazon is just a bookshop FFS - it's not as if they are condoning paedophilia here.

[Ayaan]

I just wanted people to see this and make up their own minds.

[rachelbean]

Are you saying that Amazon should act as a censor, Ayaan? Should they stop selling Mein Kampf too?

I disagree totally with this kind of campaign. By all means call for action against the author, if what he has published is illegal in some way, but Amazon is just a bookshop FFS - it's not as if they are condoning paedophilia here.

[FBM]

I'm thinking the book might actually help people identify pedos and maybe even prevent some abuse. I don't know what information or instructions the book contains, so it's not possible to make an informed decision about it. It might tell pedos to look but don't touch, for all I know. The sales records might even become useful in an investigation some day.

Anyway, big business is pretty clear on the fact that it's 'money first'.

[rachelbean]

If there is no pornographic or illegal material in the book I don't see how they would have a legal standing to refuse to publish the book. My guess is there is a set of criteria which have to be met to self-publish and as disturbing as the subject may be the content doesn't break any rules/laws. I'd much rather see this kind of thing happen then someone arbitrarily deciding what is or is not offensive content and refusing to publish it.

[Azathoth]

As long as they share the details of who buys it with the authorities I think it should stay there

[Kristie]

As long as they share the details of who buys it with the authorities I think it should stay there

[Trolldor]

If the book is legal and meets their standards then that is that.

[maiforpeace]

If the book is legal and meets their standards then that is that.

There's only one solution for those people who object to Amazon selling such a book - boycott Amazon. I would venture to guess that most of those folks making all of those comments of outrage aren't outraged enough to boycott Amazon completely, god forbid they might have to give up shopping there.

As long as it's not illegal, it's Amazon's choice to keep the book on Kindle's shelf. Not the best initial choice necessarily, but now with all the hoopla about it, their choice will probably be to keep it since sales will probably soar now.

[Mr P]

My main problem with this story is that a few thousand extra paedophiles now know of this books existence. His sales are going to go through the roof which sort of defeats the whole object.

[GreyICE]

I just wanted people to see this and make up their own minds.

You have just assured that my next purchase of reading material will be from Amazon.

I do not want the largest book retailer on earth telling me what I can and cannot read. I have read the Anarchist's Cookbook, I have read Mein Kamf (well, parts of it, it really is dreadful), I have read The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, I have read Ann Coulter books.

I want me telling me what I can and cannot read. That's it.

P.S. The details of who buys it should remain COMPLETELY PRIVATE. Period. Anyone who disagrees needs to look at history. Pedophilia may have gone down in societies that spied on and reported the reading habits of their citizens, but that never quite seemed to be the victory it would be on the surface.

[eXcommunicate]

As long as they share the details of who buys it with the authorities I think it should stay there

Only if the information is subpoenaed or a warrant issued. I would not want such information given out willy nilly. Someone might buy it as legitimate research material or for some other reason other than for buggering children. Just sayin.

[Trolldor]

I want to know what's in the damn thing but I sure as hell don't want to give the guy my money.