Censorship or Business?

[Sydney's Mom]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

yes, but it is still heartbreaking and disgusting

No one said the 1st Amendment was pretty (Or my mother's favorite - no one said life was fair. An author over on the Amazon Censorship Expands is suing, because it isn't fair)

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

As much as a I dislike Westboro and the vile things they say, the tactic you describe is not much different than telling an author he can write and release any book he pleases, he just can't sell it here, here, or there or anywhere else people might see it. I'm not referring specifically to either of the current debates going on with Pedobook or Kyle's novels, but I can see it potentially ending up that way.

I have a friend who wants Westboro to be "disappeared". She thinks their web site should shut down, their protests to be shut down, everything. She told me that people filled with hate shouldn't be seen or heard. I pointed out that just the previous day, she posted a comment on a web site filled with her passionate dislike of a prominent politician. She claimed it's different. I said it's not. When I wouldn't agree with her, she deleted the entire conversation from Facebook. Naturally, the irony was lost on her.

Fortunately, especially in cases like Westboro, the 1st Amendment provides a built-in recourse. Where they are allowed to spew hate, we're allowed to show up and drown them out. For every awful but legal act they perform, we're allowed to do the same. But we're not allowed to just shut them up, nor should we be.

It sucks, but the 1st Amendment doesn't play favorites - only people do that. I despise Westboro. They make me sick. I have a feeling that there will come a point when the brains of their operation can no longer control their intent, and they will screw up in a way that's illegal. At least, that's my hope.

[Sydney's Mom]

Originally Posted by Belle2Be

I thought about it for similar reasons, as a mother of 2 little girls it would be nice to know "what to look out for", if that makes sense.

OP, I chose "could care less", however that is stated wrong, it should be "I couldn't care less"

You are absolutely right - I hate it when people do that! I consider it a real sign of stupidity (I apply the same standard to myself).

I'm kind of curious about the book now, too. I think it is really bad to say something should be banned if you have never read it. Unfortunately, just going to one of these sites could get you arrested (don't know what might download), so I guess I will just have to wonder.

[CWatkinsNash]

Originally Posted by Sydney's Mom

You are absolutely right - I hate it when people do that! I consider it a real sign of stupidity (I apply the same standard to myself).

I'm kind of curious about the book now, too. I think it is really bad to say something should be banned if you have never read it. Unfortunately, just going to one of these sites could get you arrested (don't know what might download), so I guess I will just have to wonder.

Yeah, even I would be wary of seeking out Pedobook. As KK knows, I won't let a little thing like controversy (or search histories) stop me from finding out what the fuss is about, but I do draw the line at possibly accidentally receiving illegal material that might be found on a site with that book.

BUT if you want to check out Kyle's books from the other Amazon censorship thread they are available on B&N, with samples. I know you're a Kindle gal, so am I, but you can install Nook for PC to check them out. I'm tired of being the only one who actually looked at the darn things. I've decided that I'm going to purchase one of them, because ever since I've read the sample it's been bugging me that I don't know what happens next. (Well, I can guess based on the title, but you know what I mean.)

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

Yeah, even I would be wary of seeking out Pedobook. As KK knows, I won't let a little thing like controversy (or search histories) stop me from finding out what the fuss is about, but I do draw the line at possibly accidentally receiving illegal material that might be found on a site with that book.

BUT if you want to check out Kyle's books from the other Amazon censorship thread they are available on B&N, with samples. I know you're a Kindle gal, so am I, but you can install Nook for PC to check them out. I'm tired of being the only one who actually looked at the darn things. I've decided that I'm going to purchase one of them, because ever since I've read the sample it's been bugging me that I don't know what happens next. (Well, I can guess based on the title, but you know what I mean.)

;o) yep and like I said I was happy you took one for the team. having said that though, there are some books that I have read because of various activities I am in, and was concerned about what light was being cast upon them. some years ago there was a book published called (I think) "On My Honor" and we were told that it was drawing correlations between being members of Girl Scouting and homosexuality (which I don't have problems with, but I did not want disinformation being bandied about). it WAS about homosexuality and it WAS about Girl Scouting, but it wasn't tying the two together. because of my position in Scouting I felt it was necessary to read it. I think I was the only one in my larger circle of Trainers who did so, the rest just talked bad about it

[CWatkinsNash]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

;o) yep and like I said I was happy you took one for the team. having said that though, there are some books that I have read because of various activities I am in, and was concerned about what light was being cast upon them. some years ago there was a book published called (I think) "On My Honor" and we were told that it was drawing correlations between being members of Girl Scouting and homosexuality (which I don't have problems with, but I did not want disinformation being bandied about). it WAS about homosexuality and it WAS about Girl Scouting, but it wasn't tying the two together. because of my position in Scouting I felt it was necessary to read it. I think I was the only one in my larger circle of Trainers who did so, the rest just talked bad about it

I think I remember hearing about the book you're referring too. I find it's often the case that the people who cry foul the loudest are those most unwilling to go within ten feet of the thing in question. In some cases it's understandable, like not wanting to be exposed to child porn or reading something that would have a real negative effect on them, but I think some people would rather stay convinced they are right than risk proving themselves wrong. Bandwagons are easier to get on than to get off of. I give opinions considerably more weight when the person is actually familiar with the thing they are arguing against. I also think the burden of proof should be on those trying to eradicate something, rather than those who are defending it.

I don't know if you've seen the update on Tucson, but bikers are rallying to the rescue and they've enacted an emergency rule or law that would keep Westboro 100 meters away from the funeral site. Sounds similar to what they have in place in Maryland to protect funerals.

[kindlekitten]

yep! saw that! makes me proud of the first hubby and my biker chic days!

[screwballl]

Any author has any right to write, publish and sell their book. But that is as far as their rights extend.
They as authors, publishers as well as us as users cannot force Amazon or any other vendor to carry it. The businesses that sell books/ebooks has every right to carry or not carry whatever they want as a private business, and nothing you or I would say changes that.

There is no moral, ethical or legal right to force or even expect any business to sell or do something they choose not to. It doesn't matter if they carried it for a few days or a few years, they have every right to add, change, remove or refuse to sell anything in their business, regardless of the content involved.

Amazon is not a monopoly. How many people here has readers other than the Kindle? Quite a few. If Amazon had a monopoly, we would all be using some variation of Kindle/Amazon products.

As for Westboro, well of course they are the severity of extremism and in no way are associated with the beliefs or religion of Christians in any way except their perverted use of the Chrsitian naming. Just as most of the Middle Eastern terrorist extremists pervert the word of their religion to carry out their attacks.