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Piper_ · 11-10-2010, 10:29 PM

I haven't either. I'd rather walk on coals.

I had to stop reading reviews after about 5 of them, like this one:

63 of 106 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars I Support Amazon, November 10, 2010
By
Freedom of Speech is a Double-Edged Sword
This review is from: The Pedophile's Guide to Love and Pleasure (Kindle Edition)

Regardless of the nature of the content of this book, I think many people are completely missing the point of allowing this to be sold. Libraries and librarian associations of America have long been steadfast in their defense of the constitutional right to view and consume literary works of all kinds. I do not support the stance of the author of this book but fully support Amazon's stance on this.

Censorship is a slippery slope

and we should not be entrusting the government or private parties to deem what is appropriate for the public at large.

Information availability is a pillar of a democracy and as such should be guarded from any degree of censorship. This goes for television, video, books, arts, music, and anything else that can be considered a method of personal expression.

People may misuse this information, but that responsibility does not fall on Amazon's, B&N's, the local library's, or the government's shoulders to predetermine. All Americans should stand opposed to censorship of all kinds.

Use your brains, people!

OK then. Maybe I'm just all wrong, but it seems to me that he and others - including Amazon - have gotten so dependent on easy platitudes, they are the ones not using their brains, because they can't or won't recognize the critical distinctions, such as:

a) gov't vs a private business, which makes a statement about its values by what it chooses to sell, and its customers make statements about theirs by their reactions, and

b) book burning vs just not selling it at Amazon, and

c) protection of free speech about controversial things like religion and politics, vs protection of the promotion of pedophilia, for which there is no legitimate controversy.

Is there? I just can't think of how selling this book benefits anyone other than pedophiles.

Last thought: to me, the worst part of Amazon's public statement was where they said they wanted to have anything available that a customer wanted to buy.
So, there we go. Never fear, child predators - Amazon will make sure your needs are served just as anyone else's would be.

OK, it's not that they want to help pedophiles, it's just that they can't figure out a way to avoid it. Because, they think, if they say no to you, then the next thing to go MUST be Mein Kampf.

Because, you know, we're unable to figure out where to draw a line between types of things - beyond the fact that both "offend some people."

OK, I need a head-spinning smilie. I'm vented out.

11-10-2010, 10:29 PM	#12992
Piper_ ~~~~~ Posts: 761 Karma: 1278391 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: USA Device: Kindle 3, Sony 350	I haven't either. I'd rather walk on coals. I had to stop reading reviews after about 5 of them, like this one: 63 of 106 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars I Support Amazon, November 10, 2010 By Freedom of Speech is a Double-Edged Sword This review is from: The Pedophile's Guide to Love and Pleasure (Kindle Edition) Regardless of the nature of the content of this book, I think many people are completely missing the point of allowing this to be sold. Libraries and librarian associations of America have long been steadfast in their defense of the constitutional right to view and consume literary works of all kinds. I do not support the stance of the author of this book but fully support Amazon's stance on this. Censorship is a slippery slope and we should not be entrusting the government or private parties to deem what is appropriate for the public at large. Information availability is a pillar of a democracy and as such should be guarded from any degree of censorship. This goes for television, video, books, arts, music, and anything else that can be considered a method of personal expression. People may misuse this information, but that responsibility does not fall on Amazon's, B&N's, the local library's, or the government's shoulders to predetermine. All Americans should stand opposed to censorship of all kinds. Use your brains, people! OK then. Maybe I'm just all wrong, but it seems to me that he and others - including Amazon - have gotten so dependent on easy platitudes, they are the ones not using their brains, because they can't or won't recognize the critical distinctions, such as: a) gov't vs a private business, which makes a statement about its values by what it chooses to sell, and its customers make statements about theirs by their reactions, and b) book burning vs just not selling it at Amazon, and c) protection of free speech about controversial things like religion and politics, vs protection of the promotion of pedophilia, for which there is no legitimate controversy. Is there? I just can't think of how selling this book benefits anyone other than pedophiles. Last thought: to me, the worst part of Amazon's public statement was where they said they wanted to have anything available that a customer wanted to buy. So, there we go. Never fear, child predators - Amazon will make sure your needs are served just as anyone else's would be. OK, it's not that they want to help pedophiles, it's just that they can't figure out a way to avoid it. Because, they think, if they say no to you, then the next thing to go MUST be Mein Kampf. Because, you know, we're unable to figure out where to draw a line between types of things - beyond the fact that both "offend some people." OK, I need a head-spinning smilie. I'm vented out.