Amazon Defends Pedophile Book

[Doug Huffman]

@SOS, in re alternative stuff; Stuff with no side effects generally has no effect at all.

[jhempel24]

Originally Posted by Sonist

Ah, munching on a juicy steak for which a sentient creature (which experienced pain and feared death) was slaughtered, is a sign of maturity?

But back to topic: I don't know what the book contained exactly, but unless it was purely a manual on how to engage in criminal activities, my first reaction would be in support of Amazon.

Frankly, I personally feel that religious brainwashing of children probably causes greater long-term harm than experimenting with sex or drugs, but I don't go around calling for the banning of "Bible Stories for Children...."

MMMMM.....Steak.....mmmmmmm I agree with you on the 2nd point too.

[SameOldStory]

Originally Posted by Doug Huffman

@SOS, in re alternative stuff; Stuff with no side effects generally has no effect at all.

Well, if nothing else, I'm clear on that. Thanks.



After reading some of the postings here I've decided that my first instinctes were right. ciao

[penartur]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If everyone participating in this thread has a child and said child was molested by someone who bought that book, I do not think anybody would be claiming it was alright for Amazon to have sold that book, you'd be right there advocating for it's removal and you'd most likely want damaged from Amazon and the author.

So don't say it's OK to sell when you know that once it's used as a how-to guide and children start to get molested because of this book that nobody with any sense of right & wrong would still say it is OK to sell.

Sorry, i didn't read the entire thread, so maybe my point has already been mentioned.
If someone reads the physics textbook (e.g. The Feynman Lectures on Physics) and then builds a nuclear bomb and then blows it, who is the one to blame? The maniac, or Feynman, or all the stores and websites and libraries where said lectures are available?

[penartur]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

It's not yet over. It won't be over until the book is no longer showing up in a search. Sure, it's not for sale, but it shows up in a search.

Then, i guess, it won't be over until this entire forum thread will be completely removed from existence?

[penartur]

Originally Posted by rogue_red

Excuse me? I was making a point that, in theory, somebody COULD download free kindle samples on my computer.

And even in absence of any kindle software, there is a pornography on the internets, and sexually innocent baby can download and watch it! Come on, ban the internets!

[penartur]

Originally Posted by recluse

The existence of child molestors is a crime against nature and humanity.
The defense of the existence of the ebook or any material that promotes, aids or excites child molestors is a crime against morality and common sense.

So what about Nabokov's Lolita?

[TGS]

Originally Posted by penartur

So what about Nabokov's Lolita?

Yeah, tried that argument, but the people who want to be hysterical about this issue just ignore it.

[kennyc]

Yeah, it's a "classic"

[TGS]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Yeah, it's a "classic"

It's art man, normal rules don't apply

[drofgnal]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Actually, if it has any information in it on how to have sex with a minor, then the book is illegal and has to stop being sold. This is not about freedom of speech, but what is legal and what is not legal and it's very possible that this book is illegal.

This is similar to the Anarchist's Cookbook'. It is a book the government has declared illegal. Print or e copies of it are not for sale anywhere (legally). If it is within the governments rights to not allow a book detailing with synthesis of illegal drugs or guides to build bombs, then why is it not in their realm to prohibit books that are a guide to men having sex with small children?

[eric11210]

Originally Posted by drofgnal

This is similar to the Anarchist's Cookbook'. It is a book the government has declared illegal. Print or e copies of it are not for sale anywhere (legally). If it is within the governments rights to not allow a book detailing with synthesis of illegal drugs or guides to build bombs, then why is it not in their realm to prohibit books that are a guide to men having sex with small children?

Sorry to come so late to the discussion, however this is a common bit of nonsense that people seem to believe because they think it ought to be true. The Anarchist Cookbook is out of print, however it is perfectly 100% legal to own it and used copies are still for sale at Amazon.com. You can also legally purchase books on how to grow drugs and books on how to make C-4.

BTW, I happen to be a survivor of child sexual abuse. I also happen to be Jewish. And in spite of the nightmares I still live with from my childhood experiences, I still support the right of these people to say what they believe and to publish what they believe just as much as I support the right of the American Nazi party to continue to publish their hate material. I also happen to be gay and I also support the right of Reverend Phelps to spout off his idiocy (protesting outside of military funerals and screaming that Americans are dying overseas because we allow gays and lesbians to have some rights).

The moment you start to ban speech because you don't agree with it, no matter how vile that speech may be (and I agree that all these things are heinous and vile), you inevitably end up with a situation where someone else believes that your opinions are vile and should be banned. So in spite of everything, as much as I wish such people would disappear or at least go and get help for their horrible proclivities, I support their right to offer their opinions in the free marketplace of ideas because without doing so, my own right to say what I believe in could easily be impaired as well. After all, I'm sure there will be people who say that Jews are Christ killers and should have no rights and I'm sure there will be plenty of people who claim that I should be shot for having sex with my (adult) boyfriend.

Just my 2 cents. And no, I didn't read the whole thread either.

[drofgnal]

Originally Posted by brecklundin

I am speaking here from a position few of you have and in my opinion none of you who have not been in my situation have ******* right to say a thing.

I was molested, sexually, as a child starting from the age of 6-yrs old and it continued for several years. It has ruined my life for the most part. And yet, over the years I am a staunch supporter of complete freedom of expression.

If anyone here things forcing this ban on this book will stop on single child from being molested you have a sad sense of self-importance. Certainly write your letters to the publisher as well as Amazon. but here is food for though, ever ******* time you make a huge deal of this every single person who lived though this sort of torturous hell gets the lovely chance to relive the whole thing. And you have zero right to make me or anyone on my position to experience it all over again.

So while you feel you are "helping" none of you understand the ramifications of making a huge public issue of the matter...so ******* for causing me to relive it all over again today. Your public displays of indignant puffery, anger and "outrage" does none of us any help it simply returns many memories and sense of being a complete failure at life back front and center. Thanks for that...I mean why handle the matter like a truly caring adult and learn the last thing a person who lived through the acts wants is more violence...and here you are behaving in a manner that is almost no different than the bastard who molested me or who did the same or worse to others. But as long as you get your "me too" message out in public it's all good....so thanks for the thought you put in your decisions to publicly state the opinion rather than pursue other avenues.

I've been absent from this forum for a few days and haven't checked this thread really since the day I started it. I'm just now seeing your response to my post.

I am truly sorry for the pain this caused you. I myself have had a bad experience growing up from a predatory distant cousin, also a hairdresser.

I found the best way to deal with this was to talk about it and not bury it. Today I rarely think about it. So yes, I was outraged at Amazon, and felt (and still do) that public outrage directed at Amazon was the best way for me to deal with this. I'm sorry you were in the crosshairs of that outrage. My sincere hope is that you will come to peace with your past and move forward.

I've noticed from the Nov Book Club Thread that you have bailed from this forum. I find that sad and hope you will return.

[drofgnal]

Originally Posted by eric11210

The Anarchist Cookbook is out of print, however it is perfectly 100% legal to own it and used copies are still for sale at Amazon.com. You can also legally purchase books on how to grow drugs and books on how to make C-4.

You are right I did not know that.

[penartur]

Originally Posted by tiniree

And you would put such people as pedophiles in the same category as "unpopular or disfavored minorities"????

And someone would put such people as gays or lesbians in the same category as "unpopular or disfavored minorities"???? Kill them with fire!

When did we decide we were better off turning our heads and closing our eyes to what we know is wrong, just for the sake of not "hurting someones feelings"????

In the very same moment we decide someone should close their eyes to what they believe is wrong, but is okay for us.