Read part 2 of the Amazon Fail debacle here, and about Amazon and Pedophilia here. I have more updates, an image of the email being sent out to customers, a link to a great resource on keeping kids safe from predators, and more links and thoughts about Amazon and pedophilia.
UPDATE 6:30 PM
Amazon’s Kindle content department reps were unaware of the issue. Why don’t you let THEM know, too?
1-866-321-8851 reference ASIN#B0049U4CF6
Remind them that this book is not just “objectionable” but promotes criminal activity; the stated purpose of the book is to get child molestors less jail time if they follow the “guidelines” for abusing children. Oh, and let them know how much money you won’t be spending with them this holiday season if you are engaging in the boycott.
UPDATE 1:34 PM
UN-FREAKING-BELIEVABLE! Amazon refuses to remove the how to be a pedophile book. Here is their response.
Dear Lisa,
Thank you for your inquiry. 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.
There is a product listed on Amazon right now that needs to be removed immediately. Here’s the link- but be warned. It’s a how-to guide for pedophiles to abuse children and get a “liter sentence”. {added 3:39pm} I am not asking for Amazon to remove “objectionable” material. I am asking them to remove a how-to manual for CRIMINAL activity.
UPDATE 3:50 PM
I received another response. This one says in part:
Let me assure you that Amazon.com does not support or promote hatred or criminal acts; we do support the right of every individual to make their own purchasing decisions.
Amazon.com believes it is censorship not to sell certain titles because we believe their message is objectionable. Therefore, we’ll continue to make controversial works available in the United States and everywhere else, except where they’re prohibited by law. We also allow readers, authors, and publishers to express their views freely about these titles and other products we offer on our website. However, Amazon.com doesn’t endorse opinions expressed by individual authors, musical artists, or filmmakers.
Apparently, Amazon.com doesn’t consider pedophilia as hateful or criminal, it’s merely an objectionable choice. WHO ARE these people?
UPDATE 6:30 PM
Amazon’s Kindle content department reps were unaware of the issue. Why don’t you let THEM know, too?
1-866-321-8851 reference ASIN#B0049U4CF6
Remind them that this book is not just “objectionable” but promotes criminal activity; the stated purpose of the book is to get child molestors less jail time if they follow the “guidelines” for abusing children. Oh, and let them know how much money you won’t be spending with them this holiday season if you are engaging in the boycott.
UPDATE: 6:45 PM
Spoke with an escalation customer service rep, who told me that Amazon is in the process of evaluating whether to carry this. She said she would contact me when a new official position is finalized. Amazon may be changing their minds.
* * * * * *
I flagged as inappropriate, but that’s not enough.
I live chatted with a customer service rep, and was told “thank you for your caution, expect an email in 24 hours.”
That’s not good enough. We’re talking about CHILD PREDATORS here.
So I called. My customer service rep was shocked as well, but he can’t directly remove it. That can only be done by a different department with no phone service (apparently). He apologized profusely but his hands are tied- he can’t take care of it.
I asked for the PR/Media Contact but was told the only way to contact them was by snail mail. Not even an email address that customer service could give me.
Please leave a comment after you contact Amazon – I would love to show the PR rep when and if I ever get ahold of them how many moms are concerned. Also tweet with hashtag #amazonfail. Get the word out – we moms have power.
CALL 1-866-216-1072 and demand immediate removal. You will need to reference the ASIN# : B0049U4CF6
I am removing my Amazon Linky Love post and my Amazon Affiliate until this issue is resolved.
PLEASE contact Amazon.
People can download this to their Kindles – which they can carry with them to read at their leisure (hopefully NOT in a padded van with no windows in YOUR neighborhood.)
The book was written by Phillip R Greaves II who lists his location as Pueblo, CO. The content seems to violate Amazon’s Kindle self-publishing guidelines:
Offensive Material
What we deem offensive is probably about what you would expect. Amazon Digital Services, Inc. reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of Titles sold on our site.Illegal Items
Titles sold through the Digital Text Platform Program must adhere to all applicable laws. Some Titles that may not be sold include any Titles which may lead to the production of an illegal item or illegal activity.
This is not a freedom of speech issue. Amazon is not a government. Amazon is a private corporate citizen who can CHOOSE what to sell or not sell. This isn’t about the Constitution, folks.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports on why Amazon might not delist the book. It appears that Amazon is deleting reviews of this book. At 11:00 AM there were 71 reviews. When I refreshed the page to see if any had been added – there are only 22 reviews now.
For those concerned about children:
Family Watchdog lets you see if any convicted child molestors live near you
Rainn.org has links to get help for victims, and also information about what you can do to stop child sexual abuse.
Sadly, the exploitation and rape of children isn’t limited to America. Mercy House Kenya uses the power of 3 to help young girls. Do you have $3 a month?
UPDATE 2
Amazon companies and subsidiaries:
Zappos.com
Diapers.com
Abebooks.com
Woot.com
Amazon intends to acquire:
Diapers.com
Soaps.com
What can you do?
I contacted my U.S. Representative to see if they could point me in the right direction. They recommend that citizens contact their state DA or Attorney General and see if it is legal for Amazon to deliver that content in their state (promoting criminal activity).
Also recommended: Contact child/rape advocacy groups (can anyone help me write a press release I can make available for my readers to use?)
Contact city council members or county commissioners – this may cross the line for local “objectionable material” statutes.
Contact media, and make this a PR nightmare for them. I contacted my friend at ABCNews.com and I’ve sent the story to Drudge Report. Get the word out.
If you are boycotting, please let me know in the comments! There is also a petition with almost 200 signatures so far, if you would like to be counted.
UPDATE 6:20 PM
In January, Amazon instantaneously pulled books published by Macmillan over a pricing dispute. Later, they again quickly were able put the books back up for sale in their Kindle store.
So why is the how-to-molest-a-child book still for sale, hours after the outraged calls and emails began?
Karen (1)
Raso @ lasagnarec... (1)
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I have been working on this all day…I heard about it on the stir over at cafemom. I’ve been emailing, and calling, and posting on face book, twitter, etc, and emailing all the news organizations. This story is now being carried by all major news sources by now…and the outrage is all but palpable.
If Amazon doesn’t remove it, THEIR Christmas is going to suck!
Reports that Amazon phone reps are now saying the book is in the process of removal seem to be false. I called and asked and the rep knew what I was talking about (and couldn’t even bring herself to say the title) and told me that Amazon is sticking to the censorship line. This was at 6:15 PM Central DST.
1,284 negative reviews as of 7:20 pm EST
http://www.amazon.com/Pedophiles-Guide-Love-Pleasure-ebook/product-reviews/B0049U4CF6/ref=cm_cr_pr_recent?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending
I posted on my blog the email correspondence I received on the topic from Amazon Seller Support. The Amazon rep opened his email with, “I agree with you,” but clearly, the Brass at Amazon is taking a different tack…
Just wanted you to know that I caught wind of this, this morning and tweeted/facebooked about it, left a comment, emailed, talked to customer service, etc. At the time when I commented there were 18 comments on the Amazon site and rumors that 100 had been deleted. Right now as I type there are 1376. Let’s keep at it ladies!
I agree this is ridiculous. The rest of us would go to jail if we housed and help a criminal, but they can teach criminals how to not get caught seriously?
Just FYI, Amazon also proudly EMPLOYS pedophiles
http://absolutezerounited.blogspot.com/2009/01/i-have-nothing-to-hide.html
It isn’t illegal to publish or sell or write a book about doing illegal things. It’s illegal to do those things! It isn’t even illegal to say that you think people should get to do them or should do them.
I loathe this book, but think that lots of people would also hate and do boycotts around books that I like and think should be available. Amazon doesn’t have to publish everything. But I want y’all to be clear that it’s not illegal to write, talk, or publish if it isn’t a direct threat – ie, of imminent harm.
Even if it’s not illegal, it’s wrong and if we join together we may be able to influence Amazon to get rid of this child molestation manual. They don’t have to sell it.
CNN is now covering this
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/10/amazon-com-book-defending-pedophilia-sparks-boycott-call/?hpt=T2
@badgermama
Actually the Supreme Court says it IS illegal to write a book about doing evil things, if you are encouraging people to do evil things. Brandenburg v. Ohio. 1969.
” The Brandenburg test – Merely teaching or advocating unpopular ideas must be distinguished from teaching or advocating the duty, necessity, or propriety of acting on those beliefs. The right to speak and organize cannot be abridged no matter if the group’s message and purpose are repugnant to American values (such as KKK speech). In order for government to intervene, the speaker must subjectively intend incitement (imminent evil), use words which are likely to produce action (imminent action), and openly encourage or urge incitement (suggesting, for example, it’s a duty to commit a crime).
What about this other actual printed book about “Boy Lovers!”
gross.
http://amzn.to/Molest
Share this link it says it all!
http://amzn.to/Pedophiles
I’ve posted to FB with updates on all I’ve read hope they remove it immediately!
If you want to get in touch with their PR dept, I would suggest trying to find a blogger who has done a giveaway with them (I know I’ve seen them on many giveaway blogs before) or talking with someone with BlogHer. There has GOT to be a way to talk with their PR people besides snail mail. I’m sure someone in the blogosphere has a PR contact over there. I’d also say that people need to start writing emails to influential people in the media and to their local media outlets.
I’ve tweeted and facebooked and posted about this today, as well as left comments on the Amazon site. Thank you so much for compiling this.
None of the links to the book work, so does that mean it’s off?
I have shared the links all over my social media.
Also boycotting Amazon.com indefinitely…maybe forever. There are plenty of online sites to do my ordering thank you.
I’m on the phone with a manager right now as I type….annnnndd…. he just hung up on me.
He told me they are “in the process” of taking the book down. I asked when that would be and he told me he didn’t have that information. I told him I had called Channel 5 news and that I wanted my account canceled. He told me their systems were down and that I should call back in half an hour. I proceeded to tell him that I would, but he hung up on me.
F.A.I.L.!!!
Signing up for barnesandnoble.com affiliate program right now! Thanks for spreading the word, Lisa.
Katie
The word really is spreading.
Sad fact though. The book’s Kindle ranking at 11pm was at #80 …the Bible was #99
12:34 am EST
Amazon has removed the “book”
Looking for something?
We’re sorry. The Web address you entered is not a functioning page on our site
Go to Amazon.com’s Home Page
Just checked Amazon and the link to the book didn’t work….perhaps they’ve taken it down?
Keep fighting for our children!!!!
Emailed O’Reilly earlier tonight…
Oh good lord…. And here is the “free speech” argument at it’s best.
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=123136837746760&id=1804114059
What I would like to know is why this author is running around scot free. He has obviously molested children. Why is he writing a book instead of making license plates?
hi, by Milehimama! I read your article and a few comments of other people, and I know that probabily what I’m gonna say it’s not gonna like you (and probabily you’ll delete it) but I think that all feedback should be considered!
I do desagree with Amazon.com selling this book, and I would like to have it off the site as much as you do, but I just wanna say that in Amazon.com an item cannot be removed really fastly, it requires a HUGE investigation, and it takes a lot of time to do a proper investigation like this one, since there have been so many complaints
I do believe that Amazon.com is doing everything they can to solve this situation, I think is just a matter of time to see the actual outcome
And just an advice to everyone (and it may sound inconsiderate or rude or whatever): if you don’t wanna keep buying from Amazon.com because of this, just give them a call so they can help you close your account, be please be nice and polite, because the people on the phones are not the people responsible for this and they just wanna help you out
I hope you find this post interesting
have a nice day
Oh my, this is outrageous.. We need to do something about it..
Hi again, Milehimama!
I’m glad to say that I just talked to an Amazon.com Chat Associate and he told me that the book is off the site now, I checked it and he was right!
I know that probabily people who closed their accounts won’t come back, but at least this book is not available anymore.
It actually was solved before than I expected, but that’s is actually something awesome.
Also, there’s no words to say how sorry I am for those poeple who felt deeply offended by this, but at least the problem has been solved.
I got an email from amazon this morning at 5:26 am stating that the book is no longer for sale. Tried clicking on the link in your blog, and it goes to nowhere, so I presume that they have removed it. The people have spoken.
It worked my friend! The book is gone (at least for now).
Do you think Amazon might be kind enough to provide local police with the billing information of those who purchased the book? Could purchasing the book be deemed “intent” and therefore an arrestable offence?
I hope all of you remember that Amazon actually refused to take that book down until they were swarmed with calls. In other words, they were willing and eager to help out criminals of the vilest kind as long as it didn’t hurt their bottom line. I encourage you close your accounts and not shop there again.
To Mary: The reason why Amazon.com said they refused to take the book off the site is because they were waiting to an actual resolution. I mean, if the people on the phone just said “Oh yeah, we’re taking the book off the site” without having any oficial information, and it turns out that the book wouldn’t be removed, it’d be a bigger problem.
People on the phones/email/chat were just tell we’d not take off without any information, that’s why they said it was not gonna be taken off.
Again, if you want to close account, I’m not gonna try to stop you, I just wanted you to know about this
Have a nice day
I too posted about this as I find it absolutely reprehensible. And although Amazon has finally pulled the book they still sell other titles that put our children at risk. Including one that targets “lovers of boys.” I’ll never buy from them again.
Excellent post, great resources, and awesome updates. Mine pales in comparison but it was more of a rant. They handled it extremely poorly and they have a long way to go to mend fences with the public. We’ll see how they perform but my hopes aren’t high.
@Lawra Unfortunately, the problem is not solved.
There is still a significant portion of the population who thinks that freedom of speech applies to such criminal activity as child r@pe.
Having this book on their site is simply a symptom.
Anyone else see the other Pedophilia how to books on Amazon? I’ve been told there are more…
You are right. Having this book on their site is simply a symptom. And if Amazon thinks they can get away with it again, they will do it. This is evident by previous Amazon offerings of selling materials that promote illegal activity such as RapeLay that was also removed as a result of consumer outcry. I also understand their is another one out there on child abuse. Their greed is obviously not letting them learn that consumers would be loyal and buy, buy, buy if they could be assured that Amazon had strength of character and was an institution that could be relied on for quality. Amazon would be richer than any of them could imagine. But, I refuse to promote their support of such evil (and they do support it because they had to be coerced to take it off) and I won’t subject myself to continually being their watchdog on my children’s behalf or helping bulk up their paychecks because they have no common sense or even the most base of moral values. I was reading comments from another blog from a young man that had finally faced up to his abuser and the pain was evident in his rebuke. What’s happening America? In the name of freedom, we are allowing all kinds of sicko’s to take advantage of all we hold dear about this country. I ache for my children.
Boycotting Amazon for sure. There areother places to get what I am looking for this holiday season.
I encourage you all to contact the attorney general for your state and request that they press charges. I have included the email address for the Texas Attorney general for those of you who live in Texas and want to report this.
Texas: greg.abbott@oag.state.tx.us
Please continue to let Amazon know that ANY of these books are unacceptable, and that we will boycott until ALL are removed. This book is still available, and only has three comments. If we were successful with the other, we should get this one removed, too. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0967699703?ie=UTF8&redirect=true&ref_=sr_11_1&qid=1033505282&sr=11-1&linkCode=shr&camp=213733&creative=393173&tag=sexualresear-20
To Jennifer and Kim
Well, I do understand that problem is still no solved as many people still thinks that Free Speach supports illegal acts, not just child abuse. I do understand that you’re not gonna buy from Amazon.com again and I do understand you reasons (as I understand all the other people how delete their accounts), and I’m not gonna start an argument about it (because “noone is ever right on the internet”, also I don’t want to disrespect anyone), I just wanna say that since Amazon.com took the book off the site means they care, right?
I will DEFINITLY be discontinuing use of Amazon and all affiliated companies. I have been spreading the word to friends and family (and every other individual I know) and they ALL think this is appalling. For Amazon to clAim that they cannot remove the piece of filth because it would be censorship, and then delete reviews of the book? What did they think that was? I have news for them, that is also censorship! I am very disappointed in Amazon, and they will be losing my business for the holiday and forever after until this atrocity is removed (and the business of every person I can relay this story to). Thank you for your amazing efforts to fight this Titan of a company and for alerting the rest of us -I assure you, you are not alone. You are truly the David against Amazons Goliath.
I just happened upon this from Kitchen Stewardship. This is appalling! I can’t even believe it. I worked for B&N for a few years. The store carried or could get some books that
I used to shop at Amazon pretty regularly, but I just can’t do that anymore. I also have shopped at Alibris.com witch doesn’t sell this particular book but does sell stuff by David Riegel. So I don’t know that I’ll be ordering from them either.
Once people give there new places to buy stuff, maybe you could put us a list so that others have that resource. It’s just so disgusting that any book store would carry such a thing and then defend their position. I’m willing to pay more for stuff to keep my children safe.
Barnes and Noble doesn’t carry that book but does carry stuff by David Riegel
@slawebb Really? I checked yesterday and while it had the book listed it said it was unavailable for sale.
Not sure if anyone here is interested, but I started a Facebook fan page for boycotting Amazon. While it may not do a lot initially, I think it will help spread the word about what amazon is doing. Here’s the link:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Boycott/163396163700946
I am boycotting. I also blogged on this. And contacted the FBI. I filed a full report with the division they referred me to.
I am a former journalist and I write press releases and articles for a living. If I can be of any help, please contact me.
http://wildtomorrowsdarkestnights.blogspot.com/2010/11/pedophiles-guide-towtf.html
I think this is disgusting! I’ve always been a loyal customer of Amazon, practically since the website launched, and even have a credit card with them because I shop so much on their site. I have to say, this SERIOUSLY tarnishes my image of them as a company. I’ve already done most of my Christmas shopping (80% through Amazon!), but there are still a few things I need to buy, and I’m thinking of taking my business elsewhere. I’ll wait to see how they respond to all this–if they issue a sincere apology and don’t re-list the book, I’ll happily remain a loyal customer.
I was wondering if anyone happened to have a screen shot of the amazon book being sold? I am in contact with local law enforcement and I am trying to get them to press charges. If so, could you post the image on Flickr and post the link to the image here on this blog?
Thanks,
Mary
I know a few bloggers bought copies and quoted them on their blogs.
Looks like there are images on BlogHer, as well as the major news services:
http://www.blogher.com/amazonfail-amazon-selling-pedophila-howto
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