Opinion Piece

Hello faithful reader!


Today's posting is not going to be related to anything cool or fun that my son did (he did bring home his Halloween bat from school today....it's really cool!).  No - today's posting is about corporate responsibility, and how some companies would appear to place more value on money, than actual values.


Wow - that's pretty heavy you must be thinking right now.  I know, I know....you've come to expect all my writings to be uplifting and funny.  


Please bare with me - and I'm sure you'll be just fine with where I'm headed with this. If you're not - well....that's okay too.


Here we go:


Today I became aware of the fact that Amazon.com is selling a book that can only be best described as a "How To" manual for pedophiles.


Stop for a second and let that sink in before you continue to read.


Yes.  You read that correctly.  An actual "How To" guide for pedophiles.  If you're feeling a sense of anger deep in the pit of your stomach....then welcome to the club.  I am mad about this - and I'm going to try and use this new fangled Internet thingy to see if Amazon will reverse its decision about carrying this book.  If social media has the power to get Rogers to give some lady a deal on an iPhone when her contract renews...then perhaps my blog can do the same with Amazon (not giving me an iPhone deal...I'm a Blackberry guy....but to reverse it's decision about carrying this 'book')?


Here's a link for the book on Amazon.com - Click here for a peek at the reviews.  I'm posting this here so that other people can see with their own eyes that this 'book' does in fact exist.  I'm trying to be as fair as possible here - it's not easy because there's a lot of nasty things I really want to say.  But I'll take the high road on this - venting and swearing is not going to lend credibility to my position.  A reasonable response to Amazon's email to me might.


Yes - I actually called them.  When I first became aware of the book - it was from a link to an MSNBC article on Facebook.  I too added to the discussion - in as a polite and well thought out way as I could muster (I was good.  Some weren't). 


I figured that I needed to do more than just say on Facebook that I was going to close my account.  Lots of people said that.  I wanted my response to this situation to have some meaning and impact.


So - I called them.  And I had a great discussion with a charming lady at Amazon.  She was as mortified as I was.  She totally understood why I felt carrying this 'book' was just a bad idea.  She put me on hold for a bit so that she could find out more.  I waited for 5 minutes and she came back with the response that Amazon's position was 'under review'.  Ok I said - thanks for listening to me, and hearing me out.  It was a civilized discussion (no sense in ruining her day....she just answers the phone) and I enjoyed speaking with her.


A few hours later, I received the following email from Amazon.  My responses are interspersed in bold, and in Trebuchet font.


Thank you for writing to Amazon.ca with your concerns. I understand that you feel very strongly about this issue.


Wrong.  I called Amazon.com.  I did not email Amazon.ca.  At least try and make me think that you heard me when I called.

Let me assure you that Amazon.ca does not support or promote hatred or criminal acts; we do support the right of every individual to choose his or her own reading material or entertainment.


Wrong.  Making a book available that allows an author to promote pedophilia is an act that promotes hatred and/or a criminal act.  There is no love involved in that type of act.  And last I heard - it was certainly illegal.  And for the record...no.  I've never been a victim of sexual abuse, but I know people who are - and their lives are forever scared by the experience.  


I'd just like to see Amazon exercise some judgement that places the well being of children over that of profit.  Amazon makes a lot of money already - do they really need to profit off of this type of material?

As a retailer, our goal is to provide customers with the broadest selection possible so they can find, discover, and buy any item they might be seeking. That selection includes some items which many people may find objectionable. Therefore, the items offered on our website represent a wide spectrum of opinions on a variety of topics.


Ok - no problem there.  Typical self promoting boilerplate.  I have to wonder though...can I order a copy of the Anarchist's Cookbook from Amazon?  How about how to build a nuclear bomb in my backyard?  Some might find those types of books enjoyable as well.

Amazon.ca 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.ca doesn't endorse opinions expressed by individual authors, musical artists, or filmmakers.


A lawyer clearly wrote this paragraph.  Amazon absolves themselves or responsibility - but still provides a book that says, "hey....we're not into what you're into - but here's a book to get you started".  


So Amazon....I too am freely expressing my view...and if I use your logic I'm all good.  Right?

We value all feedback from our customers, and I thank you again for taking the time to send us your comments about this issue. Although we won't be able to comment further on this topic, we hope you'll allow us to continue to serve you.


Ok - that's great!  They want me as a customer.  

Did we answer your question?


No.  I never asked any questions.  I was expressing my disgust with your selection of reading material.

If yes, please click here:

If not, please click here:

Please note: this e-mail was sent from an address that cannot accept incoming e-mail.


Not surprising.  I'm sure they're getting a lot of flack at the moment.  

To contact us about an unrelated issue, please visit the Help section of our web site.


Well - I will have one final contact.  It will be when I close my account for good.  I'll buy my books from Chapters.ca or Barnes & Noble from now on.

Best regards,

As the parent of a special needs child - I need to be extra vigilant when it comes this type of thing.  My son is very trusting.  He has a hard time understanding that anyone would ever want to do him any harm.  His heart is pure gold - and he believes that everyone in the world is as nice and warm as he is.  To him - there are no bad people.  Only those who like animals - and those who don't.  I will do everything and anything in my power to keep him safe from the sick perverted freaks that walk among us.  And that's why I'm doing more than just complaining on a Facebook wall about it.  I have to.  And if Amazon want to sue me for this posting?  I wish they wouldn't - but if they do?  Well....my principles are worth more than any money I might have saved away for my son's future.  If I have to lose everything I own so that I can protect him from the likes of the people who buy that sort of book....so be it.  I don't see that as being likely though...the publicity alone would hurt them more than me....and I'd likely make a ton of dough from people visiting my blog and clicking on the Google ads.


If I've learned anything in my life its this:  


When a friend begins to demonstrate values that do not mirror your own - it's time to move on.  That's a hard lesson to learn at times, but I've mastered it now.  I'm sorry Amazon - I considered you a good friend....always willing to take my order at any hour of the day or night, offer me a fabulous selection of reading material - and have it shipped to me quickly.  You were always there when I needed you...and you never complained when I didn't have time for you.  But this?  No.  I'm sorry...the values you demonstrate in making this book available to the masses simply does not work for me.  I wish you well...but it's time for us to part ways.


Good bye Amazon.