BOYCOTT AMAZON.COM IN ITS SUPPORT OF COCKFIGHTING!

I had to see it for myself. I can not believe, that one of the top sellers on the net would support this kind of thing! I am so glad I never bought from them and now I NEVER will!

They not only had *** fight but dog fighting too.

They not only had *** fight but dog fighting too.

While the poultry fighting has NO excuse, the dog fighting book was actually a semi-rare, historical book written a LONG time ago and was being sold as that.... sort of like (at least to me) stores continuing to sell Mein Kamph.....not promoting, but keeping around a historical book even though it presents views abhorrent to most people.

But I agree....this is blatant promotion and NOT good.... 

 It certainly seems as though Amazon could make just as much money selling publications and DVD's that DON'T deal with this subject.  So, from now on, all my biz goes to dogwise.com and tawzer dog videos.

Their reply blows and does nothing to make me want to continue patronizing them.  Controversial is one thing, illegal is another altogether.  I hope they lose their case and spend lots of money doing it.  They won't get another penny from me! 

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

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 choose his or her own reading material or entertainment.

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 web site represent a wide spectrum of opinions on a variety of topics.

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 web site. However, Amazon.com doesn't endorse opinions expressed by individual authors, musical artists, or filmmakers.  

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.

Please let us know if this e-mail resolved your question:

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Amazon.com Customer Service

the reply smacks of "business as usual" .... they're in the business to sell books... not support an individual moral belief. 

isnt cockfighting still legal in Louisiana? i saw a doc. on tv called Taboo about it.... maybe thats also how they justify it?
 

lol and anyway i cant afford to BUY any books right now so boycotting is easy. if i can find it at the library i'm doing great lol 

I've not ever purchased from Amazon.  Their sale of materials which promote exploitation of women and children, racial hatred, and religious violence has since their inception gone beyond the pale of "support of free speech."  They are not the only online company which does so, either.

I purchase my books from companies which promote the subject of the book in question, or directly from the author/publisher when possible (I have to watch they don't use an Amazon storefront).   One doesn't always get the best prices, but like purchasing produce and meats from local growers, the extra money is worth the sleep it buys at night, not to mention knowing one isn't contributing that much to the misery in the world. 

In the case of buying local grown, pasture raised, hormone free, the payoff in health bennies are almost immediate.  In the case of contacting authors of obscure books who market through Amazon, I've had the chance to have some neat conversations with super people.

DumDog

isnt cockfighting still legal in Louisiana? i saw a doc. on tv called Taboo about it.... maybe thats also how they justify it?

It is until the law voted in September 2007 (RS 14:102.23) comes into effect on August 15, 2008. It was a pretty big deal to have this passed since cockfighting was defended by the interested parties as both a cultural tradition and an important source of income for a segment of our population. They ended up decididing to give a year prior notice before the law got into effect to give people whose livelihood was based on cockfighting an opportunity to find another way to make money.

However, in my parish, the local authorities had decided way before that to make cockfighting illegal. The ordinance was passed in 1987 and was challenged as unconstitutional most recently in 2004. The first two rulings supported this stance but were overturned by the Louisiana Supreme Court in 2006 which made it possible for the Sheriff to continue to enforce the ordinance.

brookcove

Their sale of materials which promote exploitation of women and children, racial hatred, and religious violence

I couldn't disagree, more.

Fahrenheit 451 anyone? 

BCMixs

Amazon.com believes it is censorship not to sell certain titles because we believe their message is objectionable.

I completely, 1000%, agree with this line. I don't agree with banning ANY books, and yeah, that includes books that promote cockfighting and dog fighting. Just because you read a book about something doesn't mean you'll go out and do it. I firmly believe everyone should have access to books and information about ALL subject matter, even if it's illegal, immoral, or otherwise objectionable.

Boycotting Amazon, because they sell cockfighting books, is IMO, not only useless but ridiculous. What about the fact that so many millions of people take issue with Harry Potter? Should Amazon quit selling that series? What about books bashing the president? I know there are millions of people who think it's unpatriotic, should Amazon quit selling them? Where does it end??

Would you support the right of NAMBLA to sell books and videos there as well?  How about a how-to book from pedophiles on the best approaches to get kids off playgrounds and into your car?  I had this same debate in my 1st Amendment class with several students and you're right, reading something doesn't necessarily make you go out and commit the acts you read about, but if you're a wanna be, it sure gives you some great ideas where you may have none.  I don't think Amazon should be selling material that advocates and instructs illegal behavior, such as bomb making, child raping or animal fighting.  Whether they have a 1st amendment right to or not is a decision for the 9 SC judges to decide.  Luckily, those 9 men don't govern where I spend my money or how I make my feelings know with that money and my patronage of different corporations. 

ETA: If I recall correctly, white store owners were within their rights to refuse service to blacks once upon a time.  Regardless of whether it is legal or not doesn't make it right and boycotting that which we don't agree with is an American tradition. 

 If the book is legal to print and distribute, I support ANYONE who sells the material. I am not a legal scholar, so I can't address the legality of c*ockfighting books, but as long as they are legal I will proudly support a bookseller that stands for freedom of information.

And you won't find me supporting the HSUS. Snort. They should do animals a favor and find another issue to lobby. 

 It is illegal:

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/ts_search.pl?title=18&sec=48 

      (a) Creation, Sale, or Possession. - Whoever knowingly creates,
    sells, or possesses a depiction of animal cruelty with the
    intention of placing that depiction in interstate or foreign
    commerce for commercial gain, shall be fined under this title or
    imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.

Legality aside, they are a public corporation, selling materials and attempting to engage in commerce with consumers.  Those consumers have the right to exercise their freedom to purchase or not purchase based on a corporation's activities and whether that consumer supports or abhors the company's practices.  Many people boycott Walmart, fur and meat for various moral or political reasons.  I choose to boycott Amazon for this reason. They're not concerned about the First Amendment, they're concerned about making money.  They've dropped other materials for reasons such as German law and pressure from Laura Schlesinger fans.   

I agree with Dogma. I support Amazon and anyone else in selling any book that is legal, whether I'm disgusted by the subject matter or not. That includes dog fighting, cockfighting, child molestation, bomb-making..if they're legal to publish and sell (and really, I have no clue if they are or aren't, but I can't imagine Amazon selling anything illegal).

chelsea_b

I agree with Dogma. I support Amazon and anyone else in selling any book that is legal, whether I'm disgusted by the subject matter or not. That includes dog fighting, cockfighting, child molestation, bomb-making

Let me make this clear.  I think Amazon has the right to sell whatever legal materials they want.  Saying that is not support.  Support is going ahead and giving money to these companies - this is something my conscience cannot allow.

I have the right to purchase my reading material, and other things Amazon sells, from people I think should get my money.  That includes local book stores, family businesses, producers of humanely raised meat and dairy products, local farmers rather than agricorps, supplement companies who do not exploit local producers or damage ecosystems, petroleum products from friendly countries.  I can't always make the right choices, but when it's within my power, I'll go with my conscience.

I'm a conservative but I'm a real crunchy one.  I'll take my second amendment gun and defend to the death, my right to wear Birkenstocks, build me a windmill, and purchase dairy and eggs from the hormone-free farmer around the corner from me.  And feed my dogs the way I want, and raise my own food and teach my children how to do the same.

PS:  I don't actually own a gun.  Not with children in the house.  I don't even allow my kids to play in homes where guns are kept.  That's another right I have, the right to choose my children's playmates.