CPAC - About Amazon & NAMBLA

Update: October 28, 1999

Amazon removed the direct links from its domain (user interface) site-page to "Join" NAMBLA and to PRD Journals late Wednesday, October 27, 1999 -- after media contacted the company and arranged to speak with Amazon on the issues raised (repeatedly). Media informed us that the recent turn of events is unprecedented -- in Amazon's history.

While we appreciate the removal of the links, we are also cautiously optimistic -- since the position taken by Amazon previously had been to invite consumer "feedback" (and the company had presented an avenue for doing such on its domain), yet appeared to respond with nothing more than a form letter that didn't as much as touch on the subjects about which we had raised.

We are hopeful that Amazon will be more receptive to receiving input from consumers in the future, and will respond to what is actually written as opposed to reading into what is stated, and, then, offering a generic/standard reply to all. We thank the media for the attention it has given this matter: Children's safety compromised by pro-pedophilia being brokered by any company; and we encourage all consumers to make informed choices prior to purchase through any company. We (along with a number of consumers, who also wrote) have and will continue to put children and their safety before total sales and/or profit, and we invite companies to do the same continuously and consistently.

Thank you, Amazon, for removing the links we cited, and thank you everyone who supported the effort devoted to seeing it done -- and within seven days from when we presented the request.

Background Information
on Amazon.com & its direct link to NAMBLA

The following thoughts evolved from (and relate directly to) Amazon.com linking itself to "Join" NAMBLA (North American Man/Boy Love Association); Amazon was apprised that we would launch a consumer boycott -- since Amazon.com chooses to remain linked to that pro-pedophile organization, and similar groups that strive to advance pedophilia. When it appeared that Amazon had mis-read our original message, we politely suggested that it be read once again to be certain that the company understood what we had stated and requested; it is a red-herring for anyone to suggest that we have endeavored toward censorship of titles being sold. Amazon replied (twice), and with responses that did not even address the subject(s) about which we had written: the request that the link from the company to "Join" NAMBLA be removed. Our original message, and Amazon's response (transmitted by two different people at Amazon) appears after these thoughts, with direct links to NAMBLA omitted since we object to sending people to pro-pedophile groups:

By Irene Rittenhouse

     I have been sitting here, baking a cake, and arguing with myself about freedom of speech...and, the more I think, the more convinced I am that we are doing the right thing...I do not believe that NAMBLA has any more right to sell its book at Amazon (and have links to its main page), any more than a smut writer of fiction about sex with minors would have a right to do so.

     I have also been giving a great deal of thought to what we, as a group, are attempting to do...and isn't this, on a smaller scale, what groups have attempted in previous cases of "wrongs"? Is this any different than speaking out about hidden land mines? Things that harm children, harm children. Period.

     And finally, even tho we are approaching this more as netizens, as opposed to citizens of the U.S., I am struck by the similarities of our nation's past...from the Boston Tea Party...to the Revolutionary War, to protests against the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, and even the anti-abortion people, our nation has always allowed and in some ways encouraged those who feel strongly to speak out, and act...as long as the "action" was a legal one.

     And, with all the talk of human rights, this one is most basic: To protect the children...not just a right, but an instinct...built in to every human being who were once a child themselves.

     And that...led me to the quote below...said 38 years ago...but seems to apply here...

Jan 21, 1961

Let the word go forth from this time and place. . . to friend and foe alike. . .
that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans. . . born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage. . . and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today. . . at home and around the world.

By Pamella (BlackWolf)

     Without even thinking about this statement, I can honestly say you have put into words why I have always been a rebel fighting the good fight even when the world was against me. I have always believed very strongly in the First Amendment rights -- the way they were meant to be used and fight for the rights of all people to use this way when what they are doing is for the best but not at the expense of others. All have rights including mothers and parents whom love their children.

     Today at work one of the sales people said that his wife warns him about letting the grandchildren run lose at a football game, and how sad I felt to know children today can't even have fun at a football game without us thinking our children could be stolen from us....I overheard this and he does not know I fight the pedo fight...SAD that our children's rights of freedom to be children have been taken from them because of child molesters and pedophiles.

By DarkMedicine

     In my book they are Maggots! Every one of them. Maggots devouring the very souls of our children. Eating away at their youth and their pubescence until all that's left is a carcas...a skeleton...a ghost of what once was innocence.

By S. Schmidt

     We fight this because we know in our hearts it's a "wrong." Someone, sometime has to stand up and call "b---sh---." This time is our turn.

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."-Mahatma Ghandi

"Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes." -Mahatma Ghandi

Buy the Way...
about Amazon
Copyright © 1999. All Rights Reserved.

NAMBLA, an acronym for North American Man/Boy Love Association, which advocates for the decriminalization of pedophilia (still very much a crime in this country), has a direct link from Amazon pages, and it is the top site of 22 listed and linked....

HOW TO JOIN NAMBLA
JOIN US TODAY! NAMBLA's goal is to end the oppression of men and boys who have mutually consensual relationships. We are working to improve public information, to gain public understanding of the ...
URL: http . . . . join.htm

The domain poses a threat to the safety and well-being of minor-age males via NAMBLA's web presence and solicitation for increased membership on its pages -- to which Amazon.com has chosen to link.

While we (the undersigned) have read and comprehend the disclaimer cited by Amazon for visitors to your site and using search functions, the aspect we don't understand is why Amazon has selected to link to NAMBLA's site-page specifically designated for drawing membership to that organization. We know, Amazon doesn't necessarily endorse NAMBLA or its aim to elevate the number of members within its ranks; we only see that Amazon has linked for those who do wish to contemplate their option to join NAMBLA. Yet this is the front page for the pro-pedophilia organization NAMBLA [link cited, yet omitted from text on this page].

Our purpose in writing is to request that the link to NAMBLA's membership page (and any to NAMBLA) be reconsidered and removed. As long as the "Join" NAMBLA page remains linked from Amazon, we will be inviting others to join us in purchasing titles from an outlet not associated with Amazon.com. Your company may not endorse or believe in NAMBLA -- as relayed in the statement by your company that has generic application to all sites located by using the search function at Amazon -- but NAMBLA, as a politicized organization with an agenda specifically advantageous only to adult men wanting to engage in sexual acts with boys -- sets that site far apart from (and deeply beneath) most.

Surely, someone at Amazon must have visited the NAMBLA domain, read its pages, and used search options available on the Internet to locate sites relating information about that pro-pedophile group before the link to "Join" NAMBLA was placed on Amazon pages. Given that research must have been done, we find it curious that there appears to be a lack of reference (as displayed by the links) to increase awareness about the following (facts):

NAMBLA (North American Man/Boy Love Association): NAMBLA materials were discovered in the possesion of two men suspected of abducting and murdering 10-year-old Jeffrey Curley (Cambridge, MA) Oct. 1, 1997; the two suspects, Charles Jaynes and Salvatore Sicari, have since been convicted (1998) for killing Jeffrey:

Sicari found guilty in Curley murder, receives life sentence [link removed]

Child Killer Given Life in Prison: Murdered Boy for Refusing Sex [link removed]

Man Guilty of Killing Mass. Boy: Convicted of Murdering Then Molesting 10-year-old [link removed]

On more than one occasion, suspects arrested (with sentences resulting) were discovered to have had NAMBLA literature in their possession when acts were committed against (minor-age) boys. The organization is not nebulous in its goals, in its beliefs and in its endorsement of pedophilia; its intent is to attempt convincing the public that such illegal conduct is acceptable and that minor age boys may consent to acts initiated by adult sexual predators. That is the crux of the group's philosophy paraphrased:

"An Introduction to NAMBLA: Who We Are"
http://www . . . . welcome.htm
".... We call for fundamental reform of the laws regarding relations between youths and adults. Today, many thousands of men and boys are unjustly ground into the disfunctional [sic] criminal justice system. Blindly, this system condemns consensual, loving relationships between younger and older people. NAMBLA's Prisoner Program, with limited resources, works to provide a modicum of humanity to some of these people.... We provide factual information and help educate society about the positive and beneficial nature of man/boy love."

NAMBLA's Prisoner Program
http://www . . . . prisoner.htm
"Our prisoner program seeks to provide moral support to incarcerated boy-lovers...."

Does NAMBLA support Charles Jaynes and Salvatore Sicari sentenced for killing Jeffrey now that they are incarcerated? NAMBLA, as seen through the eyes of others: http://www.flni.org/archive/nambla/nambla.htm

In light of NAMBLA, its aspirations, and its risk to boys, we are requesting that the link from Amazon to NAMBLA be terminated since educating or informing people about NAMBLA, its history, its goals and its painful and negative effects in boys' lives is not accomplished by Amazon giving people a link to possibly joining that pro-pedophile group and mindset (which has proved itself quite harmful -- and deadly in some cases -- to minor-age boys).

How to locate the link from Amazon.com to NAMBLA [access information was cited in message sent, and omitted here].

2. PRD - Journals
[ Up ] Journals This file contains information about
journals. About the following journals we have separate
files: NAMBLA Bulletin Uncommon Desires Newsletter
Paidika The following is an ...
URL: http://www . . . . :80/pages/prd/jour/index.html

As long as Amazon.com links to NAMBLA and the #2 link (of 22), we will openly and actively encourage people to purchase books, movies, tapes, etc., through a different outlet -- not linked to NAMBLA and with a generic disclaimer, most insulting to those who do understand NAMBLA and its effects in the lives of children and their (non-abusive) adult care-givers, prosecutors, and law enforcement. Free Paed Cooperative, site "2" of the "22" listed as search matches, hosts sites/pages under its auspices which Amazon had previously determined were not suitable to be enjoined in the affiliate program and Amazon terminated that affiliation, yet retains a link that will transport visitors to pages hosted by fpc.... That reflects a conflicting stance taken by Amazon, and one that warrants removal of that link, as well.

We have taken the liberty of informing others, with an active interest in children's and public safety, of our request for the termination of pro-pedophile links from your company, and we look forward to your response.

From: feedback@amazon.com
Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1999 00:25:38 -0700 (PDT)
To: Children's Protection & Advocacy Coalition
Subject: Your Amazon.com Feedback
from-address: feedback@amazon.com

Please know that we appreciate your concerns. Amazon.com does not promote or condone pedophilic acts.

As you know, we sell more than 4.7 million titles about a wide variety of topics; we do not endorse any opinions expressed by individual authors, musical artists, or filmmakers. Our role as a retailer is to sell books, music, videos, and other products, not to censor them.

We value all feedback from our customers, and I thank you again for taking the time to send us your comments about this issue.

[ Name Omitted ]
Amazon.com
Earth's Biggest Selection
[ link omitted ]

Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1999 04:29:55 -0700
To: feedback@amazon.com
From: Children's Protection & Advocacy Coalition
Subject: Re: Your Amazon.com Feedback
In-Reply-To: <199910210725.AAA29140@cs-purus.amazon.com>

Dear Amazon,

The response received is confused, considering we had not written about a title sold through Amazon, but about Amazon's link to "Join" NAMBLA. We hadn't asked that any title being sold be censored, only that the link to "Join" NAMBLA be removed along with the one linking to a domain which Amazon had previously determined is not appropriate for affiliation. Please re-read the original message sent (and it is copied below, as well). [ For brevity: Amazon's reply -- cited above -- as well as the copy of the original message that had been sent to Amazon are omitted from this page.]

From: feedback@amazon.com
Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1999 08:25:39 -0700 (PDT)
To: Children's Protection & Advocacy Coalition
Subject: Your Feedback to Amazon.com
from-address: feedback@amazon.com

Please know that we appreciate your concerns. Amazon.com does not promote or condone pedophilic acts.

We value all feedback from our customers, and I thank you again for taking the time to send us your comments about this issue.

Text/Images Copyright © 2000. All Rights Reserved.
Contact the CPAC.

Coming Soon...
NAMBLA Exposed

Musing...
and making a difference
Copyright © 1999. All Rights Reserved.

Buy the Way...
about Amazon
Copyright © 1999. All Rights Reserved.

Text/Images Copyright © 2000. All Rights Reserved. Contact the CPAC. Coming Soon... NAMBLA Exposed

Musing... and making a difference Copyright © 1999. All Rights Reserved.

Buy the Way... about Amazon Copyright © 1999. All Rights Reserved.

Text/Images Copyright © 2000. All Rights Reserved.
Contact the CPAC.

Coming Soon...
NAMBLA Exposed

Musing...
and making a difference
Copyright © 1999. All Rights Reserved.

Buy the Way...
about Amazon
Copyright © 1999. All Rights Reserved.