Amazon offering how-to guide for pedophiles
The book has stirred a lot of controversy, but Amazon stands by its decision to sell the title
Show of hands: who wishes that there were more implements in place to protect child pornographers?
Anyone?
Well, as it turns out, Amazon is toeing the line with a new book that it’s offering for the Kindle: The Pedophile’s Guide to Love and Pleasure. Yes, that’s the title. The book, written by Philip R. Graves II (which means there's a first) comes with the description: "This is my attempt to make pedophile situations safer for those juveniles that find themselves involved in them, by establishing certian rules for these adults to follow. I hope to achieve this by appealing to the better nature of pedosexuals, with hope that their doing so will result in less hatred and perhaps liter sentences should they ever be caught."
That's not a typo. He said "liter" and "certian."
To be fair—where is the “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus” for pedophiles?
I wish the title were a joke, but it’s really not. In fact, it’s pretty unfunnily grotesque. It’s a serious how-to for child molesters. The book was published on October 28 and it has garnered some 1,700 customer reviews, including:
“Federal agent’s opinion” (probably not super positive)
“Done with Amazon. Co-conspirators in child porn. Closing account now”
“Appalled”
“Horrified”
“Sickening”
“Disgraceful, Amazon!”
“Shame on Amazon”
“Boycott Amazon”
“WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG”
And then a few joking reviews, like one titled “WOW” that reads: “this book was really something else…it’s so refreshing to hear a new perspective on an issue like that. And all the tips included are really helpful!!”
And then some buzzkill reviewer cited Voltaire: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
What does Amazon have to say for itself? The company claims that it is defending free speech: “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.”
Yes, we are all defenders of free speech, and we are all more than happy to get up on our soap boxes to defend free speech. But can we all please agree to draw the line at books that teach readers how to sexually assault children and not get caught? Because as MUCH as Amazon would like to claim that it is simply defending free speech, someone will use this guide to actually carry out the molestation of a child, and then Amazon’s lofty principles will not be any consolation to those hurt by such predators.
Several reviewers have come to Amazon’s defense, insisting that freedom of speech is a right that all Americans should enjoy, regardless of whether or not they are child molesters.
“Free speech is an awesome right enjoyed in this country,” wrote Todd Kenna from Santa Cruz, California. “Many fine men and woman have fought and died to protect that right. No matter how immoral the speech, how vile, how rude, it is still free speech.”
I’m going to go out on a limb and say that those find men and woman (apparently there was just one) who fought and died to protect free speech did not know that they were dying for snippets like this: “When precautions are needed, however, standard condoms go a long way. Unfortunately, they are much too big to fit boys younger than thirteen.”
Who wouldn’t take a bullet for a gem like that?
Image source: Amazon.com