New Amazon Review Policy
Allen August 31st, 2004
Amazon.com has a new policy regarding user written reviews:
Important note from Amazon.com: We’ve decided to suspend our normal customer review policies and rules for this title. For example, we usually prohibit ad hominem attacks. That policy in particular seems to be incompatible with presidential election year politics. Therefore, short of obscenities, reviews on this book are now a free-for-all. We take no responsibility for the following discussion. Aren’t presidential election years great? Have fun!
For what books is this new policy in place?
American Dynasty: Aristocracy, Fortune, and the Politics of Deceit in the House of Bush by Kevin Phillips? No.
The Price of Loyalty: George W. Bush, the White House, and the Education of Paul O’Neill by Ron Suskind? No.
Worse Than Watergate: The Secret Presidency of George W. Bush by John W. Dean? No.
House of Bush, House of Saud: The Secret Relationship Between the World’s Two Most Powerful Dynasties by Craig Unger? No.
Against All Enemies: Inside America’s War on Terror by Richard A. Clarke? No.
Bait and Switch: Human Rights and U.S. Foreign Policy (Global Horizons) by Julie A. Mertus? No.
Bushwhacked : Life in George W. Bush’s America by Molly Ivins? No.
The Lies of George W. Bush: Mastering the Politics of Deception by David Corn? No.
Dude, Where’s My Country? by Michael Moore? No.
Stupid White Men : …And Other Sorry Excuses for the State of the Nation! by Michael Moore? No.
A Call to Service: My Vision for a Better America by John Kerry? No.
Tour of Duty : John Kerry and the Vietnam War by Douglas Brinkley? Closer, but no.
Unfit for Command: Swift Boat Veterans Speak Out Against John Kerry by John E. O’Neill? Yes.
I’m stunned. I think Amazon shouldn’t let spittle-lipped wackos write any reviews. Doing so only lowers the level of discourse. Amazon should remain in the driver’s seat with regard to user written reviews. Such editorial control is not squashing of free speech. Go read the 1st Amendment again if you think so.
But to allow such “reviews” for only one book? I’m stunned.
- Books
- Comments(0)