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AP Photo
In an age where the ethics and morality of executives have been called into ever greater question, where the means justify the end, and extracting the very last penny from the marketplace is more important than making ethically and morally sound decisions, it should come as no surprise that Amazon.com would rather make a few more pennies than take a stand against animal abuse and cruelty.
In the last few weeks, the press has been reporting that Amazon.com was selling Feathered Warrior, a cockfighting magazine. However, today’s perusal of Amazon.com’s choices also reveals such “great” reading as:
- The Game Cock: From The Shell To The Pit - A Comprehensive Treatise On Gameness, Selecting, Mating, Breeding, Walking and Conditioning, etc. (History of Cockfighting Series) - $40.45
- The Art of Cockfigthing – A Handbook for Beginners and Old Timers - $34.99
- Cockfighters: The Interviews (DVD) - $85
- Handling and Nursing the Gamecock - $26.95
- The Game Cock – Being a Practical Treatise on Breeding, Rearing, Training, Feeding, Trimming, Mains, Heeling, Spurs, etc. - $26.95
(See, the link to Amazon.com's "choice" literature below)
Cockfighting is an “activity” involving two roosters thrown into a pit, called a cockpit, to fight -- sometimes to the death. These are birds specially bred for aggressiveness toward other males, stamina and strength and are “equipped” with 3-inch long razor-sharp metal or plastic spurs, resembling curved ice-picks, which the birds are taught to aggressively use. Fights can last from a few minutes to over half an hour and usually results in the death of the one or both of the “combatants.” Common injuries include punctured lungs, broken bones, and pierced eyes.
Cockfighting is illegal in all 50 states, and transporting the birds or cockfighting paraphernalia across state lines is now a federal offense. Of course, that is not say that cockfighting (much like dog fighting) does not go on. Law enforcement has connected cockfighting to drug use and distribution, as well as acts of violence. However, the primary purpose of cockfighting is gambling and thousands of dollars can be wagered on a single fight.
Amazon.com, led by its CEO Jeff Bezos, has argued that it has a right to sell these items under the Free Speech clause of the Constitution. However, Mr. Bezos forgets that just because you have a “right” does not make it “right.” Perhaps Mr. Bezos believes that the means justifies the end, and damn the moral or ethical stance, when it comes to increasing Amazon.com’s balance sheet and, no doubt, his personal bank account.
For the fiscal year of 2008, Amazon.com reported that revenues increased by 39% to a total of $14.84B (yes, billions), while profits increased by 69% to a total of $655MM. Amazon.com does not break revenues and profits it makes on each item it sells.
The Humane Society of the United States provides a link to send Mr. Bezos an email requesting that he stop selling animal cruelty books and DVDs (see the link below).
Comments
You have it right Amazon does have the right to sell them under the free speech right. The ARA's dont have the right to take it away just cause thy feel differently. Plain and simple.
I think people can read what they want to.The HSUS some think they are runing this country are something.Don't try and take my freedon.I can read what I want.M Bezos,your doing a good job and save what you want.
Next the HSUS will say they don't like Boxing so Amazon.com should take every book about Roy Jones Jr. off the shelves....
The HSUS is full of a bunch of want-a-be dicktators... They want America to do exactly as they say....
Mr. Ruiz: Just wanted to thank you for deciding for me what I can read and what I am not allowed to see. I surely do appreciate your kindness in taking time to examine all the books and magazines in the world and sort them all out for me. You are doing a great job along with the HSUS of crushing other people's rights just because they don't agree with the way you may think. By the way, how about all those pornographic videos on eBay; am I allowed to watch those? Thanks again for your hard work!
Lucky for socialist thinking people like yourself that we still have a constitution to protect what few rights we have left against some parasitic individuals who by their words alone pretend to contribute to society.
I think that Mr.Jean -Pierre Ruiz sould worry about something more important.I bet Jean Pierre doesn't give a damn about protecting the animals anyway.The HSUS burns the animals when they confiscate them.How is that protecting the animals?Amazon should be able to sell what ever they please. I read what I want when ever I please. What's this world coming to?Mr Jean-Pierre Ruiz needs to hassel someone else.
Wow HSUS is trying to dictate what people can read or look at....how much longer before they start to dictate what you can or cannot buy........
Of the books, magazines listed in your article, four of the five are from fifty to eighty years old. These are historical in nature and no longer practical for functional use. The DVD is simply interviews with old time cockfighters who happen to still be alive. Should Amazon also pull all books on slavery in America since that too was cruel but has been eradicated??? Mr. Ruiz - get a life!!!
I sure that Mr. Ruiz does care about these animals or he would not have written this article in the first place. I find the comment about Amazon being allowed to sell whatever they please interesting, did you really think that through?
I believe there is this little amendment to our great constitution that provides for freedom of press, speech, religion and the like. Take this crap somewhere else or better yet don't say anything at all. I'd like to know how much the HSUS paid you to write this little piece? Some journalist.......
I recognize you cutrite. You post regularly at gamerooster.com. It's good to see other cockfighters coming in and posting to help defend our cruel, criminal subculture. Keep up the good work!
PS, Cutrite, you still selling meth? I could use a hook up.
Though I agree with the right for freedom of speech I do think that one does need to check their ethics in their business practices. I suppose all of you above would also condone books on how to be a petafile, how to entice kids into your car, what tools to use to render them unconscious or a video that gives detail of actions one could take? Written or produced 50 years ago or now it would still be a contribution to crime, inflicting pain torture and horrible death upon another. There is a reason this is illegal. It does make me wonder where one's heart is that would defend the literature. Again I agree with freedom of speech and I also agree that one needs to open their heart and check their conscience and take responsibility for what they contribute to the world--more pain or support toward the freedom of health, kindness and love?
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