Why we should boycott Simon & Schuster
August 14, 2008 | Filed Under Election 2008, Credos, Seriously | 1 Comment
Once upon a time, long ago and far away, when at least a thin thread of ethics ran through reputable American publishing houses, publishers actually cared (and checked) whether the non-fiction books they published were factual. Not any more.
Why should you care? Apart from the rare American who hungers for facts and intelligence, perhaps most people don’t care. But put yourself in the position of the person being libelled. If a book was published with completely undocumented and unverifiable assertions-what we would call “lies” on our planet–about you, what would you do? By the time you sued, the damage would be done.
“Obama Nation,” debunked by reputable sources everywhere as a pack of lies, was published by Simon & Schuster’s Threshold Editions, a division run by Mary Matalin, the former aide to Vice President Dick Cheney and a publishing conduit for the conservative fringe. Matalin is the solitary voice claiming the book to be a good work of scholarship even though real scholars have discredited the “author,” Jerome Corsi.
In short, Simon & Schuster has demonstrated that it is willing to publish libel. Traditionally, publishers check facts before publishing. Think about what would happen if you asked them to publish your fine manuscript asserting that George W. Bush has had a long-running affair with Cindy McCain, Arnold Schwartzenegger, and several dead people, complete with quotes and bogus footnotes (Mr Corsi cites his own works as well as other discredited “sources”). How about a potential money-maker about how John McCain was never even in Vietnam during the war but was instead doing drag shows in Columbus, Ohio? Hmmm. Would that get past the editors? Ms Matalin? So, let’s just cut to the cha$se and boycott Simon & Schuster. Why would we pay money to a publisher when the goods are inauthentic?
Repeat: Boycott Simon & Schuster. If you’d like to tell them why you are boycotting them, fill out a Customer Service form, or write a letter to:
Simon & Schuster, Inc.1230 Avenue of the AmericasNew York, NY 10020
If you are interested in a the facts that are subverted in Corsi’s trashy book, check out “Unfit for Publication,” or the Media Matters for America Web site.
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Simon & Schuster divisions/imprints include: Atria Books, Beyond Words Publishing, Free Press, Howard Books, Kaplan, Pocket Books, Scribner, Strebor, The Touchstone and Fireside Group, Threshold Editions, Washington Square Press, and these young adults/children’s imprints: Aladdin Paperbacks, Atheneum Fireside Books, Little Simon, Little Simon Inspirations, Margaret K. McElderry Books, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (including Paula Wiseman Books and Ruckus), Simon & Schuster Libros Para Niños, Simon Pulse, Simon Scribbles, Simon Spotlight, Simon Spotlight Entertainment. Simon & Schuster is owned by CBS.
Attention Walmart shoppers
November 27, 2007 | Filed Under Credos | Leave a Comment
If you saw the sound bite from me in last Friday’s Enterprise, you know I am not a Christmas shopper. It’s not that I’m cheap (impecunious perhaps, but not parsimonious), but I think all the getting and spending is more than silly.
I make an exception for buying local and especially for buying art locally. That’s not silly. It’s smart. A painting, print, or photograph will last far longer than the latest phone-like device that takes your picture, plays music, plays videos on a screen proportioned for field mice cinephiles, and plucks your stray nose hairs. So, head on over to ArtsMontana.com and cruise the links in the left sidebar to see an astonishing array of local talent and to find art that you can buy online or directly from the studio. The Events/Shows category will also plug you in to art from local galleries.
Go on. Think Wall Art not Walmart. Mister Walton’s heirs don’t need any more 432,000 square foot homes.
If you must shop, buy local
October 11, 2007 | Filed Under Credos | Leave a Comment
As folks gear up for an excess of spending, LOL hopes they do it locally. This item from an LOL Classic issue should inspire you.