I am not an "anti-vaxxer." I do believe that we've perhaps gone a bit overboard with it, but I'm not opposed to vaccinations, per se.

What I most definitely am is anti-censorship. As I noted in Amazon's Definitely Going Downhill, I've been less-than-pleased with Amazon for a variety of reasons, anyway. This is the last straw. We will not be renewing Amazon Prime.

It may cost us. The FireTV devices may have to be replaced, for starters. And, since Google can't get its act together with Android TV, and I dislike Google, anyway, it may have to be Apple TV devices--which are expensive.

But this--this crosses a major line for me. This I cannot stand for.

quote:

Anti-vaccine movies disappear from Amazon after CNN Business report
Posted 8:48 pm, March 1, 2019, by CNN Wire

Amazon has apparently started removing anti-vaccine documentaries from its Amazon Prime Video streaming service. The move came days after a CNN Business report highlighted the anti-vaccine comment available on the site, and hours after Rep. Adam Schiff wrote an open letter to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, saying he is concerned “that Amazon is surfacing and recommending” anti-vaccination books and movies.

Full article: Anti-vaccine movies disappear from Amazon after CNN Business report

Dims stick together. Little Adam wanted it done; Big Jeff complied.

RMD

I had to go through "Help" and a chat session, because the "switch" they claim is there to disable auto-renew I could not find. But it's done. When the current billing period is up, Amazon Prime will be history for us.

Now to go clear out my various wish and want lists...

Glad I'm not the only one bothered by this censorship. What topics will next be removed?

quote:

Originally posted by bryan11:
Glad I'm not the only one bothered by this censorship. What topics will next be removed?

Apparently we're the only two--at least here on SF.

I'm kind of surprised. We've a bunch of members that claim themselves to be essentially libertarians.

Oh well, I'm sure they'll show up when Amazon drops the hammer on something important.

Amazon is a business and if they choose to not sell a product for someone, that is up to them.

I don't know that I consider removing this content as censorship. Rather, it seems that they are taking down propaganda that purports to be "settled science", but in fact is demonstrably false.

And, it's still their company and they can sell whatever the hell they want.

Grocery stores don't have Penthouse in a rack at the checkout stand. Are they guilty of censorship as well?

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

Grocery stores don't have Penthouse in a rack at the checkout stand. Are they guilty of censorship as well?

Yes, and its the ENDOFTHEFUCKINGWORLD, apparently.



Or maybe it is to some in this thread, but I'm not one of them.

But maybe I'm missing the MAJOR issue? IDK, but I don't think so.

I believe these outlets have acknowledged that they hold significant influence over we (as a population) who are easily steered by their content. For better or worse, they make decisions with that in mind.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:

It may cost us. The FireTV devices may have to be replaced, for starters. And, since Google can't get its act together with Android TV, and I dislike Google, anyway, it may have to be Apple TV devices--which are expensive.

Roku?

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
I don't know that I consider removing this content as censorship. Rather, it seems that they are taking down propaganda that purports to be "settled science", but in fact is demonstrably false....

This.
As a former research scientist who worked in the biomedical field I find it amazing that some people believe any nonsense that’s put before them...just like Global Warming...

quote:

Originally posted by RHINOWSO:
But maybe I'm missing the MAJOR issue? IDK, but I don't think so.

I think you'll probably figure it out about the time Bezos decides to placate his leftist buddies by dropping the hammer on, oh, I don't know... pro-life publications? The "wrong" side of the immigration, Islamic fundamentalism or global warming debates? How about health care?

Then, of course, there's guns. They kill people, you know. That's established. The Ministry of Information has settled that question. Amazon really ought not be selling pro-killing-device propaganda and accessories, dontjathink?

MAGA hats? Ben Shapiro or Dinesh D'Souza? D'Souza's an admitted felon, you know. That's established.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
It may cost us. The FireTV devices may have to be replaced, for starters. And, since Google can't get its act together with Android TV, and I dislike Google, anyway, it may have to be Apple TV devices--which are expensive.

Roku?

Doesn't do mpeg streams. I'm using Silicon Dust HDHomeRun network tuners for OTA TV. Neither SD nor Channels makes a Roku app because Roku makes it difficult-to-impossible to do.

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
I don't know that I consider removing this content as censorship. Rather, it seems that they are taking down propaganda that purports to be "settled science", but in fact is demonstrably false....

This.
As a former research scientist who worked in the biomedical field I find it amazing that some people believe any nonsense that’s put before them...just like Global Warming...

Which, according to those in Bezos' corner of the political spectrum is also "settled science."

So if Schiff next leaned on Bezos to remove anti-global-warming "propaganda?"

I’ll be perfectly honest. If Amazon’s actions in removing anti-vaccination movies cause more people to vaccinate their kids then I will chalk it up to a good thing that Amazon has done. Especially as a new parent I am apalled that people are stupid enough to believe the hokum that some anti-vaccination people portray. While I do have many libertarian leanings I do have a problem when other people‘s choices affect mine and my families. If people want to not be vaccinated then they should not be able to benefit in publicly paid for spaces therefore minimizing their interaction with normal people. In other words if you don’t want to be vaccinated or you don’t want your children vaccinated then stay the hell on your own property and don’t bring your plague upon the rest of us.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
....

Apparently people have forgotten that you can 'shop around' to find what you want.

Amazon is a business, they can sell what they want. Don't like it? Then don't do business with them.

I like to buy gun parts, magazines, and ammunition, but Amazon decided not to sell those.

HOLY SHIT, TETOW? Nope.

I'd like to buy Wilson Combat guns, but my local shop doesn't sell them.

HOLY SHIT, TETOW? Nope.

It's the ugly part of 'freedom'.

People, entities, organizations outside the government can sell what they want, or not, to a large degree.

To flip it on you, should Amazon be forced to stream / sell blatantly harmful stuff? DITY videos on suicide? DITY videos on how to become morbidly obese (but America already figured that one out)...

BUTBUTBUT FREE SPEEECH!!!!! CENSORSHIP!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Lt CHEG:
I’ll be perfectly honest. If Amazon’s actions in removing anti-vaccination movies cause more people to vaccinate their kids then I will chalk it up to a good thing that Amazon has done. Especially as a new parent I am apalled that people are stupid enough to believe the hokum that some anti-vaccination people portray. While I do have many libertarian leanings I do have a problem when other people‘s choices affect mine and my families. If people want to not be vaccinated then they should not be able to benefit in publicly paid for spaces therefore minimizing their interaction with normal people. In other words if you don’t want to be vaccinated or you don’t want your children vaccinated then stay the hell on your own property and don’t bring your plague upon the rest of us.

I’ll be perfectly honest. If Amazon’s actions in removing anti-gun control movies cause more people to not own guns then I will chalk it up to a good thing that Amazon has done. Especially as a new parent I am apalled that people are stupid enough to believe the hokum that some pro-gun people portray. While I do have many libertarian leanings I do have a problem when other people‘s choices affect mine and my families. If people want own guns then they should not be able to benefit in publicly paid for spaces therefore minimizing their interaction with normal people. In other words if you want to own guns or let your children play with guns then stay the hell on your own property and don’t bring your instruments of death upon the rest of us.

It's not a government agency.

Take your toys and play elsewhere, then.

quote:

Originally posted by RHINOWSO:
Take your toys and play elsewhere, then.

I am. Stated that at the beginning.

quote:

Originally posted by RHINOWSO:
It's not a government agency.

Take your toys and play elsewhere, then.

Yup, exactly this.

Their website is their property. They make the rules.

Just like you make the rules on your property.

I guess that's a hard concept to grasp.

The danger isn't in a private company making choices. The danger is in a politician making the choices for them.