Book store rejects pro-Walker author

[Sabriel]

From Publisher's Weekly:

<<snip>>

One regional author whose sales may be negatively impacted by the current political maelstrom in Wisconsin is Kim Simac, whose books are published by the Great Northern Adventure Co. in Eagle River, Wis. Simac has written three picture books and two books for children about hockey. When Joan Belongia, the owner of Brown Street Books in Rhinelander, Wis., discovered that Simac was leading a recall campaign against Democratic State Senator Jim Holprin, one of the “Wisconsin 14,” she packed up a box of all of Simac’s books in the store and sent them back to her.

“I’m a retired teacher,” Belongia explained about her refusal to carry Simac’s books anymore, “I don’t know where we’d be without unions.”

<<snip>>

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/46602-politics-reaches-into-wisconsin-s-book-world.html

If you're in Rhinelander, stop in at Brown Street Books and express your support for Joan Belongia's move. I just called her, and she said she had been concerned about the repercussions of what she did. I wish more business owners would take a stand like this (and you'd think PW could get Holperin's name right, but nooooo...).

[AleksS]

1. Awesome!

Good on the bookstore owner.

Of course the rethug author's going to cry about persecution and censorship. They always do. Except when they're boycotting someone for having the audacity to wish someone "happy holidays" instead of "merry christmas."

I bet the next step is for the state GOP to pass a bill forcing book store owners to carry GOP propaganda.

[midnight]

2. Nice stance... And profitable one too, because after listening to

Democratic Representative Weiner, on the floor of the house explaining why possibly the Republicans keep breaking the rules, it came down to Republicans not wanting to read a big book... So perhaps Republicans feel reading is a worthless skill to have....

[idrahaje]

3. Not sure I'd side with the owner on this.

Last place we need censorship is at a bookstore. Don't wanna stoop to their level. Ann Coulter is allowed to spew all the hate she wants even in her books.

So this'll be a minus one for me. Bad day for free speech when we start acting like the Right Wing.

[mojowork_n]

5. Is a bookstore supposed to be the public library?

They all reflect their owner's editorial preferences, and perspective.

And if something's not on the shelf, they'll be glad to order it for you.

I'm fine with that. If my favorite bookstores (Reader's Choice, Boswell
Books) don't have something, I'll let them get it for me. And I pay the
tax and shipping, instead of getting it from Amazon or some other online
retailer.

I don't think I'd be as supportive if there were editions of Ann Coulter's
spewings all over the shelves, at either location.

[Yon_Yonson]

6. It’s not censorship but it is a business decision

The day that somebody comes into my shop and tells me what books I can sell is the day I close my doors.

[Sabien]

4. psst...lookie here

Kim Simac is the teabagger that's running against Holperin. I'd sure hate to see us win 3 seats on Aug 9th only to lose that seat to her on Aug 16th!

I'd REALLY hate to see us win 4 seats on Aug 9th only to lose Holperin AND Wirch's seats in the Senate on the 16th. I guess that Wirch's opponent is a Chicago lawyer. WTF?

[Yon_Yonson]

7. Thank you for sharing that ...

:bounce: