Tuesday, June 03, 2003
Last night we saw Bowling for Columbine, the latest movie from Michael Moore. I've always respected Michael Moore for devoting his life to work he believes in, even if some of his on-screen tactics cross certain lines. He is working on controversial issues of our culture (gun control, corporate crime, poverty) that have an ugly history, perpetrated by ugly deeds by immoral people. So I try to overlook when Moore harrasses a corporate employee, Republican, or Charleton Heston, (even though I too disagree with almost everything these groups stand for). He has his reasons, probably Moore feels he needs to match the brutality of their behavior with action of his own.
But I'm still appalled that his web site, www.MichaelMoore.com only links to Amazon for purchasing his books and videos. This seems such a contradiction to his message. If he is the "man of the people" as he portrays himself, he would offer more options to his fans.
So my action is to encourage him to put links to BookSense.com from his site. If you agree with me, please send an email to links@michaelmoore.com and explain why he should support independent booksellers.
Here is the email I sent:
Hi,
As a fan of Michael Moore since Roger and Me, an audience participant for the filming of The Awful Truth, and as an independent bookseller who sells many copies of Stupid White Men every week, I'm shocked and awed that the Michael Moore web site has a link to Amazon, but no links to any independent bookstore outlets to purchase Mike's books. This page on your site (http://www.michaelmoore.com/books-films/index.php) should have a link to the independent bookstore web site www.BookSense.com:
BookSense.com is a web network of hundreds of independent bookstores. An order through BookSense.com will be automatically directed to an independent bookstore near the customer, keeping more money locally and helping many independent bookstores stay in their communities.
I know Michael Moore isn't always pro-independent and anti-corporate business, but at least he should give his readers a choice between the two options. Are you linking only to Amazon to affect your sales ranking on that site and on the New York Times list? If so, this is a short-sighted goal. Independents also report to the Times list, and their own Book Sense Bestseller list (http://www.booksense.com/bestsellers/index.jsp). Sending orders to them will continue to keep his books on the Times list and on the independent bestseller list.
How can you talk about the consolidation of media into corporate empires, then only link to one bookselling corporation from your web site?
Here are the links directly to Michael Moore titles on the website:
Stupid White Men Hardcover:
http://www.booksense.com/product/info.jsp?isbn=0060392452
SWM Audio:
http://www.booksense.com/product/info.jsp?isbn=1590072804
Downsize This paperback:
http://www.booksense.com/product/info.jsp?isbn=0060977337
Adv. in a TV Nation:
http://www.booksense.com/product/info.jsp?isbn=0060988096
You can link to any book or audio cassette by changing the ISBN at the end of the link.
Please make it easier for those of us working for local communities to support Michael Moore.
Thank you.
Jay
Jay Gesin
AnthemBooks.com
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But I'm still appalled that his web site, www.MichaelMoore.com only links to Amazon for purchasing his books and videos. This seems such a contradiction to his message. If he is the "man of the people" as he portrays himself, he would offer more options to his fans.
So my action is to encourage him to put links to BookSense.com from his site. If you agree with me, please send an email to links@michaelmoore.com and explain why he should support independent booksellers.
Here is the email I sent:
Hi,
As a fan of Michael Moore since Roger and Me, an audience participant for the filming of The Awful Truth, and as an independent bookseller who sells many copies of Stupid White Men every week, I'm shocked and awed that the Michael Moore web site has a link to Amazon, but no links to any independent bookstore outlets to purchase Mike's books. This page on your site (http://www.michaelmoore.com/books-films/index.php) should have a link to the independent bookstore web site www.BookSense.com:
BookSense.com is a web network of hundreds of independent bookstores. An order through BookSense.com will be automatically directed to an independent bookstore near the customer, keeping more money locally and helping many independent bookstores stay in their communities.
I know Michael Moore isn't always pro-independent and anti-corporate business, but at least he should give his readers a choice between the two options. Are you linking only to Amazon to affect your sales ranking on that site and on the New York Times list? If so, this is a short-sighted goal. Independents also report to the Times list, and their own Book Sense Bestseller list (http://www.booksense.com/bestsellers/index.jsp). Sending orders to them will continue to keep his books on the Times list and on the independent bestseller list.
How can you talk about the consolidation of media into corporate empires, then only link to one bookselling corporation from your web site?
Here are the links directly to Michael Moore titles on the website:
Stupid White Men Hardcover:
http://www.booksense.com/product/info.jsp?isbn=0060392452
SWM Audio:
http://www.booksense.com/product/info.jsp?isbn=1590072804
Downsize This paperback:
http://www.booksense.com/product/info.jsp?isbn=0060977337
Adv. in a TV Nation:
http://www.booksense.com/product/info.jsp?isbn=0060988096
You can link to any book or audio cassette by changing the ISBN at the end of the link.
Please make it easier for those of us working for local communities to support Michael Moore.
Thank you.
Jay
Jay Gesin
AnthemBooks.com
