AMAZON.COM Suspends Commentary Rules for 'Unfit For Command'

[Placebo]

A notice on the product page for the book says normal restrictions on posting comments have been lifted.

"We've decided to suspend our normal customer review policies and rules for this title," according to the notice. "For example, we usually prohibit ad hominem attacks. That policy in particular seems to be incompatible with presidential election year politics. Therefore, short of obscenities, reviews on this book are now a free-for-all. We take no responsibility for the following discussion. Aren't presidential election years great? Have fun!"

The result has been more than 1,000 customer reviews, almost all five-star hosannas or one-star flames. "Heidi Fleiss meets Gomer Pyle," begins a typical basher.

Amazon spokeswoman Patty Smith said she couldn't recall another incident of Amazon lifting its usual customer review policing for a particular product, but "Unfit" was a special case.

"We have guidelines concerning customer reviews, and one of those things is that the review should be about the book, not the author," Smith said. "In this case, because of all the publicity and the news coverage, people feel very strongly about the book, and you just can't separate the views."

http://news.com.com/Kerry+book+rattles+online+merchants/2100-1028_3-5323938.html?tag=nefd.top

[MGKrebs]

1. I don't know if that's funny or sad.

All of the political books out over the past, say, 18 months, and they pick this one to change the rules? Seems like "Lies and the Lying Liars..." was pretty controversial. Is it just so that the Repubs can attack anyone at will who is critical?

[Placebo]

2. Yea, it definitely sounds partisan.

At least to me.

[Catch22Dem]

3. Ya know, I'm thinking

Who the hell cares? It's like having a flame fest on the Yahoo political boards. No thanks.

[DancingBear]

4. They did it with My Pet Goat as well

They scrubbed the reviews (which numbered around 60 or 70) and left, I think, only 1 up on the site.

BTW, if anybody saved them, they should re-post. Some of them were pants-wetting funny.

[tandot]

5. That means that WE can comment on the book as well

Give 'em Hell DUers...let America know what you think about the SwiftVet Liars...