Zazzle? Are you sure?

[Turborama]

The 1st set of bumper stickers http://www.zazzle.com/bumperstickers">on the list are anti-Obama ones and that's not because it's an alphabetical thing. Ok, fair enough, not really a big deal so far. However, when you look at the anti-Obama bumper stickers there are some items that I think could be just as dangerous as the Psalm one that's causing such an uproar.

Exhibit A



A whole 2 pages devoted to "http://www.zazzle.com/obama+bin+laden+bumperstickers">Obama Bin Laden Bumper Stickers".


I don't know where else to suggest (eBay seem http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=obama+bin+laden&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313&_odkw=osama+bin+laden&_osacat=0">just as bad) but, out of principle, I wouldn't buy anything from Zazzle, either.

[Cha]

1. Yep, they have fucking stupid stuff there.

Where's a store that isn't stupid.

Maybe I'll just stop buying stuff.

[1]

2. don't be a buzz kill...

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

9. It's a shame to let facts get in the way of progress.

[AllentownJake]

3. Any store that takes user submitted political material is going to have shit

that the other party isn't going to like and when someone is in office, it is more likely people will buy products that voice their disconnect with that elected official than the fact they like them.

http://www.zazzle.com/george+w+bush+gifts

http://www.zazzle.com/dick+cheney+gifts

[sjdnb]

4. Sorry, I still see this as different than praying for the death

of the President and his wife to be widowed and children be orphaned.

This, I can accept as non-threatening rhetoric. Praying for the POTUS's death, not so much.

[Turborama]

7. OK, how about this one?

that's been http://www.zazzle.com/government_run_health_care_bumper_sticker-128463025988127184">on there for 2 months:

[Turborama]

8. And these...

"http://www.zazzle.com/grinbay/obama+monkey+gifts">Monkey Obama"

You can get it it on anything from baby t-shirts to mouse pads and aprons here: http://www.zazzle.com/grinbay/obama+monkey+gifts

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5091485">Posted on DU in February and is http://www.zazzle.com/monkey_obama_sticker-217319597560775892">still there.



"http://www.zazzle.com/obama_monkey_obama_in_08_tshirt-235521450734474663">Obama_Monkey"

[freeplessinseattle]

10. and this is a threat to the Prez how?

Offensive is one thing. Promoting an untimely death quite another. Apples and oranges. Or bananas as the case may be.

[Turborama]

11. This is pure racism

Yes, a Psalm that can be seen as a threat to the President and pure unadulterated Racism can be seen as apples and oranges.

However, does DU want to sell its wares on a website that produces racist anti-Obama material as highlighted above?

[freeplessinseattle]

12. You weren't aware that Cafepress has this kind of stuff?

Or are you just now becoming upset enough to raise an outcry?

Seriously, now. Or we're going to have to start calling you Scotch tape;)

[Turborama]

14. No, I wasn't aware

Honestly, I've never shopped there and now I know that they do I won't in the future, either.

[1]

5. a poster offered a $50 donation if du closed the store. I'm guessing du made "<" $50...

an economic no brainer.

plus! we get to think we stuck it to the man.

and who doesn't love sticking it to the man.

right on, mutherfucker. power to the posters, right on...

[LeftyMom]

6. Zazzle has the same labor issue as CafePress. They sell sweatshopped goods.

Their "ethical" option are US-made shirts from American Apparel, a company with a history of union busting and sexual abuse of female employees.

[jonnyblitz]

20. zazzle sounds pretty fucking vile. I don't think i would ever

buy anything from that shit hole. :puke:

[blogslut]

13. Zazzle is a POD fulfillment service

The designs are created by the individual sellers. If you feel that a particular item or store violates Zazzle's http://www.zazzle.com/mk/policy/user_agreement">terms of service, then you should absolutely contact them.

I agree, the items you pointed to are offensive and racist. They aren't however, a direct threat to the life of the president. I don't like those items but in a country that treasures free speech, even stupid bigots have the right to express themselves.

[Turborama]

15. I wasn't suggesting we take away the rights of dangerous racists to express themselves

That's a different debate. I do think, though, that "a direct threat to the life of the President" could be interpreted in varying ways. For example, what if some nut got it into his/her fragile mind that President Obama is actually friends with Osama Bin Laden after seeing some of those bumper stickers?

What I was asking was whether it's the right sort of retail environment for DU.

Can't they just create pages where all the items are available and sell them from DU direct? There's already a payment system via PayPal etc set up for the donations, why not add the retail arm of DU to that, too?


ETA It's been pointed out by a few DUers that Zazzle is now selling items with that Psalm on: http://www.zazzle.com/psalm+109+gifts

[blogslut]

17. In order to sell direct

DU has to buy the products up front. I seriously doubt that, aside from the free bumpersticker with each donation, DU sells enough tangible items that they would see a return on their investment - if they were to pre-purchase custom printed goods. Services like Zazzle allows DU to provide shirts, mugs and stickers without having to waste money on unsold merchandise.

As for that link you pointed out, it appears to be a separate user account from the original seller and should be reported to Zazzle as a TOS violation. I imagine there will be many copycat sellers, trying to operate under the wire. Let Zazzle know about this account and I bet they'll tell the seller to remove the items or have their membership discontinued.

[Turborama]

18. OK, point taken. How about Printfection?

I just read http://www.squidoo.com/cafepress_alternative">a really good review on Squidoo about them and they seem like a much better and less controversial alternative.

Here's their homepage: http://www.printfection.com/customer/home.php

[blogslut]

19. I am familiar with Printfection

They are supposed to have better quality shirts and printing. However, they are limited on their product selection. Printfection is another POD venue and it's always good to have different places from which to choose. There's also RedBubble - which is based in Australia I think and is geared more towards artists.

[lonestarnot]

16. .

.

[Cha]

21. Kick and too late to

Rec.