Don Quixote vs. the Bookstore, Part II
September 13th, 2005
Here is the latest in my correspondence with a bookstore “recommending” Kevin Trudeau’s “Natural Cures ‘They’ Don’t Want You to Know About.”
From: Gary McBrayer
To: Dan McKinley
Dear Mr. McKinley:
Thank you for your email regarding your concerns about the title “Natural Cures They Don’t Want You to Know About”. While we understand that this book has created controversy regarding its content, it is also a title being requested by a number of our customers. Our position as a Company is to offer our customers the opportunity to view its contents and to decide for themselves whether or not to purchase the book and accept or reject the information and recommendations of its author. However, I am forwarding your comments to our Vice-President of Book Buying and Promotions so that she is aware of your concerns about the manner in which the title is being displayed in our stores.
We value your input and appreciate your patronage. Thank you for contacting us.
Sincerely,
Gary McBrayer Manager of Customer Service
From: Dan McKinley
To: Gary McBrayer
Mr. McBrayer:
Thank you for your reply. While I certainly respect—and advocate—your legal right to stock any book you please, I cannot accept the idea that you bear no responsibility for what you offer for sale.
Should you have the constitutional right to stock a book advocating suicide? A book published by NAMBLA? I might err on the side of saying you should have that prerogative, though in neither case could it be argued that the advice is victimless when followed.
The existence of that prerogative does not make such an action on your part responsible or morally defensible. I submit that peddling a book that provides sick persons with a negative portrayal of modern science and medicine is only marginally more appropriate.
I point out again that the book was not merely on your shelves, it was shelved as a recommended book.
I thank you for your time.
-Dan McKinley
