Boycott Joyce Affiliated Amazon Links

[carnaby]

I just received this email from "The Freedom States Alliance", a Joyce Foundation funded astroturf group:

March 8, 2007

Dear stalin,

Freedom States Alliance is working around the country, thanks to your support, for our mission of Changing the Way America Thinks About Guns. And now, we've come up with a very easy and very simple way for you to help.

Now, whenever you buy from Amazon.com through the link below, a portion of your purchase will automatically go to the efforts of Freedom States Alliance and our associated state groups.

It's that simple. Save this email, and whenever you shop on Amazon.com, use this link to do it:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/freestatalli-20

And when you check out, a portion of your purchase-- up to 8.5% depending on the item-- will automatically go to FSA. There are no extra forms to fill out, you don't have to enter any codes, and you don't have to remember any special passwords. All you need to do is enter the Amazon.com site from the link above, and then make purchases as you normally would.

For your convenience, we've also placed that link on the front page of our website at freedomstatesalliance.com. Whenever you shop at Amazon, use that link (look for the Amazon.com logo) to visit their site, and a portion of your purchase will go automatically go towards our mission. It's a completely easy and simple way for you to support our efforts.

Amazon.com is one of the biggest retailers online. They've got terrific deals and a great selection on books, movies, and music, and even videogames, housewares, and apparel. Whether you're buying a new book for yourself, or a gift for someone else, Amazon will have it-- and when you use the link above, a portion of your purchase will automatically support the efforts of FSA.

Thanks very much for your support-- it's only with your generous help that we're able to continue our mission, and the work of our affiliated state groups. Gun violence is a devastating problem in America, but thanks to programs like this and your participation in them, we're gaining the ground we need to stop it.

Sincerely,

Freedom States Alliance
Changing the Way America Thinks About Guns and Securing Our Nation's Future

There doesn't seem to be any reason why this would not be true. I'll never shop at Amazon again.

 

[Zero_DgZ]

I never did, and I never will.

And so it goes, and so it goes...

 

[Duncan223]

The issue you are bringing up is not an Amazon.com program to support FreedomStatesAlliance, it is an "affiliate" program. Amazon, like many other companies, allow people to earn commissions when items purchased are through other leads.

If you visit a website, and click on a banner/advertisement and buy something that you like, then the originating website makes a buck or two for the referral.

 

[Sponge]

Wow, isn't overreacting fun ! Calm yourselves, it's just a standard "affiliate" program whereby you (as in your website) provides a link to Amazon that drives business their way. In return, Amazon gives you a cut of the action. Nothing sinister about it and it does not imply that the views of Freedom States Alliance reflect those of Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=508504

-Chris

 

[geekWithA.45]

We can do our own affiliate program, too, so my advice is NOT to boycott Amazon, just don't click on Joyce affiliated links to Amazon.

 

[Car Knocker]

So don't use the link provided and none of your money will go to The Freedom States Alliance.

 

[Erebus]

I use this link

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/gunownersacti-20

That way money goes to GOAL(www.goal.org).

 

[Sistema1927]

I bet that you could find a pro-gun affiliate and order through them. Also, directly ordering from Amazon without going through the affiliate doesn't put any bucks in their pocket.

 

[xd45gaper]

i just bought a book on amazon Armed America lol now that i think about it about 90% of the books ive purchased on Amazon have something to do with firearms!

 

[carnaby]

Alright, that's better. I didn't think they'd do something as stoopid as that.

Thanks for the enlightenment

 

[Owen]

Um, amazon does that with everyone. You put a link on your site, and amazon gives you a cut from people that got to amazon through that link.

 

[Technosavant]

The NRA also has the same thing going on.

No need to overreact, just find a group you like and then locate their affiliate link.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Just go to the NRA site and link from there. That way the NRA will get the money.

It's not worth getting bent out of shape over.

If we keep calling for all these boycotts it really starts to mean very little.

 

[torpid]

Posting tip! (know your target and what lies beyond it before firing)...

Instead of something like
Boycott Amazon

one might try
Is Amazon funding this anti-gun group?

Since everybody who skims the threads will only see the "boycott Amazon" title, it's not particularly helpful towards them if they aren't deserving a boycott.

 

[carnaby]

No way, I'm all about knee-jerk reactions

 

[geekWithA.45]

I changed the thread title to be a little less provocative and more accurate.

Carnaby...sorry, I don't mean to step on your toes or anything, but that seemed the right thing to do.

 

[Strings]

Uh... before deciding to NOT boycot Amazon, you might want to check this...

Don't know about y'all, but *I* have no desire to spend money with a company that will publish this trash...

 

[carnaby]

Thanks Geek, I appreciate that. Actually, it's more like I stepped on my own toes and slapped myself in the face. You just prevented the part where I step on a rake

 

[torpid]

Thanks Geek, I appreciate that. Actually, it's more like I stepped on my own toes and slapped myself in the face. You just prevented the part where I step on a rake

Glad you missed it!
Take it from me, the rake hurts the most of all...

 

[Car Knocker]

Don't know about y'all, but *I* have no desire to spend money with a company that will publish this trash...

Then don't. Simple.