posted on May 29, 2003 01:31:39 PM new
Hi, all: I currently am selling a book about the HOlocaust, letters from people being sent to the camps. No bids, lots of hits, so I'd begun to wonder.
Got a phone call from a would-be bidder in Colorado today saying that not only is she being blocked from bidding on my auction, she is being blocked from sending me e-mails! She finally called me long distance.
I went in a revised the auction; on a hunch, I took out "Nazi" death camps and substituted "Hitler's" death camps. At the end of the revision page, there was a big red message saying this:
"Attention Sellers:
Items relating to Nazi Germany, including items that
portray a swastika, are banned in a number of
countries where eBay does business.
If you are listing such an item, please take a moment to familiarize
yourself with our guidelines prior to listing your item by clicking
here.
There are also important restrictions for sellers who sell such
items internationally.
click here for more information."
I am definitely NOT portraying a Swastika in this auction! Because of the last ebay statement, above, on a hunch I deleted International shipping and made it U.S. only.
I can't believe some geeky wonk in an ebay cubicle dreamed this one up. . . .
posted on May 29, 2003 02:42:47 PM new
I agree, I think their 'political correctness' has gone way to far. I have been studying WWII extensively for college and a human rights class and books like the one you have are a great tool. Ebay seems to have their own form of Nazi's running around their office with nothing better to do.
posted on May 29, 2003 03:05:31 PM new
Maybe just write it up as WW11 german history. Anything with Hitler, Nazi etc. will flag the P.C. people at ebay. Yes, its stupid...history is history.
posted on May 29, 2003 03:24:36 PM new
Lets remember that Ebay has to follow the laws of the countries in which they do business (meaning that they accept payments for auction fees). Germany has a law forbidding the use of the swastika and making the nazi party Illegal. several other countries have similar hate symbol laws. Ebay has been held accountable in those countries for the content of the auctions run on their sight, and since there are so many auctions running at any one time they have to use bots to find the problem auctions. Much of what they do they are forced into it. Do not confuse this with politically correct speech.
We should try to edit ourselves so as to not offend, unless we intend to offend. If we intend it, then we have to accept the consquences of that. If we offend on accident, it is usually both because of the hypersensitivity of some people, and the lack of our understanding.
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. B. Franklin
posted on May 29, 2003 04:30:35 PM new
They are right, it is illegal in other countries. They aren't telling you that you can not list, but that you have to be careful because you could be sending something that is banned in Germany or France.
posted on May 29, 2003 05:18:23 PM new
"Germany has a law forbidding the use of the swastika and making the nazi party Illegal. several other countries have similar hate symbol laws. "
It is a shame that Hitler usurped the American Indian and Sanskrit symbol and now countries like Germany associate it only with the Nazis.
In the early 1900s the swastika was popularly used here as a company logo and general peace or good luck symbol.
There are many areas in our country (America, in case you forgot) where the swastika is emblazoned on public works and monuments. Unfortunately many Jewish people take issue with them, not knowing the origin, and several have been defaced.
Countries that prefer to ignore history, and people who are unaware of the past, are more dangerous than any symbol.
posted on May 29, 2003 08:26:43 PM new
Well said, capotasto!!!
And if ebay was that guidelined by laws there would be virtually nothing allowed. For example vibrators are illegal in many states but you can still buy them on ebay. Let's face it, you are governed by whoever gets a bug in their butt.
I knew a seller who was selling a decal that said "terrorist hunting permit *no bag limit * no tagging required" They were so funny and they were pulled because ONE person was offended. Now, I ask, who would be offended??? Only a terrorist could be offended. I mean for crying out loud... isn't that what the US government is doing... HUNTING TERRORISTS??? But that seller and all the others had to pull those decals. Give me a break!
posted on May 30, 2003 08:48:00 AM new
No matter what you say or what you do, you are going to offend someone. I'm tired of my rights getting stomped on because someone, somewhere doesn't approve. And yet, the KKK is allowed to continue operations.
Cheryl
My religion is simple, my religion is kindness.
--Dalai Llama
posted on May 30, 2003 10:19:40 AM new
I'd be willing to bet that the KKK would be illegal in Germany as well.
You see we have one thing they don't... FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
We have it, they don't. It's why we're better than they are.
Unfortunately, eBay is a global marketplace and is forced (by the courts, they lost several high-profile cases a year or two ago) to follow international laws.
Just be thankful you are allowed to talk about nazis in this country. Otherwise, in 50 years, they could come back because we would have forgotton.
What do the Jews say, "Never Forget?" It's pretty easy when you aren;t allowed to teach it or talk about it.
posted on May 30, 2003 03:25:42 PM new
Yahoo lost the case in France that started the whole mess. Why do they care .... They're the doormat of Europe anyway.
posted on May 30, 2003 04:49:00 PM new
You guys are right, my mistake, it WAS Yahoo that lost in court. It really doesn't matter though, the same precedent would now apply to eBay as well, and I'm sure the eBay lawyers know that.
