Books-a-Million is selling "Obama Waffles". Time to let them know that you'll be shopping elsewhere.

Really offensive, racist and lying packaging. See more in this thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3487213#3487266

Books-a-Million toll free number
1-800-201-3550

Check your local phone book, and let the local BAM stores (and their subsidiaries below) know that you'll be skipping their store.

Some other places to mention that you'll be avoiding.

"In addition to its flagship Books-A-Million superstore, it operates storefronts badged Books & Company and shopping mall book and greeting card stores under the name Bookland. Most of its stores feature a Joe Muggs café, also the name used for the company's newsstand operations.

In addition to its primary retail component, the corporation includes a book wholesale and distribution subsidiary, American Wholesale Book Company (AWBC), an e-commerce division operating as BOOKSAMILLION.COM, and an internet development and services company, NetCentral, in Nashville, Tennessee.

In 2001, Books-A-Million acquired the Crown Books chain of bookstores."

I called. Thanks for the information!

I'm going over to that store right now and hand my discount card to the African-American clerk there (whom I adore) and I'll tell her why I won't be back. Then I'll ask to speak to the manager. Thanks for the heads up.

The guy who answered claimed not to know about the Obama Waffles. I told him I would never shop at their stores again and am passing the word to everyone I know. I left my name and phone number in case they want to call me back. Bet I don't get a call.

support@booksamillion.com

For using his name and image to promote a product without his consent or knowledge.

---

---

I can confidently assure you that I will faithfully boycott them, which won't be too hard because I have never fucking heard of them. Is it some sort of weird jeezus bookstore or somethin?

on books that you probably never knew were printed and were never on the bestseller lists. Man, why is all the good places fund extremists. Can't somebody from our side run some business models but not fund hatred. I am so sad that Hobby Lobby directly funds domionist cult groups, specially Joel's Army. All I want is craft supplies, not to fund their brand of the taliban, the same with good books.

They ate Crown not too long ago.

http://www.booksamillioninc.com/

Owned by fundangelicals, so it's collection is a bit skewed.

Collection is skewed to say the least -- it's a right-wing, Christian propaganda store, at least its collection here is.

from Wikipedia (a bit out of date - BAM has grown)

Books-A-Million Inc. or BAM! was founded in 1917 as a street corner newsstand in Florence, Alabama. Books-A-Million has become the third largest book retailer in the United States (after #1 Barnes & Noble and #2 Borders Books). Its corporate office is located in Birmingham, Alabama, which operates over 200 stores located in the Midwest, the Southeast, and the District of Columbia, with about 4,900 employees as of 2005.

In addition to its flagship Books-A-Million superstore, it operates storefronts badged Books & Company and shopping mall book and greeting card stores under the name Bookland. Most of its stores feature a Joe Muggs café, also the name used for the company's newsstand operations.

In addition to its primary retail component, the corporation includes a book wholesale and distribution subsidiary, American Wholesale Book Company (AWBC), an e-commerce division operating as BOOKSAMILLION.COM,

and an internet development and services company, NetCentral, in Nashville, Tennessee.

In 2001, Books-A-Million acquired the Crown Books chain of bookstores.

...till now.

and large web sales. Let them know you won't be purchasing from their online site. Also check for subsidiaries in your area like Crown Books.

the fake company, the afiliation with BAM -- somehow I doubt that is true. Maybe his group is trying to get this story into the news cycle, a fake story over nothing.

So, not a problem anymore.

number and we all need to complain about the blatant racism that this company is endorsing in supporting this atrocious product.

This needs to get out there. PLEASE forward to friends and call, call, and call some more to complain. 1-800-201-3550

I spoke with her. She is being innundated with calls. She is not aware of the ad and is calling her supervisors. Keep the pressure on. I told her I was sending this information to every MSM contact I have.

This atrocious and blatant racist support of this product should not be allowed.

the operator I talked to checked and came back to tell me they did sell them. Maybe I should have ordered some for proof.

They may be backtracking bigtime. Call God and everybody!

The Books-a-Million link takes one to the sites own shopping cart page. A search on the Books-a-Million site does not reveal that they are selling this vile product.

More likely though that BAM does not list everything they carry on their website. This is probably a new item. It's likely going to be carried in "selected locations". It may not have even made it to the stores yet. If so, we may be able to stop it from making it to the stores.

The operator who answered didn't know what I was talking about. She checked with someone and then came back and told me that they were selling them.

I told her that I wouldn't be shopping there and neither would a lot of other people. She was nice, so I'm not going to chew on the peons.

I will eat my way up the food chain.

This is the corporate number to call on Monday (CST): 1-800-876-4510.

I am calling my local store too and emailing everyone I know.

:applause:

providing them the link and asking if this was a terrible mistake. Here is their email address: Support@booksamillion.com

the outfit that makes them, blasting their blatant racism. Their web Page claims its satire, I told them that there is NOTHING humorous and or satirical about their racism.

Because satire is protected speech.

Cowards.

I took the "flies with honey" approach and stroked a bit about their good reputation, and my confidence that they would do the right thing. I think my next email will have a different tone, should they continue to sell them.

ugh. one step forward, two steps back.

Re: Obama Waffles!

Hello,

Thank you so much for selling Obama Waffles.

You must be the stupidest motherfuckers on the planet, not to mention racist, vile, and disgusting.

My days shopping with you are OVER. OVER. OVER. I hope you go under like all the other businesses are in this dilapidated economy brought to you by your good friends in the White House.

Adios, assholes,

nick

Good job!

Books-a-Million may not be selling this racist product. The link featured on the waffles page does not work and a search of the Books-a-Million comes up with nothing.

If not, I expect an apology will be forthcoming. Anxiously waiting to see what happens.

but is drawing conclusions that may or may not be accurate.

tannybogus got a confirmation from them. When I called about 15 minutes later, their story was different.

within moments of the OP. Neither was it for sale on the Books-a-Million site. Granted, I may be drawing conclusions, but at least I actually clicked on the link and went to the site to confirm.

If these folks get feedback, one way or the other, the next racist from DogPatch will think twice before they do this.

And if they were selling this thing, then they will think twice before they do it again. Because we got two different stories from their Customer Reps. :shrug:

I know that you are wonderfully politically active and I hate to see DU get slammed for picking on the wrong target.

and let us know how things are going.

Thoughts with you, LA.

More contacts

American Book Company: - wholesale division of BAM

Corporate Office
11130 Kingston Pike, Suite 1-183
Knoxville, TN 37922
Phone: (865) 966-7454
Fax: (865) 675-0557


Knoxville ShowRoom / Sales Office
250 Bell Street
Knoxville, TN 37915
Phone: (865) 546-5656
Fax: (865) 637-9751
Email Sales @
Web Customer Service

New York Showroom / Sales Office 230 Fifth Avenue, Suite 700
New York, NY 10001
Phone: (212) 684-4100
Fax: (212) 532-9081


Netcentral.com Webdesign company owned by BAM
How to reach us.

NetCentral, Inc.
1814 Hayes Street
Nashville, TN 37203

Email: sales@netcentral.com

Phone: 615.777.5304

Fax: 615.777.5340

Crown Books Bought out by BAM - Nationwide, but shown on web as only California
Look in your local phonebook for individual stores still under this name.
Sarah Strangelove threatens war with Russia http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4Iz5gVDVsc

He said the home office has been notified.

And, he said that their company logo at that horrible site may be a fake. In any case, the home office will be looking into it on Monday.

So, fyi.

their corporate lawyers will be in a position to put some hurt on the bozos selling that crap and using their name to peddle them.

amazing the amount of racists out there. Sickening.



Values Voter Summit organizers cut off sales of Obama Waffles boxes on Saturday, saying they had not realized the boxes displayed "offensive material." The summit and the exhibit hall where the boxes were sold had been open since Thursday afternoon.

http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/president/28349844.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUJ

to the lowest common denominator is an off putting business practice and that their decision is ill advised and will cut down on their customer base.

right-wing establishment. I went in there once an saw little but flag stuff, TONS upon TONS of Christian propaganda, cutesy *inoffensive* kinds of trinkets, and next to no real books.

Walk in the front door, and you'll find O'Reilly, Coulter, and the rest of the right wing hacks prominently displayed.

If you want to find "The Shock Doctrine", some Krugman, or any other liberal author, they've got it, but you've gotta dig for it.

:(

I told her. Then she said they didn't have it. I pushed her, insisting I thought they must. She then asked me to spell Fitzgerald. I did. She said again they didn't have it. I repeated back to her what she said with a note of disbelief in my voice. She then said, "Is this something that would be assigned in school?" I told her yes, it would, so she said she'd go look at the school shelf. Took her forever. When she came back, a miracle: they had it.

The employees are book lovers and know their stuff like most people who are drawn to work in bookstores. I've never had a problem either finding or ordering the books I want.

I'm not defending the company. I know nothing about their ownership or business practices. Just relaying a very different shopping experience.

The Books-a-Million link does not work. It takes you to the sites order page.

The Books-a-Million website search does not show this product.

Research people. Research. Please stop writing offensive and foul comments to Books-a-Million until it is confirmed.

:)

getting paranoid. But it wouldn't be beneath old Karl to try to think up little ways to plant the race card here and there and hope it blows up into something big that dominates the news cycle.

I did email Books-A-Million earlier to inquire as to whether they were indeed selling these and if not, to get that company to cease and desist.

:)

There is no reason not to call their Customer Service number. In fact, if it is a fake, we're alerting them to a situation that can hurt their business.

There is no reason to stop anything.

There is some reason that company was selected to appear on that website. If they did not provide permission, they have a potential lawsuit with the company selling this product.

The more attention the better. This is not an issue to be handled with kid-gloves. Until they publicly announce that they did not and do not support this product, they should continue to be innundated with emails, calls, and complaints.

...along with the posts on DU, and my discount card -- which I gave back to them with a note saying I'd never need it again.

I was told by an operator that they did sell them after she checked.

I don't know what is going on.

Edit for clarity: A BAM operator

:)

with lodging false complaints?

Did you read the profanity laced email that one DUer already sent?

It is one thing to alert them that their business is being used by a racist political campaign. It is quite another to threaten them with withholding your business for no good reason.

Let's be rational here.

that they are selling the product?

It sounds like they changed their story after they got a few calls.

and the Billions website within moments of the OP. Then I got a phone call. Then I came back here horrified that no one bothered to check the link or the Billions website.

And I DID call BAM. The person I talked to could not tell me they were NOT retailing this product.

The person tannybogus talked to earlier said THEY WERE selling the product.

Maybe you need to calm your horror down and get more information.

Talk about more information. My horror is that people were firing off boycott emails and phone calls with very little evidence. I've organized dozens of campaigns. Starting one based on incomplete information is downright irresponsible.

I checked the link/ad first too and went to the website to find that the product didn't appear after a search. I believe it is an ad though (not a link) and since it is new it may not appear on BAM's website yet. In any case, the company needs to be made aware.

something useful to them if they should choose to legally go after the waffle outfit. It will help them with assessing damages.

as carrying the product on their website. Prominently. The fact that the logo isn't linked probably means nothing other than poor web design. IF BAM doesn't carry it, they will sue the company. The company surely knows that. If the company has a false statement (why?) and BAM sues them, damn good result.

Don't bet on BAM not carrying it. They are owned by serious right-wingers. This is probably a new "novelty" item for them. We may be able to stop it before it goes too far.

I agree about not writing offensively lewd comments to BAM. It is much more appropriate (and effective) to firmly and politely let them know that they will lose business if they sell this product.

At this time, there is no evidence that they are selling this product. The link on the site does NOT take you to Books-a-Million. It takes you to the racists own shopping cart page. A search on the Books-a-Million site turns up no such product.

They are going to get 100s of complaints (both polite and profanity laced) for perhaps no good reason.

Did you click on the link to verify?

that racists are using their name? If that's all it is.

ETA: And see tannybogus's post where they CONFIRMED they were selling that product.

then I will consider it confirmed.

By the way... this is the bad side of telling a retailer:


"Re: Obama Waffles!

Hello,

Thank you so much for selling Obama Waffles.

You must be the stupidest motherfuckers on the planet, not to mention racist, vile, and disgusting.

My days shopping with you are OVER. OVER. OVER. I hope you go under like all the other businesses are in this dilapidated economy brought to you by your good friends in the White House.

Adios, assholes,

nick"

It's been explained to me about a hundred times and I never can remember how to do it.

She had been absent for a couple of days so she had to check with someone. I told her what they were,

and that a lot of people would stop shopping at the store. She said,"What about Oprah?" So I quietly

explained Oprah's position. So no. I didn't order any because I didn't realize the shitstorm was building.

Did I mishear? I don't think so after the tenor of our conversation. And I was nice to her even after the Oprah

remark because I worked retail. I'd rather chew on somebody who has some power.

they aren't buyers.

The man I talked to -- Pete -- could not confirm one way or the other. That was after you called. But, he assured me that emails and calls have been sent out and that it will be addressed on Monday.

He was cordial and I tried to respond in the same way.

The more calls they get, the faster the ad will be taken down regardless of whether it was authorized or not. I personally don't see why a site would put up a fake ad but either way it needs to be removed PRONTO!

In every case. But threatening to boycott a business based on inaccurate evidence is downright stupid.

Okay? If you can find out more, that would be great.

I cannot use the phone.

:hug:

But please be assured that no one went off half cocked here. You may want to check tannybogus's posts. And mine about calling them to check.

no matter how many times you bring up Tannybogus' experience, LA has no direct reply to that.

Does LA have a "pony in this race"?

:shrug:

It's okay. Trying to be careful never hurt anyone. Find me a post at the RW hate sites where anyone tries to make sure the group is being fair or responsible.

:)

Tannybogus talked to a rep who, by tannybogus's reports, seems a rather confused. That is not a confirmation. Confirmation would be an actual purchase of the book from their site or from one of their bookstores. Activism is most effective when backed up with accurate information and a confirmed legitimate target.

I do not have a "pony in this race". Whatever the hell that means.

Because they have not done that.

Maybe you should be venting all over them because posters to this thread have tried to do due diligence.

maybe because it is a Saturday? Maybe because they are consulting with their lawyers?

Anyway, I've done something but I don't want to tip my hand. I should have thought of it hours ago before there was the probable chance that the creators of that site were aware of this thread.

:)

Can't wait to hear.

She was clear. Yes, this would be hearsay and not admitted legally unless they taped the exchange.

She was not a babbling idiot, she just needed to clarify what I was asking to order. She wasn't Einstein either.

Now, have I confused everyone all again?? :hi:

(Jeez! I even forgot about Ike and polls for a minute.)

the story had changed and that the person I talked to DIDN'T have to go get a clarification. He just said, he didn't know anything -- sort of like Alberto Gonzalez before Congress.

lol

I think this will make the company either admit a grave error or threaten a lawsuit against the website. Either way the publicity acknowledging the racial overtones of the product and the entire conference is important.

FYI: I took a different approach in my email and gave the company a heads up on the site along with and told them I hoped it was just a terrible mistake. Haven't received an answer yet.

which is why I love DU.

lol

:loveya:

If the company is complicit, they need to be exposed and boycotted. If the company is not, they need to be aware that they are being used. And if they are being used, nothing will take the site down faster than a letter from a corporate lawyer. I may have over reacted but does anyone remember the Proctor and Gamble fiasco when they were accused of using occult imagery?

Brought to you by the right wing Christian fanatics. I realize you were just trying to be fair but we can't just let this go unanswered.

Hope your mother is doing okay.

FYI (and I am sure that you know) I, in no way shape or form, want to be fair to the racists. If there was a campaign to go after them, I'd be all for it. It's just that I've seen too many half-cocked campaigns that, even though the message is good, in the end, make the campaigners look ridiculous and discredited.

or heads up since they haven't answered my email yet.

and ditched their logo.

Does anyone have a picture of the box?

The racial stuff went right over my head apparently. What did they say that was racist?

other images on their site that are just as bad.

Did you look at that packaging of the waffle box??? Seriously. WTF?

I think I looked more at the Kerry cartoon at the top of the page than the Obama cartoon on the package. Now that I've gone back and looked again, it that supposed to be Obama's preacher on the side edge of the box?

http://www.google.com/url?q=&usg=AFQjCNFaE99GMo-je_VqoWfxu5Z1cmIteg

is suggesting to point the package towards Mecca to achieve the best results. The entire thing is disgusting.

She is wearing a headpiece too. Muslim, Aunt Jemima, they are appealing to the racist part of the country, the other half.

#8 Bob and I over at www.obamawaffles.com are big fans of Mrs. Palin. You're obviously a kindred spirit. We were so fired up by her speech, we created a "Buy 2 get 1 FREE" special on our site. We've created an instant waffle mix called Obama Waffles. We're cataloging his position changes and other foibles. It's an edible collectible. We've created 11 oz of instant waffle mix inside a colorful box covered with biting political satire and laugh-out-loud lampoons. Check it out and get your copy today. We'll be sure to link to your blog from ours. Will you do the same?
Posted by Mark Whitlock 2008-09-07 22:10|| Front Page|| Top

http://rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=249387&D=2008-09-07&SO=&HC=3

I was hitting links from Google trying to find more info. I found this nugget.

Yick!

Mark must have a background in used car sales to the Klan.

Edit: clarity

When I worked for Disney selling children's books we had to go through a book wholesaler to sell to Wal*Mart called American Wholesale Books out of Florence, AL. At the time (1996-97) they serviced all the children's book departments at Wal*Mart. I believe they are associated with Books-A-Million based on the info here on DU. So, you can draw your own conclusions as to the kind of company they are.

Contact Infor
Corporate Office
11130 Kingston Pike, Suite 1-183
Knoxville, TN 37922
Phone: (865) 966-7454
Fax: (865) 675-0557


Knoxville ShowRoom / Sales Office
250 Bell Street
Knoxville, TN 37915
Phone: (865) 546-5656
Fax: (865) 637-9751
Email Sales @
Web Customer Service

Sales@americanbookco.com
flyer@americanbookco.com

New York Showroom / Sales Office
230 Fifth Avenue, Suite 700
New York, NY 10001
Phone: (212) 684-4100
Fax: (212) 532-9081


Purchasing Office
250 Bell Street
Knoxville, TN 37915
Phone: (865) 546-5656
Fax: (865) 546-5657
Email Purchasing @

Purchasing@americanbookco.com

FOOD FIGHT!:P

I am in the habit of checking the media pages for websites and here is scumasshatfucking racist's page:

PLEASE realize that I couldn't get the links to work, but these people's names are being used to promote this product:

_______________________________________________________

While we’re great in the kitchen, we’re not really public figures. Members of the media can submit requests for interviews using the address below. If we don’t get back to you pronto, it’s probably because we’re up to our armpits in waffle mix.

InterviewRequests@ObamaWaffles.com

MEDIA ADDS

Steve Gill, a nationally-recognized talk show host broadcasting from Nashville, Tenn., added Obama Waffles to his morning diet on August 28. Thanks, Steve. We're glad you enjoy "Change you can taste." Thanks, even more, for having us on the air on September 5, 2008. Listen to the podcast here.

Anchor and Managing Editor of "Lou Dobbs Tonight" (CNN) Lou Dobbs and Bob had a quick "drive-by" conversation at the Value Voters Summit on 9/12/2008. He had a great comment you can read here.

Mark did a quick 5-minute interview with his friend Tony Beam on Christian Worldview Today heard on WLAC. Dr. Beam is a professor at North Greenville College and an avid Star Trek collector. Read his blog here.

BestofWashingtonDC.blogspot.com wrote about us today with a humbling comment: "the best political satire so far of this presidential election season."



______________________________________

http://obamawaffles.com/pages/media.html

Is this 2008 or 1957?

Oh wait, by and large we still haven't evolved.

heard the word "satire" from the NYer and don't grasp the meaning of it.

they still don't get that that cover was making fun of them being stupid enough to think he was a muslim (or is it "muslin"? I don't speak freep).

I have written Lou Dobbs asking him to publicly renounce this, as well as the book people. I will write the NAACP as well.

This isn't satire. Satire would be this waffle box being used to satirize the idiots who like it. This kills me, because they are too stupid to get it. Have you ever noticed how utterly lacking in humor freepers are? Wit is certainly not a skill they can lay any sort of claim to either. Sad little monsters trying to be cruel and call it humor. I believe they effectively satirized themselves with this. I was thinking of printing out the screen grab and making fun of them with this, as they did the purple hearts and lips. They think they are hurting Obama with this, and to me, they are only making themselves look like complete 2nd graders, unfit for any office in the land and obviously dealing with a limited IQ and no values. The idea that these people are in any office or even allowed to have children is truly frightening. New rule: Frepers must pass IQ test and "Values" test prior to having sex, since they don't believe in contraception. Hey, they want to rule my body? Get in line, asshats. I have a few rules for you.




wiki:

satire is often strictly defined as a literary genre or form; although, in practice, it is also found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, human or individual vices, follies, abuses, or shortcomings are held up to censure by means of ridicule, derision, burlesque, irony, or other methods, ideally with the intent to bring about improvement.<1> Although satire is usually meant to be funny, the purpose of satire is not primarily humour in itself so much as an attack on something of which the author strongly disapproves, using the weapon of wit.

A very common, almost defining feature of satire is its strong vein of irony or sarcasm, but parody, burlesque, exaggeration, juxtaposition, comparison, analogy, and double entendre are all frequently used in satirical speech and writing. The essential point, however, is that "in satire, irony is militant"<2>. This "militant irony" (or sarcasm) often professes to approve the very things the satirist actually wishes to attack.

I will talk to our rep on Monday. It will hurt us (me, my company, and my colleagues) immensely if we were to refuse to sell to them. I would take the hit personally, but I can't ask my colleagues to do the same. But, we can voice our objections to offensive material.

Please, keep calling, people.

I really hope their lines get flooded on Monday about how they could stoop so low to put this crap on their shelves.

The link looks odd, it's not a hot link and no one has been able to purchase it from the company. It's the weekend. Let's see what the response from BAM is on Monday or Tuesday.

ETA: BAM is not like Amazon. If you look at their site, they don't even have a category for food products. They sell books, magazines, movies, etc.

If they're selling it, they need to be told to STOP. If they aren't (and it seems unlikely a company would be stupid enough to state they are) then they will sue the pants of the waffle sellers. Either way, we win.

Just keep the phone calls polite. Firm but polite works better anyway.

I didn't get confirmation either way when I called, but they now know my views. I'll be doing a short trip up to my local BAM this AM to see what's in the store, since my area seems like a likely one for "product placement."

Definitely plan on calling BAM corporate headquarters Monday. 1-800-876-4510

Calling BAM, a LARGE chain (3rd largest book retailer in US) will have more effect on the waffle company than contacting the racist makers of this product directly.

Keeping BAM from selling it = stopping a major source of income for the racists.
Keeping BAM from selling it = stopping it from being picked up by other chains. (Imagine this in all the Walmart's of the land.)
Keeping BAM from selling it = marginalizing the product to selling at KKK meetings and other overtly racist venues.
Letting BAM know about the waffle website statement that they sell this product if they aren't selling it = the waffle company disappears in lawyer dust as BAM sues the hell out of them for endangering their business.

Granted, I didn't find the selling of a prop baby in good taste either, but this is definitely beyond the pale.

I looked at the site and understand it is not satire. They are trying to make a buck by tapping into racist sentiments. It's just disgusting.

Personally, I don't think the link to BAM looks right and I'd be surprised if it was a product they would sell no matter how conservative the ownership may be.

...why not send a love note to those assholes who started this?

http://obamawaffles.com/pages/contact.html

this is really disgusting

I will never shop there again and I have alerted my e mail list ( some of them are fundys) LOL

of a lawsuit

and I'd just love for all of the money to go to Obama's campaign.

LADY JUSTICE don't cook waffles for you, CRACKERS.

Will give them till Monday evening before I surmise that they are complicit in this.

:yourock:

:hi: