Mike Pence’s publisher refuses to cancel memoir after staff protest

[Allan]

I'm curious as to how people feel about this. Simon & Schuster has pushed back against employees who want Pence's book deal cancelled. I'm with the publisher on this one.

Simon & Schuster has said it will not pull out of a seven-figure book deal with Mike Pence after some of its employees called for the contract to be scrapped, stating that “we come to work each day to publish, not cancel”.

An open letter circulated by staff at S&S said that the publisher had “chosen complicity in perpetuating white supremacy by publishing Pence”, in a two-book deal struck earlier this month and reported to be worth $3-4m (£2.1-2.8m). The letter, which did not reveal how many members of staff had signed, said that the former vice-president had “made a career out of discriminating against marginalised groups and denying resources to BIPOC and LGBTQA+ communities”, and demanded his book deal be cancelled.

Link

 

[Excast]

I'm kind of torn.

The guy has pushed some extremely ugly, backwards social policies over the years. He was one of the first on the train of normalizing Trumpism. That being said, he also has quite a story to tell, especially if he delves into what happened during his time as Vice President and the day of the Capitol insurrection.

He's probably done in politics. The guy never had the charisma to be a party front runner himself and I don't really see that Trump brand playing with the American people going forward.

 

[Crosscheck]

The book will likely be a personal admiration of Trump in Pence's milquetoast style.

Basically Mike needs a few bucks.

Don't expect any book reviews suggesting the riveting tales will keep you awake at night unable to put it down.

 

[Allan]

The book will likely be a personal admiration of Trump in Pence's milquetoast style.

Basically Mike needs a few bucks.

Don't expect any book reviews suggesting the riveting tales will keep you awake at night unable to put it down.

I think you're right - the book is likely going to be pages of policy justifications, fictional accomplishments and patting himself on the back for helping Trump defeat everything from ISIS to Covid.

It won't be a page-turner.

 

[holbritter]

What the employees wanted is getting too close to a society of censorship, instead of free speech. Nobody is forcing anyone to read/buy it.
That's how I feel anyway

 

[Craig234]

Pence wants businesses free to refuse to serve gay people. There's a lot better case for a business refusing to serve him. He's not censored - he can post on the internet. Should they have any standards for who they publish?

 

[OrphanSlug]

At the end of the day we are talking about a publishing company going up against a group of their own staff.

The publisher is free to publish this book, and their staff is free to work elsewhere. Conversely the publisher is also free to concede to their staff, and Pence is free to take the book to another publisher.

Unsure why this is even newsworthy, but this is the sort of shit that modern politics brings to the table. Economic litmus tests.

 

[joluoto]

I think you're right - the book is likely going to be pages of policy justifications, fictional accomplishments and patting himself on the back for helping Trump defeat everything from ISIS to Covid.

It won't be a page-turner.

And probably trying to not mention the whole "cure the gays" thing in Indiana, or worse, trying to say it's an accomplishment.

 

[MaryP]

I'm curious as to how people feel about this. Simon & Schuster has pushed back against employees who want Pence's book deal cancelled. I'm with the publisher on this one.



Link

"we come to work each day to publish, not cancel”.

Oh brother, talk about irony!

 

[MaryP]

Pence wants businesses free to refuse to serve gay people. There's a lot better case for a business refusing to serve him. He's not censored - he can post on the internet. Should they have any standards for who they publish?

Pence was the Vice President of the United States during one of the most contentious administrations in history. Of course he should be "allowed" to publish his memoirs, despite his religious views.

Standards? How about the standard of tolerance for views other than your own? (Not using 'your' personally.)

 

[TheParser]

I'm curious as to how people feel about this. Simon & Schuster has pushed back against employees who want Pence's book deal cancelled. I'm with the publisher on this one.



Link

Dang!

A publisher with some guts!

Afraid, though, that it may get pressured to give in to those woke employees.

In today's America, the bleeding hearts for unworthy causes will destroy any opponents.

 

[911Sparky]

I'm curious as to how people feel about this. Simon & Schuster has pushed back against employees who want Pence's book deal cancelled. I'm with the publisher on this one.



Link

The employees need to go back to work, or find a job that fits their political agenda. If enough people want to read Pence's book it will be a success, if not it will fail, that is for S&S to decide. I probably won't buy it.

 

[Athanasius68]

At the end of the day we are talking about a publishing company going up against a group of their own staff.

The publisher is free to publish this book, and their staff is free to work elsewhere. Conversely the publisher is also free to concede to their staff, and Pence is free to take the book to another publisher.

Unsure why this is even newsworthy, but this is the sort of shit that modern politics brings to the table. Economic litmus tests.

Its noteworthy because a number of employees of a publishing company had an objection to publishing.

 

[OrphanSlug]

Its noteworthy because a number of employees of a publishing company had an objection to publishing.

So... they are free to voice that opinion.

 

[Athanasius68]

So... they are free to voice that opinion.

Yes-- and its noteworthy that employees of a company that publishes books is against the publication of this book.

 

[Drowning Man]

I'm curious as to how people feel about this. Simon & Schuster has pushed back against employees who want Pence's book deal cancelled. I'm with the publisher on this one.



Link

Freedom is a wonderful thing.

1. Pence is free to write a book
2. The publisher is free to publish the book
3. The employees are free to complain about publishing the book
4. I'm free to not give a shit.

 

[Alizia Tyler]

I'm curious as to how people feel about this. Simon & Schuster has pushed back against employees who want Pence's book deal cancelled. I'm with the publisher on this one.

What I don't understand is why hasn't Pence been investigated by the authorities? Just given the fact that he was associated with Trump in the first place makes him suspect. Will there come a time when the awakened population of America will assert their right to contest his citizenship? Okay, that is a bit much I admit. But we have to establish limits, don't we? It seems that we must now begin to think in real terms about just how much influence men of the Christian patriarchy are allowed to have in modern society. He is part of a Christian cult plain and simple. The whole Sky Daddy thing is just crazy.

But about the book publishing deal. My view is that if IF he will agree to turn over 90% of the earnings for that book to BLM and to take some steps toward building a just and equitable future for all of us, then I cannot oppose the deal.

OrphanSlug said something really truthful -- (I commend you brother for so many of your trenchant comments!) -- the employees have a right to their opinion. But I'd go further and encourage you not to be so timid. The employees make the book publisher possible and if we were really honest we'd acknowledge that, technically, they *own* the company. And if they have struggled to arrive at the right and correct political and social position I cannot understand why the publisher -- the privelaged ownership I will add -- should not be forced to also see the light, the light so obvious to anyone.

MaryP writes:

Standards? How about the standard of tolerance for views other than your own?

The problem here is that there really are right views and their really are wrong views. It is a 'privileged' view -- Mary are you white? I think the question is fair in this context -- that we can afford to let these wrong ideas circulate. And you can bet the book will be filled with wrongview.

Now is the time to consolidate the gains American democracy has struggled and bled to achieve. GF gave his life and brought change to the World. We are right on the verge of a social revolution that is going to restore our democracy!

A little bit of critical analysis is in order here.

In solidarity with those who are making righteous and authentic choices.

Forever in the struggle,

Alizia Tyler

 

[j brown's body]

I want to know how the book will be held together without a spine.

 

[Allan]

What I don't understand is why hasn't Pence been investigated by the authorities? Just given the fact that he was associated with Trump in the first place makes him suspect. Will there come a time when the awakened population of America will assert their right to contest his citizenship?

Guilt by association is the practice of totalitarian regimes.

OrphanSlug said something really truthful -- (I commend you brother for so many of your trenchant comments!) -- the employees have a right to their opinion. But I'd go further and encourage you not to be so timid. The employees make the book publisher possible and if we were really honest we'd acknowledge that, technically, they *own* the company. And if they have struggled to arrive at the right and correct political and social position I cannot understand why the publisher -- the privelaged ownership I will add -- should not be forced to also see the light, the light so obvious to anyone.

Employees don't own the company, technically or in any other sense. Simon & Shuster is owned by a publicly traded company (Viacom CBS) and as such is owned by its investors.

 

[Allan]

Freedom is a wonderful thing.

1. Pence is free to write a book
2. The publisher is free to publish the book
3. The employees are free to complain about publishing the book
4. I'm free to not give a shit.

Well said.

 

[Allan]

I want to know how the book will be held together without a spine.

 

[Alizia Tyler]

Guilt by association is the practice of totalitarian regimes.

I don't know where you are coming from with this. You seem to be covering for Pence. I say that Pence is guilty, guilty of running defense for one of history's more vile creatures.

T***** (I refuse to write his name) defended the Nazis in Charlottesville. Pence defended Trump. Now tell me again about these totalitarian regimes . . .

What side are you on Allen? This is a time for choosing sides, not defending questionable public figures.
_____________________

Say Her Name!

 

[tres borrachos]

Freedom is a wonderful thing.

1. Pence is free to write a book
2. The publisher is free to publish the book
3. The employees are free to complain about publishing the book
4. I'm free to not give a shit.

Post of the day. That sums it up for me too.

 

[Allan]

I don't know where you are coming from with this. You seem to be covering for Pence. I say that Pence is guilty, guilty of running defense for one of history's more vile creatures.

I don't like Pence one bit, but you haven't listed even one crime he's supposed to have committed.

T***** (I refuse to write his name) defended the Nazis in Charlottesville. Pence defended Trump. Now tell me again about totalitarian regimes.

Again, guilt by association.

What side are you on Allen? This is a time for choosing sides, not defending questionable public figures.
_____________________

I'm on the side of Simon & Shuster's position on publishing the book.

 

[Alizia Tyler]

I don't like Pence one bit, but you haven't listed even one crime he's supposed to have committed.

Did or did not T***** commit a literal crime when he said "good people on both sides'"?

I'm on the side of Simon & Shuster's position on publishing the book.

I will respect your opinion if you can demonstrate that your opinion can be changed when confronted with truth.