For what it is worth...

[Lachesis]

Dear Mr. King,
I am 38 and have been a life long "constant reader" of yours. I am one of those folks who (when actual bookstores were still around) would rush out to buy the hardback of your latest offering the day it was available. Hell, I'm one of those guys who would have bought your grocery list in hardback if you ever published it.

That ended today. Never again will I give you 1 cent of my hard earned cash after your statement about the NRA and responsibility for gun violence. I spoke up for you many times when they blamed "Rage" for school shootings. I thought it was a shame when you pulled that story out of guilt. I am sure you wrote this essay out of guilt, as well.

Just as I would never think to blame a fictional story for the deeds of an evil individual, it is just as much a folly to blame inanimate objects for those deeds. I only wish you could understand that.
...
As I sit here and wonder "What should I now do with this entire bookcase of Stephen King hardbacks (and truth be told some paperbacks, as well)?", I think maybe I should give them away to charity. No, I don't want to encourage someone else to make the bad decision I made in becoming a fan. Maybe I should start a protest bon fire with them and post a photo of it on your wall. No, I can't get behind burning books for any cause.

I think I will quietly slip them into the recycling can and try to erase you, Mr. King, and your stories from my memory. I am done with you.

[Moderator]

You are entitled to maintain what you consider are your principles and Stephen is entitled to do the same. I sincerely wish you the best.

[not_nadine]

wow

[PatInTheHat]

Ho's hums, let the blatherin's begin:geek:!

[PatInTheHat]

Dear Mr. King,
I am 38 and have been a life long "constant reader" of yours. I am one of those folks who (when actual bookstores were still around) would rush out to buy the hardback of your latest offering the day it was available. Hell, I'm one of those guys who would have bought your grocery list in hardback if you ever published it.

That ended today. Never again will I give you 1 cent of my hard earned cash after your statement about the NRA and responsibility for gun violence. I spoke up for you many times when they blamed "Rage" for school shootings. I thought it was a shame when you pulled that story out of guilt. I am sure you wrote this essay out of guilt, as well.

Just as I would never think to blame a fictional story for the deeds of an evil individual, it is just as much a folly to blame inanimate objects for those deeds. I only wish you could understand that.
...
As I sit here and wonder "What should I now do with this entire bookcase of Stephen King hardbacks (and truth be told some paperbacks, as well)?", I think maybe I should give them away to charity. No, I don't want to encourage someone else to make the bad decision I made in becoming a fan.

May I might make a wee suggestion:oo:...hey don't cry, see I'm from Kentucky and we gots plenty o'
jelly:eyebrow:

[~Ally~]

Never again will I give you 1 cent of my hard earned cash after your statement about the NRA and responsibility for gun violence. I spoke up for you many times when they blamed "Rage" for school shootings. I thought it was a shame when you pulled that story out of guilt. I am sure you wrote this essay out of guilt, as well.

Did you actually read the essay? So far I've read nothing in this post that suggests you did. Especially since King doesn't specifically blame the NRA--or in fact anybody--for anything, and he also addresses the topic of Rage very clearly and guilt was not the reason he pulled it.

If you would like to share your opinions on the essay then there's already a discussion here that you're more than welcome to join. :smile2:

http://www.stephenking.com/forums/showthread.php/27791-Your-thoughts-about-Steve-s-essay (http://www.stephenking.com/forums/showthread.php/27791-Your-thoughts-about-Steve-s-essay)

[Out of Order]

I guess he didn't like the essay then?

[GNTLGNT]

...sooo, you join up only to quit?...way to stand by your convictions!....I am underwhelmed...

[Lily Sawyer]

For what it is worth...

...which isn't much.

Getting rid of books that you enjoyed (and probably would again in the future if you're into re-reads) is SUCH a smart idea when you disagree with their author about one topic.
You're the second opiner I've read here who has thoroughly proven Mr. King's point: gun advocates have got to participate in a discussion about gun responsibility if they don't want government interference to happen. At least gun enthusiasts would have their say and put forth some concrete solutions to a problem that has spiraled out of control in the U.S.

[king family fan]

To each his own.But really no more reading of Kings work. Everyone has their own opinions.

[atomicinchworm]

This is mature.

This is another behavior that just doesn't make sense to me. The "rawr, rawr you don't agree with me on the one topic I seem to take the most seriously of any topics out there! Burn books, CDs, movies! Rawr, rawr, rawr! Let's not put in any actual thoughts behind what we are saying and just say it because it feels good but doesn't actually get anything done! RAWR!"

Sigh.

[Autumn Gust]

wow


ditto

[swampdonkeykid]

I agree.

as king is a fan of Obama I find it irresponsible and shameful to push for this gun control while Obama continues to drone bomb little kids and women, destroying families, in myriad countries that we aren't even at war with! Not to mention the other egregious violations of our rights that he has intensified since W left ( Ndaa, etc.)

in addition, I am outraged at the inept media coverage of the event. Total disgrace.

would this " assault weapons" ban be talked about if lanza used pistols, as was widely reported for over 24 hours? Hmm? Connect the dots.

another constant reader has left....

[Shasta]

That's bad for the environment. Can you send the books to me?

[Sundrop]

Dear Mr. King,
I am 38 and have been a life long "constant reader" of yours. I am one of those folks who (when actual bookstores were still around) would rush out to buy the hardback of your latest offering the day it was available. Hell, I'm one of those guys who would have bought your grocery list in hardback if you ever published it.

That ended today. Never again will I give you 1 cent of my hard earned cash after your statement about the NRA and responsibility for gun violence. I spoke up for you many times when they blamed "Rage" for school shootings. I thought it was a shame when you pulled that story out of guilt. I am sure you wrote this essay out of guilt, as well.

Just as I would never think to blame a fictional story for the deeds of an evil individual, it is just as much a folly to blame inanimate objects for those deeds. I only wish you could understand that.
...
As I sit here and wonder "What should I now do with this entire bookcase of Stephen King hardbacks (and truth be told some paperbacks, as well)?", I think maybe I should give them away to charity. No, I don't want to encourage someone else to make the bad decision I made in becoming a fan. Maybe I should start a protest bon fire with them and post a photo of it on your wall. No, I can't get behind burning books for any cause.

I think I will quietly slip them into the recycling can and try to erase you, Mr. King, and your stories from my memory. I am done with you.

Donate your books to me....I'll be happy to have them. I'm already an SK fan, so you wouldn't be encouraging me or influencing me at all.
I've known for years that Mr. King and I are basically at polar opposites politically.....but I respect his opinion, and his right to voice that opinion. As a citizen of the USA, he has the same rights as the rest of us.

I haven't read the essay yet......but I'd never have such an overreaction as you just had even if I didn't agree with his opinion.

If you're seriously considering tossing those books, PM me for my address.....I'll be more than happy for you to donate them to the Library of Sunny D. ♥

[GNTLGNT]

I agree.

as king is a fan of Obama I find it irresponsible and shameful to push for this gun control while Obama continues to drone bomb little kids and women, destroying families, in myriad countries that we aren't even at war with! Not to mention the other egregious violations of our rights that he has intensified since W left ( Ndaa, etc.)

in addition, I am outraged at the inept media coverage of the event. Total disgrace.

would this " assault weapons" ban be talked about if lanza used pistols, as was widely reported for over 24 hours? Hmm? Connect the dots.

another constant reader has left....

...yet you keep posting....

[Todash]

I agree.

as king is a fan of Obama I find it irresponsible and shameful to push for this gun control while Obama continues to drone bomb little kids and women, destroying families, in myriad countries that we aren't even at war with! Not to mention the other egregious violations of our rights that he has intensified since W left ( Ndaa, etc.)

in addition, I am outraged at the inept media coverage of the event. Total disgrace.

would this " assault weapons" ban be talked about if lanza used pistols, as was widely reported for over 24 hours? Hmm? Connect the dots.

another constant reader has left....
You might want to check to see what kind of weapons are pretty much always used in mass shootings. Hint: it's assault rifles and big clips.

Don't let the doorknob hit ya where the good Lord split ya.

[AnnaMarie]

I think I will quietly slip them into the recycling can and try to erase you, Mr. King, and your stories from my memory. I am done with you.

Why not donate them to a library or something.

[Tim D.]

...sooo, you join up only to quit?...way to stand by your convictions!....I am underwhelmed...

I join you in underwhelment.

[fushingfeef]

Man, you'd think SK had said he was "bigger than Jesus" or something. Sheesh, can't someone express an opinion different than your own? Good luck with that, amigo.

I'd like to take the time personally to send out a big salute to those of you on this board whose opinions differ greatly from King's (you know who you are, and the rest of us probably do too) but are still sticking around and being loyal fans. Don't go anywhere, we welcome all types here! Variety is the spice of life, and heck, we might all learn something about ourselves when our beliefs are challenged.

[hossenpepper]

Dear Mr. King,
I am 38 and have been a life long "constant reader" of yours. I am one of those folks who (when actual bookstores were still around) would rush out to buy the hardback of your latest offering the day it was available. Hell, I'm one of those guys who would have bought your grocery list in hardback if you ever published it.

That ended today. Never again will I give you 1 cent of my hard earned cash after your statement about the NRA and responsibility for gun violence. I spoke up for you many times when they blamed "Rage" for school shootings. I thought it was a shame when you pulled that story out of guilt. I am sure you wrote this essay out of guilt, as well.

Just as I would never think to blame a fictional story for the deeds of an evil individual, it is just as much a folly to blame inanimate objects for those deeds. I only wish you could understand that.
...
As I sit here and wonder "What should I now do with this entire bookcase of Stephen King hardbacks (and truth be told some paperbacks, as well)?", I think maybe I should give them away to charity. No, I don't want to encourage someone else to make the bad decision I made in becoming a fan. Maybe I should start a protest bon fire with them and post a photo of it on your wall. No, I can't get behind burning books for any cause.

I think I will quietly slip them into the recycling can and try to erase you, Mr. King, and your stories from my memory. I am done with you.

Door may hit a$$ on way out... Achtung baby!

[jafen]

While I respect the post and your intents, I frankly don't understand it. Doesn't it seem hypocritical to say that Mr. King doesn't have the right to express his views, that you are willing to regret all the joy you've received from Mr. King's story's simply because he doesn't agree with you?
I can't understand that line of thinking.

[mustangclaire]

Surely, even if you disagree with someones beliefs and opinions, yet can still appreciate what they do that's bought you joy for so many years, it makes you a more admirable person? Agree to disagree? I adore heavy rock music, but am anti-drugs. Half my cd collection consists of drug pushing maniacs. Not going to burn them all tho.... If that makes ANY sense, which it probably doesn't as it's 7.15pm here in Britain and i'm 2/3rds of a way down a bottle of wine....Live and let live.

[doowopgirl]

While I don't 100% agree with SK on guns, I 100% respect his opinion and your right to yours. But IMO refusing to read books that you enjoyed because of of differing opinions is kind of shooting off your nose to spite your face.