Google censors ad criticizing Bush, lets pro-Bush ads continue

[rawstory]

Exclusive to The Raw Story, http://www.rawstory.com

By John Byrne
RAW STORY EDITOR

In a stunning move by the fledging search engine firm known for its open access to information, the Google AdWords program has suspended the account of an advertiser selling playing cards intended to poke fun at President Bush. The firm suspended the account for its use of keywords "George Bush," "George W. Bush," "President Bush," "Bush Cards," and "Bush Decks."

It also specifically blocked the ad for the search term "war profiteers."

"At this time, Google policy does not permit the advertisement of websites that contain language that advocates against an individual, group, or organization," a Google email remarked.

Advertisements promoting pro-Bush playing cards continue to run on Google and its affiliate sites, including George Bush Playing Cards, "52 Reasons to Re-elect G.W. Bush," and "Political Playing Cards." Another ad appears for a tamer site selling caricature cards of the President's associates, saying, "George Bush may not have a full deck."

At the time of this writing, Google also continues to run an ad for Showtime's "American Candidate" under the search term "Bush," headlined, "Beat Bush, save America."

The blocked advertisement, for "Deck of Bush," contained the phrase "54 reasons NOT to re-elect the President."

<snip>

The creator, Jerry Vasilatos, noted that Google seems to have no problem with running ads for pornography websites, including those which appear to advocate criminal behavior. Four advertisements come up for the search term "underage boys."

"The hypocrisy regarding their definition that 'Google policy does not permit the advertisement of websites that contain 'language that advocates against an individual, group, or organization' is astounding," he remarked. "While Google prohibits ads promoting our website because it contains "language that advocates against an individual group" (President Bush), apparently it condones advertisements for websites promoting sex with the underaged which we think advocates criminal behavior against individuals and groups (underaged children)."


Full story at http://www.rawstory.com/exclusives/byrne/google_bans_cards.htm ... Still developing, check back later today...

[PDX Bara]

1. Disappointment in Google

I am but one grain of sand on the beach, not as computer savvy as I'd like to be, but I will do my best to avoid using Google whenever possible until such time that there is evidence that the other side of the story is receiving the same level of support. So, fellow Du'ers, can you suggest another search engine that will do a comparable job and is not known to be a "Bush Kisser?" Thank you.

[Suziq]

3. Use Dogpile Instead . . .

http://www.dogpile.com

And, welcome to DU! :hi:

[NeonLX]

6. Dogpile is good, so is "ask Jeeves"

http://www.ask.com

[progressivebydesign]

2. Okay, I did a test.

I typed "John Kerry is an idiot" into Google. While I did not get any side ads hawking merchandise, as you usually do.. and most of what I got back in my search was not for products, I did get this on the first or second page: http://www.zazzle.com/contributors/products/product/product.asp?cid=238989168884651151&caching=on&product_id=235479424994002119&index=1

That looks like someone selling things pertaining to a certain person. These people used the key words John Kerry and Idiot.

[Eric J in MN]

4. This is about their advertising program, not their main search

This is about their advertising program, not their main search results.

You can find anti-Bush merchandise in their main search results, too.

[Eric J in MN]

5. I found both anti-Bush and anti-Kerry ads

With "John Kerry" for the search, I found,
a google-ad for "Kerry you're scary" t-shirts
http://www.cafeshops.com/bushnotkerry

and using "George. W. Bush" for the search, I found,
a google-ad for "Bush, you're fired" t-shirts

[Ragin1]

7. Alternative to Google

www.alltheweb.com

[newyawker99]

8. Hi Ragin1!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: