Bully-ish move on Amazon's part

I love Amazon. I especially love how they have SO many books, how I can get books cheaply, and how I can *instantly* get so many books on my Kindle. Oh, yes, and I love my Kindle.

But Amazon has just made a real bully-ish move, an underhanded, cruddy move, attacking local and indie bookstores. Amazon is giving people $5 to go to a store, find and scan a book, and then walk out and buy the same book on Amazon. Really, Amazon?? In what universe do you think it's okay to stomp on indie bookstores and smaller businesses? Come on; I know you can do better.

People–please do NOT do this! We NEED our indie bookstores. It would become a pretty scary place if there was only ONE major bookstore. Besides that, local bookstores offer so much. Besides being able to walk in, page through a book, read passages from any page until you know whether you want it or not, you also have the specialty advice and experience from your local bookseller, books offered to you that you might not otherwise see or pick up, and enthusiastic book lovers who want to help you find the next book you love.

I buy from Amazon–but I also buy from my local indie bookstores, and indie online bookstores. I hope you do, too.