EBAY STONEWALLS COMPLAINTS OF HATE MAIL AGAINST POLITICAL PROFESSOR Political Science Professor Keith F. Shirey says he supports the U.S. Troops, but Opposes War.

Political Science Professor Keith F. Shirey says he supports U.S. Troops and resents the fact that eBAy is not doing anything about death threats he receives on the auction site.

(PRWEB) March 23, 2003 -- Pasadena, CA - After the attack on 9-11, Political Science Professor Keith Shirey removed all of his anti-George Bush buttons on eBay, because he believed that partisan political activity should be suspended. Now, after the war on Iraq has begun, he has taken down 12 auctions of anti-war, anti-Bush pinback buttons on eBay.

Shirey is a graphic artist owns Archival Digital Art (www.buybuttons.com). I received a death threat, because of my anti-war buttons at auction of eBay," explained Shirey. I also get hate e-mails because of my anti-war, anti-Bush buttons on my website Http://www.buybuttons.com. Ive been accused of being anti American and connected to the al-Qaeda Network, which is a gross absurdity. I just got an e-mail today sent through eBay calling me a traitor."

   Even after voluntarily removing the dozen auctions from eBay for his most stridently anti-Bush and anti-war buttons, Shirey still received e-mail calling him a traitor. He says he pulled the more politically sensitive buttons from the worldıs largest Internet site, because he supports the U.S. Troops. When he e-mailed the angry website visitor back and asked why he found fault with the remaining buttons at auction on eBay the person who made the threat responded:

I don't care for any derogatory or incendiary buttons, pins, shirts or bumper stickers. This is America. I find anything related to OUR president in anything less than respectful reverence to be totally tasteless and traitorous." In reaction to the email Shirey said, "By this standard, the only buttons I could have on eBay or my web site would have to show George Bush Jr. being bodily assumed into heaven and shaking hands with God!"

   Shirey says he has filed a complaint with federal authorities and eBay because of the threats coming to him through eBay members. eBay has ignored my plea for help, which to me says they support this domestic terrorism by letting their guard down. All I get from eBay is deceit, doubletalk and evasion. They have the power to suspend the account of the guy making the death threat, but haven't done it."

   The death threat was made in connection with the sale of one of which bears the caption True Homeland Security" and pictures President George Bush, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and Secretary Tom Ridge of Homeland Security with pieces of duct tape across their mouths. Shirey removed the button for sale after the war began. Shirey, who is also Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Citrus college has been embroiled in controversial anti-war activities, sells other politically sensitive buttons on eBay, but it is the first time he has a received threat over a button posted on eBay. Ebay has issued no statement on this death threat.