Although he proudly accepts the label of “liberal,” Warren Lapine is a bit bewildered about how he and his company, the New River Valley-based Wilder Publications, became the target of conservative ire.

In fact, Lapine says this “story” that has gone national isn’t really much of a story as far as he is concerned.

“We publish historical literature, and some of it has misogynistic views or racist views that simply aren’t accepted today,” Lapine said. “We got complaints, from people, who I assumed were liberals, about some of those views. We thought it would be a good idea to add a statement on all of our books that explained that these books are a product of their times and parents should talk to their kids about the books if the kids read them. That seemed to take care of the complaints and we hadn’t heard anything for three years.”

Until very recently. What began as a murmuring in the blogosphere was picked up by Fox News and was mentioned by Glenn Beck on his Fox News show. Then the story exploded in conservative blogs across the country. A Facebook group was created called “BOYCOTT Wilder Publications NOW!”

Conservatives have taken offense that the following disclaimer is found on Wilder reprints of works such as the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and other historical documents:

“This book is a product of its time and does not reflect the same values as it would if it were written today. Parents might wish to discuss with their children how views on race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and interpersonal relations have changed since this book was written before allowing them to read this classic work.”

An administrator to the Facebook group page boycotting Wilder Publications, Robert Jess, wrote a post about the disclaimer saying, “Wilder Publications, AKA Warren Lapine, needs to be held accountable for its actions. The Boycott will be used to set an example to show other like-minded liberal progressives that their hateful behavior will not be tolerated by the plurality of law-abiding red, white, and blue American citizens!”

When asked in a phone interview how the the Wilder Publications disclaimer was “hateful behavior,” the Facebook group page creator, Gary Assell, paused and then simply answered, “We are holding them responsible for putting that warning on the Constitution.”

Assell went on to say that all children should read the Constitution and other founding documents rather than having warning labels put on them. “We need kids to know about those now more than ever,” Assell said, adding that certainly by a child’s high school years, he or she should be studying the Constitution.

Assell equated the disclaimer to other liberal viewpoints as he mentioned topics such as activist judges and the role of religion. He stated that it was obvious that the founding fathers wanted the United States to be a Christian country. “I don’t think one of them didn’t say that at one time or another,” Assell said.

The ultimate goal of the Facebook group calling for a boycott of Wilder Publications, Assell said, was to force Wilder to remove its disclaimer.

Lapine said that for a boycott to work, the people participating in the boycott had to be buying the products. “I’m not sure how many of the folks boycotting us have ever bought one of our books,” he said.

Assell, who is from Illinois and said he has not spoken to Lapine, created the Facebook group, which has more that 500 members. But the group seems to be targeting Lapine directly as much as Wilder Publications as it has posted Lapine’s photo and Facebook information in addition to information about his family.

“He’s a liberal,” Assell said, “and this is a slap in the face to our country. We wanted to let people know who the man is and his reasoning for doing it. A warning label on the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence? That’s crazy.” Assell pointed out that Mein Kampf does not have a warning label.

Conservatives paint Lapine as a person who is trying to destroy their values.

Lapine says, in a twist of irony, “Those people probably don’t realize how much we have in common. I am a liberal, but I’m a libertarian liberal. I believe in the Second Amendment. I believe in individual rights. They’ve been calling me a commie and a socialist. But I’m an entrepreneur. I’m a capitalist.”

Lapine went on to say the critics, especially bloggers, have misrepresented the truth to suit their own ideology and to increase their Internet traffic.”Their whole plot is just fantasy,” Lapine said.

Meanwhile, Assell’s Facebook group continues the assault on Lapine and Wilder Publications. From group member John R. Sans, “Wilder Publications with their left-wing extremist views is a grave threat to America.” Another group member, Scott Frieh, said that Lapine “was jewish.”

“That’s news to me,” Lapine responded.

Naomi Swanson said, “His only audience are birds of a feather!!! Always wondering if these people were raised or spawned?”

Wilder publications, however, publishes or distributes a wide array of books on such topics as Christianity. For the book A Faith that Prevails, for example, a customer review stated, “This book is awesome and very powerful. It will help you to believe God for whatever you need, and it will encourage to walk closer with God and empower your faith.”

Wilder publishes or distributes classics, sci-fi and horror books, children’s and young adult books, and many others. And Lapine seems amused, again, that his company is not even the publisher of the books at the center of this firestorm.

“They are published by A&D Books, Lapine said. “We just distribute them. But I’ve been in the spotlight before so I don’t mind this. The owner of A&D is a nice guy. A retired school teacher. It’s best that he’s not involved.”

Lapine said he has received death threats due to what has been suggested is a controversy. But overall, he said the reaction has not been too overwhelming.

“If I’d taken a shot at Stephen King or Neil Gaiman, I’d have received far more angry letters from their fans,” Lapine said.

Tim W. Jackson is Editor of the New River Voice.