7-Eleven Bans ‘The Bomber’ From Its Stores Nationwide

Thumbs-down to Dallas-based 7-Eleven, which weaseled out today and banned the new issue of Rolling Stone from news racks in its corporate-owned stores nationwide. The reason: the magazine’s controversial cover featuring Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the suspected Boston Marathon bomber. Critics say the cover disrespects victims of the bombing and glorifies Tsarnaev, likening him to a rock star. What a load. If the guy looked like Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street instead of a teen idol, it’s doubtful there would be half as many complaints. Meantime the flap’s been a PR bonanza for Rolling Stone, which often tackles serious cultural/political issues as well as music—of course. Next time Rascal Flatts or Justin Bieber makes the RS cover I’ll ask 7-Eleven to ban it, too, since the retailer seems to respond so readily to pressure.