Posted on 10/06/2004 7:17:33 PM PDT by Republican Extremist
Regarding this thread http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1231976/posts, where I outlined Leatherman Tools support of the treasonous John Kerry, I received this e-mail from them today:
Dear Sir or Madam:
I assure you I have personally read your e-mail. However, due to the volume of messages received, I cannot give a personalized response to each to you.
However, here in a nutshell is a general response:
Because I publicly stated how I am going to cast my vote, almost all of you have threatened a boycott against my company.
So be it.
I took a position, and now I will accept the consequences.
I am still going to do my absolute best to make great tools and hope that you and all Americans, of every political affiliation, will find them of value. If not today, someday. Tim Leatherman President Leatherman Tool Group, Inc.
Will France and Germany get a veto on how good the tools can be?
No biggie better stuff on the market now anyway. We should still spread the word.
your post made me think of something. What is a pocket knife endorsement worth these days anyway?
Will KERRY be shooting for the pocket protector manufacturer endorsement next?
I admire his willingness to accept the consequences.
He isn't whining about a "boycott", like some others have. He isn't demeaning those that have chosen not to buy his product. Other Libs could learn from him.
I think Some are taking this a bit far. Why should Someone's business fail because they support or endorse a certain candidate? this is America... he should be able to vote for the wrong candidate if he wants to.
Any U.S. Citizen can support any candidate for President. They can support their candidate by donating money, by volunteering for campaigns and by convincing their friends and families to vote for their candidate. What Mr. Leatherman has done has injected himself and his company into the political process.
Perhaps people should ask why he has done this, perhaps he's upset that Gerber has the military contract for multi-tools and figures supporting Kerry could allow his company to profit. Whatever his reasons he injected Leatherman products into the political process and deserves to suffer in the marketplace because of that decision.
I had one of the newer gerbers and managed to break one of the internal metal 'flat' springs in about 30 minutes of playing with it. This made the pliers virtually useless. Not a very well thought out design where you can have such a critical failure. Needless to say, I wasn't impressed with the Gerber.
And when his company fails because of his stupid politics, will he accept the responsibility, or just do the liberal thing and blame Bush?
As an aside, is there a comprehensive list anywhere of companies not to do business with?
Wait til an unhinged trial lawyer sues his company because some kid cut off a toe. Some Edwardesque 'for the children' sleaze.
Mr. Leatherman,
I have long had a supertool on or about my person, I was one of the first people to buy one, and it has never failed me. No repairs needed, no problems.
I deeply respect the concept that people have a right to vote or support as they choose, and that is not what is forcing my decision today. What did force my hand was your taking a public stand, quoting idiotic enviromental scams, with the impression that any of it will ever happen. Senators John Kerry and John Edwards have done exactly zero on the issues you bring up, what makes you believe such policies would actually change?
I'm not boycotting your company because of whom you're voting for; I'm boycotting your company because you're too stupid to stay in business long enough for that lifetime warrantee to have any meaning.
Oh, and because you decided to make a public issue out of your stance. But, really, that's secondary.
Thank you for your time, and I wish you luck in your new business ventures.
A Former Leatherman Owner.
If I knew how to post pictures, a Village People photo of the Leatherman would go HERE.
Agree 100%. I don't agree with the political positions of a great number of companies and people. I am not going to boycott them just because of it. If so, I would have a very short list of companies I would do business with and an even shorter list of friends.
How would people feel if someone refused to do business when them because they support Bush? I am sure you would hear quite a bit of whining about it.
I have a Micro that I carry with me always. Tomorrow I will look for a replacement that is NOT Leatherman. Anyone dumb enough to vote for Kerry is not someone I should be supporting.
Gerber makes the same item. I own one. I prefer the Gerber to the Leatherman anyway. I love it when it's this easy.
For those who no longer want their Leathermans and feel a desire to get rid of them, I would be more than happy to put them to good use.
Im a machinist and work with tools all day. I gave up on Leatherman tools years ago. Gerber is the only all-purpose tool i use anyway.
Needless to say Mr. Leatherman has taken the American workingman for granted. Hope he files chapter 11 for his idiotic endorsement.
My daugher gave me one of these Victorinox tools for Father's Day several years ago.
It's been great!
Glenn Hughes RIP.
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