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More on Leatherman Tools endorsing Kerry
none | today | Republican Extremist

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.


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: bang; kerry; leatherman
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To: killjoy

I agree that we can't boycott everything.
I agree that a liberal boycott of a Bush supporter would upset me.

Nevertheless, when someone takes a public stand of fighting against our American traditions, I'm not going to be a customer, if I can help it.


81 posted on 10/06/2004 8:25:19 PM PDT by Sam Cree (Democrats are herd animals)
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To: the Real fifi

It's hard to imagine what's "distasteful" about boycotting a company over the kinds of things they use their money and/or their name to support. Yes, they are free to spend their profits as they please, but I am equally free to spend my money elsewhere. I no longer buy Levi's jeans because of their support for both the abortion and the homosexual lobbies. To me, boycotts are as American as apple pie, baseball and free markets.


82 posted on 10/06/2004 8:28:16 PM PDT by Emmett McCarthy
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To: TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig

He is probably trying to be a profiteer by supporting Kerry. He may think that if Kerry is elected, Kerry might swing the pocket tool contract away from Gerber to him.


83 posted on 10/06/2004 8:33:27 PM PDT by excalibur21
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To: trussell
If I were famous for my business, I would not advertise for either candidate through my business or otherwise. If I were just a small town business owner, I would keep my political opnion out of the business.

I would keep my politics out of it also. It is just good for business. I wonder how many of those on here calling for a boycott of Leatherman would do the same. The better way to prove the point is just to work to ensure Bush wins the election.

84 posted on 10/06/2004 8:35:41 PM PDT by killjoy (Don't give me any of that intelligent life crap, just give me something I can blow up.)
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To: stainlessbanner
Never bought Leatherman products, never will.

I have -- twice. But never will again, they're on my Permanent BoycottTM list now.

"Permanent BoycottTM" simply means "What you did offended me so much that I won't even bother to remember what you did to cause the boycott, I just won't buy your product again." Not invoked readily (because I don't really want to keep a long list), and a little counter-productive, perhaps, because it assumes no change in behavior of the corporation. (One company recently managed to get off, because I just happened to recall their offense when I read they'd renounced their offensive action.)

85 posted on 10/06/2004 8:38:57 PM PDT by sionnsar (Cbs: Tune in. Turn on. Ignore doubt | Iran Azadi | Traditional Anglicans: trad-anglican.faithweb.com)
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To: Emmett McCarthy

For all of you who think it's a great idea to boycott s company for it owners political views, I note you are certainly free to do so.

Would you think it a good idea if your neighbors did a similar thing to you because you had a Bush sign on your lawn?

Do it if you want, but don't expect me to join you.


86 posted on 10/06/2004 8:39:51 PM PDT by the Real fifi
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To: Republican Extremist

Thanks for posting this. I allways wanted one of these tools. Now I know to look for another brand. Does anyone know a liberal who would use one of these?


87 posted on 10/06/2004 8:42:56 PM PDT by US_MilitaryRules (To All dimocrats,"Would you have wished your mother was pro choice"?)
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To: Faith-Hope
There is no way one can quit doing business with everyone that will vote for Kerry.

If they let me know, I'm willing to make a good effort.

88 posted on 10/06/2004 8:45:43 PM PDT by higgmeister
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To: pillbox_girl
As an aside, is there a comprehensive list anywhere of companies not to do business with?

Well, after a while you probably can't hardly do business with anybody anymore because somebody in that company has done something anti-american.

However, I still hold on to a few boycotts for 'worthy causes': I still boycott everything FRENCH. (website 'francesucks') Also, I avoid movies or music from idiotic, unpatriotic Hollywood actors and musicians. And, for good measure, I've quit buying Slimfast and Unilever products such as Dove Soap. (the Whoopie Goldberg effect).

89 posted on 10/06/2004 8:50:11 PM PDT by CaraM
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To: Slings and Arrows

My email response to Leatherman:

I’ve had a Leatherman Super Tool in my kit for quite some time now. Nice tool, has a few quirks, but overall, it’s been pretty useful. But I see that your President, Tim Leatherman, has chosen to support a traitor and a trial lawyer for the highest offices in the land. He says that he’s taken a position, and is willing to accept the consequences.

Perhaps I’m a bit old-fashioned in that I still judge a man by the company he keeps. And perhaps I’m even more old-fashioned in that I am a man of conviction, and that I live by my principles. Accordingly, I’ve taken a position, too.

So here are some more of those consequences: I will neither buy nor own the products of a man who applauds those who stabbed his countrymen and brothers in arms in the back as did John Kerry. I can say with some assurance that my family, friends and many other acquaintances of mine will also reject your products for the foreseeable future.

It’s long past time to call things by their proper names. Tim Leatherman’s endorsement of a traitor is tantamount to treason itself. As I see it, a simple rejection of Leatherman products isn’t nearly enough. It’s time to spread the word. And that’s precisely what I’ll do.

Ward Dorrity


90 posted on 10/06/2004 8:58:32 PM PDT by Noumenon (The Left's dedication to the destruction of a free society makes them unfit to live in that society.)
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To: Slings and Arrows

This is bad. I see Columbia Sportsware and Patagonia are on the list. I think I can make do with The North Face, Browning, Sierra Designs, and Danner Boots though.


91 posted on 10/06/2004 9:08:32 PM PDT by claudiustg (Go Sharon! Go Bush!)
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To: Blue Jays
Good Evening All-

Tim Leatherman really has to consider the core users and/or primary purchasers of his products. If you could gather all the people coast-to-coast wearing multi-tools on their belts, you would overwhelmingly find them to be Republicans supporting the re-election of President Bush.

People who purchase this type of tool tend to be self-reliant, self-starting, independent-minded folks. They ain't sheeple, that's for sure. Poor decision on the part of the CEO of this firm. His competition will welcome the influx of new customers.

Was considering a Charge Ti or Charge XTi, but I'll clearly take a look at the alternatives. All things being equal, I'm not going to support a businessman who is "OK" with my rights and freedoms being eroded.

~ Blue Jays ~

92 posted on 10/06/2004 9:10:15 PM PDT by Blue Jays (Rock Hard, Ride Free)
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To: Republican Extremist
I've had a Gerber Multi-tool for 9 years now, and a Victorinox Multi-Tool for the past 3 years. They are both good. I'd say that the Gerber is a better pair of pliers, and that the Victorinox has the better blades and other stuff that fold out, albeit the Gerber has probably been upgraded in the past 9 years. Both companies make good knives too, BTW.

I agree that the personal view of a business owner shouldn't matter, so long as they keep it personal. Mr. Leatherman apparently hasn't done that. Victorinox is Swiss and Gerber is American. Gerber makes some serious fighting knives so I doubt that they are exactly bleeding hearts, although they've helped make some, literally (OK, bad pun).
93 posted on 10/06/2004 9:15:37 PM PDT by WmDonovan (www.geocities.com/thelawndaletimes)
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To: Laserman

See, that's where the right of free association comes in. As a businessman, I would never put political signs in my building, on my website, etc. I would put them in the yard of my home, and on my personal vehicle (and I have), but in my best Tony Soprano voice, "it's bad for business". These whiners are going to have to find out the hard way I guess.


94 posted on 10/06/2004 9:17:25 PM PDT by Space Wrangler
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To: WmDonovan

I've got a Gerber Bolt Action that must be a little over 20 years old now. It's one of my favorite folding knives, although I now have taken to carrying a Benchmade 690.

I wouldn't get so upset about a company endorsing some politician, except that I don't see Kerry as just some politician and I don't see the Democrats as just some political party. They have made themselves enemies in thought, word, and deed.


95 posted on 10/06/2004 9:28:13 PM PDT by claudiustg (Go Sharon! Go Bush!)
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To: perfect stranger

I got a leatherman as a Christmas gift a couple of years ago. It was real handy, but I lost it recently. Glad this story was posted. I'll be replacing it with a different brand.

That Gerber looks great.


96 posted on 10/06/2004 10:34:46 PM PDT by kenth (Tucking tail and running is not an exit strategy, it's cowardice and surrender.)
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To: RedBloodedAmerican
"My leatherman rusted and I have just let it go. I think now I will take advantage of the warranty."

Consider a Victorinox Swiss Tool RS.

IMO, it's superior to all the other folding multi-tools out there, including my Wave. The only major design flaw is that neither blade opens with one hand. Victorinox is probably aware of this complaint and it wouldn't surprise me if they are working on correcting it.

97 posted on 10/06/2004 10:36:58 PM PDT by Bonaparte (twisting slowly, slowly in the wind...)
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To: Noumenon

Great letter, Ward! ;-)


98 posted on 10/06/2004 10:43:49 PM PDT by Bonaparte (twisting slowly, slowly in the wind...)
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To: N. Beaujon

Are you kidding? Kerry has never filed his own nails. He does not know how nail clippers work.


99 posted on 10/06/2004 11:40:47 PM PDT by Jet Jaguar (Who would the terrorists vote for?)
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To: Republican Extremist

I use only S.O.G.


100 posted on 10/06/2004 11:41:53 PM PDT by Artemis Webb
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