Posted on 10/07/2004 1:43:16 PM PDT by Traci
Dear Fellow Americans:
We are business leaders in the outdoor industry and we have come together because we can no longer be silent. Outdoor businesses depend on abundant and available recreation opportunities so our customers can enjoy outdoor activities. In return, outdoor businesses employ over a million Americans, contribute $18 billion to the U.S. economy and work together to promote an active and healthy lifestyle to the 149 million Americans who love the great American outdoors.
In our opinion increasing the number of venues for active outdoor recreation, staunchly protecting the environment, bolstering recreation and conservation funding to our public land agencies and reducing health care costs go hand-in-hand. They are essential for the health and well being of the outdoor industry and its customers.
Senators John Kerry and John Edwards share our values and goals. They know that promoting active outdoor recreation promotes good health. They know that proactively protecting and supporting public lands for recreational use means future generations will enjoy them too. They know that improving the quality of the air we breathe and the water we drink is not negotiable for any industry or business in America. They know that health care costs will continue to increase unless we are united in reducing obesity in America.
John Kerry and John Edwards are committed to preserving our national parks for the benefit of current and future generations. President Bush has promoted policies that break that commitment and endanger the future sustainability of our national parks. President Bush's policies have severely under-funded our national parks resulting in rampant understaffing, site closures, elimination of visitor education programs and neglected cultural and natural resource preservation, demonstrating indifference towards unsafe trails, unclear facilities and the growing shortage of safety staff.
As importantly, the Bush administration has rolled back basic environmental protections that undermine parks including:
Rolling back Clean Air Act requirements that ensure visibility and healthy visits to our national parks; Eliminating federal protections for our public lands that will allow mining, logging and development in national forests; Slashing the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which enables the National Park Service to acquire new land and protect and enhance existing parks facilities. In contrast John Kerry and John Edwards have a plan to protect the scenic landscapes and vistas for the appreciation of future generations through rigorous enforcement of clean air and water regulations and will preserve the resources that embody our cultural heritage through committed funding for parks operations by:
Increasing the operating budget of the National Park Service by $600 million will put our parks back on the path toward recovery and restoration. We will pay for this important objective by modernizing the sale of mineral rights and using the revenue generated to increase the operating budgets of our national parks. We know that Senator Kerry is a champion on the environmental issues that are central to our industry and customers. We also believe that Senator Kerry's economic and health care policies will keep our businesses competitive and health care affordable.
Therefore, we the undersigned are proud to endorse Senator Kerry as the next President of the United States.
Sincerely,
Lee Fromson, president, Cascade Designs (Seattle, WA)
Peter Bragden, vice president, general counsel, Columbia Sportswear (Portland, Oregon)
Menno Van Wyk, CEO, Montrail (Seattle, WA)
Paul Fish, president, Mountain Gear (Spokane, WA)
Carn Nielsen, vice president, Mountain Gear (Spokane, WA)
Dan Nordstrom, CEO, Outdoor Research (Seattle, WA)
Jeff Bowman, vice president, Cascade Designs (Seattle, WA)
Doug Phillips, president, Metolius Climbing (Bend, OR)
Tim Leatherman, president, Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. (Portland, OR)
Dunham Gooding, president, American Alpine Institute, Ltd (Bellingham, WA)
Larry Harrison, president, Earth Games (San Clemente, CA)
Jim Clark, CEO, Watermark (Arcata, CA)
Steve Barker, CEO, Eagle Creek Travel Gear (San Diego, CA)
Peter Metcalf, CEO, Black Diamond (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Ashley Korenblat, president, Western Spirit Cycling (Moab, Utah)
Mike Wallenfels, vice president, Mountain Hardware (Richmond, CA)
Roody Rasmussen, CEO, Petzl America (Clearfield, UT)
Tony Post, president, Vibram (Concord, MA)
Kelly Stone, director sales and marketing, Werner Paddles (Seattle, WA)
Joe Hyer, president, Alpine Experience (Olympia, WA)
Mike Sullivan, president, Sullivan Agency (Wimberley, TX)
Bob Olsen, president, Peregrine Outfitters (Williston, VT)
Michael Crooke, CEO, Patagonia (Ventura, CA)
Brian Bennett, director national accounts, Patagonia (Ventura, CA)
Adam Forest, managing partner, The Forest Group (Lotus, CA)
Gordon Seabury, president, Horny Toad Activewear (Santa Barbara, CA)
Paul Gagner, vice president, Gregory Mountain Products (Temecula, CA)
Tom Campion, founder and chairman, Zumiez Inc. (Everett, WA)
Malcolm Daly, president, Trango (Boulder, CO)
Rodney Smith, president, American Outdoor Products (Boulder, CO)
Joan Keller, president, Le Travel Store (San Diego, CA)
I never heard of any of them.
At least Cabela's isn't on there.
The following is the text of the email I just sent to Leatherman:
Tim,
I am in need of a new multi-tool, due to loss of my old one. I'm a part-time rancher, shade-tree mechanic, and volunteer firefighter. I was set to buy the "Wave".
I could not believe what I read today, that you are endorsing Kerry Edwards. Holy cow, what a statement! Oh well, Gerber makes a pretty good tool too.
Well isn't it so very nice they claim an interest, just on their profits. Someone should ask them what the landscape looks like in Vietnam, Iraq and Afganastan, that is the people's landscape. Crap on all of you, get a tent and go to the moon because you are trying to create an island of your own.
Either be American and scratch for how to keep it just that, or go to hell. Take your businesses offshore to the islands wherever, or better yet Anartica or the moon. Stand for something which supports "the people's of the planet and not just JQ liberal public USA.
Look closely. These are the spandex type industries. Most are probably members of PETA, too.
While you slept...or climbed!
No doubt. Or Bass Pro Shops. Phew !
These outdoor equipment companies know the Greenies and Libs are quick to boycott (remember the California grape and lettuce industries) any business that doesn't kowtow to the green agenda.
That's why they knuckle under to the bogus lie that Republicans and President Bush aren't doing enough to support the environment.
We know the truth. The world God created is doing just fine and so are America's wild lands. The timber industry has regrown the forests the Greens say are in danger. Our air is cleaner than just about every other country that has any industry.
If the national parks go road-less, the Outdoor equipment industry will fold as folks need access to enjoy nature. Only John Kerry-Heinz and his like who have private helicopters to fly him in to the luxury lodge will have access if the greenies get their way.
These outdoor equipment companies know the Greenies and Libs are quick to boycott (remember the California grape and lettuce industries) any business that doesn't kowtow to the green agenda.
That's why they knuckle under to the bogus lie that Republicans and President Bush aren't doing enough to support the environment.
We know the truth. The world God created is doing just fine and so are America's wild lands. The timber industry has regrown the forests the Greens say are in danger. Our air is cleaner than just about every other country that has any industry.
If the national parks go road-less, the Outdoor equipment industry will fold as folks need access to enjoy nature. Only John Kerry-Heinz and his like who have private helicopters to fly him in to the luxury lodge will have access if the greenies get their way.
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.
------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Kerry / Edwards
To Whom it May Concern:
I just read that the Leatherman Co. and it's owner is supporting Kerry / Edwards in this years election.
You just lost a customer....and I will be very vocal in letting my friends and family members know where you stand.
You are certainly free to spend your money however you see fit.........And so am I.
Sincerely,
Osage Orange
The Liberals have because they use the "touchy/feeley approach to life. After all who are we to rain down on their parades of self centered existancesssssssss.
I have an entire room in my house dedicated to my outdoor equipment. When I go to buy more I will definitly keep this list in mind when I make any future purchases.
ping for later inventory check
Well, now I have a whole list of other idiots whose products I will no longer buy. I think when this gets around, they won't have that $18 billion they boast of.
I'm with you, I now have my outdoor equipment blacklist. Thanks, you idiots! The only one I'll really miss is Patagonia, but I could rarely afford their stuff anyway. I'm also sorry to see Western Spirit Cycling on the list. I won a free tour with them and was excited to maybe book a paid trip in the future. Now I'll just use one of their competitors, like Rim Tours.
selling mineral rights - they'll probably be as valuable as the drilling leases off of each coast and in the Gulf of Mexico.
H3ll, the libs don't even want cattle grazing on public land. Do these nuts actually think there will be any mining on public lands if the far left takes over?
P.S. Most of these supposed outfitters are the same ones charging exorbitant prices for their stuff - not to mention that most of their stuff is from overseas manufacturers.
Thanks for letting me know what outdoor equipment manufactures I do not want to deal with!
Semper Fi
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.