For the last three years I've used my Dell XPS R450 to engage in enough pro-gun political activism to give Sarah Brady, Diane Feinstein, Chuck Schumer, etc., etc. Excedrin headache #1,000,006.
Posted on 03/01/2002 10:00:45 AM PST by TheDon
A spat between Dell Computer [NASDAQ:DELL] and some gun owners continued to rage today, despite a formal mea culpa from the computer maker's chairman.
In a message to supporters, Jack Weigand, owner of Pennsylvania-based Weigand Combat Handguns Inc., claimed today that Dell Computer is "connected" to Handgun Control Inc., a lobbying group that changed its name to The Brady Campaign last June.
Representatives of Dell Computer and the Brady Campaign refuted the statement.
Weigand touched off a firestorm Tuesday when he posted a notice at his site and in several gun forums, describing how Dell initially canceled his order for an Inspiron notebook computer earlier this month after his company's name triggered an automated order screening system put in place by Dell following the Sept. 11 attacks on America.
In a statement released Wednesday, Chairman Michael Dell confirmed that the computer maker does "carefully review customer orders for prohibited destinations and activities" and red-flagged Weigand's order because of the word "combat" in his company name.
But, according to Dell, the computer company made a mistake in its handling of the cancellation of Weigand's purchase.
Although Dell has offered to ship him the computer at no charge, Weigand said he refused.
"I know every gun owner in America will appreciate my not accepting the computer I was offered," said Weigand in the message, noting that Dell is listed as a merchant at a Web site entitled the Handgun Control, Inc. Online Shopping Mall.
"This is a handgun control support site. Please come to your own conclusions," said Weigand.
According to a banner at the HCI online shopping mall, clicking links in a directory of dozens of online retailers and making purchases there raises money for the gun control organization.
Dell spokesperson Cathie Hargett said the computer company was not aware of the HCI online mall, but she confirmed that the company participates in a number of online affiliate programs "on both sides of issues."
According to Hargett, Dell "has not taken a position on the issue of gun control. Not in our sponsorships, not in our giving, and not in our public policy."
A spokesperson for The Brady Campaign told Newsbytes today that the organization did not authorize the creation of the HCI online mall, nor has the lobbying group ever received any funds from the site.
According to Amy Stilwell, communications director, the Brady Campaign has also never received donations directly from Dell Computer or Michael Dell.
The site hosting the HCI mall, Progressivefunds.com, "hosts online virtual shopping malls on behalf of affiliating organizations" according to its terms and conditions page. The site is registered to David Cole of Hallsville, Texas, according to domain records. Cole was not immediately available for comment.
Thanks for the info. It looks like HCI has to figure out who is using their "good name" to collect money from people entering the Dell website from this "Online Mall".
With that, I will take Dell at their word. Thanks for the thread.
For the last three years I've used my Dell XPS R450 to engage in enough pro-gun political activism to give Sarah Brady, Diane Feinstein, Chuck Schumer, etc., etc. Excedrin headache #1,000,006.
I agree completely, but the outcome has done my heart good. Dell may well be as blameless in all of this as they claim to be, but either way they are doing all that they can to disassociate themselves from the Brady Bunch. You'd think they'd been linked to the KKK, the way they're recoiling.
The message seems to be out there: don't antagonize the gun owners. It's not the "gun lobby" you'll have to deal with, but your own grass-roots customer base.
Of course, now that Dell has seen the stick and is doing the right thing, let's not skimp on the carrot.
Most affiliate programs are to stay alive financially - not to endorse or promote ideologies. JL
Big tasty carrot bump... [whew] does this mean it will stop?
Now this is very curious indeed. HCI itself is, of course, now entitled "The Brady Campaign," but there's still a website out there calling itself HCI, who is generating money (presumably) with an online shopping mall, and not giving it to the Brady bunch...so where's the money going? And who are these people?
Ah, so Dell has yet to decide if it supports the Constitution of the United States of America or not. That says all I need to know about Dell Computers.
NO SALE...dude!
I applaud Weigand and the movement he started whether he intended it or not.
The pro gun side needs to show that we will not take crap from anyone.
Justin
I do not want no stinkin Dells
I’d like to send the Dells to Hell
I would not use one on a plane
I would not use one on a train
I would not feed one to a goat
I’d like to throw them off a boat
I do not want no stinkin Dell
I do not want one Steve from HELL!
Personally, I think Weigand is a irresponsible for going public before he got his facts straight. What a waste of time.
"Dude, yer gettin' a trigger lock!"
Sign Up Your Organization
Bolding Institute
DCCC
Hangun Control, Inc.
Texas Democratic Party
Here is where the money is going. I'm assuming that Dell has given money to web link sites on different sides of issues in order to seem bipartisan. It's getting hard to find a company that doesn't give any money to left wing causes. The leftists are expert shakedown artists. If a company doesn't pay, then the press calls the company extremists.
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