Okay, it's not as pretty, but it's a hell of a workhorse and very compact.
Posted on 03/04/2002 5:22:10 AM PST by FreedomWarrior
Gun Rights and Dell Computers
Dr. Michael S. Brown
March 4, 2002
Dell Computer Corporation has been riding high lately with an advertising campaign based on the slogan "Dude, get a Dell!" Last week, Dell stumbled into a confrontation with American gun rights activists that illustrates interesting changes in the nature of that community.
Millions of politically active gun owners are now linked via a sprawling and unorganized network of Web sites and e-mail distribution lists. Valid information and rumors both propagate at light speed. On Feb. 26, an e-mail spread through the network like wildfire.
Jack Weigand is a highly respected Pennsylvania gunsmith and president of the American Pistolsmiths Guild. He sent out a message describing his unpleasant encounter with Dell.
He reported that Dell canceled his order for a laptop computer because the name of his business, Weigand Combat Handguns, suggested that he might be planning to use the computer for criminal purposes. They also rudely neglected to inform him of the cancellation.
Stories like this are a serious hot-button issue for gun owners, who are sick and tired of being demonized for the last couple of decades. Connectivity, computer skills and hard feelings are a potent combination. Within hours, Dell was inundated with hostile e-mails and phone calls.
Dell's damage control team moved quickly. An apology from Dell was forthcoming on Feb. 28, but not before angry net-gunnies were further incensed by the discovery that Dell was listed on an obscure Web site that allows Dell customers to donate a portion of their payment to Handgun Control Inc.
Dell's rather lame apology claimed that its cancellation of Mr. Weigand's laptop order was a misunderstanding motivated by its desire to comply with federal export laws designed to keep high technology from falling into the hands of terrorists.
The company offered Weigand a free computer, which he respectfully declined.
There is no way to know how much this fiasco cost Dell, but it has provided an unexpected windfall for a flamboyant computer retailer in Utah. Dell Shanze, owner of Totally Awesome Computers (totallyawesome.com) received plenty of free publicity when his gun-owning customers posted their praise of his pro-gun policies.
Millions of gun owners now know that Dell Shanze, affectionately and ironically known as "SUPERDELL," encourages his employees to carry their lawfully owned handguns on the job in his nine retail stores.
In an e-mail interview, Shanze recounted his background on gun matters. It seems that he once bought a shipping and packaging store that had been robbed three times. (No doubt he got it at a good price.) He carried a gun openly on his hip and never had another robbery attempt. Even though he no longer owns that store, it still remains unmolested by criminals.
He explained that his philosophy is based on his own experience: "Good guys with guns are legendary in the minds of bad guys and just a rumor of an armed business owner will prevent the vast majority of any robbery attempts." None of his stores has ever been robbed.
As if this weren't enough to earn the loyalty of computer-savvy gun owners, he also offers $100 off any computer purchase if the customer will bring in their handgun and concealed weapon permit. Out-of-state purchasers can simply fax their permits. Many gun owners are now saying, "Dude, get a SUPERDELL!"
Corporate managers should take note and avoid repeating past errors. Any sign of prejudice against lawful gun owners now risks a confrontation with millions of net-wired activists.
Dr. Michael S. Brown is an optometrist and member of Doctors for Sensible Gun Laws, www.dsgl.org. His e-mail address is rkba2000@yahoo.com and he is not affiliated with any company mentioned in this column.
References:
"Dude, Don't Get a Dell" http://www.sierratimes.com/02/02/27/arjw022702.htm
Jack Weigand http://www.jackweigand.com/Dell.html
SUPERDELL http://www.totallyawesome.com/
Dell Computer Corp. http://www.dell.com
Okay, it's not as pretty, but it's a hell of a workhorse and very compact.
Wanna bet? I bet Dell does not do squat to ensure this never happens again. As far as they are concerned, one oops is not enough to justiy further action that will cost them time and money. Having workd several decades in the industry, I know Dell well enough to know that only major corporate customers, who buy 100's, if not 1,000's, of computers each year, will receive their full attention. Millions of gun owners? Dell does not care. They receive the vast majority of their income from gun-hating corporations, and they know that the majority of gun owners are too lazy to care.
Dell's not my favorite either. I was just talking economics. Of course, various things are banned at our home. The wife won't allow products from companies that test on animals, and I won't allow other things for various political & ethical reasons. Sadly, our anti-China policy is only partially effective. I'll have to do better.
No, just with the US Constitution.
Chips N Clips
You bet. Blacks got influence far beyond their 1/8th of the U.S. population by holding the always at-least-implicit threat of boycotts over any company that didn't do what they wanted - and, sometimes, didn't donate to black causes.
We now have a platinum opportunity to make Corporate America think long and hard before offending us - just as they would about offending blacks. Unlike our boycott that has nearly broke S&W, Dell is a company full of Internet-savvy people from top to bottom - and not in an isolated industry. You can bet lots of Dell employees at all ranks emailed all their friends within the first 48 hours - in all sorts of industries - about how fast "those rednecks" organized effectively and started hounding Dell. We now have credibility we never had before with the elites. Use it!
My question is, was this before or after Wiegands order ? This is the only sentence that isn't past tense.
I understand your question to be of the sarcastic rhetorical variety, but there's a serious answer. The federal government - via the ITAR - puts the onus on businesses to know to whom they are shipping technological equipment (even PCs) and for what they are being used. Yes, this is unenforceable for all practical purposes, but to not flag an order to "Combat Weapons Incorporated" or whoever for scrutiny and follow-up would be malfeasance and an invitation to trouble by the letter of the ITAR. It used to be a nice, neat, enforceable little set of regualtions that were easy to understand and follow. Unfortunately, the Clinton administration removed the oversight of international weapons shipment from the military attaches at the State Department over to the political hacks at Commerce (Can you say "Ron Brown?) The result is you can send nuclear weapon technology to China, but could end up getting dragged down in a bureaucratic quagmire if you're an international concern and you do any business involving firearms.
Sounds like they gave him a free computer, right?
Wrong! Mr. Weigand refused the 'bribe'.
"Dell as a company remains neutral on handgun rights and handgun control."
What other Constitutional rights do you suppose Dell is "neutral" on? How about freedom of speech and of religion? How about the 4th Amendment? Slavery: do you suppose they're 'neutral' on slavery?
Their apology is merely their expression of sorrow that they got caught at this hyprocritical attempt to discriminate against gun owners.
D*mn right we are!
We're slowy learning that confrontational tactics like that get results, and that's what we've got to do to advance our agendas.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way!
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