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
You know, I have to wonder how likely it is that an arms-smuggling front company set up by bin Laden or the Iraqis would have the words "Combat Handguns" in its name. Probably it is on a par with the likelihood of a well-organized and well-financed terrorist buying a one-way airline ticket with cash.
This kind of thing is just a show for the sheeple so bureaucrats and corporate PR people can say they are doing something to fight terrorism. Dell would do a lot more for this cause by refusing to sell to any Muslim group or country, just as we could dramatically enhance airline security by giving young Muslim men the El Al treatment every time they got on the plane, and leaving the grandmas from Duluth alone. But alas, we are a nation of cowards and appeasers and moral retards.
-ccm
Almost exactly what I envisioning. You have an enviable talent for turning thoughts into pictures.
Since it now looks like its going to cost real money, my guess is the Dell people are making the same point to the Commerce Department right about now.
Terrorism could very possiby force us to implement that soviet style inspection system. It's already happening in the passenger transport business. If it happens in the freight business, the economy could very well collapse. This is why we must crush terrorism, lest our entire system of freedoms become compromised beyond recognition.
Wrong. They have stated in the letter posted above (#5) that they "are neutral on the gun issue". I wonder just how neutral they are on the rest of the Bill of Rights. Are they "neutral" on the 1st Amendment? I think not.
No, the jerks in Dell management are guilty of the same kind of "selective" rights nonsense as the rest of the socialist/liberal/demoRAT cabal - that the Constitution can mean any damn thing THEY want it to mean at any given moment, hence it means nothing at all. As an American citizen, for me, its the whole Bill of Rights all the time, or its a fight! I no longer consider these fools just to be "the loyal opposition"; they are either for freedom or they are the enemies of freedom.
Damn straight. Its no longer going to be "the gentlemen's way" or the Marquis of Queensbury Rules"; over the past 10 years I have seen nothing but the steady erosion of the RKBA, especially in California. During the same time, I have seen all of my "polite" correspondence to my "elected serpents" come to no avail. No more Mr Nice guy. These people are enemies of freedom and hence should be treated as the traitors they are. The first point of "treatment" is in their wallets.
Dell may have the misfortune to have angered gun-owners at just the wrong time. Perhaps it is not too early in the Second American Civil War to insist that Dell explicitly state their support for the Second Amendment. Eventually, that will be the price for citizenship in the new Union. You know... the one which uses the old Constitution.
Get THIS dude, I'm not buying a Dell. I will not even sell my S&Ws for fear of taking a $ away from a legitimate company. Saddle-up folks, these people are for real and we must be also.
Why would you assume that a gun onwer might do something illegal with a computer and not assume that a non-gun owner might do something illegal with a computer? (like download kiddie porn)
Does Dell really want to admit culpability for that which purchasers do with their computers?
It's a dual-processor system, which I guess in itself you could call a biathlon. Very cute.
The point is that AMD makes a version of the Athlon XP called the MP that's specially suited for multiprocessor systems (actually, the XP is based on the MP, but that's a long story).
When any company screws up, either by process or by manufacturing, it's standard practice to give a "make-good" as they say in the publishing industry. They come in the form of, for example, coupons for several free boxes of cereal because you found spun plastic in your mini-wheats (left over from the manufacturing process -- happened to me), or a discount on a product where the purchase was screwed up.
That they actually offered an entire free notebook shows they know the seriousness of their mistake and admit it.
Aside from that, the aforementioned "If you're not for us, you're against us" Jesse Jackson blackmail attitude here is starting to disappoint me.
Well I never expected to get a response, and I certainly didn't expect to get a response from the owner himself but I did. Turns out he just bought a .50 cal as well. I guess I don't have to tell you who's computers I'll be recommending from now on.
Here's the emails.
Dell,
I was checking in on my .50 cal shooters website today and read a post about a Newsmax article that mentioned you and your company.
I did not know that you and your company were so pro-second amendment, but I'm sure glad you are. Because of your support of our rights, the next time I need a computer I will be buying it from you. I will also recommend your computers to anyone I know who is in the market for one. Thanks for standing up and being one of the good guys.
If you're ever in Austin, Texas let me know and we'll take you out shooting .50 cals!
Sincerely,
Bob Sharp
Howdy fine sir,
Thanks for your support. We won’t let you down. Thanks for reminding me about the .50!! I just got my new McMillan in and haven’t even shot it yet. Now that is sad. Let me know when you are ready for a system. Ours rock!!!
Sincerely, SUPERDELL
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