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Leatherman Tools backs Kerry
Yahoo ^ | JLB

Posted on 09/30/2004 7:15:07 PM CDT by Republican Extremist

No more Leatherman tools for me!

Top Business Leaders from the Outdoor Industry Endorse Kerry-Edwards Tuesday September 14, 2:24 pm ET The Health of the
Great American Outdoors is at Stake

OREGON CITY, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 14, 2004--Senior executives from leading outdoor manufacturers, retailers and
associations across the country gathered today to endorse Senator John Kerry for President and Senator John Edwards for Vice
President. They announced their endorsement at a press conference with Senator John Edwards at Clackamus Community College in
Oregon City, Oregon. "We have come together to endorse Senators Kerry and Edwards because they share our values and goals,"
said Lee Fromson, president of Seattle-based Cascade Designs, Inc., a leading manufacturer of outdoor equipment. "And we are here
today because the Great American Outdoors is in serious jeopardy and if we fail at protecting the outdoors then our businesses will
fail, our health will fail and we will leave future generations with air they can't breathe and water they can't drink."

Remarks by Senator John Edwards and Cascade Design's Lee Fromson carried common themes:

We must clean up the air we breathe and the water we drink or the health of all Americans will suffer We must provide more venues
and opportunities for outdoor recreation for the 150 million Americans who actively enjoy outdoor recreation We must treasure our
national parks for recreation and not the industries that mine them for treasure We must lower health care costs to stay in business.
This is true for all businesses not just our own. "Our national parks are severely under-funded resulting in rampant understaffing, site
closures, eliminated visitor education programs, neglected cultural and natural resource preservation and unsafe trails," said Peter
Bragdon, vice president and general counsel of Columbia Sportswear. "Protecting our parks and open space is essential to the
health of my business, the outdoor industry at large and to the many States whose economies depend upon tourism and recreation,
not to mention the millions upon millions of Americans who enjoy the Great American Outdoors each year."

"Health care is the hardest decision I have to make each year as a business owner," said Paul Fish, president of Mountain Gear in
Spokane, WA. "I want to provide my employees and their families with quality care but the cost of doing so weakens the very
business we are trying to build together."

Executives attending today's event included: Lee Fromson, president, Cascade Designs, Inc.(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, Inc. (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); Brian Bennett, national accounts manager, Patagonia (Ventura, CA)

Outdoor businesses depend on abundant and available recreation opportunities so their customers can enjoy outdoor activities. In
return, outdoor businesses employ over a million Americans, contribute $18 billion to the U.S. economy and work closely together to
promote an active and healthy lifestyle to the 149 million Americans who enjoy the great American outdoors.

September 14, 2004

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)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact: For Cascade Designs, Inc. Martha Keeley, 978-468-8961

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: Cascade Designs, Inc.

Phone: (503) 253-7826 Toll Free: (800) 847-8665 Fax: (503) 253-7830 Warranty E-mail: [email protected] General
E-mail: [email protected]

And in doing so, wins the "Who gives a fuck?" award from me. Why would anyone vote based on the reccomendation of a company that makes a knife?

I own one, and would buy more. Why should I suffer. They are great tools.

Make mine a Gerber multi-tool.  :upyours

God the age of commercialization BLOWS!

I JUST threw mine in the trash.

Good grief!

Quoted: I JUST threw mine in the trash.

No. Take it out of the trash, bash it with a hammer and mail it back to them. with a note.

you support Kerry, I dont support you. NEVER AGAIN.

Shit man.....And I like Columbia Sportswear.

Bomber

These people may make good gear, but they are fucking tree-hugging idiots. Tim Leatherman invented the freaking tool whilst on a jaunt around Europe as a hippie kid, for Gods sake. Why would you expect anything different from these dumbasses?

Quoted: Quoted: I JUST threw mine in the trash. No. Take it out of the trash, bash it with a hammer and mail it back to them. with a note. you support Kerry, I dont support you. NEVER AGAIN.

DAMN RIGHT !!
I WILL do this and will never buy another product from any of these socialist assholes.
There are a LOT of good knives and tools out there, so piss on leatherman.
I wonder how many of our troops have a leatherman with them.

Swiss Army X-Tool

Quoted: Quoted: I JUST threw mine in the trash. No. Take it out of the trash, bash it with a hammer and mail it back to them. with a note. you support Kerry, I dont support you. NEVER AGAIN.

+1

Quoted: Quoted: I JUST threw mine in the trash. No. Take it out of the trash, bash it with a hammer and mail it back to them. with a note. you support Kerry, I dont support you. NEVER AGAIN.

Roger, WILCO!

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I JUST threw mine in the trash. No. Take it out of the trash, bash it with a hammer and mail it back to them. with a note. you support Kerry, I dont support you. NEVER AGAIN. DAMN RIGHT !! I WILL do this and will never buy another product from any of these socialist assholes. There are a LOT of good knives and tools out there, so piss on leatherman. I wonder how many of our troops have a leatherman with them.

+1

Quoted: No more Leatherman tools for me!

+1


Jackasses should stay out of politics

I still do not understand why a company would endorse any political stance or person.  These people must feel a need for their store to pick a side.  It's a store or product.  Nobody cares about the personal political leanings of the people in charge - until of course they decide to publicize it as "store policy".

They immediately piss off half of their customers.

Stupid move no matter who or what they choose.

does this mean I should throw away my leatherman.

heh, this ranks right up there with listening to stupid celebrities who thing they actually make a difference. (the bad thing is.. for so many americans.. celebrities do make a difference.. damn idiots)

Here's my letter I just sent them:

To whom it may concern,


It has come to my attention that Leatherman corporation had recently come out in support of John Kerry.

I would like to verify this information.   If true, you can plan on losing a lot of sportsmen and others as customers, including myself.


I simply can not understand why a company would enter the fray of the political arena.  GIven the polarization of America today, you are asking to lose 50% of your customers no matter who you support.

I look forward to your response.


Regards,

Paul E. Britton
York, PA

(a former customer??)


attached information:  (copied the info posted here)

Hence why i carry a Gerber!!!! Now i never will carry a Leatherman!!!

Original:

home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20040914005916&newsLang=en



I don't do business with people that are so fucking stupid to outright support this nutsack.  Not another dime to these 'tards.

Although getting away from this one will be tough.

Tony Post, president, Vibram (Concord, MA)

Quoted: I own one, and would buy more. Why should I suffer. They are great tools.

These guys support they guy, who if elected POTUS, will re-instate the federal AWB.

No more Leatherman tools &  Cascade Designs(Sweetwater water filters etc) for me.

F'em.

I have a Leatherman that someone gave me as a gift...since it was a gift, I will not throw it away. However, I will not buy one in the future. Thanks for the headsup.

Quoted: I own one, and would buy more. Why should I suffer. They are great tools.

So what?   Find an alternative.



Why funnel money into the pockets of our foes?  (Kerry, probably HCI, Brady, etc....)


I won't buy more, I may sell the one I have and buy a Gerber.

Tony Post, president, Vibram (Concord, MA)

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, aren't these the same people who make the soles for military and police duty boots? Why in God's name would they support Kerry? Well, there goes my Corcoran II's  

Is it winchester or remington that has those leatherman type tools on sale at walmart?  They are pretty cheap and look sturdy enough.

Of course walmart is the root of all evil too but ...

On the other hand aren't i glad i buy my outdoor gear from none of the above! Most of my stuff is either Military surplus or other less well known stuff and my tents come from Eureka!!

My wife bought me a Gerber lock blade with pocket clip for my Bday last year and it was made in  Taiwan , No more Leatherman or Gerbers for me

Quoted: Hence why i carry a Gerber!!!! Now i never will carry a Leatherman!!!

Quoted: Tony Post, president, Vibram (Concord, MA) Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, aren't these the same people who make the soles for military and police duty boots? Why in God's name would they support Kerry? Well, there goes my Corcoran II's

I'm afraid there is no good substitute for that one. You may have to "bear it and grin it."

I won't throw mine away, but I won't buy a new one either.

Quoted: I won't throw mine away, but I won't buy a new one either.

Ditto, it would not be wise to throw away a good tool, a waste of hard earned money.  I was about to replace my Wave, with one of their newer ones; now, I guess I won't.

Hello: I have owed your product for years. During my military service a blued leatherman took rode on my hip, one that I bought myself and still have. Early this year I purchased one of your new purple tools for my wife to use around the house. I was also going to buy another one of your more manly tools and keep one leatherman in each car in addition to the one in the house. I just learned that your company and its owner are supporting John Kerry openly and publicly. You have lost a customer. I just went to the Gerber site and picked out the model I will buy after work tomorrow. Your company and Tim Leatherman has spit in the face of every owner who first bought his product while in the service. I will not buy from you again. I will tell my friends not to buy from you again.

They will never get a nickel of my money.

Just shot them an E-mail. I guess it'll be a Gerber next.

Shoot, I (previously) shop(ped) with half the companies on that list

Fuck 'em. The SOG multi-tools are better anyway.

ya'll that sent 'em emails, let us know if you hear back.

I agree that throwing away a perfectly good item is stupid.  Just don't send them any more of your money.  I also agree that in this day and age it's stupid for companies to back EITHER candidate.

Man that sucks for the people that like Leatherman. However I have a Schrade Tough Tool ( actually 2 of them) that I love ! One is part of my B.O.B. They are awesome and really are tough. I think one of the hardest things for a multy tool to do well is cut/snip wire. This tough tool has cut everything from barbed wire to coat hangers without working up a sweat! AND THEY WEREN'T ON THE LIST OF KERRY SUPPORTERS! I do have an O.R. hat and a petzel headlamp though.Luckily I bought them years ago and I'm sure that profit has already been spent! There are PLENTY of other products that are just as good if not better than what /who is on that list.Take care.

We have discussed it a little over at www.oregonconcealedcarry.com/index.php?showtopic=550&st=0&#entry4020

One of the members recieved a response:

Hello Bart, That's your right.  I'm curious though.  I have received several e-mails very similar to yours.  I assume you and the others have been requested by someone else to write them.  Is this correct?  If so, who is it?  If the candidates, or the political parties, or someone affiliated with them are creating campaigns to retaliate economically against people who express a political opinion, I'd like to provide that information to the press and see what kind of backlash occurs. Meanwhile we should be able to have an honest difference of opinion on which candidate will best support the interests of all Americans.   In a nutshell, my position is that personally, I am quite sure I am benefiting much more from the Bush tax cuts and other economic policies than most people, but I'm very concerned about where the policies of the current administration are taking this country.  I'm very concerned that many, many people are not better off now than they were three and one half years ago, and I'm even more concerned about the future for our children and grandchildren.  I don't agree with everything Kerry and Edwards propose either, but I think we need a change. I'm not trying to alienate customers.  I have over 300 people working here in my Portland factory.  Four years ago I had more.  I'd like to at least keep my current employees employed and preferably add more.   Maybe I wasn't very smart to give my job title and business affiliation when I gave my endorsement, rather than to do it personally, but I did.  If it costs me business, so be it.  I'm still going to do my absolute best to make great tools and hope that all Americans, of any political affiliation, will find them of value. Sincerely yours, Tim Leatherman P.S.  There is an inaccuracy in your letter.  I have not financially supported the Kerry/Edwards campaign.

Quoted: I still do not understand why a company would endorse any political stance or person.  These people must feel a need for their store to pick a side.  It's a store or product.  Nobody cares about the personal political leanings of the people in charge - until of course they decide to publicize it as "store policy". They immediately piss off half of their customers. Stupid move no matter who or what they choose.

+1

These companies need better PR teams.

MrMaeda: Mr. Leatherman is saying "if you don't buy my tool, that is fine." Okay I won't be buying your tool.

I have an idea;


I'm going to send my three leatherman Wave's (whichI love dammit!) to some soldiers in Iraq.  Then the assholes who don't like our country will be indirectly supporting the war they hate.


Then I will go forth and buy a GERBER!  WOOT!


F U C K  leatherman, and the horse they rode in on.

Oh yeah, no more Columbia, Mountain Gear or any of that other shit either. I'll buy cabelas or Kifaru!

Quoted: Just shot them an E-mail. I guess it'll be a Gerber next.

I must have missed where their e-mail address was provided.

Quoted: Quoted: Just shot them an E-mail. I guess it'll be a Gerber next. I must have missed where their e-mail address was provided.

[email protected]

here you go, bud!

Maby Ill have to take a little road trip and give it back to them in pieces in person. Then stop buy the gerber factory and get a new tool.

why throw away something they already got the money for just dont buy anymore!

Well this sucks.
Vibram and Leatherman are all over my house.
Why can't these fucks just shut up and make good products?
i thought corporate america was all behind bush?
Guess not.
Hippies piss me off.