Anti-American Nazi's

[CU Tiger]

Please read the post below.
AT another forum I am amember of we have started an email message campaign towards this company. I really could care less what anyone's stance on the war is, the heroes on the ground deserve all our support, they do not decide when, or if they leave.

:mad: :mad: :mad:

BTW feel free to go ahead and check, the lady who received the email has already contacted snopes with the documentation that this is no fraud.
********************************************************

Friends,
Below is an email exchange between one of my wife's friend's husband and a company that sells different types of mats. He is stationed in Iraq and was inquiring as to whether or not the company ships overseas. He wanted to get the troops better gear to sleep on. This is the companies response. I am floored. I am floored as a military wife and as an American. Please repost this so that this company will hear us loud and clear that we do not stand for this. Whatever your view is on this war - these troops are just following orders. Most are passionate about what they are doing. You can disagree with the war without disrespecting our troops.


On Tue Jan 16 3:25 , [email protected] ([email protected]) sent:

To Whom it may concern:

Do you ship to APO addresses? I'm in the 1st Cavalry Division stationed in Iraq and we are trying to order some mats but we are looking for who ships to APO first.


SGT Hess"

From: [email protected] ([email protected]) [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 9:44 PM

Subject: Re: Feedback: from discount-mats.com

SGT Hess,

We do not ship to APO addresses, and even if we did, we would NEVER ship to Iraq. If you were sensible, you and your troops would pull out of Iraq.

Bargain Suppliers
Discount-Mats.com
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->__________________

[st.cronin]

My BS detector is pinging.

[cartman]

Dunno, maybe it was someone who got fed up answering questions that are addressed in their posted FAQs and snapped.

hxxp://www.discount-mats.com/FAQ.html#21

edit: not in any way defending the answer given to the sergeant, of course

[JonInMiddleGA]

Well, the website in question does indeed exist. And, as luck would have it, their "contact us" page includes the following info.

To reach us by phone, please call us between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. central time: 414-736-8394

Here is our mailing address:

Bargain Suppliers
3259 S.106th Street
West Allis, WI 53227

[Toddzilla]

So just what about being against the war, being an asshole toward the troops, and being a bad businessman makes them a Nazi? Seems to me they are exactly the *opposite* of a Nazi if you know your history.


;)

[Joe]

BFD. They're not Nazis.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

BFD. They're not Nazis.

How do you know? Maybe they make cheeze swastika's in their spare time...

[st.cronin]

I believe Wisconsin actually was the headquarters for the American Nazi party at one point.

[stevew]

So just what about being against the war, being an asshole toward the troops, and being a bad businessman makes them a Nazi? Seems to me they are exactly the *opposite* of a Nazi if you know your history.


;)

Is the opposite of a Nazi an International capitalist, a Jew, or a communist?

[EagleFan]

Lighten up people, it's an emotional post to something that was probably done spur of the moment. I'm sure no-one else here has done something like that and maybe exagerated in their wording because of an emotional reaction, or maybe said something to their wives or loved ones in an emotional and reactive statement they later wish never came out of their mouth...

[cartman]

I believe Wisconsin actually was the headquarters for the American Nazi party at one point.

Good thing it wasn't a little bit south. Because if there's one thing I hate, it is Illinois Nazis.

[CU Tiger]

Lighten up people, it's an emotional post to something that was probably done spur of the moment. I'm sure no-one else here has done something like that and maybe exagerated in their wording because of an emotional reaction, or maybe said something to their wives or loved ones in an emotional and reactive statement they later wish never came out of their mouth...

Thank you...
Actually i was using Nazi (I suppose) more in the modern connotation of the Seinfeld soup Nazi, than say a political affiliation...

Ahh hell, no defense it was a poor choice of words, but still a shitty situation.

[Greyroofoo]

Don't even get me started on the Communists from Quiznos.

[GrantDawg]

Don't even get me started on the Communists from Quiznos.


Mmmmmmmmmm, Quiznos sub. I think I'll have one, comrad.

[JPhillips]

I love the Steak and Ches sandwich.

[DanGarion]

Dunno, maybe it was someone who got fed up answering questions that are addressed in their posted FAQs and snapped.

hxxp://www.discount-mats.com/FAQ.html#21

edit: not in any way defending the answer given to the sergeant, of course

That actually does not answer the question that was asked. Shipping to APO addresses are completely different then shipping out of the USA.

[Subby]

Thank you...
Actually i was using Nazi (I suppose) more in the modern connotation of the Seinfeld soup Nazi, than say a political affiliation...

Ahh hell, no defense it was a poor choice of words, but still a shitty situation.
Gee - think you would have learned something about poor choice of words after reading that e-mail.

Idiot.

[Subby]

OH IM SORRY THAT WAS A POOR CHOICE OF WORDS!

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Good thing it wasn't a little bit south. Because if there's one thing I hate, it is Illinois Nazis.
You ain't the only one!

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/upzl0Dmv77U"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/upzl0Dmv77U" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

[cartman]

That actually does not answer the question that was asked. Shipping to APO addresses are completely different then shipping out of the USA.

Their FAQ states that they use UPS for shipping small orders, truck freight for large orders. I was under the impression that only the Postal Service ships to APO addresses.

[DanGarion]

Their FAQ states that they use UPS for shipping small orders, truck freight for large orders. I was under the impression that only the Postal Service ships to APO addresses.

I never knew that. I guess we learn something new every day.

[DaddyTorgo]

is there a business opportunity here to act as a middleman for companies that only ship via UPS or fexEx or whatever and repackaging that for the USPS and shipping to APO's?

hmmm

[st.cronin]

is there a business opportunity here to act as a middleman for companies that only ship via UPS or fexEx or whatever and repackaging that for the USPS and shipping to APO's?

hmmm

Dude, you need to focus.

http://www.uiowa.edu/admissions/graduate/programs/program-details/classics-ma-phd.html

[DaddyTorgo]

Dude, you need to focus.

http://www.uiowa.edu/admissions/graduate/programs/program-details/classics-ma-phd.html



riiight. but this could be done like part-time from a dorm-room. WHEEEEEE :D

[st.cronin]

riiight. but this could be done like part-time from a dorm-room. WHEEEEEE :D

I think it would have to be large-volume business to have any chance. I don't think you could charge much more than a dollar a package, and maybe less than that.

[DaddyTorgo]

I think it would have to be large-volume business to have any chance. I don't think you could charge much more than a dollar a package, and maybe less than that.


mmmhmm. it's all about volume baby. and all about being the idea-man and not the actual worker-bee

[Dutch]

FWIW, shipping anything to an APO address is "shipping within the United States".

The US government picks up the tab for the rest of the mail's journey, at no cost to US businesses or American military and civilians serving overseas.

I would say that a pretty decent majority of companies have included APO shipping to their web-sites.

Also, those who didn't have APO addresses built in to their web-stores would generally hook you up after an e-mail or two to explain the situation and explain APO shipping (if need be).

I don't doubt that there are people who would reply like this above, there are assholes in every walk of life, but by and large, I would suggest running into people like this is rare. Rare enough to get coverage. :)

[CU Tiger]

Gee - think you would have learned something about poor choice of words after reading that e-mail.

Idiot.

Ok...Why Am I being called an idiot here?
Granted Nazi may not have been the appropriate term to use, but I fail to see the correlation that leads to me being an idiot.

And what does reading the email have to do with a poor choice of words?

Is the use of the word Nazi, a sore spot to you I am unaware of?

Have I done something in some past thread, past time, or past life to anger you or merit being called an idiot?

Have you magically discovered my address, snuck into my house while I slept and done a brain wave analysis or other such test to determine that I actually lack intelligence and in fact idiot is appropriate?

Or are you just an asshole?

[ISiddiqui]

And what does reading the email have to do with a poor choice of words?

LOL... you aren't serious, right?

That email was all about a 'poor choice of words'.

[Synovia]

Since when did disagreeing with the establishment become anti-american? America was built on disagreeing with the establishment.

[CU Tiger]

Since when did disagreeing with the establishment become anti-american? America was built on disagreeing with the establishment.

I have no issue with disagreeing the establishment. But that does not mean you should fail to support the men and womn who risk their life for you. If you do not agree with the reason for why they are their, that is your right, protest, yell scream and vote, hell for all we know THEY might not agree with why they are their.

But there is an obligation (in my opinion) to support our troops, not wihs them ill

[CU Tiger]

LOL... you aren't serious, right?

That email was all about a 'poor choice of words'.

I'm not sure the email is "all about" a poor choice of words. I believe the person chose the perfect words to communicate their exact message.

I believe it is more about misplaced blame, or one's inability to separate their political convictions (afflictions?) from basic humanity and decency.

I honestly can't see how telling a soldier he should come home is a poor choice of words.

[Jonathan Ezarik]

But there is an obligation (in my opinion) to support our troops, not wihs them ill

How is telling them they should come home wishing them ill? It's not like the e-mail called them baby-killers or anything like that.

[CU Tiger]

mmmhmm. it's all about volume baby. and all about being the idea-man and not the actual worker-bee


Looks like someone beat ya to it.

http://www.shipitapo.com/

[CU Tiger]

I'm shocked that the overwhelming response is arguing over minutia and semantics.

I was outraged at the response, and I am shocked that is not the consensus resposne.

I mean, I understand and respect their right to say what they said, but i also support my right to call the a$$holes and do every thing i can to hurt their business ventures...

[st.cronin]

I'm a veteran and I don't see a big deal here. *shrug* I get outraged over some eccentric things, sometimes, too, so I can relate.

[Crapshoot]

I'm shocked that the overwhelming response is arguing over minutia and semantics.

I was outraged at the response, and I am shocked that is not the consensus resposne.

I mean, I understand and respect their right to say what they said, but i also support my right to call the a$$holes and do every thing i can to hurt their business ventures...

What the fuck? You call them Nazi's for opposing a war that's lead to the death of over a 100,000 Iraqi civilians and 3,000 American soliders, and you're surprised? Shit, I supported the war, but people like me (and you) have far more blood on our hands than these people who opposed it.

[WVUFAN]

FWIW, shipping anything to an APO address is "shipping within the United States".

The US government picks up the tab for the rest of the mail's journey, at no cost to US businesses or American military and civilians serving overseas.

I would say that a pretty decent majority of companies have included APO shipping to their web-sites.

Also, those who didn't have APO addresses built in to their web-stores would generally hook you up after an e-mail or two to explain the situation and explain APO shipping (if need be).

I don't doubt that there are people who would reply like this above, there are assholes in every walk of life, but by and large, I would suggest running into people like this is rare. Rare enough to get coverage. :)

UPS considers APO addresses to be much the same as a Post Office Box, and hense will not ship there. The issue may be more that they don't use a delivery service other than UPS than anything else.

Having said that, the comment the company rep wrote afterward is unprofessional and insulting, and they deserve not to have business.

EDIT: CUTiger's already apologized for the inappropriate use of Nazi. Y'all should drop that, otherwise you're just acting like asses.

[Glengoyne]

I'm shocked that the overwhelming response is arguing over minutia and semantics.

I was outraged at the response, and I am shocked that is not the consensus resposne.

I mean, I understand and respect their right to say what they said, but i also support my right to call the a$$holes and do every thing i can to hurt their business ventures...

Certainly vote with your pocketbook. I also think most people would back you, if you made it a priority to publicize the content of the response. Heck, make them pay for their statement. I have no problem with that, so long as it is actually something they did.

I'm not going to jump on a bandwagon calling someone a Nazi because of a position they took. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and they are entitled to let others know about it. Yeah, so I believe they are fairly insensitive morons for insulting a military wife, but that is as far as I'm going to go.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I'm shocked that the overwhelming response is arguing over minutia and semantics.

I was outraged at the response, and I am shocked that is not the consensus resposne.
I'm shocked that people still expect a consensus response on anything. There are many different people here and many different opinions. This really ain't the place to come to if you're looking for cheerleaders.

[st.cronin]

This really ain't the place to come to if you're looking for cheerleaders.

No but it IS the place to come if you're looking for song girls.


http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/2466/usccheerleader6da.th.jpg (http://img225.imageshack.us/my.php?image=usccheerleader6da.jpg)

[st.cronin]

\This really ain't the place to come to if you're looking for cheerleaders.

WRONG AGAIN BATMAN

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/9121/tmqravenscheerleader1952tt.th.jpg (http://img255.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tmqravenscheerleader1952tt.jpg)

[JPhillips]

WVU: If CU really believed he shouldn't have said Nazi he would have taken the easy steps to edit it from his post and from the title. Since he didn't I'm forced to believe that his apology was less than sincere.

[Raiders Army]

Please read the post below.
AT another forum I am amember of we have started an email message campaign towards this company. I really could care less what anyone's stance on the war is, the heroes on the ground deserve all our support, they do not decide when, or if they leave.

:mad: :mad: :mad:

BTW feel free to go ahead and check, the lady who received the email has already contacted snopes with the documentation that this is no fraud.
********************************************************

Friends,
Below is an email exchange between one of my wife's friend's husband and a company that sells different types of mats. He is stationed in Iraq and was inquiring as to whether or not the company ships overseas. He wanted to get the troops better gear to sleep on. This is the companies response. I am floored. I am floored as a military wife and as an American. Please repost this so that this company will hear us loud and clear that we do not stand for this. Whatever your view is on this war - these troops are just following orders. Most are passionate about what they are doing. You can disagree with the war without disrespecting our troops.


On Tue Jan 16 3:25 , [email protected] ([email protected]) sent:

To Whom it may concern:

Do you ship to APO addresses? I'm in the 1st Cavalry Division stationed in Iraq and we are trying to order some mats but we are looking for who ships to APO first.


SGT Hess"

From: [email protected] ([email protected]) [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 9:44 PM

Subject: Re: Feedback: from discount-mats.com

SGT Hess,

We do not ship to APO addresses, and even if we did, we would NEVER ship to Iraq. If you were sensible, you and your troops would pull out of Iraq.

Bargain Suppliers
Discount-Mats.com
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->__________________

As with most posts, I usually skim over them. I had to read this one a few times and I'm still not sure what's being said. Thoughts:

#1: The title of the thread, as it was said earlier, is misleading and confusing.

#2: The email may be real, the company's policy may be real, but I don't think that soldiers need mats to sleep on. This is the 21st Century and if they aren't sleeping on at least cots, then I'd be very surprised. Mats aren't something soldiers need; they aren't body armor or armored HMMWVs. Personally, I'd tell the SGT Hess he needs to stop being such a pussy or he needs to work this through his chain of command or supply channels. If he's a 92Y, then he needs to work this through his Battalion S-4.

#3: Appreciate the concern for the troops and I know your heart is in the right place, but I believe this whole thing came across wrongly.

[Subby]

Ok...Why Am I being called an idiot here?
Granted Nazi may not have been the appropriate term to use, but I fail to see the correlation that leads to me being an idiot.

And what does reading the email have to do with a poor choice of words?

Is the use of the word Nazi, a sore spot to you I am unaware of?

Have I done something in some past thread, past time, or past life to anger you or merit being called an idiot?

Have you magically discovered my address, snuck into my house while I slept and done a brain wave analysis or other such test to determine that I actually lack intelligence and in fact idiot is appropriate?

Or are you just an asshole?
Actually I used clues from your post - stuff like randomly capitalized words, TRIPLE ANGRY SMILEYS and inability to make coherent arguments - to surmise that you are, in fact, an idot.

Plus...didn't you go to Clemson? :D

[Desnudo]

I'm shocked that the overwhelming response is arguing over minutia and semantics.

I was outraged at the response, and I am shocked that is not the consensus resposne.

I mean, I understand and respect their right to say what they said, but i also support my right to call the a$$holes and do every thing i can to hurt their business ventures...

I have been boycotting bargain mats for some time now due to their strong anti-war stance.

[Joe]

I have no issue with disagreeing the establishment. But that does not mean you should fail to support the men and womn who risk their life for you. If you do not agree with the reason for why they are their, that is your right, protest, yell scream and vote, hell for all we know THEY might not agree with why they are their.

But there is an obligation (in my opinion) to support our troops, not wihs them ill

I'm not obligated to support anyone or anything

[Joe Canadian]

There is ZERO indication from that e-mail that the person who wrote it is a Nazi, anti-American, or that the person wants bad things to happen to the troops. It was a bonehead, and probably insensitive thing to say but CU Tiger has made into something much worse than it really is.

People need to learn what anti-Americanism and a Nazi really are before they start using those two terms in sentences.

[JeffNights]

As with most posts, I usually skim over them. I had to read this one a few times and I'm still not sure what's being said. Thoughts:

#1: The title of the thread, as it was said earlier, is misleading and confusing.
#2: The email may be real, the company's policy may be real, but I don't think that soldiers need mats to sleep on. This is the 21st Century and if they aren't sleeping on at least cots, then I'd be very surprised. Mats aren't something soldiers need; they aren't body armor or armored HMMWVs. Personally, I'd tell the SGT Hess he needs to stop being such a pussy or he needs to work this through his chain of command or supply channels. If he's a 92Y, then he needs to work this through his Battalion S-4.



#1: Personally I think you are an ASSHOLE.
#2: I highly doubt you'd call SGT Hess a pussy to his face.
#3: I find it amusing that you decry what you think troops need, if you are vet, then you should know better. Grunts have armored vehicles themselves and indeed have had body armor sent to them from folks at home. Uncle Sam doesnt always provide everything, and I know damn well creature comforts help boost morale.

[Butter]

Well, this thread was awesome.

[Raiders Army]

#1: Personally I think you are an ASSHOLE.
#2: I highly doubt you'd call SGT Hess a pussy to his face.
#3: I find it amusing that you decry what you think troops need, if you are vet, then you should know better. Grunts have armored vehicles themselves and indeed have had body armor sent to them from folks at home. Uncle Sam doesnt always provide everything, and I know damn well creature comforts help boost morale.

You're entitled to your opinion; I'm sure that many others share your opinion as well. You're wrong: I would call him a pussy to his face. You're right: creature comforts help boost morale; however, there is a big difference between what you need and what you want.

I didn't have any body armor when I deployed and my HMMWV wasn't armored. I sucked it up and worked with the hand I was dealt. That isn't to mean that soldiers shouldn't want or desire better things. I'm also somewhat skeptical of this whole thing.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Okay skeptics, here ya go. Looks like there was at least one wrong detail (the mats weren't for sleeping on) but the gist of the email appears to have been pretty much on target.
http://apnews.myway.com//article/20070123/D8MR735G0.html

E-Mail Angers Military Supporters
Jan 23, 3:34 PM (ET)
By DINESH RAMDE


MILWAUKEE (AP) - An American GI in Iraq who e-mailed a Wisconsin company to ask for a shipment of some floor mats got a brusque reply: "We would NEVER ship to Iraq. If you were sensible, you and your troops would pull out of Iraq."

The two-line e-mail response quickly circulated on the Internet and has led to threats against the Muslim-owned business and demands for a boycott.

Bargain Suppliers, an online retailer based in the Milwaukee suburb of West Allis, shut down its Web site Monday and fired the unidentified employee who sent the e-mail, WTMJ-TV reported.

Co-owner Faisal Khetani, a Muslim from Pakistan, has received threatening calls, the TV station said. An answering machine at a number listed for the business said the mailbox was full and would not accept a message Tuesday.

In an e-mail dated Jan. 16, Sgt. Jason Hess asked about getting floor mats from the company.

"Do you ship to APO addresses? I'm in the 1st Cavalry Division stationed in Iraq and we are trying to order some mats but we are looking for who ships to APO first," the e-mail said.

A response e-mailed the same day said the company did not.

"And even if we did, we would NEVER ship to Iraq. If you were sensible, you and your troops would pull out of Iraq," said the e-mail, which was signed "Bargain Suppliers."

In an e-mail to the AP, Hess said Tuesday the employee's firing did not ease his anger over the original response.

"There should be standards set and upheld (by) the company on responding politely to e-mails from whoever goes to their site," wrote Hess, a 31-year-old Fayetteville, N.C., native who is stationed in Taji, Iraq.

Hess said he wanted some mats to cover the ruts in a concrete floor in a former parking garage or storage unit now used as a conference room.

Bloggers spread the original e-mail exchange far and wide, along with the company's address and phone number. At least one site included a link to a photograph of Khetani's home.

"It's really getting out of control," Bargain Suppliers vice president Sajid Nasir told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "Our main concern is for the safety of the family. That's more important than the business."

West Allis police said they were watching the situation but had received no immediate reports of any vandalism or threats from the Khetani family.

Othman Atta, president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, said the employee's response was inappropriate. He said feared a backlash against Muslims.

"This whole thing is taking on a life of its own. It's making me nervous," he said, adding that the center would increase security.

Sgt. Colby Howser, spokesman for the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas, said it is not unusual for soldiers to make purchases on their own.

"He wasn't ordering for the unit," Howser said. "If the unit needed to purchase something, it would be a lieutenant colonel placing the order, not a sergeant."

[CU Tiger]

So even if my choice of words was poor, my language improper, and my emotions too high, the intended result of bringing attention was accomplished.

This story started on a local (NC) forum with 3000 members, and while I disagree 100% with the message from the company I do fully support their right to deliver that message. I also support the right, of passionate citizens to deliver the message they did.

I will now go back to being a mostly unrecognizable forum member...and enjoy the content and laughs here for what they are...

[Glengoyne]

I have been boycotting bargain mats for some time now due to their strong anti-war stance.
Me too. Their weak response has done nothing to change that either. My boycott shall continue!!

What is it they sell?

[sabotai]

In an e-mail to the AP, Hess said Tuesday the employee's firing did not ease his anger over the original response.

"There should be standards set and upheld (by) the company on responding politely to e-mails from whoever goes to their site," wrote Hess, a 31-year-old Fayetteville, N.C., native who is stationed in Taji, Iraq.

Seems like the standard was upheld (the employee was fired). What more does this guy want? For them to go back in time and fire the employee before s/he replied to his email?

[Subby]

I am never buying mats from those nazi's.

[Synovia]

Seems like the standard was upheld (the employee was fired). What more does this guy want? For them to go back in time and fire the employee before s/he replied to his email?

Look at those free speach rights just get whisked away. Its funny how you only have rights when you agree with the government, isnt it?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Seems like the standard was upheld (the employee was fired). What more does this guy want? For them to go back in time and fire the employee before s/he replied to his email?

I'm not really sure that "still angry" = "wants something further".
Seems to me that the anger could easily remain because the company had such low standards in hiring in the first place.

(Something that I thought about before you mentioned it, because at first I wondered roughly the same thing too)

Sort of like me being mad that Dan Radakovich still has a job in Atlanta even though I don't really expect anything to be done about it. Not exactly like that, but sort of like that.

[BrianD]

#2: The email may be real, the company's policy may be real, but I don't think that soldiers need mats to sleep on. This is the 21st Century and if they aren't sleeping on at least cots, then I'd be very surprised. Mats aren't something soldiers need; they aren't body armor or armored HMMWVs. Personally, I'd tell the SGT Hess he needs to stop being such a pussy or he needs to work this through his chain of command or supply channels. If he's a 92Y, then he needs to work this through his Battalion S-4.


It doesn't really matter what they need, they are looking to buy a product. To say that they wouldn't ship to them even if they could just because they are in Iraq is pretty crappy.

[BrianD]

Look at those free speach rights just get whisked away. Its funny how you only have rights when you agree with the government, isnt it?

This has nothing to do with free speech and everything to do with not saying things through a company medium which may cause the company financial distress. Wouldn't you fire someone for a stupid remark that could put you out of business?

[MacroGuru]

Look at those free speach rights just get whisked away. Its funny how you only have rights when you agree with the government, isnt it?

Free Speech Rights? Where did the employee invoke his rights of freedom of speech? He was responding to a "COMPANY" email, therefore, he should have "RESPONDED" professionally, not throw out his personal diatribe in an email. Hence, the firing.

Now if it was someone responding for the hell of it, and not selling something, then by all means spew what crap you feel like spewing, but if it's work related, make sure you follow CORPORATE POLICY.

[Huckleberry]

Look at those free speach rights just get whisked away. Its funny how you only have rights when you agree with the government, isnt it?

Add free "speach" to the list of things Synovia doesn't understand at even a conceptual level. Hint: I'm pretty sure no government agency forced the company to fire the employee.

And, for the record, I'm an anti-unnecessary-apostrophe Nazi.

[Drake]

Agreed. Synovia seems confused by the concept that free speech <> speech without consequences. I have the right to say whatever I want to my boss, but that doesn't mean that I have the right not to be fired for mouthing off.

[Synovia]

Add free "speach" to the list of things Synovia doesn't understand at even a conceptual level. Hint: I'm pretty sure no government agency forced the company to fire the employee.

And, for the record, I'm an anti-unnecessary-apostrophe Nazi.

No, I do understand free speech. My issue is that he was fired because what he said was "unnamerican." If he had responded to the email "kill some iraqis" it wouldnt have made a damn difference. The government doesnt have to take your freedom of speech away when this silly idea of misplaced patriotism can do it much more effectively.

[BrianD]

No, I do understand free speech. My issue is that he was fired because what he said was "unnamerican." If he had responded to the email "kill some iraqis" it wouldnt have made a damn difference. The government doesnt have to take your freedom of speech away when this silly idea of misplaced patriotism can do it much more effectively.

No, he was fired for causing financial harm to the company he was working for. That harm may have come from customers who started an uproar due to his conduct being "un-American", but he was fired for hurting the company. You have to know who your customers are and do what you can to not alienate them. If he had responded with "kill some Iraqis", he would have caused an uproar from a different group of customers and would still have been fired.

[Drake]

Nope. Still missing the point.

If you say something inappropriate to what will undoubtedly be an unreceptive audience in a business medium, you can't expect to have that speech protected from private repercussion. That's not a freedom issue. It's a common sense issue.

[Drake]

dola...

I'm just gonna let BrianD type my responses from now on, since we seem to be on the same wavelength.

[Jonathan Ezarik]

I also support the right, of passionate citizens to deliver the message they did.

You support the threatening phone calls and posting of a photo of the owner's house?

[Klinglerware]

You support the threatening phone calls and posting of a photo of the owner's house?

It would be hillarious if the guys threatening the owner happened to be white supremacists. Would they then be pro-American Nazi's? :D

[BrianD]

You support the threatening phone calls and posting of a photo of the owner's house?

That really is pretty crappy. If people want to make a statement, vote with their wallets and don't give that company business...or tell the world not to give that company business. Don't threaten the people or violate their privacy.

[Karlifornia]

Hitler would be very proud of the discount mat man.

[Butter]

The guy says "There should be standards set and upheld (by) the company on responding politely to e-mails from whoever goes to their site"... obviously, there are standards set, and upheld as noted by the person's firing. I can see him still being angry about having the e-mail sent in the first place, and I wouldn't order from them either if I were in the same position, but this particular quote is misplaced anger if true.

Either way, it kinda shows how hyper sensitive some people are to criticism. The same people who are responding this way to this incident are probably the same people who get pissed whenever they hear about some PC incident. So, who's more sensitive?

[Subby]

Good post, Butter...

If I was the business owner, I would be sending out some complimentary mats, tout de suite...

[Desnudo]

I'm sure the Sgt is just working the publicity for some free mats at this point. I don't think he could possibly still be that upset.

[Passacaglia]

I'm sure the Sgt is just working the publicity for some free mats at this point. I don't think he could possibly still be that upset.

I'm sure even if they gave him free round trip mats, he'd still be upset.

[Desnudo]

Me too. Their weak response has done nothing to change that either. My boycott shall continue!!

What is it they sell?

Hitler Jihadists for Communism mats