Since I'm both new to BF as a poster(I've lurked for about a year now) and not a MANTIS knife owner i feel qualified to make an unbiased statement here:
The whole incident was unfortunate. After reading everything posted here i don't think Jared West ever told anyone to spam any forum; the spamming occured because severall apparently very immature fans of MANTIS Knives decided to break all conventions in internet protocol to win a knife. As far as i can tell, West only encouraged supporters to vocally support his company. He WAS wrong to get personal with anyone, as a businessman. But he isn't "guilty" of anything more than bad luck and the curse of youthful over-reaction. And, maybe, inexperience. 27 ain't that old, in the big picture.
To be fair to the guy- IF he is recovering from any bad habits from his youth it must be extremely difficult to run a business. That alone is enough to break many men, let alone doing it while in recovery from any addiction. And anyone who insults a person who's open about his or her recovery from addiction is immature and childish IMHO. It's easy to throw stones from a safe computer desk.
I've been saddened by some of the reactions that BFer's have posted. Apparently many posters here are hypocritical enough to attack West for "stupidy/immaturity/being a liar" while showing no "class" or dignity themselves. Taking cheap shots at someone in a bad position is the action of bullies and children, and puts you on the same level as those you would accuse.
While i totally agree that the spam campaign was a bad episode, and could(even SHOULD) have been avoided, it was ONLY a mistake and an episode. It certainly was nothing worth attacking the man's integrity and campaigning to DESTROY his business over. I mean, geesh- would YOU expect to be attacked by everyone able to for a mistake you made? Most of the biggest accusers here seem like the least-likely people to be able to withstand any criticism. Let alone have the courage to post a formal apology.
It takes maturity and human decency to forgive and move on. What happened in this incident will certainly not be forgotten. But to pretend that it is "unforgivable" is selfish, childish, unfair, wrong and generally stands against the principles of justice and right-mindedness the internet world purports to stand for.
So stop talking like the guy killed Christ. All he did was get a little hot-headed. It was wrong. He knows it. We know it. Stop relishing in another's misfortune and move on with your own lives, or you'll end up every bit as "stupid" and "untrustworthy" as those you accuse.
And kudos to those able to accept his apology- i, myself, remember who is thoughtful and decent here and who is hateful and exploitive. Far from boycotting West's business, i'm personally going to avoid those BFer's who used his bad situation to their own purposes, because i won't support cowards and vultures who enjoy kicking anyone when he's down.
And i'm NOT affiliated in any way with MANTIS or West. Nor do i want any thanks from him, or his supporters. This is just the truth. It ain't on ANYBODY'S side. Neither am i.
Public Internet forums should be accessible to everyone. Group attacks and slander shouldn't occur. Life is hard enough with our becoming the very people we say we despise: finger-pointers.
And i will NOT reply to any posts regarding this. I'm done. That's all i got to say 'bout that.
TDK
aint read the email that was sent out by Jared yet...
