can someone explain to me why there is a maxpedition boycott?

[Revenant1759]

I'm just puzzled why so many on a forum dedicated to knife rights, RKBA, and freedom would be so inclined to rush to the defense of a guy we've learned was sent to prison for a violent crime. ~ Blue Jays ~

Blue Jays,
It's because we KNOW the man. Do you?
You have your own value system that elimininates those who've EVER committed violent crime from your "circle".
Fine. That's your right.
However, don't be surprised that other human beings include forgiveness in their value system.
Scott

 

[Dog of War]

While I don't have much interest in Strider knives, I think those trying to make a 'moral' or 'character' argument against Mick Strider are on shaky ground.

How so? Well, let's look at other things you might have purchased and see who or what you might be supporting....

Does your wife, fiancee or girlfriend have a diamond you bought her? It could well be a blood diamond, mined using essentially slave labor at a huge human toll. Only DeBeers knows for sure. And whether it is or is not directly of such dubious pedigree, there are those who'd argue that you've supported the diamond trade as it exists, with all it's inhumanity, just by buying any diamond.

Perhaps you drive a Volkswagen or Mercedes Benz. Or maybe you've had an x-ray or other medical test or procedure performed using equipment manufactured by Siemens. Surely you know these companies have roots back to Nazi Germany, and at one time relied on labor from the concentration camps. Ugly stuff, that ... and you can bet if they were US companies, they would have been dismantled and bankrupted, if not by the government then in the civil courts.

I could go on and on. The third world sweatshops and factories where a lot of those cheap imported goods come from so that we can enjoy the lifestyles we do (remember Frank and Kathy Lee Gifford and Walmart?) ..... most the produce in your local grocery store, produced overseas using workers whose living conditions would be considered criminal if it were in this country.

And then there's all your stag handled knives, leather goods, etc. ... plenty of people out there whose moral high ground condemns all this as a sin against nature and life itself.

Now these aren't my moral arguments I've laid out here to illustrate my point. I have my principles I live by, but I feel it'd be hypocritical of me to start being a moralist, given some of the things I've done in life (I don't have a felony conviction, but for all any of you know that's just because I've been smart enough, or lucky enough, to have never been caught ... and I ain't sayin'!)

I'm not going to go live in a cave, off the grid, wearing a fig leaf and eating nothing but veggies from my garden just so I can try to appease everybody's sense of conscience. I buy what I like from whatever source I choose, so long as it's legal in the jurisdiction I'm in. My woman wears a diamond ... in fact, I have a diamond ring myself. Except for the sometimes shoddy quality I'm thankful for cheap foreign labor because it supports my lifestyle, and let's me enjoy just that much more.

I don't care what Mick Strider's background is. It doesn't affect or concern me. Not does it affect or concern me what others' personal moral principles may be that keep them from buying certain products.

There's a whole lot of moralizing and preaching in the world ... and still it remains an often brutal, inhumane and unjust place. I don't see how buying, or not buying, knives from a convicted carjacker who may have embellished some aspects of his military record (assuming any of this is so, which I don't know) is of any real importance, in the big scheme of things.

Man, reading all I wrote, I'm afraid hanging around here is turning me into keyboard warrior.

 

[RWS]

....that backward state called Kalifornistan<---- can you tell I don't like that state?)

You and I will agree on that. Ironically one of the biggest reasons for California appearing so backwards is due to the eagerness of our state government trying to take away the rights of its people, like the right to gun and knife possession, as a direct result of the number of crimes being committed, like carjacking, by armed criminals.

In the first line I saved from your quote were you in fact implying that Mick was dishonorably discharged. (I think it was the Navy)

Not at all. I referred to that as an example of the type of crime that would cause me not to want to do business with the person who committed it. I firmly believe that he was in fact honorably discharged.

I purposely chose not to get involved in the discussion about whether or not Strider actually lied to people, after he got out of prison, about his military background in order for him to create a special forces type image that would enhance sells of his knifemaking venture. I do not know if that is true and is secondary to my reasoning for choosing not to buy from him.
However, if that did turn out to be true that he lied to create an image and was posing as an ex-special ops commando, or whatever you want to call it, to sell knives, then I'd have a problem with that as well.

I am in no way trying to sugarcoat what he did just saying that by the rules that we all live under he has done his time.

A lot of felons may have done their time, but the rules that we all live under here in the US recognize the fact that felons, after prison, should be labeled as such.

For example, we're all very proud of our military, however, our military flat out refuses to forget a felons past and will not let him enlist or re-enlist in our military. Also, a felon can't vote, a felon can't have a gun and I'm sure there is more "can't" imposed by the laws of our land and its trusted officials with respect to felons.

If you feel that strongly about my being unfair in my approach to Strider, maybe you should get together with some of the folks here and write your congressmen and rally around the support needed to change the laws regarding how they "mistreat" felons that have "paid back" society while in prison.

Look, I've beat this thing into the ground, and I feel how I feel about it.

 

[BrandonLeeMcKinley]

A lot of felons may have done their time, but the rules that we all live under here in the US recognize the fact that felons, after prison, should be labeled as such.

So what your saying here then is that if he had his rights returned, which by the way he can do after 7 (seven) years,{just to remind you this is all over 10 (ten) years ago}, You would be ok doing business with him.

For example, we're all very proud of our military, however, our military flat out refuses to forget a felons past and will not let him enlist or re-enlist in our military. Also, a felon can't vote, a felon can't have a gun and I'm sure there are more "can't" imposed by the laws of our land and its trusted officials with respect to felons.

As for this one do you know how many of some of our greatest military heros were on their way to prison before they were forced to join the military.... evidently not.

If you feel that strongly about my being unfair in my approach to Strider, maybe you should get together with some of the folks here and write your congressmen and rally around the support needed to change the laws regarding how they "mistreat" felons that have "paid back" society while in prison.

As for this one "Asked and answered" see the top.

Look, I've beat this thing into the ground, and I feel how I feel about it.

Yeah we'll just have to call this one as, "We agree to disagree". Like I said you don't know Mick, and that is a real pity, and IMHO your loss. Will I change your mind about him, obviously not. Will I lose sleep over it no and neither I am sure will Mick.

When it is all said and done then it is all said and done.

 

[RWS]

So what your saying here then is that if he had his rights returned, which by the way he can do after 7 (seven) years,{just to remind you this is all over 10 (ten) years ago}, You would be ok doing business with him.

I didn't realize that after seven years a felon can join our military or purchase firearms. I'm surprised to be honest.

EDITED TO ADD:
You are absolutely correct about the military. I just spoke with an army recruiter and they said it's a 5 year wait for a felon with one felony. No chance if two felonies exist.

 

[OilMan]

I didn't realize that after seven years a felon can join our military or purchase firearms. I'm surprised to be honest.

A felon can vote and after 20 years they can get what's called relief from the government in which they can use firearms again. I've got three more years to go. This is of course if you don't get arrested for anything in the meantime. Also, if a weapon is involved I don't think you can get relief at all. I was told to send in for a FOID card and see what they say back to you.

Also, I got mine when I was 17, for being young and dumb (with no weapons), but after I took the ASVAB test in high school(I think that's what they called it) the Navy said they could fix it so I could still get into the military so there is something they can do to get around the rules too.

Just wanted to clear that up.

later,

oil

 

[RWS]

A felon can vote and after 20 years they can get what's called relief from the government in which they can use firearms again. I've got three more years to go. This is of course if you don't get arrested for anything in the meantime. Also, if a weapon is involved I don't think you can get relief at all. I was told to send in for a FOID card and see what they say back to you.

Also, I got mine when I was 17, for being young and dumb (with no weapons), but after I took the ASVAB test in high school(I think that's what they called it) the Navy said they could fix it so I could still get into the military so there is something they can do to get around the rules too.

Just wanted to clear that up.

later,

oil

I was always under the impression that felons couldn't enlist nor ever own firearms. I was made aware that after awhile felons can vote. Also, I think in some states they allow ex-cons to vote right after leaving prison.

(NOTE TO SELF: When I refer to something as part of my argument, I should actually try looking it up first. DUUUHhhrrr!) :foot:

However, that doesn't change how I personally feel about someone who committed an armed felony.

 

[BrandonLeeMcKinley]

(NOTE TO SELF: When I refer to something as part of my argument, I should actually try looking it up first. DUUUHhhrrr!) :foot:

Yes.

However, that doesn't change how I personally feel about someone who committed an armed felony.

Maybe if you knew the person and not his crime. No one is going to change your mind except you. Your first statement up there kinda makes it look like you could open your mind up. Good luck.

 

[TOMBSTONE]

I have no opinion about the accusations being thrown around in regards to Military qualifications etc,as I don't think there is enough access to all the information for me to make a judgement about someone's life history.
Committing a crime is a terrible thing.Carjacking armed or unarmed is really bad and traumatizing for the victim.That being said,no one was hurt or killed,and Mr.Strider did his time and is a free man.He now is a constructive member of society.He owns his own business and makes money legally.He also provides a service to our Military members,and I'm sure his knives have even saved lives in the field.He deserves credit for serving his Country honorably.If he was a murderer,child molester or rapist or repeat felony offender,I would have no tolerance or forgiveness.
However,Mr.Strider has all of my respect,and well wishes.If anybody has a personal issue with Mr.Strider as far as his past,and choose not to do business with an "ex-convict",then that is your personal choice.I believe under the circumstances, he has proven himself to be a positive role model for others that may have had a rocky start in life that they also can turn their lives around.I think we should be commending Mr.Strider for the positive changes he made in his life,instead of knocking him down.After all,how many people here can claim to have alway's made the right choices in life?

Best Regards,Ralph

 

[j.h]

Just ordered myself a new PT!!!

 

[stropper]

No one can quote Mick ever lying about being oversea's when he was in jail, you know why? Because it was printed in a magazine piece written by someone else. No one has ever came out as saying they've ever heard him say it.

And Mick didn't read the magazine?
Or the sales pitches from online knife retailers and posts on fora he himself posted on too?
He never knew that the the average strider fan was convinced he had been involved in "black ops"
(As if that would make someone a beter knifemaker)
You really believe he wasn't aware of his reputation?

Did Mick lie about his service? Who knows, I have read that he himself has stated being a 'black-ops' person, and others have said it was always somebody else that said it. If thats the case, he has had ample opputunity to set it straight, outright lying or lying by omission are both wrong. If it is a lie, he would be well served to stand up and admit it.

Mick, if you lied, or let stories continue that you could have set straight, then get you $hit together and admit it...its apparent you have plenty of supporters as it is, and would probably gain a bit of respect from others. Either way, it does not look like you have to much to worry about business wise, your stuff will probably be selling just as well next year.

........................

 

[BrandonLeeMcKinley]

Stropper what is your play in this... I mean your in Europe right, why do you care? Far be it from to try and correct someone who supports a former child CIA prodigy.

 

[borebrush]

...Just trying to put it into context here

As I read through the more recent posts I realized something through deductive reasoning, and reverse logic.

I keep seeing certain posters likening CarJacking to Homicides and such which warrant a horrible, state sponsored exectution. (Im not passing judgement, just try to keep up with me.) Some Armchair's Commandos believe his incarceration wasn't enough, not harsh enough. Do you realize you are stopping short of saying that Mick should have gotten the Gas Chamber? Cause thats what you are saying. Wow, you are the voice of reason, and a good reminder of why NOT to drink the koolaid.

Those of you here who don't know him, well I'd put BEER on it, that your opinions would change if you ever had the chance to meet Mick. To hear all this crap drug out about him really sucks. Not out of embarassment for him, but because he has busted his back for the past decade to contribute to our Country. Is he out to make money? Yeah, that makes him a Capitalist. He and Duane take care of the troops. Realize the majority of their business was, and probably still is walk-in, face to face.

About the Black Ops shite that hes never verified, or denied... Who here wants to be held responsible for everything someone else said about you? Thats lame. Anyhoo, I have to go work on guns, and do some guy stuff... Feel free to stop by the badlands sometime, you might learn something about the man and get to know some great people.

-take it sleazy

 

[Ryan Renuart]

Just to settle the military service issue...Mick Strider served in 2nd Batt, 75th Rangers. He was injured in a training accident and medically discharged. While SOCOM didn't exist back then, service with the 75th back then would certainly be considered equal with the service of the 75th today.

 

[Barry H]

Hi Horned Toad-

I see your points about paying debts to society and rehabilitation...but we're talking about CARJACKING here...not about Mick Strider being overdue on paying his municipal taxes or failing to clean-up after his dog.

People who knowingly commit violent crime should be prepared to be shunned by polite society when they're released. In my world, people with violent criminal backgrounds do not enter my "circle" of influence. This is the reason why I unfortunately can no longer contemplate the purchase of a Strider SMF folder.

~ Blue Jays ~

Carjacking....hmmmm....that must be up there with premeditated murder.

"he who is without sin, let 'him' cast the first stone"

You aren't "judge", so stop acting like one.

Barry H

 

[Blue Jays]

Hi Horned Toad-

We're on the same sheet of music in some areas...

I don't own anything from Mad Dog Knives or the Cold Steel companies. The owners of both organizations have struck me as kind of vain, overblown, and somewhat full of themselves. My handful of knives from Busse Combat and Fehrman are surely their equal and likely better in many respects.

As far as Maxpedition gear is concerned, their stuff works very well in day-to-day use and is built to much better tolerances than typical luggage-store junk. The designs occasionally result in a reduction of usable storage space, but I'm willing to endure that when held in contrast against the premium quality of their bulletproof bags/holsters/packs.

You've been a very courteous participant on this thread, thanks.

~ Blue Jays ~

 

[Blue Jays]

Hi Barry H-

Tell you what...go drive around unarmed in a BMW convertible in Camden, South Central, or Harlem until you attract a gang of carjackers with firearms who force you from the car. You can tell me then that it isn't a violent crime. Please try to remain intellectually honest in this debate.

~ Blue Jays ~

 

[Barry H]

I don't know Mick, personally, but I know alot about him. And I also happen to be acquaninted with several other folks, that at one point in their life, made some bade mistakes. And alot of them paid for their transgressions--time served and they had a change of heart, some might define as repentence--it can happen ya know--.

So if you want to shun that person from society after they had a change of heart and paid their price, aren't you promoting some sort of vindictiveness?

Barry

 

[BrandonLeeMcKinley]

Hi Barry H-

Tell you what...go drive around unarmed in a BMW convertible in Camden, South Central, or Harlem until you attract a gang of carjackers with firearms who force you from the car. You can tell me then that it isn't a violent crime. Please try to remain intellectually honest in this debate.

~ Blue Jays ~

Ya know, I can't say he didn't do it. But I can say he is sorry for it, I can also say he paid the price demanded for the ride he took. I can also say he has done everything in his power to make up for it IN THE LAST TEN YEARS. But that won't be good enough for you and again I will say fine; spend your hard earned money else where nobody here will stop you. I will also say that it truly is your loss for not getting to know the man I call friend, but hey whatever, you make your judgments where you want to. Enjoy whichever knife you buy, and from this Strider owner to you I do truly hope it serves you well.

 

[Blue Jays]

Hi BrandonLeeMcKinley-

After your insulting response earlier in the thread I absolutely appreciate your well-reasoned and courteous post above. That is the great thing about the United States in that we can allocate our money as we see fit. Enjoy your knives, too.

~ Blue Jays ~