So - I have a crazy ethical question but first let me give some background.
I just recently had my Emerson Mini CQC-7B confiscated by our TSA friends at the airport. I EDC'd this blade so much, I forgot it was in my pocket. Sigh... Sad to see it go as it was a favorite of mine. That said, it gives me a reason to get another knife, so not a total loss.
My conundrum is as follows: I recently read a number of Ernie's posts (this is well after my first purchase of an Emerson knife) and really dislike his beliefs. Find his blog posts fascist and too inline with the far right Glenn Beck's of the world. I completely appreciate freedom of speech and freedom of religion, so I agree with his right to express his beliefs. However, I don't believe President Obama is anti-military or disrespectful or our men and women in uniform, and I don't believe all Muslims are extremists who wish to terminate the lives of Judeo-Christians. And frankly, don't believe our world would be better off if all peoples of the world were forcibly converted to Judeo-Christian belief systems.
Anyway, I really like his knives. Respect him as a businessman and knife maker. Soooo, should I just suck it up and go with the strength of his product -- or should I send my business elsewhere?
I admit that I've never met the man and he may be a true patriot and all around good guy. However, to make a truly extreme leap - would I have been comfortable buying a car from Henry Ford despite his anti-semitic beliefs? Or, buying a Mercedes during WW2?
Your thoughts and patience are greatly appreciated.