- Joined
- Oct 10, 2004
- Messages
- 867
Has anyone else read the most recent "The Way I see It" on EKI's website (July 2010)? I am no bleeding heart liberal and I am not a Muslim, but I am genuinely starting to get an uneasy feeling. I am one of Mr. Emerson's biggest knife fans (I have a custom Emerson knife collection valued at over $40,000). I also understand he is no fan of the current political administration in the White House and in Congress, count me as not a big fan either. But, to state what he is stating about a religion (Islam) is smacking of "Intolerance". Before you get mad and start to think I am a nut, I want to state unequivacly that Mr. Emerson, not only has the right to say what he wants, but because we live in this country, which was founded on freedoms, such as speech, assembly, writing, and oh yeah, RELIGION, he should be encouraged to do so.
However, I judge people by what they do and say (since words can kill, see what happens if you yell fire in a crowded building), not by what religion they practice. Do I want to see the cowards, who want to see the USA fall, be hunted down and killed? You damn right I do! Do I want the idiots who believe that blowing themselves up, as well as others, because they think their religion is better than anyone elses, be wiped off the planet? Yep!! I believe in these things so much, I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1989 and served in the Submarine Service until I was injured during the first Gulf War and Honorably discharged due to a disability. I believe so much in protecting what I believe, that almost since the day I left the Navy, I have served my country as a law enforcement officer, first at the local level, and then at the Federal level. I speak to people (mostly law enforcement and military) almost every day who hold Mr. Emersons skills as a knife maker and tactics instructor in high regard. As a certified defensive tactics instructor for both Federal and local law enforcement agencies, I trained officers and agents on tactics which are similar to Mr. Emersons. But, some of them, and I do mean special operators too, are not happy with some of what Mr. Emerson is now stating. Most, such as myself, may hold what he is stating and what he has stated in the past in some regard, but what he has stated NOW is a bit much, even for an ultra conservative like him.
I have read some of the posts in support of his views on the OTHER knife forum, which he helped form. Many of them are in lock step with him. That is fine, but I did not know that in order to like knives and appreciate their beauty, it meant you had to make sweeping statements about a religion, based on what you have heard from others and what you have read from ultra conservative writers, and not by what you have heard or seen firsthand. I have served in the military and in law enforcement positions with Muslims, and I was NEVER in fear for my safety just because of the religion they practiced. In fact, I have seen several Muslim individuals die in service for this country. Furthermore, when I was stationed and served in Europe and the Middle East in the Navy and as a Federal Agent, I was disgusted with the negative comments about Christians, Jews, Hindus, etc. made by the right wing Islamists in those countries. Much of the arguments they made against the aforementioned religions were based on many of the premises that Mr. Emerson now uses to rail against Islam (quotes from religious texts, personal beliefs, etc.). I happen to be a Christian and I try to practice what J.C. preached and what is in this countrys constitution and laws, TOLERANCE. Mr. Emerson, sometimes it is much harder, and a better show of character, to fight for the ideals you espouse (freedom, creativity, professionalism, courage, honor, etc.), rather than to show your contempt for others.
Just a thought from a fan of your work, not your words.
FEDKNIFELOVER
Sean L.
p.s. By no means am I looking for agreement on my views. I just felt I had to say something.
However, I judge people by what they do and say (since words can kill, see what happens if you yell fire in a crowded building), not by what religion they practice. Do I want to see the cowards, who want to see the USA fall, be hunted down and killed? You damn right I do! Do I want the idiots who believe that blowing themselves up, as well as others, because they think their religion is better than anyone elses, be wiped off the planet? Yep!! I believe in these things so much, I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1989 and served in the Submarine Service until I was injured during the first Gulf War and Honorably discharged due to a disability. I believe so much in protecting what I believe, that almost since the day I left the Navy, I have served my country as a law enforcement officer, first at the local level, and then at the Federal level. I speak to people (mostly law enforcement and military) almost every day who hold Mr. Emersons skills as a knife maker and tactics instructor in high regard. As a certified defensive tactics instructor for both Federal and local law enforcement agencies, I trained officers and agents on tactics which are similar to Mr. Emersons. But, some of them, and I do mean special operators too, are not happy with some of what Mr. Emerson is now stating. Most, such as myself, may hold what he is stating and what he has stated in the past in some regard, but what he has stated NOW is a bit much, even for an ultra conservative like him.
I have read some of the posts in support of his views on the OTHER knife forum, which he helped form. Many of them are in lock step with him. That is fine, but I did not know that in order to like knives and appreciate their beauty, it meant you had to make sweeping statements about a religion, based on what you have heard from others and what you have read from ultra conservative writers, and not by what you have heard or seen firsthand. I have served in the military and in law enforcement positions with Muslims, and I was NEVER in fear for my safety just because of the religion they practiced. In fact, I have seen several Muslim individuals die in service for this country. Furthermore, when I was stationed and served in Europe and the Middle East in the Navy and as a Federal Agent, I was disgusted with the negative comments about Christians, Jews, Hindus, etc. made by the right wing Islamists in those countries. Much of the arguments they made against the aforementioned religions were based on many of the premises that Mr. Emerson now uses to rail against Islam (quotes from religious texts, personal beliefs, etc.). I happen to be a Christian and I try to practice what J.C. preached and what is in this countrys constitution and laws, TOLERANCE. Mr. Emerson, sometimes it is much harder, and a better show of character, to fight for the ideals you espouse (freedom, creativity, professionalism, courage, honor, etc.), rather than to show your contempt for others.
Just a thought from a fan of your work, not your words.
FEDKNIFELOVER
Sean L.
p.s. By no means am I looking for agreement on my views. I just felt I had to say something.
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