Link:

http://www.michaelhyatt.com/discuss/ubb/Forum17/HTML/000619.html

Levi Strauss & Gun Control

Check out their anti-gun website: http://www.levismusic.com/fuse99/pax_petition.html

Then, let them know how you feel: http://www.levistrauss.com/index_press.html

Here is the text of my email to them:

Dear Sirs,

I really love your products!

I have enjoyed Levi Strauss products for my entire life. My favorite item is the model 505 jeans. They fit me better than anything else out there. I also have a soft spot for dockers. Recently, I even found that you sell shoes, and I have a pair of those as well.

I'm really going to miss them all, and so will my family (immediate and extended).

You see, I recently came across your web page regarding gun control. You people are 180 degrees off the mark on this one, and you are perpetuating the liberal, gun-grabbing paranioa that disarms victims and gains quick votes for socialist politicians.

Privately held weapons thwart 2.5 million crimes per year. Your viewpoints threaten my safety, and I will not fund your company as long as they continue to do so. Maybe Rosie O'Donnell will continue to buy your products, but I won't.

I have sold all of my levi jeans to a roadside vendor, and donated the dockers and shoes to the homeless. I will use the money to buy stamps and pay my internet bill, and use these purchases to let all of my freedom loving second amendment friends, of which there are many, know about your policies. I know I can count on them to spread the word. They know that criminals, not guns, are the problems. That is why armed robbery has increased 44% in Australia since their gun ban, and also why Switzerland, the most pro-gun nation on earth, has virtually no violent crime.

The jeans I sold? They will go to China, or some other totalitarian regime...that's where they belong.

------------------ NRA/GOA/SAF Former Marine longshot911@email.com

-- Longshot (longshot911@email.com), January 31, 2000

Answers

---thanks longshot, here's my email:

---I will no longer be wearing, buying, or in any way supporting your products in any fashion, in fact, I will be donating some amount of my time and money in spreading the word about your ill advised, un patriotic and dangerous corporate policies vis a vis this "gun" petition you have. Our firearms rights are ours, they have not been granted by any governmental agency, we are born with them, and no governmental agency or corporate entity will remove them. Every time I see your products advertised, I will be calling in a complaint to whichever station I see them on. If in a periodical, I will be calling that periodical. If on a website, a complaint goes to the web master/ administrator there. You are wrong, you have neither the numbers, the statisitics, or the moral high ground. You have the opportunity to do more research into this, I suggest you do it. Anti gun policies have been a failure in every society they have appeared in, and the victim level goes up, not down. Look in just the last century past, the most crime was the genocides committed by governments against their own peoples, and it was always preceeded by gun legislation that led to disarming the populations. Learn from history. Never again!

-- zog (zzoggy@yahoo.com), January 31, 2000.

Hey longshot Thanks for the post.......I copied and sent this to all gun enthusiasts i work with. Thanks

-- kevin (innxxs@yahoo.com), January 31, 2000.

I have been boycotting Levi's since they attempted to force the Boy Scouts to accept Homosexual troop leaders. The scouts refused and Levi's pulled longstanding finincial support. Levi's has since decided to actively support very extreme views (IMHO) so this news neither suprises me nor changes my opinion of the company.

-- Squid (ItsDark@down.here), January 31, 2000.

Squid, thanks for pointing out this trend in Levi's marketing; I couldn't figure out how to word it myself.

-- Hokie (Hokie_@hotmail.com), January 31, 2000.

Thanks Longshot! I've just sent them a "little" note letting them how I feel. Now to get the NRA involved...

-- Deb M. (vmcclell@columbus.rr.com), January 31, 2000.

Nice find, Longshot! Here's my message. Stay tuned for the URL once I get it set up...

To whom it may concern:

As of right now, I'll never purchase another one of your products. Ever. Not until you change your outrageous and unconstitutional stance on banning guns, and prove it with action.

I am also going to put up a web page quoting your stance, and promote a boycott of all Levi's products. This is in keeping with my Rights as affirmed by the First Amendment to the Constitution.

You say in your anti-gun page that we need: "Child access prevention laws to hold gun owners responsible for what happens with their guns and prevent children and others from having unauthorized access."

If the present laws were enforced and there was a responsible educational program, there would be no need for more useless laws. When a child gains access to an adult's gun, isn't that adult charged with a crime under present laws? What's the use in having another law? None whatsoever.

You also say we need: "Elimination of assault weapons and other weapons of war. Nationwide laws to eliminate illegal gun trafficking and keep guns out of the hands of criminals. Licensing and registration of guns, like automobiles. We demand solutions, not political debate, and we demand those solutions now."

Whoa! One item at a time here.

"Elimination of assault weapons and other weapons of war."

There are already laws regulating true assault weapons. (Your definition of other weapons of war is non-existent, it could mean a pen-knife) They're called the National Firearms Acts of 1934 and 1968.

"Nationwide laws to eliminate illegal gun trafficking and keep guns out of the hands of criminals."

Once again, there are already laws designed to address these issues. The Clinton Administration has decided, for some unknown reason, not to fully enforce the existing laws. Felons are already prohibited from owning guns, anyone else is not a criminal, and therefore they retain all rights to firearm ownership.

"Licensing and registration of guns, like automobiles."

The constitution does not in any way state that anyone has a right to drive. It does however state quite clearly that the right to keep and bear arms shall not be abridged. This is in keeping with our Rights as affirmed by the Second Amendment to the Constitution. If such a thing is done, it will be received as well as the present unconstitutional laws in California. Tens of thousands of guns were banned by passing unconstitutional retroactive laws. About 300 people have complied.

Note: In case you don't know the meaning of abridged, here it is:

Main Entry: abridge Pronunciation: &-'brij Function: transitive verb Inflected Form(s): abridged; abridg7ing Etymology: Middle English abregen, from Middle French abregier, from Late Latin abbreviare, from Latin ad- + brevis short -- more at BRIEF Date: 14th century 1 a : DEPRIVE b : to reduce in scope : DIMINISH e.g.

If you need other words defined (such as IS) I'll be happy to provide definitions.

You also say: "We demand solutions, not political debate, and we demand those solutions now."

You know what solutions without political debate would be? A dictatorship!! If that's truly what you want that's fine, but there aren't many Americans who would stand for it. I, for one, will not, and you can be sure that after I have circulated these anti-freedom views of yours, many more will buy from your competitors too.

I am going to post links to your anti-freedom pages over and over and over on the internet, in newsgroups, and in mailing lists everywhere. I am going to write congressmen, newspapers and magazines informing readers of the policies backed by your organization.

Ask yourselves some questions: How many of our customers are outdoorsmen or women? Or enjoy shooting as a hobby? How many have used a firearm in self-defense? How many of them buy our products now? How many do we stand to lose after a nationwide campaign of boycotting and protesting? How many will never buy Levis, Dockers, or Slates products again?

Police? They overwhelmingly support Concealed Carry Laws! It makes their jobs that much easier. Look at the FBI crimes databases for proof that Concealed Carry Laws work. Every state passing such a law has seen a dramatic decrease in crime.

I did want to thank you for placing your views out in the open. Its much easier to convince people what your views are when I can point directly to your web pages.

XXXXXXXX X XXXXXXXXX Free and determined to remain so.

-- Powder (Powder@aol.com), January 31, 2000.

Just send them a zinger and will email all those I know will write and hook this into GOA ~~ much tougher group than NRA Thanks for the find Longshot.. 45

-- 45 (45@ACP.com), January 31, 2000.

We quit buying Levi along time ago. They're TV ads aren't fit for viewing by children either. Liberal pukes.....what will be next from this company? Two pair of men's jeans undressing?

-- Will continue (farming@home.com), January 31, 2000.

I didn't know Levi's owns Dockers. I won't be buying any of their products, and I wrote and told them so. Let's see if they respond with some PR blather/nonsense. I will post their form letter if I get one.

-- Marie (pray4peace@compuserve.com), January 31, 2000.

wonder how many mass killer nutcases were wearing Levi's ????

-- Info junkie (Ilkie@it.here), January 31, 2000.

Info junkie I don't believe Clinton wears Levi's.

-- ~***~ (~***~@earth.ebe), January 31, 2000.

Here is my letter to the levis folk. I am forwarding this thread to our newsgroup and the guys at the range. Thanks for the notice. steve

Dear Levis company, We like your products....BUT, We CANNOT support your "extra-levis endeavors". We have passed the word along to many friends, we're tired of your politics. NO MORE levis for us! Your pro-gay attack on boy scouts was bad enough. Boy scouts beleive in Honesty and Integrity. Something we could use more of. Almost all Gun owners are honest and considerate law abiding people. Besides, it's already illegal for one person to hurt another. The law doesn't stipulate how the hurt is done. The call for more gun laws is a veiled threat to our freedoms. King George tried to make guns illegal and thats how the ol' USA got started back at Lexington and Concord. So, please just get back to providing us with great jeans. Anyway, how would you like us messing with your freedoms? Thank You. ......a possible future customer.

-- Steven Hawken (hawken99@hotmail.com), February 01, 2000.

From the corporate website, under the CEO Biography:

Haas' involvement outside of LS&CO. is extensive. He is currently a trustee of the Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, a Berkeley Fellow and director of the [San Francisco] Bay Area Council. Haas is a member of the North American Executive Committee of the Trilateral Commission, The Conference Board, the Council on Foreign Relations, the California Business Roundtable and the Ron Brown Award for Corporate Leadership.

This guy would love to take everyone's guns. CFR, Trilateral??? And they wonder why some people get Haas' involvement outside of LS&CO. is extensive. He is currently a trustee of the Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, a Berkeley Fellow and director of the [San Francisco] Bay Area Council. Haas is a member of the North American Executive Committee of the Trilateral Commission, The Conference Board, the Council on Foreign Relations, the California Business Roundtable and the Ron Brown Award for Corporate Leadership.

CFR, Trilateral????????

Ron Brown???????

Levi's=gone from my wardrobe.

-- bob (bob@bob.bob.bob.bob), February 01, 2000.

I rceived a response from Levi's today:

My original e-mail to Levi's:

"I've read your position on gun control, and have decided that as long as that is your position, I will not purchase another Levi's product. I have also forwarded this information to other acquaintances, and hope they vote with their wallets as well."

"I sincerely hope that you would realize that "gun control" starts with training at home, and personal responsibility for one's own actions, not creating more legislation that infringes upon others' rights. It all starts at home, where it should be."

Their response:

"Thank you for taking the time to write us. Customer feedback is very important to us and we appreciate you taking the time to express your opinions on this issue."

"PAX is a non-profit, anti-violence organization dedicated to the vision of a society free of gun violence. Levi Strauss & Co. supports PAX's goal to bring all Americans together to support common sense solutions to the gun violence epidemic."

"Levi Strauss & Co. believes all students should have the opportunity to learn in a safe environment, free of violence. Our support of PAX is not an effort to deny citizens their right to own guns, but rather to find effective ways to help put an end to gun violence among youth."

"We appreciate your taking the time to write us and to express your thoughts about this important issue. Your feedback is important to us and your opinions have been shared with senior management." "Sincerely,"

"Levi Strauss & Co"

-- Deb M. (vmcclell@columbus.rr.com), February 01, 2000.

Folks,

Uh...anybody know about Dickies Overalls? Overalls, socks and undies are all I buy new; the thrift stores are where I pick up everything else(get lotsa compliments on my wardrobe, too. Nice to be able to dress oneself for about a dollar and be wearing exactly the same kind of thing that is going for around $100.00 in the department stores).

Thanks,

Don

-- Shimoda (enlighten@me.com), February 01, 2000.

I don't wear Levis, but you guys still sound like morons. Did you even bother to READ the web page? It isn't against guns, it is against gun VIOLENCE! You have a license for your car don't you, so what's the big deal about having a gun license? If you don't commit any crimes, you won't have any problemns owning a gun. Sheeesh, it's people like you that give gun owners a bad rap.

-- Hawk (flyin@high.again), February 02, 2000.

Hawk,

What's your definition of an assault rifle? Unless I am sadly mistaken, most high powered rifles are considered assault rifles when you look at how legislation gets worded.

Sorry to disagree with you, but I see some major problems with that page. Children need taught respect before anything else. When that finally happens, youth gun violence will decline. I love where I live, it is the exact opposite of what most of the US seems to be doing/going through. The county in which I live has kids of all ages having access to weapons (depending upon the age, they are supervised.) But unlike the rest of the country, no one around here jumps out of their skin if they see a teenager with a weapon. There is so little crime that I can leave my front door open when I leave or my keys in my ignition. Somewhere the connection has been made that teenagers and weapon access is the cause of crime. Well, that cannot be true or we would have the highest level of crime instead of one of the lowest.

As for some of the other suggestions, well, if I have to get a "license" to own a gun, that means they are registered. This government isn't trustworthy enough to not use that very fact as the first step toward confiscation when that is decided as what is "best" for us idiot sheeple.

I don't mean to rant, but this government and the Constitution are strangers.

me

-- me (me@me.com), February 02, 2000.