Thank you Wildboar, for sharing my update here. Things still aren't in the clear...and my shop situation is less than ideal...but I'm working on it...and still working hard to get these orders out.
To once and for all (and finally...I will not engage in any discussion that appears combative, nor will I do this again) clear up the apparent issue people have with my personal...yes personal...politics and/or beliefs.
First, you clearly don't know me. You see what I may post on Facebook, and judge it with your own bias...then make decisions about me and who I must be. That's fine, and is well within your rights.
But let me square something up.
I hate no one based on their religious beliefs (one of the kindest, most gentle and humble human beings I know is literally a self proclaimed Satanist, I'm not kidding). I actively and happily engage with anyone of any religious belief...on any topic, as long as that engagement can be held respectfully, or at least neutrally (there's a big hint in that last part).
I hate no one for their race...period. I may disagree with their actions based on their chosen expression (as much my right as it is yours to disagree with me), and may actively disagree with policy I personally deem divisive and counter to moving forward together...but every person who comes to me is taken on an individual basis. Race is irrelevant for me. The same goes for gender, gender identity (I'm currently working closely with an engineer on a project who identifies...well, I'm not sure what they identify as...but they keep exclaiming on how different I am than they expected. I get a lot of that and I'm ok with it), or sexuality.
I hate no one based on their political beliefs. A good 40-50% (maybe more) of my friends and family are as liberal as is possible while still being of the same human race as I am, lol. I love them all dearly, respect their right to choose their own reality and live by it, and would fight and die for their continued right to do so. The big thing for me, is they give me the same respect (this is the key...I will not be forced into someone else's belief system, or behavior preference...as I would not force them into mine). These people are part of my PERSONAL world, they've chosen to judge me worthy of their love and respect, and I've done the same for them...because in the end, their politics aren't relevant to me any more than their religion or lack of, race, or sexuality.
There seems to be some confusion...it's hard for me to tell since it's been edited but I've heard rumors before...as to how I handle my business and customers. I have never, ever...EVER turned someone away for any of the above, or any other reason. If somehow a discussion of those topics arose, I would respond exactly as I have here. Honestly and respectfully. If I stumbled on their facebook page and found that their beliefs are diametrically opposed to mine, I would (and have many times...most people in this industry are left leaning) smile and move on. I've been welcomed into the home of, shared food with, and sat to dinner with the Pepins (the Jacques Pepin clan...to clarify...incredibly liberal family! They have photos with the Obamas) and loved every moment of it. They are AMAZING HUMAN BEINGS!! We actually discussed politics to some depth, civilly and with mutual respect. They taught me to saber champagne with my own knife lol. We're still friends on Facebook.
My point here is simply that while some people in this thread and the last one that was closed seemed to imply or outright state that I don't need any given person's business...or turn customers away based on differences, or actively hate ANYONE for those same differences...it's simply untrue. In addition...while I'm certainly vocal on my personal platform...my business IS 100% neutral, as it should be in my opinion...and I'm sure you'd be surprised just how much that applies to my personal life as well. I will proudly and passionately state my beliefs...and then listen to you while you tell me yours. I will share my home with you, treat you with kindness in respect if you're sharing yours with me...and avoid sensitive topics out of mutual respect. If someone wants to search out my personal life and judge me for it, more power to them. I will gladly make them the same knife, of the same quality, with the same dedication, love, respect, and heart...that I would my own family.
In closing, I hope that clears up this honestly somewhat unseemly judgment of me and my character based on an outsider's view of my personal politics. Judge my failure to meet my commitments (there have certainly been plenty of those in the last two years or so)...judge the quality of my work! Judge my personal interaction with you in/on any venue. But if you choose to judge me personally without knowing me based on your own understanding of what you think I'm saying on Facebook of all places...you're actually no different than you're claiming I am.
Now, can we please get back to my knives? That's really all that should matter when it comes to business and our common interests isn't it?
) to decide if he wants to be vocal about his pinions/ leanings. Your opinion about whether or not businesses should indicate anything but neutrality is just that -- your opinion. To me, the worst is when a business owner HAS a strong opinion, but outwardly projects being neutral.
