Draft Fred Thompson: The Original FredSite, Est. 20 Jan 07
Posted on 11/05/2007 4:50:05 AM PST by Josh Painter
Checking the inbox of the Gmail account associated with my Blogger blogs, I discovered that I had mail from Sturm, Ruger & Co. It's a "cease and desist" request regarding my username. It seems that they very much want me to stop using it. The company representative very politely informed me that my blogging is confusing some people who think that the opinions expressed in my postings on my several blogs are those of the company.
Wow, I never imagined that blogging would bring such notoriety, LOL. The upside is that I'm getting the word about Fred Thompson out to a much wider readership than I realized. The downside is I had been using the Sturm Ruger handle for so long that it must now be changed in many venues, including blogs, forums and e-mail accounts.
The last thing I would want to do is to cause problems for my favorite firearms manufacturer. I've been a fan of their products for many years and a longtime Ruger customer. You just can't buy a finer, more accurate gun with the quality and reliability of a Ruger for anywhere near their price point. That's why I chose Sturm Ruger as an internet handle in the first place.
I have no problems whatsoever in complying with Ruger's wishes. Were I part of the company's management team and heard that the firm's name was being confused with some opinionated blogger on the web, regardless of his opinions, I would take the same view that Ruger has. I'm completely on their side on this, and I've done everything I can to comply with their wishes. Frankly, I just didn't realize that my blogs, all quite recent startups, could be reaching a wide enough audience to cause such confusion.
I didnt have to deliberate very long to pick a new handle. One of my favorite characters that Fred Dalton Thompson potrayed was Admiral Josh Painter in "The Hunt for Red October." In the story, Painter turns around the opinion of the USS Enterprise's skipper (Captain Charlie Davenport) regarding Jack Ryan:
Jack Ryan, in US Navy Commander uniform, exits after meeting the Admiral and Captain of the carrier)Painter leads Davenport to see Ryan in a different light simply by getting the facts out. That's what I always try to do - get the facts out.Admiral Josh Painter: You think he's crazy?
Captain Davenport: Certifiable. And no matter what his credentials, I don't care for him wearing the uniform.
Admiral Josh Painter: You see that ring on his finger? The Academy, Class of '72. A Marine.
Captain Davenport: You're kidding! How did you...
Admiral Josh Painter: Greer told me. Summer of his third year, he and his squad went down in a chopper accident in the Med. Bad - pilot, crew killed. That kid spent ten months in traction, another year learning to walk again. Did his fourth year from the hospital. Now it's up to you, Charlie, but you might consider cuttin' the kid a little slack.
So, my friends, from here on out my internet handle is Josh Painter. I'd better put the disclaimer out now that my internet handle is based on a fictional character, and any connection to any real person named Josh Painter whether living or dead, is purely unintentional on my part.
Regards,
- Josh Painter (The FReeper formerly known as Sturm Ruger)
Sorry, I’m a painter. I’m going to have to insist that you stop using that handle.
Oh, quit joshing him like that. :)
When you posted, I always thought, POW! LOL Just don’t stop posting your insightful and concise opinions.
FRED VETS, SIGN UP TODAY AT:
An anti-Fred likely ratted you out for thirty pieces of popcorn.
Sturm Ruger is now Josh Painter
Politicalmom, don't forget to change Sturm's name on the list. ;)
A rose by any other name.....
Boo...
Russians don’t take a dump, son, without a plan.
Sounds like a Paulie...
You’re just sore because I beat you to capitalizing on Sandra Duffy’s “apology” comment on the other thread.
He's only joshing Josh because Josh is joshable...in a way :) Right Josh?
I’m sorry you had to apologize to her first. maybe we can go in together and get he a life size cut out of Mitt as a olive branch...
Of course she probably has one...
To paraphrase the admiral: "Son, Hillary don't take a dump without a plan."
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
Link, please. :)
Saw he linked you, adorable aint it...
Ah, I see. tag team apologies. :)
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