An all-out feud erupted over social media sites this week, with posts of angry gun owners shooting up pricey YETI mugs and coolers, or repurposing them for less sanitary activities, after the Texas-based company dropped an affiliation with the National Rifle Association.
The flap began after YETI withdrew its discounting and sponsorship for the NRA Foundation, a non-profit that’s focused on youth and education programs, according to the gun-rights group.
The move from the spendy cooler company, a fave of outdoorsy hipsters and NRA supporters alike, came after the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Broward County. The massacre left 14 students and three faculty members dead and prompted demands from gun-control advocates for companies to cut ties with the NRA.
The decision from YETI --- which had a long-standing relationship with the NRA --- sparked an outcry from Second Amendment supporters, who quickly launched a #BoycottYETI social-media campaign that went viral.
The company’s coolers were a huge hit at NRA Foundation banquets and auctions throughout the country, according to an alert sent out by NRA Florida lobbyist Marion Hammer, a one-time president of the national gun-rights group.
The foundation events “raise money to support youth programs and education programs nationwide,” Hammer wrote in the alert.
After days of vicious social-media posts that included photos of toilet seats prominently placed atop YETI coolers, the Austin company released a statement on Tuesday, calling the NRA’s version of what happened “inaccurate.”
The company denied it targeted the NRA, saying it had eliminated “a group of outdated discounting programs” for a “number of other organizations.”
The company also took issue with the NRA’s accusation that YETI had abandoned its commitment to help young people enjoy the great outdoors.
“Nothing is further from the truth. YETI was founded more than 10 years ago with a passion for the outdoors, and over the course of our history we have actively and enthusiastically supported hunters, anglers and the broader outdoor community. We have been devoted to and will continue to directly support causes tied to our passion for the outdoors, including by working with many organizations that promote conservation and management of wildlife resources and habitat restoration,” the company said.
But YETI’s response served only to further inflame the already red-hot NRA.
In a subsequent alert, Hammer blasted the Austin company for “calling us liars.”
“Perhaps the people writing YETI’s damage control statements are not talking to the people who enforced YETI’s decisions and refused our orders. We had even offered the YETI Roadie in one of our sponsorship levels for 2018 --- which we’ve had to cancel,” Hammer wrote. “YETI’s attempts at damage control is to say our statement is not accurate. Shame on you again YETI. You know you made a mistake. A big one. Now you must live with your mistake.”
Speaking to The News Service of Florida, Hammer blasted the company for canceling orders that were already in the system.
“In early March, YETI refused to place a previously negotiated order from NRA-ILA, citing ‘recent events’ as the reason – a clear reference to the tragedy in Parkland, Florida. YETI then delivered notice to the NRA Foundation that it was terminating a seven-year agreement and demanded that the NRA remove the YETI name and logo from all NRA digital assets, as well as refrain from using any YETI trademarks in future print material. While YETI is trying to spin the story otherwise, those are the facts,” she said.
‘TRIAL BALLOON’ TIME
After losing a 2016 race for U.S. Senate, former Democratic Congressman Patrick Murphy’s name has started floating around as a possible late entry into this year’s gubernatorial campaign. Making the rumor juicier is that a potential running mate might be former Republican Congressman David Jolly.
For the record, some of the Democrats already in the race said they would welcome Murphy into the fray.
Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum’s campaign called Murphy’s move a “trial balloon” but also offered a statement from campaign spokesman Geoff Burgan, who said, "We welcome anyone who wants to talk about Florida’s future.”
Former Congresswoman Gwen Graham called Murphy and Jolly “committed public servants and good friends.”
“I have worked with and respect both of them,” Graham said in a statement.
Winter Park businessman Chris King’s campaign took the chance to comment on the Murphy-Jolly ticket by saying, "After five straight gubernatorial losses and eight years of Rick Scott, Florida Democrats deserve a fresh start and new leadership.”
“If they join the race, we look forward to learning more about how the two former congressmen plan to do that not only in style, but also in substance," King’s campaign said.
The campaign of former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine did not reply to a request for comment.
Murphy, a Blue Dog Democrat who was once a registered Republican, had no problem letting the media know Tuesday that he wasn’t resisting an ongoing poll by supporters about a possible gubernatorial bid.
EMERGENCY EXIT
Jason Wheeler, who oversaw the state’s handling of federal disaster-relief funds, is returning to the private sector after a term with the state Division of Emergency Management that lasted less than a year.
Wheeler submitted a “planned” resignation from his $82,000-a-year job on Tuesday --- effective May 3.
“When I started as the bureau chief, I arrived with three specific goals in mind: provide better customer service; increase the timeliness of public assistance grant funding; and, professionalize the recovery staff. I’m confident that we have accomplished these goals, and I hope I am leaving the organization with the tools necessary to continue its ongoing success,” he wrote.
Wheeler directly and indirectly drew headlines throughout his brief stay. Issues included hiring the relative of a business associate with a light resume to help manage FEMA claims, and his former firm --- Wheeler Emergency Management Consulting --- invoking his name as it pitched disaster-relief work for local governments.
Wheeler was hired after three employees were fired by the state division after the agency failed to meet a filing deadline for 2016 hurricane damage claims.
In his resignation letter, he wrote that he “enjoyed” the job.
“In the midst of an overdue effort to modernize the Bureau of Recovery, Hurricane Irma made landfall as a major hurricane and traveled up the entire peninsula of Florida,” Wheeler wrote.
TWEET OF THE WEEK: “On the ballot this November is a historic opportunity for Floridians to vote on the best slate of constitutional amendments ever --- a huge property tax cut, term limits for elected officials and cleaning up government corruption.” --- House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, (@richardcorcoran) on Wednesday.
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