Was this comment really needed? This site has been free of flaming, and bashing of other members or their vehicles up until now...:smilies27
Yeah, you are missing the point that we all have the right to think independently and spend our money where we wish. The reason we spend money is to buy something in exchange, and normally we all stride to buy the best product we can for our money. If we wish to support organizations that help support our interests we can support them too with our money.
This forum is not all about 4 wheeling, it is about vehicle dependant living, and enjoying our environment and it's surroundings. If we want to go camping at a place that doesn't allow vehicle travels to the camp, we hike and not pave our own trails. I think you were expecting the support of off-highway enthusiasts, but this forum has a good mix of every type of outdoor wildlife supporter you could imagine, and thus you got a mixed result for feedback.
I agree that we need to help educate others that are new to the sport, on how to treat our environment with respect. My biggest pet peeve is on the TV shows they say "now it is time to go test this and tear up some trails!" or something to that sort. That teaches so many people who really do not know any better the wrong right off the bat. People need to learn and it is our job knowing what is right and wrong to help teach them proper edict when enjoying the wilderness
If you help teach with some of those 1000 posts, you can help make a change on the environmental impacts of off-highway travels. I do not think you are helping people learn by stating where to shop, and where not to. For a first post, you are opening your self wide open to criticism and need to take it with a grain of salt rather than bash others for their opinions and where they choose to shop.
Bottom Line: I think your effort level is great, but needs to be directed more to educating people you meet on your travels and adventures on how to treat the environment properly and with respect to keep our trails open for years to come. For me I support Tread Lightly, which focuses its programs and efforts in education and stewardship to further the goals of responsible and ethical recreation. To me that is the key. On their site they list each of their supporting organizations and companies you might want to do business with.