Wizbang was one of the sites that publicized the link between Adam M. Smith and medical supply company Vante earlier this week. Just hours after video Smith posted went viral he was fired from his position as CFO and Treasurer. It turns out that Smith wanted to keep digging his own grave that morning and make another apology video but the company told him to stand down. Now tht he’s been fired and made the “apology” video he wanted to make it looks like the company made the right call in silencing him. You can watch the video at the bottom of this page.
Smith apologizes to Rachel, the Chick-fil-A drive-thru working he berated in the tapped YouTube video.
Business Insider transcribed parts of the video. Here’s the section where he explains his jerkiness.
“Rachel, I am so very sorry for the way I spoke to you on Wednesday. You handled my frustrating rant with such dignity and composure. Every time I watch the video I’m blown away by, really the beauty in what you did, in your kindness and your patience with me.
You should know that I never planned to say the things I said to you that day, and how I said them. I planned to peacefully participate in the August 1st YouTube post where Jackson Pearce asked people to simply order a large water to show support for the gay community.
But when I got to your window, after seeing all the people in and outside the restaurant that came to support Chick-fil-A, I lost it. I just lost it. I couldn’t believe the number of people came out to support a corporation that associates themselves with anti-gay groups, like Exodus International and the American Family Association.
And how did I lose it? By making you listen to my frustration and disgust. It wasn’t right, and for that I am so sorry.”
Later we learn the Smith went to the store the next day to meet with Rachel, but she wisely avoided talking with him.
So why did Smith do this?
“When I first thought about participating in this protest, I was really excited. I felt purpose in standing up against Chick-fil-A’s funding of anti-human rights groups. I felt like it was the right thing to do — the human thing to do.
After recording the conversation, my enthusiasm in standing up against Chick-fil-A was very high, and in that moment, I decided to post the video. For me, and at that moment, the main goal of supporting the gay community outweighed the collateral damage that Rachel became. And I literally just saw Rachel as collateral damage.
We have to stop rationalizing our destructive actions this way. We have to start seeing people as people. We aren’t ever going to make social progress by personally attacking people. I’m clearly guilty of this.
The degree of reaction my video ended up having took me by surprise, obviously. There was a lot of passion expressed, and still is being expressed. Part of me is quite discouraged by the threats made to my family and former co-workers.
But another part of me is encouraged. If people can get this passionate about a guy being rude to a girl in a drive-through, how much more passion can we have for our fellow human beings whose basic rights are being threatened by corporations like Chick-fil-A. How much more passion can we channel toward fighting for equal rights — for all people, not just straight ones.”
The bold part above tells you everything you need to know about Smith, he’s an elitist, egotistical, obnoxious jerk. Maybe this episode will help teach Smith the Golden Rule (do unto others as you would have the do unto you), but it’s not obvious that the lesson has really set in yet.
He’s sorry, of course, but he appears to be sorry because he and his former company became collateral damage.
That he did to himself…
Adam Smith’s apology video:
Adam Smith’s original rant:
Previous Coverage: Business Executive Records Himself Badgering A Chick-Fil-A Employee, Surprised Everyone Thinks He’s A Jerk UPDATE: He’s Now An Unemployed Jerk
Update: Jeff Goldstein shares one of Smith’s previous video, showing his douchiness pre-dates this incident…
