Would have preferred that this be posted on my challenge thread but I will defend this once and be done with it...

You aren't getting it, so it's time for some hand-holding. My comments will be bolded within the original in italics:

"All right I have built a fortified bunker,

You show here that you know that you are going to get some flack for posting this, possibly an ignored gift of foresight.

I was ready for flack, but not an attack on my integrity

perhaps containing a cave sytem of some kind to hide in after this post but what the He**…

I don't mean to bash one of this prestigious(?) BB's sponsors intentionally but this BB is about the sharing of information.

Is it my imagination or are Vision hooks totally worthless?

That last statement is where you are damned, my friend. In ten words you have condemned their entire line of fishing hooks, even though in the next sentence you admit to only using the siwash hooks.

I phrased this in the form of a question intentionally. Because I am questioning the quality of the product, hoping to solicit opinions from fishermen (not salesmen) who have had experience, any experience with the product. To indicate that my mind was not yet made up. I was hoping people would tell me I am wrong and why. Unfortunately the response I received went deeper than that, didn't it?? I did not call the company Shyte nor any of the individuals, I did question their motives, which is appropriate given their inherent bias toward the company.

I tried to use these things for the first time this weekend and three out of every four of the Siwashes broke in the exact same place while crimping them! Furthermore the 'open end' of the hook eyes were not big enough to get around a simple split ring.

If it is true that first impressions are everything, then these hooks are nothing.

Save your money and stick with Gammies, yes they have their limitations and occasional quality issues but they are, from my experience, far more reliable than the Visions."

Another odd statement. You say above that this was one experience with Vision hooks, quite possibly your first. Then you say that the product that you are suggesting as a better hook (Gami's) also have their "limitations and occasional quality issues". What's the difference? That you happened to run into the quality issues in your first box instead of your fourth? Sounds like bad luck to me, or maybe that **** happens from time to time.

Bad luck, **it happens...yes...Am I not entitled to an opinion?? Am I not entitled to advise other fishermen of a bad experience?? Isn't this what a BB is all about??

This is not a flame, this is pure observation. It has been brought to my attention by the sales staff at Vision (at least, that's what I am taking their signatures and URL links to mean)that they have an excellent return policy, their Customer service department will replace my hooks and refund my money...

You've been given the link to Vision's website at least twice now, so if you don't believe that they represent Vision hooks then go to the website and email them from there. Betcha they're the same people. And what's with the dot-dot-dot at the end of their promise to replace your hooks AND (not or) refund your money? Did they give you a conjunction like "...but you are a ninnyhead for posting this crap like you did"? I didn't see it if they did, but you deleted the previous thread so maybe it happened.

My point here is that we all need to consider bias in this equation. I have none, I use what is available to me.
The respondents to my thread were for the most part people with a vested interest in the company. This is a position of inherent bias and it is in their best interest to make me look like a total idiot so that no one takes my post seriously. I will not allow this happen. I appreciate their efforts to rectify the situation and have said so repeatedly, I am just not interested in receiving more potentially faulty hooks, period.

That is a responsible offer and one tendered by well intentioned business men who have something to lose by receiving negative publicity.

This strikes me as someone looking for blood. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I don't think so. They're not trying to pay you off with hush money. They're trying to make things right by you, and you won't let them and instead are wanting to drag it around in the mud some more.

Not looking for blood at all. In fact I challenge you to refute this statement as anything other than "true"

I'm done dissecting. If you cannot see where you "flamed" their product from this outline then nobody can help you.

What you are calling "flames" I am calling my opinion. I did not use superlatives, hyperbole or exageration to express that opinion so I take issue with your characterization of my post as a "flame"...

And for the record my only afilliation with Vision Hooks and Tackle is that I helped them get their website up and running. I was not compensated for this (not even any of their "worthless" hooks ) nor did I seek any compensation. My words and thoughts are my own and have not been purchased, leased, rented, or borrowed from me. I'm just another angler.

Is it possible that your thoughts may have been 'influenced' by working with such a great group of guys? I think its rather obvious that they have, given the veracity with which you are willing to defend them against "ninnies" like myself...If I were such a ninny you could just let my ignorance speak for itself...not the case though is it?

[EDIT] Damn, forgot to preview. Missed one stinking carriage return.