Leo, I’m writing this open letter to you because i discovered your excellent, entertaining, but ultimately disconcerting TWIT.tv show today, due to all the unchallenged mis-statements coming out of Jason Crass-a-canis, CEO of Mahalo.com. I watched with a great degree of incredulousness, as you let Jason call myself, and 849 of my fellow Angel Investors “D.Bags”, then go on to further disparage us with a series of flat-out LIES. Just amazing.
I would like to ask you if I can appear on your show, and go through Jason’s points one by one. I would like to be the person who turns this into a factual debate. I realize that the debate will not be “won or lost” on a factual level; but I would like to go on record with some FACTS about the situation. As a member of the Keiretsu Forum, serial entrepreneur, and active Angel Investor, i take GREAT ISSUE with Jason’s “Jihad” to destroy competing organizations.
The simple fact is, Jason Calacanis has NOT done ANY homework about the Keiretsu Forum. His whole campaign looks VERY embarrasing to him, once you do 30 minutes of research. Jason simply DOES NOT KNOW OF WHAT HE SPEAKS.
I pose this question: Why would anyone become so enraged, without actually KNOWING something about it? I think this whole situation is more about JASON CALACANIS’ mental state, than anything else. And I have the FACTS to back that observation up.
Jason invited me onto his “TWIST” (This Week in Startups, although he doesn’t have a short URL to match) show, then “Chickened out” and put me on Skype video. After four minutes, he muted me (for another 8 minutes); then made a ceremony about rudely “kicking me off” of his show.
And YES, I was the guy that called my 20+ year friends at Sequoia Capital, and asked them “what the H__ is this CEO of yours doing? It looks CRAZY to me”. Later, I pointed out that this reckless behavior endangers Mahalo’s $1B valuation, next round of financing (etc), and that I violently object to them backing him, and supporting conduct entirely unbecoming of a venture-capital financed CEO. If he is going to act out like this, he should be moved out of the CEO slot and put into Business Development, “founder” status, or whatever. But Sequoia shouldn’t be backing this guy as a “mature” CEO (that is their big thing), was my point. So Jason, that was all ME. And you deserve it.
And YES, Leo, I do believe that Jason should be sued for Libel and Slander on this. I believe it will happen, and he will pay a very large settlement. But i have NOT “threatened him” with a lawsuit. I did spend a few hours getting educated by my friend Mr. John Goodrich, one of the named partners at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati (WSGR) about the nuances of slander and libel. And I believe that Jason is a “poster child” for a really solid suit, which would name not only him, but Mahalo.com.
As you likely know, Leo — Jason and his “TechCrunch50″ partner Michael Arrington, are two of the biggest TROLLS on the internet, IMHO. They WANT to be sued. Heck, Michael Arrington has already been convicted of slander in the U.K. And everyone in Silicon Valley knows, he well deserves it. They recently earned the #2, and #4 position of PC World’s “Biggest Blowhards on the Web” award; and I think they should have been #1 (Jason), and #2 (Michael).
I don’t yet know where you are located, Leo; but i would travel anywhere in the United States, at a time and place that you specify, in order to appear “in person” on your set, to discuss this matter.
Respectfully,
Steve Bell
Founder & CEO
Startup Trek Television, Inc.
Los Gatos, CA
Guest Lecturer, Entrepreneurship & Innovation
California Polytechnic University
Orfalea School of Business
San Luis Obispo, CA
Member, Keiretsu Forum
Silicon Valley Chapter
Palo Alto, CA
Wow, you really are a douche bag. Love all the capslock btw, very mature.
Try hitting the gym instead of pounding a keyboard?
Thanks for stopping by, James. Yeah, Jason Calacanis called us Keiretsu Forum members “DB’s” on Leo Laporte’s show. If I find out who you are, I will definitely tell your Mother. So think about the consequences – you could be Grounded for WEEKS!
I love Leo Laporte’s shows, but why he has Jason Calicrassness on is beyond me. Good luck taking him down.
Look foward to hearing you on TWIT
Jeo Laporte doesn't care about anything but money.