its not like this company isnt known for using their equipment first to drive up the difficulty and then shipping the used ones to people...

Agreed.
But it might be the first time that Bitmain is not doing this just for short term profits. They also seem to be trying to manipulate the future of the Bitcoin protocol and prolong their advantage of covert ASICBoost mining.
Just to review, they're using customer funds to control Litecoin and indirectly control Bitcoin.
I pray that this bites Bitmain hard in the ass someday. We really need real alternatives to this evil company.
Either that or we need to form "Miners Anonymous" and get clear of this mess

It seems like you just want someone to hate. There isn't anything covert about ASICBoost and Bitmain has pointed out they are not currently even using it. The only problem with ASICBoost is that Bitmain holds a patent on it in China. However there isn't even any proof that it really works at this point either.
Now Bitmain is pumping out SCRYPT miners. They are making money supplying the miners. Of coarse the more they supply the less each one is worth. However people are demanding the miners. You can boycott Bitmain but you are probably going to be lonely.
I rather stand for my principle and be lonely than be a part of a lemmings running over the hill....
Also Looks likes coinbase is pulling back from Litecoin implementation for there retail outlet.