Microsoft crawls into government

[Charlls]

In a dangerous sign of things to come, Microsoft has been allowed not only to join, but also to chair the American Bar Association’s antitrust section. This announcement comes to us via Ted Bridis, an Associated Press Technology and Business Writer. The report is truly fascinating and exemplary of what is absolutely wrong with our society. At no time in our past has the government allowed a corporation to dictate or recommend the punishment it would accept in the face of Justice.

I am ashamed for the American Bar Association that they should bow to such obvious pressure from Microsoft to allow them to sit upon a committee that was established to curtail the activities of rampaging monopolies. The act seems entirely too coincidental to be anything other than a sellout of the American public. Were there more men of honor, they would not allow a company that has lost its antitrust litigation to sit upon such an influential committee.

It is blatantly obvious that Microsoft only seeks to chair this committee so that they may make recommendations that favor their ongoing settlement and any further judicial oversight of their compliance. It is blatantly obvious once again that the monetary influence of Microsoft is able to purchase their way into key committees, legislators offices and within the Judiciary and all other branches of government as well.

At no time in our history have we ever allowed a monopoly to dictate terms of settlement and enforcement for its punishment to the American public. Here we have what I would call the establishment of a very bad precedent. We are allowing the company to gain positions wherein it may block, forestall or otherwise negatively influence any regulatory or enforcement decisions that may affect its business.


full article at
http://www.pclinuxonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=8355

[JailForBush]

1. Wrong Forum!

It's utterly amazing how many liberals who claim to be disgusted by corporate corruption gush over Microshaft here at DU.

Of course, some (many, or most?) of them are presumably Microsoft operatives. Still, there isn't nearly enough Microsoft bashing here. People need to make their voices heard!

Bill Gates ranks with George W. Bush as one of the biggest assholes on the planet and one of the greatest global menaces. Anyone who's blinded by his phony "philanthropy" should go to the back of the class.