Brian, your impassioned defense of Bill and Co. inspired me to stop by for another drive by shooting. An interesting variation on the "We are the World" PR blitz, but hopelessly Microcentric I'm afraid. Not wishing to engage in serious dialogue in this august forum, I'll just leave you with my favorite current quote and URL for now.
Microsoft's existence depends on enforcement of intellectual property laws. Just like you and me, it has to obey the others, too -- it doesn't get to pick and choose. (from infoworld.com )
There's an ironic counterpoint to the well know "politically naive Bill unfairly bushwacked by politics" line in the first half of that quote. Bill's had no problem getting the lesser Bill and his underlings to lobby the Red Chinese for some intellectual property laws of their own, but success so far is mixed. Still, the naive software engineer seems to spend more hobnobbing with foreign potentates than tending business at home. Mr. Lewis has other interesting points, not that any would carry much weight here.
To the other aggrieved participants here, I'll just point out that I've been telling everybody the answer to the eternal "Who is John Galt" line for months, though I have to apologize for misspelling the fictional character's name for a while. To tie in to the "Bill should pick up stakes and move to the Bahamas" crowd, I'll just note that one of the "Moral Defense" principals at capitalism.org is already there, which of course makes him a little suspect as a political lobbiest. Anyway, I don't think that moving Microsoft offshore would buy them antitrust immunity, unless they chose to forsake the American market of course.
In addition to Brian's inspired oration, I have to admit that I haven't gotten any good ad hominem attacks lately. The "Crybaby whining bitch" line took me back, one I'd be proud to wear. Childish and a hint of homophobic slur, too.
Sorry for the intrusion, back to the newswatch for now. Looks like an entertaining week for all!
Cheers, Dan.
P.S. Brian, how 'bout that Republican poster boy guv of ours, Mr. Family Values too, leading us up to #2 in tax hell ranks? I'm sure he'll find a way to blame it on anybody but himself, what with his ability to rewrite the budget at will and everything. |
