Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : How high will Microsoft fly? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: johnd who wrote (44384)	5/5/2000 5:01:00 PM
From: Ex-INTCfan	Respond to of 74651

Letter from Phil Gramm about MSFT. Here is the text of a letter I received from Phil Gramm in response to my email expressing my concerns about the way the DOJ has handled this matter. I don't know if it did any good -- from the letter it looks like I did not -- but at least I got a response. If you find any typos, it likely is my scanner that is in error. ********************** Thank you for contacting me about the Department of Justice (DOJ) antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft Corporation. I appreciate --- having the benefit of your views on this important matter. As you may know, closing arguments in the case against Microsoft took place on September 21, 1999. On November 5, U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson issued a 207-page finding-of-fact that was highly critical of Microsoft and in agreement with many of the Justice Department's arguments. Judge Richard Posner, Chief Judge of the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, was appointed to serve as a mediator between the two parties to determine whether a settlement could be reached that would avoid a formal ruling by Judge Jackson. On March 31 of this year, negotiations between Microsoft and the DOJ broke down, and on April-3rd, Judge Jackson ruled that Microsoft had violated antitrust laws through predatory and anticompetitive behavior. while a negotiated settlement is still possible, Microsoft has promised to appeal, and final judicial resolution of the matter could require some years to achieve. The Framers of our Constitution, with great wisdom, created a system of government with three separate and equal branches. The legislative branch is charged with expressing the will of the people bv drafting laws, the executive branch is tasked with the faithful execution of those laws, and the courts are designed to interpret the legality of private and governmental actions in accordance with federal statutes and the Constitution. The current suit against Microsoft is an action undertaken wholly by the executive branch within the court system. As such, members of the Senate have no role in the further resolution of this matter. There can be no doubt that Microsoft is a great American success story, and I believe the DOJ must uphold the law in regard to fair competition and consumer choice without overstepping its bounds and stifling the creative process that has made the United States the world's leader in computer technology. Although I do not serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over the larger issue of antitrust law, I will be sure to keep your comments foremost in mind as this matter and relevant legislation are considered by the full Senate. I appreciate having the opportunity to represent you in the United States Senate. Thank you for taking the time to contact me. Yours respectfully, PHIL GRAMM United States Senator ****************** As an aside, I got a kick out of the fact that "United States Senate" in the letterhead scanned as "2cnitab Ziates Zenaig." INTCfan