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I don't know if this was the first article, but there was an april fools article in the Seattle weekly about it this year.

Just think of the extra profits that all of the MegaCorps will reap in not having to worry about net tariffs. This isn't a friendly gesture on their part, it's a well concocted plan to maintain their profit margin. They stand to make so much money by avoiding these tariffs. If it costs more to import MS software, less money makes it back to the company. Not to mention that it encourages competitive pricing.

Of course MS is using the WTO as a grandstand, that's what the WTO is all about, a big press party to take pictures of suits signing treaties. Microsoft will make this announcement before all the cameras and come off looking like they have been fighting for the freedom to disperse their product without restraints all these years. But the big bad government and 17 states have been attempting to restrict Microsoft's way of business. Watch out! Microsoft has a new best friend and their lawyers are going to make very good use of it. Much more than just self-serving press. They have the opportunity to make a multi-national organization give them clearance to continue their anti-competitive marketing strategies... world wide... without reprieve.

I work at an (unspecified) company that will be coordinating with the media and police in Seattle. The people in this city don't know what's going to hit them. There are over 25 scheduled marches throughout the week. Several of which will shut down major arteries of the city (which was recently rated #3 in worst traffic). The largest will be the AFL/CIO march on Nov. 30 which joins with an unpermitted Direct Action Network March. I expect all hell to break loose around 3pm as the people who were foolish enough to come work can't leave the city.

Already there have been several "professional protesters" who took actions last week by hanging (themselves included) a sweatshop slogan banner over the Old Navy store downtown. Today they hung over the side of the freeway retaining wall, slowing Interstate 5. By the way, last Wednesday's Seattle Post Intelligencer was covered with a mock front page with fake headlines concerning trade.

The frightening thing from my point of view is how the media is really blowing this out of proportion. All of the protest groups I've spoken with are adamantly non-violent, but you wouldn't know that from the news. Plus the police tend to over react in this town.

But best of all is that Fidel Castro may make an appearance. If that doesn't send the secret service into a frenzy I don't know what will... Castro of all people belongs here. Spokesperson of the shitty end of trade embargos.

So besides Microsoft's announcement, some Monsanto poison seeds and what the protest groups are upset about, has anyone actually seen a WTO agenda?

Of course, Gates is looking for an "heir" :)
http://www.seattl eweekly.com/features/9913/features-barcott.shtml
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Try http://www.seattlew eekly.com/features/9902/features-topia.shtml instead.