Steve Ballmer Responds to Discrimination Issue

sriram_2001 writes "In a long email to all Microsoft employees, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer laid out the reasons for Microsoft changing its stance to neutral on the anti-discrimination bill. He explains that Microsoft wanted to focus on fewer legislations and that the anti-discrimination bill was one of the bills that they didn't have the resources to follow. Also, far from caving in to Rev.Hutcherson, Microsoft told him to take a hike when he asked them to fire 2 employees for testifying during the legislation consideration period. He goes on to explain how though he personally supports the bill, a lot of employees and shareholders don't. Finally, he raises the question on whether corporations should get involved in social issues."

Comments

low resources

[Sean Clifford]

the anti-discrimination bill was one of the bills that they didn't have the resources to follow

So it's not just my PC that lacks resources.

Re:low resources

[SpaceLifeForm]

Now all that is needed is a way to make sure bills and corps can also BSOD if they are buggy.

Though shalt have no other Godwin before me

[AtariAmarok]

"Even Hitler came to power using dubious but legal means" Tell me, if someone mentions Hitler in a forest, but no-one hears it, does it violate Godwin's Law?

I prefer "Rube Godwin's Law": anytime someone comes up with an outlandish contraption, someone asks "But can you go back in time and kill Hitler with it?".

Re:Why is this a question?

[Anonymous Coward]

"and by definitions have no interests except profits"

That makes them, by definition, sociopaths.

I don't know why, but somehow I find that a fitting description for most (bigger) buisinesses ....

Re:Why is this a question?

[base_chakra]

No they should not. They are not real persons, and by definitions have no interests except profits.

Yes, large corporations should maintain their present trend of social unaccountability.

Resources?

[Darvin]

The anti-discrimination bill was one of the bills that they didn't have the resources to follow. For a moment there, i thought that microsoft was a multi-billion doller company with huge and a vast number of signifigant influences that the corporation could use in helping this bill. My Bad.

Re:Why is this a question?

[andreMA]

I agree completely. Corporations should not be involved in LEGISLATING social issues. Corporations CAN be involved so far as their HR, and employee relation practices allow them to be.

Wow. Lucidity. On Slashdot?

Sebastian Singing

[Anonymous Coward]

Sodomy
You must think it very odd of me
That I enjoy the act of sodomy
You might call the wrath of God on me
But if you try it then you might agree
That you enjoy the act of Sodomy
Don't worry if you feel ashamed; it's been around for years
Thousands more than can be named are interested in rears
Don't worry about Hell, no harm will come to your soul
We're not all Pentecostal, but everybody's got an asshole
Let me tell ya 'bout Sodomy
You must think it very odd of me
That I enjoy the act of sodomy
You might call the wrath of God on me
But if you try it then you might agree
That you enjoy the act of Sodomy
It might just improve your sex; it's a hard act to follow
A fact that fundamentalists find difficult to swallow
So join me as I sing of an activty that's fun
Open up your ring, and try it front to bum
bum bum
bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum
Sodomy
You must think it very odd of me
That I enjoy the act of sodomy
You might call the wrath of God on me
But if you try it then you might agree
That you enjoy the act of Sodomy
SODOMY!!!

From the movie "Meet the Feebles"

Your Rights Online?

[I'm Don Giovanni]

What does this have to do with my "rights online"?

Re:Corporations ARE involved in social policy

[jschottm]

I cry for the moderation system.

Re:Corporations ARE involved in social policy

[madmancarman]

What a crock of shit! You are making a horrible generalization. How about "arguing with a libertarian is always a waste of time" or "arguing with a senior citizen is always a waste of time."

You're right, those are better generalizations. Thanks, kid!