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U.S. Lobbied EU Over Microsoft Fine

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the no-sense-of-entitlement-here dept.

ukhackster writes "European commissioner Neelie Kroes has claimed that she was lobbied by the US government over the Microsoft antitrust case. ZDNet UK is reporting that Kroes 'did not appreciate' being asked to be 'nicer' to Microsoft. Given that Microsoft was fined 280m euros, perhaps this tactic backfired." From the article: "The commissioner criticised the approach. 'This is of course an intervention which is not possible,' Kroes told Dutch newspaper Financieele Dagblad this week. When asked if she was annoyed by the Embassy's approach, she said 'In my work, I cannot have a preference. I have, however, a personal opinion, but that is for Saturday night.'"

3 of 296 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Pfft. Nothing New Here by partisanX · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I'm not being anti-US, it's just that examining a lot of american history in detail reveals unflattering behaviour at the root of conflict.

    Yeah, out of all the world's nations, how many do you think this isn't true of?

    One thing I don't believe any other government, or people, have done throughout history is to insist other governments should be more like their own and encouraging change with a very large military.

    Really? Then this should be enlightening for you:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empire

    --
    "Our morality is good, theirs is repressive."- Partisanship Rule #3
  2. Re:Pfft. Nothing New Here by Typhon100 · · Score: 1, Redundant
    One thing I don't believe any other government, or people, have done throughout history is to insist other governments should be more like their own and encouraging change with a very large military.
    What!? No other nation in the history of the world has used its military to make others like them? Tell that to the Romans. Or the Greeks. Or the Mongols. Or every single nation in the history of the world. Until a few centuries ago using your military to control your neighbors (or just annex them) was the primary purpose of government. And there have been quite a few in the last few centuries.

    Also, "thoughout history"?? You mean in the 220 years that the US has even existed?

    I think what you're trying to say is that in the last decade (hardly all of history) the US has used its military as diplomatic leverage. But still, it's hardly unique in that respect.

  3. Re:Pfft. Nothing New Here by m0rph3us0 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Generally the US lobbies for things in the US interest. Many people confuse democracies with republican government. The reason the US doesn't like Chavez is because he threatens their interests and is not interested in a free society. Democracy says nothing about freedom. Tyranny of the majority anyone? If the choice comes between a democratically elected leader who wants to kill you or a dictator who doesn't I'll take the dictator any day of the week.