All right folks -- this is finally too much crap to put up with from Microsoft. Below I've written an open letter to Bill and company. Feel free to comment or forward. ______________________________________________
Dear Mr Gates and Microsoft Inc.:
This is in reference to you're hiring Ralph Reed.
It's totally unacceptable. Ralph Reed's most famous life work was building up a political organization known for its bigotry and hate-mongering. They've directly and negatively impacted my life. As he stands by his work with the 'Christian Coalition' I cannot conscience providing support -- even obliquely -- to his work.
You have made supporting Microsoft products tantamount to a political statement. I'm writing this from IE 5.0 running on a Win2K Advanced Server from which I do NT and SQL7.0 administration, and application development. My corporation has a strong commitment to consulting based on your products among others. But how am I to continue using your products and recommending them? How is it that I can do this in good conscience?
I've long believed your operating systems are the most appropriate for most applications. In many ways you provide superior products. And although I'm dismayed by much of what came out in court about your business practices, I've always been comfortable with the social values you're company operates under.
Not anymore. Let me repeat -- employing Mr. Reed is as inappropriate as hiring John Wayne Gacy. I will not patronize you're company while you employ Reed. I will not recommend the use or purchase of your products within my company or to any of our clients. It is your responsibility as world technology and business leaders to demonstrate integrity in both your work and your personal lives. You've sought an influential position in the world. Now you have one. You also have the burden of living up to it.
It is your responsibility to publically disavow the employment, values and lifework of Mr. Reed. Without that action. I will never return to using Microsoft products.
Slashdot Mirror
All right folks -- this is finally too much crap to put up with from Microsoft. Below I've written an open letter to Bill and company. Feel free to comment or forward.
______________________________________________
Dear Mr Gates and Microsoft Inc.:
This is in reference to you're hiring Ralph Reed.
It's totally unacceptable. Ralph Reed's most famous life work was building up a political organization known for its bigotry and hate-mongering. They've directly and negatively impacted my life. As he stands by his work with the 'Christian Coalition' I cannot conscience providing support -- even obliquely -- to his work.
You have made supporting Microsoft products tantamount to a political statement. I'm writing this from IE 5.0 running on a Win2K Advanced Server from which I do NT and SQL7.0 administration, and application development. My corporation has a strong commitment to consulting based on your products among others. But how am I to continue using your products and recommending them? How is it that I can do this in good conscience?
I've long believed your operating systems are the most appropriate for most applications. In many ways you provide superior products. And although I'm dismayed by much of what came out in court about your business practices, I've always been comfortable with the social values you're company operates under.
Not anymore. Let me repeat -- employing Mr. Reed is as inappropriate as hiring John Wayne Gacy. I will not patronize you're company while you employ Reed. I will not recommend the use or purchase of your products within my company or to any of our clients. It is your responsibility as world technology and business leaders to demonstrate integrity in both your work and your personal lives. You've sought an influential position in the world. Now you have one. You also have the burden of living up to it.
It is your responsibility to publically disavow the employment, values and lifework of Mr. Reed. Without that action. I will never return to using Microsoft products.