Re: Witchhunts and Other Magic

["Erick Andrews" <eandrews@star.net>]

On Wed, 22 Apr 1998 13:57:35 -0400 (EDT), Charles Behney wrote:

>> WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1998
>>                    What Washington's
>>                    Get-Microsoft Witch
>>                    Hunt Means to You
>>
>>                    Jesse Berst, Editorial Director
>>            ZDNet AnchorDesk
>>
>>            Washington loves a witch hunt. But the Monica
>>            Lewinsky trail is getting cold. And the Paula Jones
>>            fiasco has fizzled. So now the Beltway vultures are
>>            circling a new prey.
>>
>>            Microsoft.
>>
>>            It's one thing when liberal gadfly Ralph Nader jumps on
>>            Microsoft. Click for full story. It's another when two
>>            conservative icons complain about Microsoft's
>>            "predatory tactics." Yet that's just what happened
>>            Tuesday with the announcement of the Dork coalition
>>            (Bob Dole/Robert Bork) and the formation of the
>>            anti-Microsoft "Project to Promote Competition and
>>            Innovation in the Digital Age" (ProComp). Click for full
>>            story.
>>
>.......
>.......
>
>http://www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/story/story_2012.html
>
>Dear Jesse Berst:
>
>Let's pile on, early and often! Let's get to the bottom of what
>confidential nondisclosure agreements do to the price and availability
>of OSs. Let's find out how advertising dollars and public relations help
>to perpetuate the endless rebootings that befuddle consumers and
>professionals twenty four hours a day. Let's talk about product
>liability.
>
>Did you know that New Zealand Windows 95 has a one year warranty, while
>the USA version has the standard thirty day credit card warranty? Is the
>New Zealand version better code, or better law?
>
>Let's get critical of every corporate scheme from Intel to Cisco. Let's
>question the analysts of Wall Street on technical issues.
>
>Let's get busy.
>
Well done Charles.  Here:  <gold>*</gold>

I still think Mr. Berst is a wolf in sheep's garb.  One effective way to 
win the spin doctors is to spin them with sobering facts.

Best,
Erick