Re: use of "microsoft haters" by journalist

["Glenn T. Livezey" <glivezey@netserv.unmc.edu>]

  On Tue, 16 Dec 1997 19:32:01 -0500 (EST), Mitch Stone wrote:
  >Subject: Re: Indiscriminate usage of phrase "Microsoft haters" by journalist 
  >In reply to Milan Zimmermann's message sent 12/16/97 4:03 AM:
  >>Obviously this is highly unfair/derogatory to people on this list and
  >>many, many others. I am wondering whether some PR efforts should be
  >>done  to address this.
  >>In any case, I am attaching a copy of my e-mail to the Toronto Star
  >>newspaper.
  >You've done exactly what you ought to have done, in my opinion. 
  
  Hear, hear!
  
  >The terms 
  >"Microsoft basher" and "Microsoft hater" have already been enshrined in 
  >the buzz word hall of fame -- so don't be surprised if you receive no 
  >response to your letter. The press are difficult to disabuse of a notion, 
  >no matter how wrong-headed, once it reaches the status of cherished 
  >cliche.
  
  Or if it happens to bolster their open or hidden editorial agenda...........
  
  >This incident (all to frequently repeated elsewhere), brings up an 
  >important issue. Microsoft's PR is difficult to combat because it is a 
  >well-funded and highly orchestrated effort. I stop short of believing 
  >that we in the "resistance" need to be similarly "organized," but I do 
  >believe we need to be prepared to address certain critical points in a 
  >somewhat consistent fashion, in letters to editors and wherever else we 
  >might find ourselves talking about the Microsoft Problem. Once the press 
  >begins to hear the same things being said, over and over again, and from 
  >different sources, they will eventually respond by more accurately 
  >representing the other side of the debate. 
  
  If only it were so. But I would bet you that their editors find it just as easy to
  dismiss public opinion that disagrees with their viewpoint as you or I find it
  easy to dismiss the MS propaganda and Elvis sightings that appear side-
  by-side with intelligent writings in the newspaper.
  
  >Perhaps this is a good place to develop these talking-points. Any 
  >comments? Any takers?
  >   Mitch Stone
  
  I'm with 'ya all the way Mitch. But perhaps we could stand just a tad
  of organization in collecting and presenting these "letters to the editor"
  and list postings. We need some form simple enough to expect that it 
  might actually be read by our "target" audience, but with sufficient 
  impact to impart the scope of our numbers and the depth of our resolve. 
  Any suggestions?
  
  >   Forsan et haec olim meminisse juvabit. (Perhaps, someday, 
  >   it will give us pleasure to remember this ordeal).  
  >                                    --  Virgil
  
  At the end of each day, if we can still assemble and speak
  of the fight, it will give us pleasure to act on our principles, 
  remember our actions, and plan the next fight accordingly.
  -somebody must have said it better, but there's my version-GTL
  
  
  Glenn T. Livezey, Ph.D.
  Director of Perinatal Research
  Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine
  Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
  University of Nebraska Medical Center
  600 South 42nd Street
  Omaha, NE 68198-3255
  Phone- 402-559-8064
  FAX- 402-559-7126
  e-mail glivezey@netserv.unmc.edu