Re: Microsoft's vision of empowering

[Gene Gaines <gene.gaines@ibm.net>]

My apologies to the list.  I am aware that I am bringing up old subjects,
discussed by Norm, Paul and others.  But I think we could use some refocus
to these larger issues.

And Lewis, good thoughts, but in one sense I think you are wrong.

Below you say

  I do not think it is as much as desire to control everything as it is a
  policy to ignore the rights of everyone else (competitors and consumers)
  and ignore any and all laws that might otherwise limit the application
  of their power.

Lewis, you can't ignore rights and ignore laws UNLESS you control.

It is apparent that Microsoft actions ignore rights and ignore laws 
FOR THE PURPOSE OF GAINING CONTROL.

Being under the control of any entity that is willing to take such 
actions is not freedom.  

I repeat my thought.

Am I wrong?  Or do we stand by and watch "Freedom to innovate" become
"Freedom to control commerce" and then "Freedom to control freedom."

Gene Gaines
gene.gaines@ibm.net



"Lewis A. Mettler" wrote:
> 
> Norm,
> 
> Norm wrote:
> >
> > On Thu,  9 Dec 1999 09:13:05 -0500 (EST), Gene Gaines wrote:
> >
> >  [Snip]
> >
> > >Am I wrong?  Or do we stand by and watch "Freedom to innovate" become
> > >"Freedom to control commerce" and then "Freedom to control freedom."
> > >
> > >The world is changing.  I believe the DOJ and the good members of this
> > >discussion list are setting their sights too low.
> > >
> > >Step back.  Look up.  There are those in the United States who are
> > >intent on following a path which leads in the direction of enslaving
> > >you.  I do not think the rest of the world will permit this, but it
> > >may set back our country so badly that we will be left with only
> > >burgers and insurance to sell to each other.
> >
> >      I (and others on this list) have long warned that it's about more
> > than just an OS for the PC.  IMO M$ is working to control *ALL*
> > 'e-commerce' (for lack of a better term) by having their hands in both
> > ends.  At the current pace it won't be long before there will be
> > absolutely no way anyone will be able to do anything on the internet
> > without going through or using something from M$.
> 
> I do not think it is as much as desire to control everything as it is a
> policy to ignore the rights of everyone else (competitors and consumers)
> and ignore any and all laws that might otherwise limit the application
> of their power.
> 
> I am sure Bill Gates has no idea of where he wants to go.  He just does
> not respect the rights of anyone else.
> 
> You can tell that in his speeches, "I want my right to innovate even if
> it means screwing consumers and forcing them to buy products they do not
> in fact want.".
> 
> Bill Gates has never respected the rights of any consumer.  Neither has
> he respected the rights of anyone else but himself.
> 
> His corporate legal policy is obvious.  "Do not advise me, just defend
> me, I'll pay your bill."  I have lots of money defrauded from consumers
> and I can get a lot more.
> 
> Monopoly power is indeed awesome.  Most consumers just give up and pay.
> Others are simply defrauded.  And, a lot are foolish and stupid enough
> to actually help him without pay while giving up their money.
> 
> --
> Lewis A. Mettler, Esq.(Attorney and Software Developer)
> lmettler@LAMLaw.com
> http://www.lamlaw.com/ (detailed review of the Microsoft antitrust
> trial)