[Am-info] The cost of Microsoft's school charity settlement

[madodel@ptdprolog.net]

In <20011128004606.2F4A729B37@lists.essential.org>, on 11/27/01 at 04:46
PM,
   Mitch Stone <mitch@accidentalexpert.com> said:

>If this has been posted here already, please forgive the repeat.

>Does anyone know where and to whom to send a letter and/or e-mail to 
>comment on the proposed class action suit suit settlement?

I thought I had sent this to this list but perhaps I didn't.  I found this
on Usenet a week ago:

"From: cloweth@mac.com (cloweth)

Hi, 

I posted the following on several forums last week as well as many Users
Groups and the response has been well beyond my expectations.  

People are really responding. Sentiments like "Congratulations on a
well-presented campaign."  and "I didn't think to send a message to the
Attorney Generals of the remaining 9 states. Thanks for sending the email
addresses for those folks. I just emailed 9 more letters thanks to you!"
and "Thank you for the addresses.  I have expressed my concerns to the
Attorney General of the state in which I live and will urge others to do
the same." 

Please feel free to share this info among friends/colleagues if you wish.

Should Microsoft receive harsher penalties? 

I am very disappointed with the Feds proposed settlement. Fortunately nine
states' AG's agree with me. I have sent the following to the states' AG's
dissatisfied with the terms of the USDOJ settlement agreement. 

"It seems to me that Microsoft has indulged in not only anti-trust
violations but racketeering as well. Is this a possible avenue of
approaching their abuses?"  

As you can see, my position well exceeds current prosecution parameters.
Even if you don't agree with my extreme position, but desire more vigorous
prosecution, I urge you to write to the Attorneys General to inform them
of your support. You don't have to reside in these states to write them.
Write to all of them if you wish. The Attorneys General exist to provide
services to their constituency. I believe that for the most part they take
this responsibility very seriously. They want to get the bad guys. It is
my opinion that Microsoft, Gates, Ballmer, et al, are the bad guys.  

Below are the email addresses of the nine states Attorneys General
dedicated to continuing with more stringent anti-trust prosecution.
Included is USDOJ address to express your displeasure to the Feds. For
international readers I have included a link to a USDOJ website listing
other countries who are undertaking anti-trust action. 

Please include your name and address. This contributes to your
authenticity. They may want to send you a snail mail confirmation. Please
put it in your own words. And keep it brief. They understand the issues,
so you don't need to re-hash them. It would probably be most effective if
you stated that they press on with their lawsuit to impose maximum
penalties.  

A formulation was made years ago by various entities like newspapers,
magazines, politicians, and such. They figured that for every person who
bothered to write to them represented "X" amount of people who didn't take
the time and effort to write but shared similar opinions. "X" can equal
anywhere from one thousand to ten thousand or more depending the specific
circumstances of the recipient. So, as you can see, the simple act of
writing can have a multiplier effect. That's why your single contribution
is so important. 

If you agree that Microsoft has gotten off too lightly again, I plead with
you to take a few minutes, write to the Attorneys General and make your
opinions known. When we're all using Microsoft Windows at least you'll be
able to console yourself by knowing that you at least tried to resist
Microsoft hegemony. 

This is the time to strike. They believe that they have hornswoggled a
sweet deal. Their guard is down, if just a bit. This is far from over.  

California:   microsoftcomments@doj.ca.gov 

Connecticut:   attorney.general@po.state.ct.us 

Florida:   ag@oag.state.fl.us 

Iowa:   webteam@ag.state.ia.us 

Kansas:  GENERAL@ksag.org 

Massachusetts:   tom.reilly@ago.state.ma.us 

Minnesota:   attorney.general@state.mn.us 

Utah:   uag@att.state.ut.us 

West Virginia:   consumer@mail.wvnet.edu 

US Dept of Justice-Microsoft anti-trust comments:  
Microsoft.atr@usdoj.gov

US Dept of Justice-other sites worldwide:  
http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/contact/otheratr.htm

This is a real opportunity for those of us who want more stringent
prosecution. Before, Microsoft had only to have one team of lawyers to
deal with the Feds. Now, their efforts will be diluted by virtue of having
to confront nine different government entities. The time to express your
opinion is now. Together we can have a positive impact on the future of
computing if only we take the time to express our opinions to those who
hold the public trust. "


-- 

 From the OS/2 Desktop of: Mark Dodel

  "The liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than their democratic State itself.   That in it's essence, is Fascism - ownership of government by an individual, by a group or by any controlling private power." Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Message proposing the Monopoly Investigation, 1938 

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