Microsoft's About-face. Legitimate or do they think we're stupid?

[rpannier]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7762073/

MIcrosoft claims they have reconsidered their decision to remain "neutral" on the issue of gay-rights in Washington State. My question is, "Is this a legitimate change of position, or is this an attempt by Microsoft to have their cake and eat it too?"
Now that the vote has been taken, are they changing their position 1)as part of damage control, 2)because of public pressure, or 3)is this another cynical ploy by a multi-national to get back in good graces with the group (groups) they've offended?
I'm just curious, have they apologised for their callous stance? Are they going to give back their diversity award? What's up?

To be honest. I have more respect for a company that says, "We hate gays and oppose all legislation that gives them equal access", than I do for a company (or individual) who plays both sides of the fence and assumes we're all just stupid enough to fall for it.

[Fescue4u]

1. Does it matter?

If they are lending support then its support thats being given.

Of course its a "corporate" decision...thats just the reality of the situation. Virtually decision made by a corporation is essentially a corporate decision.

Its not as if this is a friendship with Microsoft. It doesnt matter if they are doing it for the right reasons or not.

Now the choice is to either accept the support, or reject it. If one decides to reject the support however, then one shouldnt complain about lack of support.

Just being pragmatic thats all.

[rpannier]

2. While I agree with you on merit

My concern is, if the vote comes up again will they pull the same "bait-and-switch" move again?

[Fescue4u]

6. yup..I think thats a valid concern

I see where you are coming from.

[DrCorday]

3. I think they realized they blew it and fixed it.

For me, this was a bit of a shock. I've lived in Washington for more than 10 years, and in that time have long encouraged state senators to back anti-discrimination legislation as well.

What's weird is that Microsoft, while not particularly a political company, has never really done anything that irritating from a civil rights point of view. They're closest brush with issues like this was when a bunch of Seattle activists called for the breakup of their company, on grounds of its monopoly.

Either way, I thought their original signing on to the bill would help it pass this year so it wouldn't have to go another few rounds with the Repuke minority, who hates it. When this whole Hutchinson thing happened, I flinched. I hate to see Republicans gaining a significant voice in my state - Democrats have controlled it for years, with brief shots off the bow from idiots like Tim Eyman (think ballot-initiative-driven tax cuts that kill the budget) and Dino Rossi (think son-of-a-bitch gubernatorial candidate who demanded his Democratic opponent concede "for the good of the state," only to then lose in a recount and embark upon a seven-month long refusal to concede still being heard while the Democrat serves as Governor), and this rings of that kind of bullshit.

The answer: I believe it was mostly 1 and 2, and with maybe a tad bit of 3.
To Microsoft's credit, I think they realized the business risk they take by supporting the legislation is meager and unimpressive when compared to the business risk of not supporting it. I think they're gonna need to do some thinking after this blunder, but generally, I'm glad they started and finished on the right side of the issue.

[rpannier]

4. If that's the case then that's cool

I live overseas (Korea) and get 90% of my information from reading papers and things on line. I was curious as to what was going on. Thank You much.

[Spinzonner]

5. Bill Gates thinks everyone is stupid compared to him

to one degree or another

[wakeme2008]

7. They think we are Stupid

if M$ wanted to support this bill, they would be calling for a re-vote this year not sometime in the future.

It is like the so-called money Bill Gates "gives" to charity.... Before he gone married he gave ZIP. Only after getting married did Gates start giving out real $$$....